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 …
You can tell a lot about Fairlie, from Fairlie’s travel handbag
When the family is out and about on foreign lands, someone needs to be prepared. And in our family’s case, it’s me …
Geisha spotting in Kyoto – a night walking tour of Gion
We had a glimpse into the intriguing world of geisha on this night walking tour of Gion, where we hunted, stalked, spotted …
10 of my best-kept tips for travelling with older kids
We have travelled regularly with our daughters since they were babies. Back then a lot of trip planning went into packing nappy supplies, …
Juan tea ceremony workshop in Kyoto
Juan tea ceremony room in Kyoto offers workshops in English that offer an insight into the fascinating ritual and tradition of the matcha …
Dressing up in a kimono rental in Kyoto
Is there any better way to totally immerse yourself in the Japan travel experience, than by dressing up in a kimono rental …
Tokyo’s cat cafes – why we paid money to pat a kitty
Sitting on a sofa with a hot cup of tea and a biscuit, patting a cat…sounds just like a Sunday afternoon at home, …
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 …
