Why I Left Japan

If you’ve been following my blog, you’ll know that I’ve been living in Japan for the last 2 years of my life. A country full of character, weirdness, and charm. And, if you’ve been following me on social media (mostly my Instagram ), then you’ll also know that I’ve just left, and am now back …

Exploring Hiroshima – Remembering Japan’s Recent History

Exploring Japan’s history is usually filled with castles, temples and shrines from a by-gone era, and with the beauty all around you, it can be easy to forget the country's more recent tragedies. I took a trip to Hiroshima recently to discover more about the effects of war on this island nation. Wherever you go, …

My Guide to Temple Hopping on Koya-san

Koyasan, or Mount Koya, is known across Japan as being the most sacred spot for Buddhism in the country. So any visit up the mountain needs to be filled with temples, and religion. But, what’s the best way to see all the big spots in just one day? Read on to find out! Arrive the …

Finding Inner Peace – A Temple Stay on Mount Koya

One of the top experiences that always seems to top travel lists for Japan is an overnight stay in a Buddhist Temple. I decided to tick this one off my list at a recent stay at Ekoin on Mount Koya, one of the top religious sites in Japan. Staying in a temple is a very …

Hiroshima Hana Hostel – The Perfect Base for Exploring the City

For my recent trip to Hiroshima, I wanted to find a good hostel that could be my base for 3 days of exploring and adventuring in and around the city. That hostel was Hana Hostel Hiroshima. I chose it because I know the brand well. They have hostels in many cities across Japan, including my …

Teaching English Abroad – A Tale of Two Countries

Teaching English abroad is a great way to fund your travels, but the experience can differ greatly from country to country. I have only taught English in two countries; Nepal and Japan. Each country has its pulls and its drawbacks for teaching, and I'm here to share them with you today. Nepal As part of …

Weekend in Hokkaido – Where you should go and what you should see.

Hokkaido is a large island in the north of Japan. For a good part of the year, the island is covered in a thick blanket of snow, and the views are amazing. In February, I went for a weekend there to celebrate my birthday, and I'm here to give you my itinerary so you can see …

Selfies and Ice Cream -Exploring Kiyomizu-dera

I've lived in Kyoto for almost two years now, and my apartment is in a great location. I can walk to the bars and restaurants of Kawaramachi easily, and I pass through the geisha district to do so; I'm well-linked with railways around the city; and I'm a stones throw from one of the biggest …

Year of the Monkey – Following monkeys around Japan

If you’ve been following my blog, you’ll probably have noticed that a few of my adventures heavily involve animals of some kind. And, since this is the year of the monkey in Japan, I’m going to tell you all about the best monkey experiences I’ve had in this amazing country. Arashiyama Monkey Sanctuary High on …

Noses and Ears – The Darker side of Japan

Nowadays, Japan is seen as a very peaceful place. After World War II, Japan's military presence has waned, and they are focused more on creating friendships over war. But, this was not always the case. Most if you will know about the Samurai, and the countries militaristic past, but there are darker sides to this …