Fortune telling at a Japanese temple
Every Japan itinerary usually includes a visit to a temple or shrine or two. But they’re often not top of the kids’ …
A sample 13 day Japan itinerary for first-time visitors
One of the trickiest things for do-it-yourself travel planners to work out, especially when visiting a destination for the first time, is how …
Hakone Open-Air Museum
The Hakone Open-Air Museum at Hakone in Japan was created in 1969 as an outdoor sculpture museum set within the picturesque surrounds of …
The lowdown on onsen etiquette
Onsen are communal baths filled with water from the many hot springs found across the volcanic island of Japan. Experiencing an onsen …
Our experience at Fukuzumiro Ryokan in Hakone
Staying in a ryokan is a uniquely Japanese experience, so it was top of my wish list when drawing up our itinerary …
Up to my neck in coffee at Yunessun Spa Resort in Hakone
Long-time readers of this blog know that soaking up to my neck in hot water is my happy place. But why restrict …
10 things you need to know before visiting Japan for the first time
We’ve just returned from two weeks in Japan: a stunning, exciting, and at times, surprising country. Below is my list of 10 things you …
Memorable Moment: Hakone ryokan
Dateline: 23 June 2015 We had been looking forward to our first stay in a Japanese ryokan (guesthouse/inn) but weren’t really …
Planning a first-time trip to Japan
In this post I outline some of the process of planning a first-time trip to Japan, based on my own experience of …
