Travelling
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!
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.
This post will help you choose literature about Kyoto – whether travel guide, history and culture books or fiction – with my tried and tested recommendations
fragrant, sustainable and usually inexpensive gift from Japan – especially if you stick to reputable or traditional Japanese products. This post tells you where to try and buy incense in Kyoto and beyond
Have you wondered where to buy matcha in Japan when all you hear is about the matcha shortage and limitations on how much you can buy? Here, I am sharing my tips on where to buy good matcha, even in a touristy city like Kyoto
When you travel around Japan and want comfort and convenience at a competitive price, a Business Hotel might be the answer! I introduce you to the concept of Japanese business hotels, and show you my favourites.
On a quest to find the best dessert in Kyoto? Let’s search together! A work in progress, this post introduces you to some outstanding dessert restaurants of Kyoto, and give you an introduction to classic Japanese desserts.
Here comes Part 2 of Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Sites – which ones to visit, and how to avoid the biggest crowds! Starting with the two sites in Uji, we’re going from mid-Heian period to the “newest” site, which is Nijo Castle. Complete with advice how to visit, and less crowded alternatives!
Have you considered staying in a capsule hotel on your Japan trip? Here is a handy guide if you are not familiar with this convenient budget friendly type of accommodation.
Visiting all 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kyoto might be an ambitious undertaking – can you reasonably visit them all, and if not, which ones are especially worthwhile which ones are easy to visit and crowd-free? This post comes in two parts and will give you a short introduction, photographic impression, and a very personal view on the sites I have visited so far.
Kyoto’s Cherry blossoms are famous, and Cherry blossom season is one of the busiest seasons for tourists. Can you even view cherry blossoms in relative peace in Kyoto without encountering huge crowds?
Java and Bali can easily be visited without a tour, even if you are planning to travel around these beautiful Indonesian islands. This post gives you an overview of easy and stress-free trip planning, including how to prepare, when to secure your accommodation and how to plan your individual itinerary.
Does Learning Japanese casually – by using a free app- work well enough to enable you to speak basic Japanese confidently? I am sharing my route to serviceable tourist Japanese by doing just that, in the space of a year – so it is possible, with an investment of just a few minutes a day. Please note this is not a sponsored post.