Public transport in Japan is generally amazing; trains run on time virtually all the time, buses are regular and easy to use, and flying is also a reasonable option if you're traveling far. However, a car can grant you freedom you don't get from public transport. Rules when hiring a car. Unlike hiring a car [...]
Category: Travel tips
Sumiyoshi Shrine, Fukuoka.
Sumiyoshi Shrine in Hakata City, Fukuoka, has an interesting story to tell. Take a walk through its serene grounds with me, won't you? Entrance. History. Sumiyoshi Shrine is dedicated to safe sea faring. Travellers from Yamato to China and Korea would make a pilgrimage, starting at the head Shrine Sumiyoshi Taisha in Osaka, visiting each [...]
Top 5: Fukuoka.
Fukuoka may just be my favourite city in Japan. I'm simply in love with it. It's hard to choose just 5 things I love about it, but here goes. In no particular order: Nanzoin Temple. Still technically Fukuoka Prefecture, this incredible place is just a 25-30 minute train ride from Hakata Station. It's famous for [...]
Top 5: Taipei.
Taipei is an awesome city in an awesome country. Its one of my favourite cities in the world, and I would move there in a heartbeat. Lets have a look at 5 things I really loved about Taipei. In no particular order: Ximending. Hands down, best district in Taipei. It's one stop away from Taipei [...]
Top 5: Seoul.
Seoul was an enjoyable trip. I visited for Christmas in 2016, and spent most of the time there forgetting it was Christmas. Perfect. In no particular order, here are my top 5 spots and sights for Seoul. Insadong. This is the area I stayed in, and is quite possibly my favourite neighbourhood. It's a cultural [...]
Dealing with jet lag.
When asked about the pitfalls of travelling a lot, it's hard to think of any. What's not to love about being on an adventure? There is one thing though, and that's jet lag. Let's take a look at jet lag, and the ways we can keep it to a minimum. What is jet lag? It's [...]
Top 5: Osaka.
I really enjoyed Osaka. It's well located, has a good mix of past and present, and is easy to get round thanks to its efficient and vast subway system. Though it's hard, I've decided to pick out my top 5 favourite things about Osaka. In no particular order: Dotombori. This is the infamous "neon dream" [...]
Tochoji Temple, Fukuoka.
Fukuoka isn't instantly thought of as a "must see" destination when you think of Japan. However, it has some hidden gems to offer. One such place is Tochoji. History. Legend has it that Tochoji was set up by the Monk Kobo-Daishi, who, upon returning from a trip to China, founded the temple with the view [...]
Image of the week: pretty in pink.
A deep hued hibiscus flower spotted in Yomitan, Okinawa, Japan.
Drainspotting in Japan.
Japan is a land of indescribable beauty, fascinating culture, and just plain weird. One such quirk that's emerged as a bit of a pop cult is drainspotting. Umm, what? Drainspotting. A hobby that involves looking out for fancy manhole covers across the Land of the Rising Sun. No seriously. There's a society and everything (they [...]