https://awa-isle.jp/nature/ Often overshadowed by the larger, more popular Sado Island, Awashima is perhaps Niigata’s most well-hidden gem. If you’re looking to discover a new side of Japan, this is where to start! With only extremely limited travel options, no ATMs, and not a convenience store in sight, Awashima is one of the most cut-off places in the country. This isolation has fostered a unique culture of people who eat, speak, and think differently from those on mainland Japan. Let’s get retro! Stepping off the ferry throws you straight into a hodgepodge of different decades. You can spot billboards, posters, and architecture that stretch as far back as the 1950s, … Continue reading Awashima – Niigata’s Most Hidden Gem