When most people think of a samurai, they picture a warrior with a sword. Or at least I did! But after moving to Japan, I learned that for centuries, the true mark of a skilled samurai was not how...
JAPAN TRAVEL
Planning a trip to Japan? These blogs are your go-to guide for all the practical stuff — the real-world tips that make travelling smoother, smarter, and way less stressful.
Visiting Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine and the Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall
Takayama is famous for many things: its scenic beauty, the amazing preserved historic buildings, and the nationally renowned Takayama Festival. Well, did you know these three things have something...
Is the Hakone Freepass Still Worth It in 2026?
So, you’re planning a trip to Japan and looking for a quick escape from the neon lights of Tokyo. You’ve probably heard of Hakone, the hot spring town with the pirate ships, the unique black eggs,...
7 Authentic Cooking Classes in Japan: Our Hand-Picked Favourites
Japanese cuisine is famous across the globe. For many travellers, eating their way through Tokyo or Kyoto is the main reason for the trip. But we find that simply tasting the food isn't always...
Ultimate Iwate Prefecture Guide and Perfect 2-Day Itinerary
Iwate is the second-largest prefecture in Japan, but in our experience, it is still one of the quietest. It covers a massive area, stretching from the Sanriku Coast in the east to the mountains in...
Japan Travel 2026: The Ultimate Guide to New Openings
Japan is one of those places that never sits still. Just when you think you have seen the highlights, something completely new appears. While 2025 was defined by the massive World Expo in Osaka,...
Kintsugi Workshops in Japan: Experience the Art of Golden Repair
You have probably seen photos of it before: a cracked ceramic bowl that hasn't been thrown away, but instead repaired with a striking line of gold. It looks beautiful, but we think the philosophy...
The Ultimate Omicho Market Food Guide: 6 Must-Visit Stalls
Tsukiji and Nishiki are cool, but have you heard of Omicho Market in Kanazawa? It’s been around ever since the Edo Period, has close to 200 food stalls, and gives you the chance to try the very best...
Guide to Miyama Kayabuki no Sato: Kyoto’s Best Kept Secret
When people are looking for that classic storybook image of Japan, they are probably picturing a thatched-roof village. Shirakawa-go in the Japanese Alps is usually the first name that comes up, and...
Mochitsuki: Trying an Authentic Mochi Pounding Experience in Japan
We always tell our clients: getting mochi from a shop is great, but making it yourself is a completely different experience. To get that perfect texture (warm, soft, and incredibly stretchy!), you...
Exploring the Higashi Chaya District, Kanazawa
As a historic castle town in Japan, Kanazawa is filled with history from top to bottom, and this includes the chaya districts. These are areas filled with geisha houses (the chaya), where...
Is Visiting Mount Shosa Ropeway and Engyo Ji Temple Worth It?
As part of a Japanese travel agency, I’ve had the pleasure of exploring Japan from top to bottom, and that includes visiting hundreds (maybe thousands) of temples. So, when it comes to Engyo Ji, the...
Japan’s teamLab Comparison: Which One Should You Visit?
If you have spent even five minutes scrolling through Japan travel hashtags, you have seen teamLab. The digital art collective has taken over the internet, and honestly, the hype is justified. But...
What is Omakase Sushi? Guide to Japan’s Ultimate Food Experience
We know the feeling well. You duck under the noren curtains, slide open the wooden door, and step into a hushed room. The chef looks up from the counter, and suddenly, you feel a bit out of your...
15 Ancient Japanese Cities That You Can Visit
I know that Japan’s amazing history and culture are huge reasons that so many people dream of visiting. If this is true for you, then you might be delighted to learn that many ancient Japanese...