If you are looking for ideas for day trips from Tokyo that are off the beaten path, then you should definitely check out Itako City in Ibaraki prefecture. Itako is actually less than one hour from Narita Airport and...
Day Trips from Tokyo: Kashima City, Ibaraki
If you are heading to Tokyo for a few days and would like to take a glimpse of Japanese life beyond the big city, then I highly recommend a trip to Kashima City in Ibaraki Prefecture. As far as...
Hells of Beppu – Japan’s Incredible Hot-Spring Experience
Visiting the 8 Hells of Beppu – An Introduction No visit to Kyushu would be complete without a stop in the famous spa city of Beppu. Beppu is a place that appears as if it’s about ready to blow...
Best Hotels to Stay in Tokyo: Nohga Hotel, Ueno
Nohga Hotel – At a Glance Planning your first visit to Tokyo can often seem quite daunting. There are 62 municipalities in the world’s biggest city, with thousands of hotels to choose from. If you have never visited, how...
Solving Underground Mysteries: Tokyo Metro Train Games
Tokyo Metro Train Games – Why do it? I find these days exploring new cities has become a little predictable. You can research everything about a place before you arrive, from which are the most popular tourist attractions, to...
Kobe Itinerary: What To Do & Where to Stay!
Kobe Itinerary, Japan Kobe is one of my favorite cities in Japan. It’s cool, cosmopolitan and has the world’s best beef! It’s close to Osaka and Kyoto, so is a great place to stay if you are exploring the...
An easy guide to the Japan Rail Pass!
It’s a question that comes up for most people the first time they visit Japan, to buy or not buy a Japan rail pass? I bought one when I visited Japan for two weeks back in 2014, and it...
10 awesome reasons why you should visit Shikoku island
10 awesome reasons why you should visit Shikoku island Recently, I’ve had a few questions about what it’s like on Shikoku island. Most people outside of Japan have never heard of Shikoku, but since I’ve been living here for...
Everything you need to know about visiting Okunoshima: Japan’s rabbit island
Forget Disneyland. I’ve found the happiest place on earth, and there’s not a Mickey Mouse in sight. I’m talking about Japan’s rabbit island; Okunoshima. This island is overrun with cute fluffy bunnies, waiting for visitors to come armed with...
How to hanami like a local: top tips on viewing cherry blossoms in Japan
Cherry Blossoms in Japan Sakura season has arrived once more; a short period of a few weeks where the cherry blossoms in Japan are out in full bloom. If you are visiting during late March to mid-April then I...