Welcome to Mai and Chris Travel!
Instead of rushing from one famous tourist attraction to another, we love to explore Japan through “slow travel”—immersing ourselves in local culture, discovering regional history, and enjoying the natural world at a gentle pace. This page serves as our ultimate Japan travel hub, bringing together all our journeys across the country.
From hiking historic trails and navigating regional transport (without renting a car) to exploring vibrant local neighbourhoods and sampling regional sake, we share our real, hands-on experiences.
Plus, we have an exciting project coming up: In Autumn 2026, we are embarking on a 2-week slow travel journey through the Tohoku region (Shirakawa, Ouchi-juku, Sendai, and Hiraizumi) using local rail services! We will be updating this page with fresh itineraries and train travel guides as we go, so be sure to bookmark this page.
🇯🇵 この記事を日本語で読む:【日本旅行ガイド】一時帰国・スロートラベルで巡る、地方の魅力とローカル線・ハイキング旅
【Autumn 2026 Project】Tohoku Slow Travel by Local Trains (Shirakawa, Ouchi-juku, Sendai, & Hiraizumi)
We are thrilled to announce our upcoming autumn journey through Tohoku. Leaving the Shinkansen behind, we will be taking our time on local train lines to experience the stunning autumn foliage, rich samurai history, and peaceful rural landscapes of Northern Japan.
2-Week Tohoku Rail Itinerary ( Coming Soon! )
Our journey begins in the historic castle town of Shirakawa (Fukushima), followed by a step back in time at Ouchi-juku, a beautifully preserved Edo-period post town. We will then head north to the vibrant “City of Trees,” Sendai (Miyagi), before concluding our slow journey among the world-heritage temples of Hiraizumi (Iwate). Stay tuned for detailed transport guides and travelogues!
【Destinations】Regional Japan Travel Guides
Discover Japan’s diverse regions through our detailed walking guides, hiking itineraries, and family travel stories.
Kanto Area & Around Tokyo (Tokyo, Tochigi, Saitama, & Kamakura)
Beyond the neon lights of the capital, the Kanto region offers beautiful seasonal festivals, historic day trips, and deep local nightlife.
Chubu & Izu Peninsula (Shizuoka, Hakone, & Fuji Around)
With dramatic coastlines, ancient trails, and mountain views, this region is a paradise for walkers and nature lovers.
Kyushu Area (Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, & Kagoshima)
Rich in international history, unique landscapes, and incredible hospitality, Kyushu is one of our absolute favourite regions to explore by public transport.
Chubu & Hokuriku Area (Central Japan)
Discover the historic streets of Kanazawa, majestic alpine views in Toyama, and the rich cultural heritage of central Japan.
【Transport】Navigating Japan via Local Trains, Shinkansen, & Buses
One of the greatest joys of slow travel is the journey itself. Here are our practical transport guides to help you navigate Japan smoothly using local trains, highway buses, and regional passes.
Food, Tips & International Journeys
Here are our honest reviews, local flavours, and the logistics of how we make our journeys happen.
Local Flavours & Smart Stays
- ➡ Sake Review April 2023 —— Our personal tasting notes on regional Japanese sake discovered during our travels
- ➡ Imayotsukasa Sake Brewery Tour in Niigata City —— A brilliant 15-minute walk from the station to experience a traditional sake brewery
- ➡ How to Save on Nikko Travel: Why We Chose Utsunomiya for Our Hotel Base —— How we used Utsunomiya to create a perfect, affordable base for Nikko
Long-Haul Travel Chronicles & Side Trips
- ➡ How we travelled from Georgia to Dubai and on to Japan —— The long, slow logistical journey of making our way back to Japan from the Caucasus region
- ➡ Tokyo, Haneda to Bacolod in Philippines via Manila by Air —— An airline review and transit guide connecting ANA and Cebu Pacific for a tropical getaway
- ➡ Getting from Tokyo to Hanoi for Under US$100 with Vietjet Air —— Our honest review of this budget airline, including the reality of their baggage weight checks