Journal

  1. Preparing for earthquakes in Japan: apps, kits and local adviceJapan’s earthquakes can range from a brief, harmless tremor to a major event followed by a tsunami. Most visitors will never experience a serious disaster, but…
  2. Best Beaches in Japan for Swimming and SnorkelingJapan’s coastline offers far more than crowded summer resorts. Okinawa has warm water, coral gardens and white-sand beaches, while the Izu Peninsula combines…
  3. Exploring Japan’s Underground Shopping Streets Like a LocalJapan’s underground shopping streets, known as chikagai, turn the spaces beneath major railway stations into lively neighbourhoods of shops, cafés, restaurants…
  4. Japanese manhole covers: a collector’s guide to local designJapan’s streets hide a colourful form of civic art in plain sight. Across the country, ordinary utility covers are decorated with mascots, flowers, landmarks,…
  5. Snow Monkeys In Jigokudani: A Winter Visitor’s GuideJigokudani Yaen-Koen, commonly called the Snow Monkey Park, is one of Japan’s most memorable winter attractions. Located in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture,…
  6. How to use a Japanese toilet: features, buttons and instructionsA Japanese toilet can look surprisingly high-tech to visitors from Australia. Many models combine a conventional toilet with a bidet seat, heated seating,…
  7. Why Take a Ferry to the Ogasawara IslandsWhy you should take a ferry to the Ogasawara Islands becomes clear before the ship even reaches the open Pacific. The journey from Tokyo takes roughly 24…
  8. Tokyo’s Quirky Nightlife And Unusual ExperiencesTokyo rewards visitors who enjoy the unexpected. Beyond the major temples, department stores and neon crossings, the capital offers robot performances, animal…
  9. A Guide to Japanese Convenience Store Foods Worth TryingJapanese convenience stores, or konbini, are far more than places to buy snacks. Shops such as 7-Eleven, Lawson and FamilyMart sell fresh rice meals, bakery…
  10. Exploring Saihoji Moss Temple in KyotoSaihoji, widely known as the Moss Temple, is one of Kyoto’s most atmospheric places to visit. Its garden is carpeted with vivid green moss, shaped by shade,…