Journal

  1. Japan’s Quirky Vending Machine Dining GuideJapan’s vending machine restaurants turn a quick meal into a small cultural experience. You may sit beneath fluorescent lights beside a rural highway, choose a…
  2. Family Trip to Japan A Practical Guide for Travelling with KidsPlanning a family trip to Japan from Australia feels exciting the moment you start browsing ryokan photos and Shinkansen videos, and a bit overwhelming once…
  3. through Arashiyama's Momiji Tunnel in autumnTucked into the western foothills of Kyoto, the small avenue of Japanese maples known as the Momiji Tunnel of Arashiyama draws photographers, leaf-peepers, and…
  4. Japanese train manners and quiet car etiquette for Australian visitorsPicture boarding a train in Tokyo at 8am on a weekday. Hundreds of passengers glide into carriages, and within seconds the entire space falls into near…
  5. Washi and Origami: A Practical Guide to Japanese Paper CraftsFor centuries, Japanese artisans have transformed simple plant fibres into some of the world's most enduring artistic traditions. Washi, the handcrafted paper…
  6. Tokyo Rooftop Views Worth Planning Your Trip AroundTokyo’s skyline changes character from every angle. From one platform, you can see Mount Fuji beyond a sea of towers; from another, Shibuya’s famous crossing…
  7. How to use a bicycle in Japan: rentals, parking, and road rulesThere's something quietly thrilling about pedalling through a Japanese neighbourhood at dusk, catching the glow of konbini signs and the whir of cicadas in the…
  8. Discovering Obuse: Chestnuts, Hokusai, and Small-Town CharmTucked into the northern reaches of Nagano Prefecture, Obuse is a town that rewards slow exploration. Most travellers speed past on the Hokuriku Shinkansen,…
  9. Why You Should Try Onsen Tamago, Japan’s Silky EggOnsen tamago is one of Japan’s simplest and most satisfying foods: an egg cooked gently until the white is delicate and softly set while the yolk stays thick,…
  10. A Guide to Japanese Picnics: Hanami and Outdoor Dining EssentialsA Japanese picnic can be as simple as sharing snacks beneath a flowering tree, yet the experience carries a strong sense of place. From hanami gatherings under…