Exploring Japan one destination at a time
Tokyo is replacing its tiny flat hotel tax with a 3% charge from 1 April 2027. If you’re wondering whether your trip just got more expensive, here’s the short answer: probably not, especially if you’re travelling as a family. The headlines make it sound like a decent whack. The fine print says otherwise. Let’s break … Read more
There are unwritten rules at Japanese hot springs. Break them and you’ll get the look. (You know the one.) I’ve been visiting Japan since 2004, but it took me many years to even try an onsen. The thought of getting naked in front of strangers had me politely declining for years. When I finally did … Read more
In 2016, I would’ve told you to rent pocket WiFi for your Japan trip. In 2026, I think most tourists should get an eSIM instead. After 22 years travelling to Japan and using everything from Vodafone roaming to a Sakura Mobile eSIM, this guide covers what actually works now: real 2026 prices, the best provider … Read more
Walk through any Japanese town in early May and you’ll see giant fish flapping in the breeze. Strung over rivers, hanging off bridges, jutting from balconies. They’re not just decorations, they mean something. This is Kodomo no Hi, Japan’s Children’s Day, held every year on 5th of May. The fish are koinobori, carp streamers, and … Read more
Everyone told me to skip Japan in June. Even my own wife. The first time I went during tsuyu, I’d booked the trip months earlier without realising. People warned me to push the dates, particularly the second half of June when tsuyu hits its peak. I didn’t budge. And it ended up being one of … Read more
If you’ve just landed in Tokyo and your eyes are already watering, or you’re about to fly in and wondering why everyone’s wearing masks, welcome to kafunshō season (花粉症). Hay fever in Japan is serious business. It affects roughly 40% of the population, and plenty of unsuspecting tourists get caught out every year. This guide … Read more
Japan’s Greatest Convenience Food (And Why You Need to Try One) I must have eaten hundreds of onigiri over the years. Maybe thousands. And I’m not even slightly embarrassed about that. My personal ritual? Two onigiri and a cold beer on any long train journey. Every single trip, without fail. This particular photo below was … Read more
15–17 May 2026 | Asakusa, Tokyo | Free entry Two million people. A hundred portable shrines. Taiko drums you can feel in your chest. And a crowd that’s about as local as Tokyo gets. Sanja Matsuri is held every May in Asakusa, and it’s unlike any other festival in Japan. It’s loud, it’s physical, and … Read more
A few months back I was at a tiny gyoza restaurant in Yokohama, proudly ordered my food, when the waitress asked me something. She was standing there clearly waiting for an answer. I smiled and nodded (classic) but she asked again and again… I tried to work it out without reaching for my phone, my … Read more
Planning to be in Japan over Easter? Here’s the short version: Japan doesn’t really do Easter. No long weekend, no hot cross buns at every bakery, and you won’t find supermarket shelves stacked with foil eggs. But it’s not a complete chocolate wasteland if you know where to look. Easter Is Not a Public Holiday … Read more