October 2026 INTO THE VOLCANIC HEART OF MT. ASAMA After days of rain, gray skies, and weather that made hiking feel like a distant dream, Saturday finally arrived with clear blue skies and cool mountain air. It was too good to waste. So, before sunrise, we got in the car and headed toward MT. ASAMA,… Continue reading (Japan) Maekakesan— Into The Volcanic Heart Of Mt. Asama
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(Japan) Kusatsu Onsen — Where The Hot Springs Flow
September 2026 A TOWN BUILT AROUND HOT SPRINGS I had heard of Kusatsu Onsen for a long time, but somehow, I had never visited. Having explored several Japanese onsen towns before, I assumed Kusatsu would be another pleasant place to soak in hot springs. I was wrong—or at least, pleasantly surprised. Nestled in the mountains… Continue reading (Japan) Kusatsu Onsen — Where The Hot Springs Flow
(Japan) Akaiwa ー A Glimpse of Old Rural Japan
September 2026 A HIDDEN MOUNTAIN VILLAGE Tucked away in the mountains of northwestern Gunma, Akaiwa is a small traditional mountain village that feels wonderfully removed from modern Japan. Located on a terrace above the Shirasuna River, the village is surrounded by steep green mountains, farmland, and forest. Its quiet streets are lined with traditional houses,… Continue reading (Japan) Akaiwa ー A Glimpse of Old Rural Japan
(Japan) Kyu-Taishi Station — A Journey Into The Past
September 2026 AN UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY Tucked away in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture, Kyū-Taishi Station is a fascinating glimpse into Japan’s industrial past. We actually discovered it by accident. While driving through the mountains, we spotted a roadside sign for the old station and decided to stop and take a look. Sometimes, the best places… Continue reading (Japan) Kyu-Taishi Station — A Journey Into The Past
(Japan) Autumn at Kurofuyama
September 2026 A QUIET ESCAPE INTO THE MOUNTAINS Kurofu-yama is a 2,404-meter-high mountain in Nagano Prefecture, forming part of the outer rim of Mount Asama, one of Japan’s most active volcanoes. What makes Kurofu-yama special is not only the hike itself, but the scenery waiting along the ridgeline. On a clear day, you can enjoy… Continue reading (Japan) Autumn at Kurofuyama
(Peru) What I did in Salkantay
August 2026 SALKANTAY TREK — From the Andes to MACHU PICCHU I wanted more than just to visit MACHU PICCHU. I wanted to hike through the Andes and actually make the journey part of the adventure. That was how I ended up choosing the SALKANTAY TREK, one of the popular multi-day trekking routes to MACHU… Continue reading (Peru) What I did in Salkantay
(Bolivia) What I did in Rurrenbarque
August 2026 RURRENBARQUE — From the Amazon Jungle to the Snowy Andes Finally, the Amazon! Seeing the Amazon Rainforest had been a dream of mine for a long time. I had always imagined dense jungle, mysterious rivers, wild animals, and perhaps the occasional creature that would make me question why I had come there in… Continue reading (Bolivia) What I did in Rurrenbarque
(Bolivia) What I did in La Paz
August 2026 LA PAZ — Chaos, Cable Cars and a Little Bit of Magic After the relatively polished and tourist-friendly atmosphere of CUSCO, my next stop was LA PAZ, the highest capital city in the world — and a place that immediately felt like a completely different adventure. Sitting at around 3,600 meters above sea… Continue reading (Bolivia) What I did in La Paz
(Peru) What I did in Cusco
August 2026 CUSCO — Where the Adventure Goes Higher After spending several days in LIMA, it was time to head to CUSCO — and quite literally, my adventure was about to go higher! Located high in the Andes at around 3,400 meters above sea level, CUSCO is one of those places where you notice the… Continue reading (Peru) What I did in Cusco
(Peru) What I did in Lima
August 2026 The Beginning of My Second South American Adventure LIMA, the capital and largest city of Peru, stretches along the Pacific coast and is home to more than 10 million people. It is a huge, busy city with a fascinating mix of modern neighborhoods, colonial history, ancient civilizations, colorful local markets, and, of course,… Continue reading (Peru) What I did in Lima