Asakusa is a neighbourhood in the northeast of Tokyo city adjacent to the Sumida River. It’s known to visitors for the historic Senso-ji temple and spectacular views from the Tokyo Skytree but let’s take a deeper look at things to do in Asakusa. [separator type=”thin”] We’ve been travelling regularly to Japan for quite a few […]
Enjoy Japan in summer with these essential tips
Summer in Japan can be hot and humid, combine that with the city crowds, a lot of walking, getting around on public transport, minimal use of air conditioning and the rainy season and you might reasonably wonder if it’s a good idea to plan travel to Japan in summer at all. For us it is. […]
Hakone Open Air Museum brings art to the outdoors
Hakone open air museum is a large well manicured sculpture park with a backdrop of the regions beautiful nature & an eclectic collection of art and artists. [separator type=”thin”] There were a couple of things we didn’t do on our first day trip to Hakone that I knew we had to go back for when […]
A relaxing Nikko Ryokan experience at Kinugawa Onsen
Stunning natural scenery, soothing hot springs, adventure activities and incredible food. Kinugawa Onsen makes an idyllic weekend break for locals and a Nikko ryokan stay is a fabulous inclusion in your Japan itinerary. Kinugawa Onsen is a hot spring town in Nikko, Tochigi prefecture. It’s a popular tourist destination and being close to Tokyo it […]
20 Things to do in Nikko | Travel Guide
Under the canopy of the majestic old cedar trees and protection of Mount Nantai lies the town of Nikko, a popular destination for visitors from Tokyo. The UNESCO World Heritage Shrines and Temples draw tourists from all around the world but there’s so many more things to do in Nikko that many visitors miss out […]
Things to do in Kawagoe on a side trip from Tokyo
The city of Kawagoe retains much of the charm of the Edo period when it grew to be a prosperous and esteemed merchant town. Edo was the historic name for Tokyo when the Tokugawa shogunate established it as the capital of Japan. Today Kawagoe is known locally as Koedo, or Little Edo and as you […]
An autumn leaves visit to Minoo Park and Falls in Osaka
Ask a local where the best place is for autumn colour in Osaka and you’re likely to hear ‘Minoo Park’. It’s a short train ride from the city into the suburbs but well worth it for a nature escape and some of the best leaf colour around. While the area is really popular with locals […]
What to eat in Japan – our picks of the best Japanese food
Trying to work out what to eat in Japan? It can be a challenge for the visitor, so many options and usually not enough days. These are 20 of our top picks of the best Japanese food to add to your list. [separator type=”thin”] Food and travel are so tightly intertwined that it’s hard to […]
12 of the best day trips from Tokyo
A great way to discover more of Japans history, culture, landmarks and natural highlights is by taking off on some of these top day trips from Tokyo. The city is a great base for exploring being a transportation hub and with so many fun destinations nearby. Why Tokyo is an ideal base for your side […]
A day trip to Mt Takao (Takao-san) in Tokyo
Mt Takao is the ideal spot to enjoy nature in Tokyo. There are 8 hiking trails that wind their way up the mountain each with their own attractions. Want a more relaxed pace? Take the cable car or chair lift partway for great views and don’t miss visiting Yakuo-in temple or a soak in the […]