Journal

  1. Birdwatching in Japan: Cranes, Eagles and Wild PlacesJapan offers remarkable birdwatching within a surprisingly compact range of habitats. Snowy northern wetlands, volcanic lakes, subtropical forests and coastal…
  2. How to Say Thank You in Japanese in Every SituationLearning how to say thank you in Japanese makes everyday interactions in Japan feel warmer and more natural. The most familiar expression is arigatou, but…
  3. Aokigahara Forest: Beautiful Trails and Careful TravelExploring the creepy and beautiful Aokigahara Forest means entering one of Japan’s most unusual natural landscapes. Also called the Sea of Trees, this dense…
  4. Using a Japanese Laundromat Without StressFor travellers from Australia, a Japanese laundromat can be the easiest way to manage clothes during a longer trip. Business hotels, hostels, and small holiday…
  5. A guide to Japan’s night buses: comfort, costs, and booking tipsJapan’s night buses are a practical way to travel between major cities without paying for a hotel or losing a full day to transit. They connect places such as…
  6. The Best Breweries Of Japanese Sake: Nada And Fushimi Tasting ToursJapan’s sake story is best understood in the places where rice, water and time come together. Nada in Kobe and Fushimi in Kyoto are two of the country’s most…
  7. How to Rent a Kimono and Explore Japan’s Historic StreetsRenting a kimono is one of the most memorable ways to experience Japan’s older neighbourhoods. Rather than simply wearing a costume for photographs, visitors…
  8. Why Tateyama Kurobe’s Snow Wall Belongs On Your Japan ItineraryJapan offers plenty of famous seasonal sights, yet few are as dramatic as the Snow Wall Corridor in Tateyama Kurobe. Each spring, buses travel between towering…
  9. Japan’s most beautiful shrines beyond the famous gatesJapan’s most beautiful shrines are places where architecture, landscape and everyday ritual come together. A vermilion torii may frame a cedar forest, while a…
  10. A Guide to Japanese Desserts from Mochi to AnmitsuJapanese desserts balance sweetness with texture, seasonality and visual detail. A soft piece of mochi, a bowl of anmitsu or a slice of matcha cake can offer a…