Camellia Japanese Tea Ceremony, Kyoto
For many people, experiencing an authentic tea ceremony in Kyoto is high on their wishlist. Alongside staying in a ryokan and soaking in an onsen, or attending a sumo tournament, observing…
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Review: Fujimiya Ryokan, Kinosaki Onsen
In the bustling onsen town of Kinosaki, the centrally-located but tucked away family-run Fujimiya ryokan offers just the right balance of traditional features and modern convenience. It’s a fine example…
The Real Japan MeetUp 2019
The second annual The Real Japan MeetUp took place in Kobe on 30th November 2019. Despite an 11th hour ‘hitch’ (more about that below), it was another great opportunity to…
Top 10 Most Popular Activities in Japan
I’m often asked… What are the best things to do in Japan?But ‘best’ can be subjective. What I like and what you like might well be different. However, there’s nothing…
Hot Spring Hopping in Kinosaki Onsen
Kinosaki Onsen is a 1300-year-old onsen (hot spring) village famous for its seven different public baths and charming atmosphere. Onsen towns like Kinosaki encapsulate all that is attractive, enticing and rewarding…
Seike Yuba (Tofu Skin) Restaurant, Kyoto
You know soybeans. You’ve even cultivated a taste for tofu. Well, now there’s another high nutritional variant for you to discover: yuba. Aka tofu skin. I recently tried yuba for the first time…
ANA Experience Japan Fare
As part of their domestic flight service, ANA’s Experience Japan Fare is a great, cost-effective way to explore Japan by air. All Nippon Airways, usually abbreviated to ANA, is the largest…
Feel the Spirit of the Samurai Sword in Kyoto
A samurai sword experience. How you can practice basic sword moves, use a genuine, 400-year-old samurai sword to slice through tatami and learn about the 1,000 year-old samurai tradition. All this…
Visiting Japan Without Speaking Japanese
Around the start of last year, I discovered the blog West Coast To Far East. It’s run by an interesting guy called Sean who, rather impressively, relocated in 2016 with his…
Secret Moments of Maikos
The allure and enigma of geisha, Japan’s professional female entertainers, is the subject of endless articles, haiku, Pinterest posts, YouTube videos, books and photographs. With the influx of tourists into Kyoto…
The Kyoto Hotel That’s Also An Art Gallery
Located in the authentic and traditional district of Higashiyama, and featuring artwork by mural artist Hideki Kimura, Kyoto Traveler’s Inn offers affordable accommodation in both Japanese and Western style rooms….
Universal Studios Japan: The Ultimate Guide 2020 UPDATE!
In this 2020 updated Ultimate Guide you have everything you need to plan the best ever visit to Universal Studios Japan. I share my experience and know-how, from multiple visits,…
Kayaking and Trekking on Iriomote Island
Tucked away in Japan’s remote Yaeyama Islands, wild Iriomote offers thrilling adventures in unspoiled mangrove jungles. Iriomote is a untamed, subtropical island lying at the southwestern tip of Japan’s island chain. …
The Real Japan MeetUp 2018
I hosted the first ever The Real Japan MeetUp in Osaka on 26th December 2018. Quick Navigation Why I did itPeople really wanted to be a part of itThe venuePrize…
Adventures in the Yaeyama Islands
My wife and I are just putting the finishing touches to our first trip to the Yaeyama Islands. They lie at the southwestern most tip of Japan’s island chain. Down here,…