Chris AshtonJapan is a destination where repeat visits are always a good idea. When you’ve done the bright lights of Tokyo, the culinary scene of Osaka and spirituality of Kyoto, it’s time to take your journey further afield. Yet it needn’t be a...
Being a frequent diner at my local Japanese restaurant, I thought I had a fairly good grasp on Japanese cuisine. It wasn’t until I had the opportunity to travel to Okinawa, Japan’s southernmost prefecture, that my eyes were truly opened to the...
Japan is a destination I will never tire of. Ever since I started learning the language in high school (don’t quiz me now though, it’s a skill long gone) I’ve been fascinated by the country. The rich history, inviting hospitality, and deep-rooted...
Get excited, Studio Ghibli fans. An immersive theme park based on classic animated films like ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ and ‘Spirited Away’ is opening at Expo Park in Aichi Prefecture, Japan later this year. But, in typical Studio Ghibli fashion, there’s...
Cherry blossom season is a big deal in Japan – and it’s easy to see why. The delicate ‘sakura’ blossoms are heart-achingly beautiful, with it almost a national obsession to follow and predict the exact moment when the small, pastel pink buds will...
Your first trip to Japan is never your last – for a few very good reasons. For starters, it’s incredibly diverse, running the gamut from tropical islands in the south to frozen forests that glisten and sparkle in the sunlight up north. But it’s more...
Japan is renowned for its majestic volcanic landscape and bubbling hot springs, thick forests, dazzling neon cities and villages that feel frozen in time. But did you know it also has lush subtropical islands? Less than three hours flight from...
Have you ever visited a country and felt instantly at home? Japan was that for us. From the moment we touched down, we were in love, finding a connection to its quirky culture, its diverse beauty, and the centuries old traditions that continue to...
I love Studio Ghibli. The first time I discovered them was at a Japanese film festival in my hometown. That film was the enchanting Spirited Away and it instantly captured my imagination. I went to track down some of their other films as soon as it...
I’ve been to a lot of countries, but there’s one I keep getting drawn back to: Japan: For me, it offers the ultimate combination of natural beauty, history, culture, style and adventure. It’s also hands down my favourite foodie destination. The...
