Uncharted Japan

Exploring places most visitors never see

Explore the Blog
u
Why Uncharted Japan
Know Before You Go
Videos
Cities
Getting Around
Photos

Why Uncharted Japan

I’m John Haynes and my wife, Josephine is the fourth generation in her family to have been born in Japan with her great, great-grandparents having arrived in September 1861 from New York only a few years after Japan opened to the west. Her ancestors served as missionaries there when Ronin (former Samurai) still roamed the countryside.  It was very much unlike today’s Japan.  Therefore her family has a very long history retaining many contacts and the family still keeps the family home there north of Nagano.  No one of whom I’m aware in the Japan travel community online or on Youtube has such a background.  We both love Japan and enjoy sharing our experience with others.  Read on to learn more.

From The Blog

Trademarked!

After a good bit of effort and having been denied more than once, we finally received our trademark from the United States Patent and Trademark Office! Obtaining a trademark for one's business is an important step in protecting intellectual property rights.  I was...

Driving the Kiso Valley

We recently published a video of our trip through the Kiso Valley from Nagoya to Matsumoto.  It was a spectacular trip as we followed the Kiso River through the valley making an overnight stop in Agematsu. We started the trip (after a short train ride from Nagoya to...

Godzilla Or Hello Kitty!

We enjoyed a day trip to Awaji Island also known by many as "Godzilla Island" because Awaji Island is where the legend of Godzilla was born in 1954.  Its here where the giant lizard arose from the depths to terrorize Japan and the world ever since. The "Godzilla...
Maritime History In Hiroshima

Maritime History In Hiroshima

Hiroshima is of course known as the first city to ever suffer the effects of an atomic weapon.  The iconic “Hiroshima Dome” is one of the most recognized images in the world.  One reason Hiroshima was a target was that it was a major naval and shipbuilding hub for...

read more
A Delectable Delight in Kyoto

A Delectable Delight in Kyoto

Kyoto is a world class city by any measure, and there is no shortage of scrumptious bakeries and patisseries from which to put  your sweet tooth into overdrive.  Unfortunately, Kyoto is also so popular these days that getting into one of these establishments can be a...

read more
A Beautiful Garden in Yokohama

A Beautiful Garden in Yokohama

For an off the beaten path experience in a stunning garden setting, we recommend visiting the Sankeien Garden Park in Yokohama.  Japan is blessed with many outstanding gardens, and the most popular such as Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa can get overrun with tourists. ...

read more

Photo Galleries

COUNTRYSIDE LANDSCAPES

Museums

Cities & Towns

FOOD

CASTLES

Hotels & Inns

Got a Question Send Us a Note

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.