Travelling
Day 4 of my Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage (partial) diary! This is just a fun blog post where I describe my “kugiri uchi” pilgrimage by bicycle in more detail, along with recommendations for public transport alternatives and approach with limited mobility
Come along to the birthplace of Japanese denim, Okayama Prefecture! Of course you can buy in Tokyo, Osaka or any major city, but a day or two in Okayama Prefecture are perfect getting off the beaten track, and peacefully browse many indie label shops, enjoy some beautiful old architecture, museums, and learn about Japanese denim.
Day 3 of my partial Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, where I cycled the Tokushima Temples in my standard European leave allowance (2 weeks) – and visited some other great places, including Kyoto.
In this series of indispensable and useful Japan souvenirs, I am going to introduce you to some some tried-and-tested favourites that always make it to my shopping list, and that are well worth buying. I never thought I would write this, and I never thought …
Day 2 of my Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage was my first cycling day, and despite the intense sun, I managed to see 6 temples, all in the outskirts of Tokushima, and experiences my first ever so mild hardship, cycling up the first hills in the June sun.
My firs day on the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage was, strictly speaking a half day. I arrived late at night the day before, made my way to Tokushima, and started walking – my body might have been on Shikoku, my mind was somewhere between continents, and very jetlagged!
Is it worth making a special trip to Arima Onsen from Osaka, Kobe or Kyoto? It is – if you seek relaxation and baths in some very different springs – and some very classy onsen resorts!
Find out how to get to Arima Onsen, where to bathe, and what else to see nearby.
Are you interested in joining the Shikoku Henro Pilgrimage, but are worried about your mobility? I have started this pilgrimage, completed a section (Tokushima, T1-23, mostly by bicycle) and am sharing my practical tips and planning advice!
When you visit Indonesia, you should not miss Yogyakarta and Borobudur. Stay in style, do your sightseeing, relax at a wonderful hotel. My honest review of the Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta, a sympathetically restored early 20th Century mansion. Worth the price tag? Convenient? Comfortable? All self-paid, non sponsored review.
You are visiting Kyoto, you truly love cats, what activities are there if you are a cat lover and you are not into big crowds (or commercial cat cafes)? Head to Yase to see the unique Nyan-nyan-ji and a witty cat related museum, and stop in a beautiful and quiet temple on the way!
Kyoto is famous, Kyoto is busy, and Kyoto is one of the top destinations for visitors to Japan. Kyoto has plenty of accommodation. here are my tried and tested recommendations on where to stay in Kyoto- I have stayed in the majority of them on my own dime, so you can trust me for unbiased recommendations.
You spend some time in Kyoto and want some recommendations for quality souvenirs, snacks, fashion and where to buy them? Read on – this post shows my shopping on my recent Kyoto trip, with information about shops, some of which are unique to Kyoto!
How difficult or dangerous is it to climb Gunung Ijen, the “Blue Volcano”, in East Bali? This is my personal experience as a middle-aged person who doesn’t have the best mobility, how I planned, and how I safely made it up and down the mountain.
My experience visiting Mount Bromo in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java on a National Holiday from a middle aged with slightly bad legs view – how to plan, what to bring, and… can you do it alone, without a tour?
In this post, I am sharing my personal experience of studying Japanese short-term (two weeks) at Genki Japanese and Culture School Kyoto, the booking process, my experience and what I learned. If you are considering learning Japanese in Japan, I hope this is useful for you.