Japan Travel
Tips, Trips, and Stories from Travels in Japan
First Time Kyoto: Downtown
On a winter's day, the warming scent of roasting chestnuts greets your nose as you make your way down Shijō-Dōri. Here in Kyoto's downtown, chestnut vendors, lantern-lit alleyways and ancient shops sit comfortably alongside department stores, markets and pachinko...
Top 10 Tips for Stress-Free Travel
Follow these tips for a stress-free holiday in Japan.
First Time Tokyo: Towers and Views
The views over the Tokyo megapolis are impressive, and on a clear day you might be lucky enough to see Mt Fuji.
First Time Tokyo: Imperial Palace and East Gardens
Visit the historic grounds and adjacent gardens of the official residence of the Imperial Household.
First Time Tokyo: Asakusa
Here in Asakusa, you can visit the oldest temple in Tokyo and catch a glimpse of Edo-era shops in the Shitamachi neighbourhood.
First Time Tokyo: Tsukiji Fish Markets
Tsukiji Fish Markets If you're looking for a breakfast or lunch that is undeniably Japanese, then a visit to Tsukiji Fish Markets is sure to satisfy. Tsukiji is unsurprisingly a great place to find excellent sushi (with rice) and sashimi (just raw fish) restaurants. A...
First Time Tokyo: Meiji Shrine and Harajuku
A half-day visit to the verdant Meiji Shrine and the nearby Takeshita-Dori in Harajuku will give you an insight into the stark contrasts and contradictions of modern Japan. For years, I've delighted in the wild and wacky youthful (and sometimes not-so-youthful) street...