Exploring Japan one destination at a time
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
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
My very first hanami was at night. I was walking along the Meguro River in Tokyo, hundreds of paper lanterns, thousands of people, cherry blossoms glowing pink overhead, canal reflections shimmering below. Food stalls everywhere. People were laughing, eating, drinking, taking photos. I had no idea what I was experiencing had a specific name. Years … Read more
There’s something that stops me every single time I’m in Japan during cherry blossom season. It’s not just the colour or the sheer volume of blooms. It’s the feeling that you’re standing inside something much older and heavier than a pretty spring day. The cherry blossom has been Japan’s most loaded symbol for over a … Read more
Tonight at our place, we’ll be eating uncut sushi rolls without speaking, then throwing beans at whoever draws the short straw to wear the oni mask. Just another regular day in a house that celebrates Japanese traditions. Welcome to Setsubun – one of Japan’s quirkier festivals that perfectly combines ancient superstition with an excuse to … Read more
If you thought the 14-day history itinerary was comprehensive, buckle up. This 4-week journey takes you from Tokyo’s imperial palaces to Okinawa’s tropical battlefields, from samurai strongholds in the Japanese Alps to hidden Christian sites in Nagasaki. We’re covering 2,000 years of history across the length of Japan. This isn’t for casual tourists. This is … Read more
If you’re the type who gets excited reading plaques at historical sites and can spend hours wandering castle grounds, this itinerary is for you. I’ve designed this 2-week journey through Japan to cover the country’s major historical periods – from ancient imperial capitals to samurai strongholds to sobering WWII memorials. This isn’t your typical Japan … Read more
Japanese castles represent far more than architectural achievements – they were the strategic centres of samurai power, the sites of pivotal historical events, and symbols of clan authority during Japan’s feudal era. From the massive fortifications at Osaka that withstood one of history’s largest sieges to the elegant white walls of Himeji, these structures tell … Read more
Right, let’s talk about Kyoto. Beautiful? Absolutely. Historic? No doubt. Worth visiting in 2025? Debatable. I’ve just had a friend return from Japan who, despite my warnings, went to Kyoto anyway. His verdict? “Couldn’t even get a proper photo without someone’s selfie stick in the frame.” The thing is, Japan’s got heaps of incredible historic … Read more
So you’re curious about how Japan celebrates Christmas? Well, buckle up because it’s nothing like what we do back home in Australia – and that’s exactly what makes it so interesting. I’ve experienced Christmas in Japan before, and I’ll be doing it all again later this year. Let me tell you – it’s a completely … Read more