Travel in Japan by travellers, tourists and expats. New Tourism, Culture, Lifestyle and Boutique Travel. Independent Guide to Travel in Japan. Tokyo and Beyond.
In 2017 we travelled from Honshu to the Sapporo Snow Festival by rail (JR Pass) crossing the Seikan Tunnel on our journey between Tokyo (Honshu) and Sapporo (Hokkaido). We then spent no more than 48 hours in total in Hokkaido, with less than 24 hours in Sapporo and the surrounding area. Yet I feel that we still …
Sumo tournaments only come three times a year to Tokyo, which means the opportunity to witness them is fairly exclusive. Our visit was during early May (Golden Week) and the seats for the coming tournament were almost all sold out, and those which did remain were selling for as high as 68,000 yen a seat …
This list is bit of a mixed bunch as there was quite a bit of compromise needed (mostly from my side) between me and Fanfan. While I fail to sell her on the Maid Cafes of Akihabara, which are apparently “creepy” and “perverted”, I do manage to party with robots and indulge in other weirdness. Otherwise, we hopefully found …
Note, this is a long journal so there’s an easier, downloadable eBook option over there on the sidebar> I take no credit for this itinerary. It was 100% Fanfan, from start to finish, and I was happy to join along, eating, drinking and indulging in the weirdness of Japan along the way. I think her itinerary …
Our first Japan Rail Travel would be best described as ‘extreme sightseeing’ where we travelled ridiculous distances, to photograph stuff, only to travel ridiculous distances back again. The first day was an early example where we travelled 1,200 km, to photograph sakura blossoms in the northern parts of Japan, only to return to Tokyo again …
We arrive to Osaka’s Kansai airport at night-time, when I find myself somewhat mesmerized by the city, as I follow the lights of buildings and stairwells in search of a bulb out-of-place, or off colour. But everything is exact, as it should be, with matching tones and brightness, and everything is lined rigid in perfect …
We travelled from Honshu to Hokkaido by train during what we expected to be the busiest time of the year. We were travelling for the Sapporo Snow Festival, mid-way through the event, and would return again the same route just two days later. So we were literally there for less than a weekend. But we …
For affordable Ryokan hotels at Mount Fuji, the best area would have to be Kawaguchiko Lake (fujikawaguchiko) found in the Fuji Five Lakes region. With its perfect setting next to Mount Fuji, the entire stretch of Fuji-facing lakeside has been taken over with ryokan hotels. There are plenty to choose from. But it is expectedly …
After touching down at Osaka’s Kansai International Airport, we connect direct by train to the JR Tennoji Station, to find ourselves on the doorstep of the renowned Abeno Harukas building of Osaka. With twelve days of travel and uncertainty ahead, we have decided to make the most of our first days here, with two nights …
The one experience not to be missed in Japan, for me, is the traditional ryokan experience, which is more than just your typical hotel stay, but a package of must-do cultural experiences, all wrapped into one. This normally includes a traditional hotel suite, with frills attached, the hot spring baths, kimonos, and, more than not, a multi-course …
