400km Northwest of Tokyo, seaside Kanazawa is known for its well-preserved Edo-era districts. While I don’t think any Japanese town or city is ever lacking in culture or history, Kanazawa stands out because it actually has preserved neighbourhoods. Since Kanazawa attracts a lot of tourists, there’s a specific bus loop that brings you to all […]
Japan
Five Things I wish I Knew Before Travelling to Japan
In many ways, the media and popular culture portrays Japan pretty closely: technologically advanced, cosmopolitan and ever so polite and polished. But having recently visited the country, here are five things I wish I knew beforehand that would’ve made my visit even smoother. Train Pass vs. Bus Pass Undoubtedly, you’ve heard of Japan’s well established […]
Cycling the Shimanami Kaido Trail & Okunoshima
The Shimanami Kaido is a toll expressway connecting six islands together with incredibly engineered suspension bridges, allowing for easy and quick access to and from the islands between Shikoku to Honshu, the main island of Japan. Because these bridges are such an achievement, they’ve become star attractions and the main draw for tourists to this […]
Visiting Tokyo Disneyland
As a Disney fanatic, Tokyo Disneyland was high on my Tokyo to do list. I was even lucky enough to have timed my trip during Disney Halloween – which really was the highlight! Visitors must have spent so much time and money on their costumes, they were incredible! But back to the park itself – […]
Tokyo Part Three – Smaller Neighbourhoods: Jimbocho, Shimokitazawa, Koenji, Tokyo Bay
Jimbocho This is a book-lover’s utopia. Known as Tokyo’s district for used-books and publishing houses, this is also an academic district, with the Meiji University and Nihon University Hospital nearby. There’s also a good amount of antique shops around. While many of the book stores only carry Japanese literature, it’s still a welcoming sight for […]
Tokyo Part Two – Tourist Attractions: Marunouchi, Akihabara, Ginza, Asakusa and Ueno
Marunouchi (Tokyo Station) The financial epicentre of Tokyo, visiting this district can actually be a relaxing experience, especially when you pick the right times to visit. Luckily, this area of Tokyo particularly adheres to the standard business hours. Which means there are times during the day where everyone is in their office working which is […]
Tokyo Part One – Shinjuku and Shibuya
Where do I even start with Tokyo? Fast paced, ultra-modern and never sleeping, Hollywood Tokyo and real-life Tokyo are actually really similar. Realizing the feat in front of me, I took my fellow traveller’s advice and decided to tackle Tokyo like a country instead, taking in each area as if it was its own city (which […]
Matsuyama
Situated on the Shikoku Island, Matsuyama is easily accessible by ferries from Oita and Hiroshima. Perhaps influenced by the numerous of onsens in the area, Matsuyama is a peaceful and relaxed city. Most of the city shuts down after sun goes down, making it highly enjoyable to stroll the city at night. It’s also dramatically […]
Beppu
A laid back and sleepy little city, Beppu wasn’t really a city on my original travel plans. But it turned out to be an enjoyable and relaxing place, perfect for making day trips elsewhere, like the postcard perfect city of Yufuin. Situated right on the Iyo-Nada Sea, Beppu is often hot and humid, and in […]
Kyoto
Charming, poetic and spiritual, Kyoto seems like a world away from Tokyo in distance and culture. I love Kyoto and thought my several days in the city was barely enough. Even though Kyoto is one of the biggest cities in Japan and attracts just as many tourists, there’s just a different pace in the city: […]