Richies at Myoko

05/09/2026

Worth the day trip on your day off from skiing

📍 Kanazawa, Japan 🇯🇵

Kanazawa is one of those cities that feels especially rewarding because so much variety fits into a relatively compact area. This guide follows a route that moves from the calm paths of Kenroku-en to the historic grounds of Kanazawa Castle, then into the wooden lanes of Higashi Chaya District, the energy of Omicho Market, and finally the preserved streets of Nagamachi Samurai District.

What makes Kanazawa so enjoyable is the contrast from stop to stop. One moment you are in a carefully designed garden, the next you are walking past old teahouses, fresh seafood stalls, or earthen walls and narrow lanes that still carry traces of the city’s samurai past.

It is also a very practical destination for a day trip or a relaxed overnight stay, since many of the best-known sights are reachable on foot or with short local bus rides.

If you like cities that combine culture, history, and atmosphere without feeling overwhelming, Kanazawa has a very easy way of staying with you.

04/09/2026

Japan’s Meteorological Corporation just released its first 2026 forecast for peak red foliage.

Sapporo turns first, expected to peak around November 7th. Tokyo follows by late November. Kyoto, always the last to let go of the season, isn’t expected to reach its full crimson until mid-December.

It’s a six-week procession with the same leaves turning into different shade of red.

If you’re planning a trip around the leaves, this is the moment to start mapping it out. The window is narrow, and it moves fast once it starts.

26/08/2026

Something to think about if you’re a car enthusiast

22/08/2026

Something to be aware if you’re hiring cars in Japan

Japan just cut the default speed limit on tens of thousands of residential streets in half.

Not in one city. Not a pilot program. A national law change that hits every prefecture on the same day.

Starting September 1, 2026, any narrow local road with no center line and no posted sign drops from 60 km/h to 30 km/h.

For Americans, that's 37 mph down to 18.6 mph.

If you're renting a car in Japan this fall, this one is going to catch you.

There is no sign to tell you. That's the entire point — the new limit applies precisely where nothing is posted.

The rule of thumb: one lane each way, no center line, no median, under about 18 feet wide.

Roads with painted lane markings, divided roads, and expressways are untouched.

Police have said enforcement will be stepped up, and speed traps on these streets are easy money.

A tourist doing what feels like a normal neighborhood speed can now be well over the limit without ever seeing a sign.

Slow down to 18 mph and you're fine.

08/08/2026

For the tourist among us

04/08/2026

One thing we hear most years is “wish we booked earlier.”

Flights from Australia to Japan usually creep up as the northern hemisphere winter approaches. If a ski trip to Myoko is even loosely on the cards, this month is usually the sweet spot to start looking at flights, before everyone else has the same idea.

What’s your ideal time to visit during the ski season ? The early season quiet, or peak snow energy?”

Photo credit to our guest Chris Hetherington

15/07/2026

Just something to keep in the back of your mind when visiting Japan

Japan doesn't just ask for respect. It enforces it.

Before your trip, here's what's now illegal, and what it costs:
📸 Photographing geishas — ¥10,000
Kyoto's Gion district formally banned photography of geiko and maiko in private alleys.

🦌 Harming protected animals: ¥1,000,000 or imprisonment
Covers hundreds of native species, including Nara's deer. Japan's Wildlife Protection Law is strict and applies to tourists.

🛴 Illegal scooter use: ¥3,000–¥12,000
E-scooter rules changed in July 2023. Registration, speed limits and lane rules still apply, similar to car driving.

🚯 Littering: ¥2,000–¥30,000
Almost no public bins exist in Japan. Carrying your trash is standard, so always have a plastic bag with you, to do the proper dispose of the items.

🚁 Drones without permission: up to ¥500,000 or imprisonment
Registration and prior approval are required. Enforcement has increased significantly since 2022.

🗻 Climbing Mt. Fuji off-season — ¥300,000 or imprisonment
Outside the official climbing season, the mountain, it closes entirely. Trails are unmaintained, facilities are shut, and there is no rescue personnel ready on the mountain.

🚭 Smoking on the streets: ¥2,000–¥20,000
Most cities limit smoking to designated zones. Always look for a marked smoking corner before lighting up.

💊 Illegal substances: prison + severe penalties
Among the strictest enforcement in the world. Verify the status of any C*D product before travel — Japanese law changed in late 2023.

Save this for your trip. Respecting the rules is how you get to enjoy everything Japan has to offer.

07/07/2026

Keen for a couple games of golf. Contact us

30/06/2026

Here something you really need

09/05/2026

Richie's at Myoko | Golf Season is Here

Richie's is now opening its doors for golfing holidays.
Myoko is best known for its winters, but summer and autumn bring a completely different kind of magic. The fairways open up, the mountain air stays fresh and the whole region slows down in the best possible way. Late May through to early November is the window , with September and October standing out for the autumn colour alone.

A few easy rounds in scenery like that has a way of turning into a pretty memorable trip.

Keep an eye out for more details to come.