Japan’s wilderness is full of ancient trails carefully threading their way through mountains and along riverbanks. Nakasendo is one such trail. This central route through the Japanese Alps was carved through the country’s landscape to connect empires and project shogun power. But it didn’t only move people and goods. 

The Japanese Alps are a mountain range in central Japan. Their location draws thousands of hikers, nature lovers, and history enthusiasts from all over Japan each year.

Renowned as Japan’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Biwa is not only a place of natural beauty but also a gateway to the country’s deep past.

Japan’s ancient kofun (burial mounds) often appear as simple parks, blending seamlessly into the surrounding city. But, in ancient times, they stood proudly above the landscape as symbols of their occupants’ wealth.

Hakuba is a mountain village in Nagano Prefecture and one of Japan’s most beloved winter destinations. Surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Northern Alps, the area receives some of the heaviest snowfall in the country.

Hello, Sakuraco community! We hope you’re doing well. Here are the winners of the September 2025 Reviewer Contest!