Selena Hoy

From subtropical islands to chilled-out ski resorts, there are so many places in Japan that don't suffer from the overtourism that's challenging more popular areas.
March 17, 2025
Japan is a deservedly popular destination, but travelers often wind up seeing the same sights and miss out on the far-flung, quieter, or less obvious corners of the country. To see a softer side of Japan, we asked locals, from writers to motorcycle enthusiasts, nonprofit workers to photographers, to share something ...

Cultural highlights in Tokyo

Japan is a hot destination right now, with a record number of visitors in 2024: nearly 37 million, breaking the previous 2019 record of 33.4 million. The full easing of pandemic-related restrictions, along with a weak yen (151 JPY to the USD at the time of writing) has made Japan an attractive destination for visitors, whether it’s their first or 15th trip to the archipelago.
However, costs can still rack up quickly, with flight tickets being among the top expenses. With some smart planning, ...

All Japan spreads in this hardcover collection of 500 bucket list experiences around the world.

1. Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
The Golden Pavilion is both glam and grim.
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), also known as Rokuon-ji, is one of the must-visit temples in Kyoto. The 3-story building is indeed covered in gold leaf, and its gleaming surface reflects on the adjacent pond and glows across the extensive gardens. But with a history that stretches back to the 1300s, there are dark chapters, including an arson and attempted suicide that was fictionalized in Yukio Mishima’s novel of the sa...

Iconic temples and castles, ancient and modern art, magical forests, and the best Japanese dishes – it’s all here in this 14-day guide.
World Nomads was founded by travelers, for travelers. So, when we put an itinerary together, you can be sure it’s filled with memorable experiences, expert guidance, and a range of worthwhile activities.
We asked travel writer and Japan resident Selena Hoy to create a journey that blends must-see icons with off-the-beaten-path exploration. Serena shares her p...

1. Kiyomizu-dera Temple
The view from the main temple shows the spread of the city.
One of Kyoto’s top three temples and shrines, Kiyomizu-dera Temple is known for its 3-story pagoda and its stunning approach along the narrow, zigzag shopping lanes of Higashiyama. Once you get to the top, the star of the show is the panoramic view of Kyoto from the temple’s large wooden platform, which includes both the city and the pagoda.
In spring, summer, and autumn the temple stays open late to welcome n...

Essay on traveling Tokyo by taxi in Kinfolk Journeys

How To Experience Old and New Tokyo

Some prefer to spend their vacation budget on luxurious accommodation with personal butler service, designer amenities, and five-star room service. This article is not for them.
But just because we don’t want to spend our money on a place where we’ll be largely unconscious, doesn’t mean we can’t have nice things.
Enter the business hotel chain.
Suggested Activity
Mt Fuji, Hakone & Lake Ashi Cruise with Bullet Train Day Trip from Tokyo
Join a full-day guided tour from Tokyo that travels to Mt ...

What’s the best time to visit the Nagano snow monkeys?
Photo credit: MiNi SaMa / Shutterstock
It depends, but if you’d like to see them bathing, plan to visit during the winter.
The snow monkeys at Jigokudani Yaen Koen are wild animals, and there are no enclosures. They live in the area, enticed to visit the park because of the food put out by the park staff and the hot spring facility that has been set up for them. As such, they come and go as they please, and only bathe in the hot springs d...

Feature story in En Voyage, EVA Airways' inflight magazine, on 48 Hours in Tokyo.

A day trip tour to Hakone and Fuji

10 Best Airbnbs in Kyoto

Zen monk and garden designer Shunmyo Masuno on clearing the mind.
Words Selena Takigawa Hoy
Looking at a garden is a way to feel and realize certain things. The reason monks started engaging in garden creation is rooted in the original ideals of Zen. Ideally, one would build a small hut in a natural and abundant setting—in the midst of a forest, or near a river—and contemplate life. As natural surroundings disappeared, it prompted monks to create gardens to bri...