Category: Travel

My wife and I recently went on a road trip through the North Island of New Zealand. I had previously traveled through New Zealand’s much more sparsely populated South Island several times and we wanted to check out North Island together this... Read More

During my first visit to New Zealand’s South Island I took a trip on the TranzAlpine train from Christchurch. Most people don’t do any research and book the train as a return full day journey from Christchurch to Greymouth and back again.... Read More

It can be hard to get a prepaid data SIM card in Japan so many tourists are forced to rent expensive mobile phone hotspot devices. Thankfully NTT DoCoMo is now offering a way for foreign tourists to pre-organise a Japan Welcome SIM to be picked up at... Read More

Although Kyoto is Japan’s 7th largest city, it’s the 2nd most popular with tourists after Tokyo because of it’s many temples as well as it’s history as Japan’s capital and Emperor’s resident city for over 1000 years... Read More

Miyajima Island is a popular day Trip from Hiroshima for those who like to get away from Japan’s urban landscape to walk in a more green environment, as well as seeing the O-Torii (Grand Torii Gate) at high/low tide. Getting to Miyajima... Read More

We traveled to Hiroshima to visit the Peace Memorial Park and learn about the Atomic Bomb devastation that caused Japan to surrender to the Allies at the end of World War II. According to Japan Guide, Hiroshima (広島): Is the principal city of the... Read More

We really enjoyed our overnight buddhist temple stay in Koyasan, an isolated UNESCO World Heritage listed Japanese mountain town that’s been home to Shingon Buddhism for over 1200 years. Getting to Koyasan on Mount Koya It’s a good thing... Read More

Matsumoto was on our Japanese itinerary because it’s home to Japan’s oldest and most authentic National Treasure castle, compared to most Japanese historic castles which are not authentic at all. According to Japan Guide Matsumoto Castle... Read More

We were overjoyed to see colourful “Koyo” autumn leaves in the Japanese town of Nikko during the first few days of November, as predicted by the JR East Autumn sightseeing guide. According to the experts at JR East: “Koyo 紅葉... Read More

We didn’t stay many days in Tokyo because we wanted to visit a greater variety of cities than most people who visit Japan. Our priorities were seeing “Koyo” autumn leaves and experience travelling a lot on Japan’s amazing train... Read More