Journal

  1. What to Pack for a Winter Trip to HokkaidoHokkaido winter is a different experience from the cold many Australians know in Melbourne, Canberra or the Blue Mountains. Sapporo can sit below freezing, ski…
  2. Uncovering Tokyo's Best Backstreet Ramen Shops Like a LocalRamen holds a near-religious status in Tokyo, and while the bright signs of chain shops beckon from every major intersection, the truly memorable bowls sit…
  3. The quiet geometry of Japanese gardens: Ryoanji and KenrokuenFew places on earth translate philosophy into landscape as precisely as Japan does. A stroll through a centuries-old garden can feel like reading a poem…
  4. Aussie guide to riding Japan's trains with SuicaJapan's rail network is famous for moving millions of people across cities and regions with almost mechanical precision. For travellers from Sydney or…
  5. Hidden Temples of Kyoto: Quiet Sanctuaries Away from the CrowdsMost visitors to Kyoto start with the postcard landmarks. Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji - these places earn their fame, yet by mid-morning they can…
  6. Forgotten railway stations of Japan: abandoned and transformedFor over a century, rail has been the spine of Japanese travel, threading through mountain villages and dense neighbourhoods alike. Yet many old stations have…
  7. Hot drinks from a can: Japanese vending machine coffee and teaJapan has more vending machines per capita than almost any other country, and a remarkable number of them dispense heated beverages year-round. Walk down a…
  8. Viewing Mount Fuji: Photo Spots and Sunrise LocationsMount Fuji holds a magnetic pull for travellers from Australia, especially those who land at Haneda after a long-haul from Sydney and immediately start…
  9. How to order at a Japanese izakaya without faking itWalking into an izakaya for the first time can feel like joining a private club you forgot to apply to. The door slides open, a chorus of "irasshaimase" hits…
  10. Why Visit Takayama for Festivals and Old Town CharmHigh in Gifu Prefecture, Takayama offers a slower, more traditional side of Japan. Surrounded by the Northern Japan Alps, this compact mountain city is known…