JAPAN TRAVEL
Experience local Tokyo by tram
One of only two remaining tram lines in Tokyo (the other is the Toden Arakawa line), the Tokyu Setagaya Line serves a tiny 5km stretch of south-west Tokyo. Its ten-station line is a haven for local feeling and one of the true little joys of suburban dis...

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LONELY PLANET
 
 
Area in Harajuku & Aoyama
This is Tokyo’s famously outré fashion bazaar, where trendy duds sit alongside the trappings of decades of fashion subcultures (plaid and safety pins for the punks; colourful tutus for the decora; Victorian dresses for the Gothic Lolitas).
Be warned: th...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
A standing sushi bar where the red rice is a winner
Nobody expects food at an airport food court to hit any great heights. But any self-professed fan of sushi spying a standing sushi bar at Narita International Airport is likely to have their curiosity aroused. A standing sushi bar i...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
The Birth of the One Eyed Monster Boy, Kitaro
In a recent article about our Trip to Tottori I mentioned our visit to Mizuki Shigeru Road in Sakaiminato. 
Shigeru Mizuki, born Shigeru Mura, was a very famous manga artist, but many are not aware that he was also a historian who wrote a...

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GAIJIN POT TRAVEL
Where to contemplate the meaning of life
Heian Shrine is impressively large with lots to explore from beautiful gardens and ponds to stunning seasonal sakura trees and momiji (Japanese maple trees).
Unlike most ancient shrines in Kyoto, Heian Shrine was built relatively recently...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
Yabusame archery and Togyosai procession
Venue: Nikko Toshogu Shrine When: Oct 16th - Oct 17th 2018 ,  10:00am - 5:00pm
A grand festival is held at Nikko Toshogu Shrine twice a year, and in October, includes the Shinto ritual offering of “Yabusame”, firing arrows at targets from atop...

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BOUTIQUE JAPAN
 
Autumn is a wonderful time to be in Japan. In my book, fall in Japan outshines spring (and cherry blossom season) for its many delights.
For one, the falling temperatures signal the return of comforting fall flavours. Think chestnuts and freshly harvested rice, fragrant pine mush...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
Himeji’s best Imagawa-yaki
At the heart of Himeji station stands a famous stall - Gozasoro, where you can get the country’s best imagawa-yakis (今川焼) for less than a hundred yen. Located just by the side of ticket gates, this red bean waffle cake is a perfect treat for the train ri...

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JAPAN TRAVEL
Cute meets scary at Sanrio Puroland’s special Halloween event
Venue: Sanrio Puroland When: Sep 14th - Oct 31st 2018 ,  10:00am - 5:00pm
To celebrate Halloween, Sanrio Puroland has taken on a spooky twist. Many of the attractions and décor have embraced this once a year holiday, givin...

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DEEP JAPAN
 
Look for the fireplaces and discover the sake!If you want to discover the taste of sake you must visit Saijo (Hiroshima Prefecture) !
This tour is like a journey through the past through some of the oldest and most prestigious sake breweries in the country.
KAMOTSURU, FUKUBIJIN, KAMO...

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