Journal

  1. How To Watch Sumo Morning Practice In JapanWatching sumo wrestlers train before a tournament offers a quieter, more intimate experience than attending a match at Ryogoku Kokugikan. The stable is a…
  2. Japanese vending machines serve far more than drinksJapan’s vending machines are famous for cold water, green tea and hot coffee available at almost any hour. Yet drinks represent only part of the country’s…
  3. Japan’s Most Scenic Train JourneysJapan’s rail network turns the journey itself into part of the destination. Beyond the famous shinkansen, local lines climb alpine valleys, follow rugged…
  4. A guide to Japanese seasonal fruits and the best time to buy themJapan’s fruit calendar changes with the weather, so the best produce depends heavily on when you travel. A winter visit may bring sweet strawberries and mikan…
  5. Golden Gai: Tokyo’s Tiny Bars And Retro Night StreetsHidden behind the bright billboards of Shinjuku, Golden Gai is a compact maze of narrow lanes packed with hundreds of tiny drinking spots. Corrugated walls,…
  6. How to experience a traditional Japanese ryokan from check-in to kaisekiA stay at a traditional Japanese ryokan offers a slower, more attentive way to experience Japan. Rather than simply booking a room, you become part of a…
  7. Coastal temples and seaside shrines to visit in JapanJapan’s coastline turns religious sites into places of movement and stillness. Waves break below stone steps, island ferries replace ordinary roads, and salt…
  8. A Beginner’s Guide to Japanese Whisky Distilleries You Can TourJapanese whisky has earned a strong following in Australia, where bottles from Yamazaki, Hakushu and Nikka often command premium prices in specialist bottle…
  9. Why you should visit the Tottori Sand DunesJapan has a landscape that feels far removed from its crowded rail stations, neon districts and carefully planted gardens. Along the Sea of Japan coast, the…
  10. Kenrokuen Garden Through Kanazawa’s Four SeasonsThe history and beauty of Kanazawa’s Kenrokuen Garden are closely tied to the changing seasons. Once a private landscape of the powerful Maeda family, this…