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 […]
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 […]
Daigoji Temple and a Sakura Festival
Local festivals are a great time to visit a Japanese Temple or Shrine. This large UNESCO listed temple is especially beautiful during the cherry blossoms and the Hanami Gyoretsu festival but it’s not the only season that it’s excels.
Kenka-sai festival at Fushimi Inari Shrine
As soon as I knew we’d be in Kyoto on the 1st April I mentally blocked out the middle of the day for the Kenka-sai festival. Incorporating festivals and cultural events on our Japan trips is something we’ve done since our first visit and it’s provided some great experiences and memories. It’s so much fun to […]
The Golden Pavilion Temple
Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion Temple should be on your list of things to do in Kyoto. Here’s what you need to know to plan your visit. [separator type=”thin”] We’ve been to the Golden Pavilion temple during spring time and in winter and thoroughly enjoyed both visits. It’s another location on our ‘must do’ list of […]
A day trip to Enoshima
Take a day trip from Tokyo to Enoshima. The island has been a tourist escape for centuries but now is only 70 minutes from central Tokyo. Enoshima offers something for everyone; great food, caves, gardens, shrines, views history and beaches.
Shichi-go-san festival in Japan
There’s not much that’s more adorable, or kawaii I guess, than dozens of young children in traditional kimonos. It’s a sight you’re likely to see a lot in Shinto shrines during the shichi-go-san festival in mid November. An excess of cuteness and so many bright colours is a photographers dream so we can’t resist making space on our next itinerary to include […]
Daisho-in temple on Miyajima Island
If you’re planning a visit to Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture you will probably have Itsukushima Shrine at the top of your list of things to see. The waterfront shine is famous for its ‘floating’ tori gate and shrine buildings and is especially dramatic at the high tide. While Itsukushima Shrine is the primary shrine […]
Our Kyoto geisha experience during the Setsubun Festival
If you’re visiting this historic city a Kyoto geisha experience might be one of the things you’d love to do. For most foreign visitors an intimate evening with a geisha, or geiko and maiko as they are called in Kyoto is unlikely but we have seen them surprisingly often in the city and there are […]
The stunning Mt Misen, Miyajima
Goal for the day? The top of Mt Misen! I enthusiastically parted the curtains of our room high up in the Hiroshima Granvia Hotel to watch the daylight creeping into the sky across over the city. The weather was grey and more hazy then would be ideal but it wasn’t going to stop us this […]