JR Value? Lots of people ask me this question. On the surface, a JR Pass, or Japan Rail Pass can seem expensive. At this time a 7 day pass is $345, a 14 day is $550 and a 21 day $703AUD. If you are intending to explore Japan beyond Tokyo, the pass is exceptional value … Continue reading Is a JR Pass worth it?
Or, when should I travel to Japan after borders reopen? I'm not sure about you, but I am literally frothing at the bit to travel again. The suggestion that Australia's borders may reopen by the end of the year has me very excited. I am desperate to visit family in Canada. I am also longing … Continue reading Sakura (Cherry Blossom) 2022?
As of 8pm last night Melbourne entered its 6th lockdown. We only emerged from number 5 eight days prior. My lockdown fatigue is oppressive. It is being made infinitely more difficult by a number of factors. Foremost, the Tokyo Olympics. We started seeing the preparations for the Olympics in Japan from 2018. The very cute … Continue reading Tokyo Olympics and Lockdown Fatigue
My very first time in Japan my kids quickly pointed out to me that the reason I liked the country so much and felt at home was because the Japanese people were all like me. Small, polite and very tidy and organised. It has taken me some time to understand that the real reason I … Continue reading Cultural Dysphoria
Sitting on the plane, about two and half hours from Tokyo, I am contemplating what I am most looking forward to, and what I have missed most since the last time I was there. Sake, sake, sake…. Sake is super cheap in Japan, around a third the cost of what we pay in Australia. The … Continue reading Five Things in Japan I am Most Looking Forward To
This is a question people ask me on an almost weekly basis. "I have four nights booked in Kyoto. Is this long enough?" I find this question really difficult to answer. For a number of reasons. Firstly, I have spent around a month, all together, in Kyoto. I am about to return for just 3 … Continue reading “How long do I need in Kyoto?”
Last time we were in Kyoto, our friend Maki-san took us to a pet store. I'm not sure what I expected, but it was definitely not what we encountered. I was blown away, amazed with the cuteness, slightly disconcerted by the types of pets for sale and amused by some of the services available.... The … Continue reading Japanese Pet Store Surprises
Our last full day in Tokyo we started by dropping Ewan in Akihabara. He was on a mission to find a figurine, and the rest of us were not keen for the noise and crazyness of Akiba. We continued on to Asakusa. Senso-Ji temple is amazing, and I wanted to show Harper. We started at … Continue reading Five Crazy Days in Tokyo….. Part 4
After a bit of a break from blogging, and a bit of a break from travel (I have been very distracted.... thanks, Super Sake Boy ☺️😛) I am happy to report, I am returning to both. Yay. Firstly, my return to blogging. I am very excited to sink my teeth back into writing my blog. … Continue reading Return to Japan and Return to Blogging
Japanese history is amazing, long and not really taught at all in Australian schools. The more I read, the more I am pulled into the fascinating world of feudal Japan. Samurai and ninja, castles, battles and shoguns. It's such a rich tale of violence and beauty. I studied history all the way through school and … Continue reading Searching for Sengoku Samurai
