If you are searching for underrated places in Japan, you are probably trying to avoid queues, tour buses, and the same five photos everyone else posts. That usually means going beyond Kyoto and Tokyo. It means choosing towns that are not optimised for visitors. Places where dinner finishes early, the bus runs three times a […]
14
Feb
Feb
Japan has a reputation for being exhausting. That’s mostly because suggested itineraries are terrible. Too many hotels, too many early mornings, too many long travel days that would exhaust anyone under 40, let alone over 60. Planned differently, Japan is not only manageable for older travelers, it’s often easier than many European destinations because the […]
12
Feb
Feb
If you are visiting Japan during cherry blossom season, you will see groups of people sitting under the trees with food, drinks, and a blue tarp. That is hanami, and it is one of the most enjoyable things you can do in Japan in spring. This article covers everything practical. Where to sit, what to […]
11
Feb
Feb
Most people plan their Japan trip around daytime hanami. They pack a picnic, find a spot under the trees, and enjoy the blossoms in the sunshine. But here in Japan, we know a secret. The cherry blossoms at night are something else entirely. Yozakura literally means “night sakura.” When the sun goes down and the […]
11
Feb
Feb
Every year, I watch people frantically Google “when is cherry blossom season Japan” in January and February, hoping to pin down the perfect travel window. After close to 3 decades attending hanami in Japan, here’s my honest answer. The dates shift every year, they vary significantly from city to city, and the peak lasts roughly […]
11
Feb
Feb
If you are planning a Japan spring trip around the famous Mount Fuji cherry blossom festival, this change could affect everything. On February 3, 2026, officials in Fujiyoshida announced the cancellation of the cherry blossom festival at Arakurayama Sengen Park. The decision ended a ten year tradition that had drawn visitors from around the world. […]
05
Feb
Feb
So what’s the deal with Japanese chocolate? Why does it taste different? Japanese chocolatiers are obsessive about their ingredients. They’ll source specific cacao beans, use only Hokkaido dairy (which is famously rich), and control temperatures during production down to the degree. The chocolate that results has this incredibly smooth texture and a sweetness that never […]
24
Jan
Jan
Your shoulders touch as you lean forward over steaming bowls. The chef explains something in Japanese you don’t quite catch, but your partner catches your eye and grins. You both know: this is the meal you’ll remember. Japan transforms every meal into something memorable. For couples who bond over food, this country delivers experiences you […]
22
Jan
Jan
Repeated visits to Kyoto reveal certain experiences that stand out above others. They’re not the busiest attractions nor the ones everyone photographs. They’re the ones where couples genuinely connect. Most people move differently here. The temples and gardens are arranged in ways that make you linger. Walking beneath flowering trees, sitting over tea whilst the […]
20
Jan
Jan
Travelling between Tokyo and Kyoto is one of the most common routes in Japan. Most people take the Shinkansen without thinking about it. Often that is the right call. Sometimes it is not. The best option depends on where you are staying in Tokyo, how tight your schedule is, and whether speed or cost matters […]