Journal

  1. Seasonal Illuminations Across Japan: Winter Lights and Summer GlowJapan has a deep cultural affection for light, and nowhere is this more visible than in its seasonal illuminations. From the crisp sparkle of winter displays…
  2. How to experience a Japanese garden: elements, symbolism, and quietWalking into a Japanese garden often feels like stepping into a painting. The air changes, the pace slows, and your eyes begin to notice stones, moss, and…
  3. Step Back in Time at Narai Juku on the Historic Nakasendo TrailHigh in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture, tucked between forested ridges and the rushing waters of the Narai River, lies a centuries-old settlement where…
  4. A guide to omamori, daruma, and Japanese lucky charmsWalking through the lantern-lit lanes of Kyoto, travellers from Australia notice small pouches tied to temple gates and rows of red round dolls stacked at…
  5. 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…
  6. 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…
  7. 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…
  8. 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…
  9. 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…
  10. 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…