Most visitors to Tokyo see sumo from the outside. By this, I mean that they watch tournament highlights on a screen, maybe spend half an hour at the Kokugikan Museum in Ryogoku, or buy a cool...
The Ultimate Mie Area Guide & 3-Day Itinerary
Most people who visit Mie come to see Ise Jingu, tick it off, and leave. They spend a morning at the shrines, eat a bowl of udon on the way out, and catch the train back to Osaka or Nagoya before...
The Best Zoos in Japan, From a Penguin Walk in Hokkaido to a Safari Park in Kyushu
Choosing between the best zoos in Japan is a bit like choosing a favourite ramen shop: everyone has an opinion, and half of those opinions are based on nostalgia rather than reality. The internet...
Best Things to Do in Karuizawa, Japan’s Upscale Mountain Town
Karuizawa is essentially the Hamptons of Japan. If you are expecting a rugged, untouched mountain village where you might stumble upon a lonely monk, you are in the wrong place. Instead, it is more...
The Best Aquariums in Japan to Add to Your Summer Adventure
Travelling in Japan during the summer months, you’ll realise soon enough that the humidity in this country is not a joke. You will find yourself looking for any excuse to stand in front of a...
Before You Watch Sanno Matsuri, Read This Essential Guide!
Sanno Matsuri is one of Tokyo's three great festivals, yet a lot of visitors end up watching it from the wrong street, at the wrong hour, with no idea what they're actually witnessing. Held every...
Gion Geisha District: Everything You Need to Know Before You Visit
The way I see it, Gion gets overhyped and underexplained at the same time, which is a frustrating combination when you're trying to actually plan a trip. Yes, it's beautiful. Yes, you might spot a...
The Best Free Things to Do in Kyoto According to Locals
Kyoto has a reputation for being the kind of city that slowly drains your wallet. Every time you turn a corner, there is another beautiful temple charging an entry fee, another famous garden with a...
Stunning Japanese Flowers to See in May
Everyone talks about cherry blossom season, and fair enough, it is spectacular. But if you ask long-term residents here which month is their favourite for flower-chasing in Japan, we bet a...
Want the Best Matcha in Kyoto? Read This Expert Guide
Kyoto is the historical centre of Japanese green tea, and if you care about matcha at all, this is THE city to visit. In fact, with too many to choose from, it is almost a challenge to find the best...
How A Professional Japan Travel Planner Builds Your Custom Japan Itinerary From Scratch
Planning a trip to Japan is exciting, but it can turn into a real headache fast. There is just so much information out there, and a lot of it is the same recycled advice copy-pasted across a hundred...
Where to Actually Find the Best Matcha in Tokyo!
Tokyo has an overwhelming number of places claiming to serve the best matcha. But from one tea lover to another, the truth is that the best matcha in Tokyo really does depend on what you're looking...
How Bad Is Rainy Season in Japan? An Honest Guide From Locals
If you are planning a trip to Japan around the summer, you have probably stumbled across the words ‘tsuyu’ and ‘rainy season’, and immediately started second-guessing yourself. That is completely...
Guide to the Best Breweries in Tokyo for Drinking Like a Local
Tokyo's craft beer scene has been building for decades, and it has now reached the point where you really do not need to stick to the big commercial names anymore. The city is full of independent...
Where to Buy Whisky in Tokyo: The 2026 Savvy Collector’s Guide
Knowing where to buy whisky in Tokyo is half the battle even if you already know what you are looking for. Tokyo will do what it always does: overwhelm you with options and make you feel like...