I was commissioned to write a story about a few of Tokyo's neighbourhoods for an airline magazine in anticipation of the 2020 Summer Olympics (also known as Tokyo 2020.) I filed the story exactly 12 months ago. Sadly, since Coronavirus curtailed international travel, the airline is no longer publishing a magazine. So I’ve decided to publish my … [Read more...]
A comfortable home away from home in Kyoto – Mimaru Nishinotoin Takatsuji
Creature comforts and space in Kyoto One aspect about Japan travellers regularly comment on, is that hotel rooms are often on the smaller side. And I get it. Space comes at a premium price in this island country, home to 126.8 million people. But with a little research, you can find exceptions to the 'small hotel room' syndrome without costing a … [Read more...]
Winter is coming in Nozawa Japan
Ski season in Japan is about to open! I've just received the email, the first snow has fallen in Nozawa Onsen - a ski village four hours north of Tokyo. Thought it might be a good time to share my story Published on AWOL - Junkee and maybe consider this traditional village for your next snow holiday. … [Read more...]
Breaking your leg overseas, the lessons I’ve learned
There have been a few blog posts about my "incident" in Japan. I took the opportunity to write about it and here is my story published last year in Australia's WellBeing Magazine #170 in their "Real Life Experience" column. Its now just over 12 months since the fall - and the scar has healed amazingly (was a little concerned about … [Read more...]
An expensive Japanese taxi ride
About that long taxi ride in Japan …… The Shinkansens are a superb way to travel around Japan. These lightning-fast bullet trains are the epitome of efficiency – punctual down to the millisecond. They’re what we used to travel from Tokyo to the ski fields of Nozawa, in the Nagano prefecture, northwest of Tokyo. And it wasn't because of the … [Read more...]
Naked communion – a divine Japanese onsen experience
My first onsen experience took place in Nozawa Onsen Japan is a hierarchical society based on formal rituals and traditions. It’s suggested the naked communion experience the onsen provides, is a way of helping to break down those traditional barriers. Stripped of our clothing, we are all the same. Walking carefully along the snow-covered village … [Read more...]
A tough Japanese ski lesson
Snow was falling steadily at Nozawa Onsen. It hadn't eased since our arrival, four days earlier. It was after a slight delay from our shinkansen experience we finally made it to this traditional Japanese ski village, in the Nagano prefecture four hour’s drive northwest of Tokyo, I was with two of my sons, Mr 18 and Mr 13, my other Mr 13 stayed … [Read more...]
When travelling Japan with teenagers be prepared for anything
Expect the unexpected when travelling with teenagers The Japanese Shinkansen is fast. Also referred to as bullet trains (because of their sleek aerodynamic shape) Shinkansens are part of a high-speed passenger rail network traversing the Japanese countryside at lightning speed! On October 1st, 1964, just before the '64 Tokyo Olympics, the … [Read more...]
Japan Ohayo Gozaimasu
Finally Japan! My first visit to the land of the rising sun is imminent. Japan has been on my travel radar since my high school days when I studied Japanese in Year 8! As this was quite a few decades ago, why has it taken so long for me to visit? Truthfully – I’ve no idea. I’d say too many other countries in between. But a couple of factors … [Read more...]