Guide note
A slower way to plan the trip.
How to choose a base that keeps temples, food, stations, and quiet evenings within reach.
This is meant to be read before the planning gets specific — most of these choices get easier once one decision is made first.
Use this as a starting point.
This article is designed to send readers toward the right city guide, season page, or planning note without making the page feel like a booking engine.
As the Journal grows, this page can become a full editorial article with related city guides, nearby places, and carefully placed affiliate links.