Welcome to ‘Bookstores Around the World‘ where we share some of our favourite independent bookshops we’ve found on our travels. @Wonder, Tokyo Tokyo’s Jimbocho district is renowned for its 300+ bookstores, each offering something unique and exciting. What sets @Wonder apart, however, is its alleyway entrance, bookended...
When we picture Kyoto, the first thing that jumps to mind are the shrines, bamboo forests, and geisha. It’s hard to believe that a couple of hours outside of the city proper will take you to landscapes to so vastly different, where people live a traditional lifestyle far away from the modern aspects of Japan we know of, or the highly...
It was a little over a year ago that a fourth type of chocolate was created by a genius team of Swiss-Belgian chocolatiers. And Japan – ever the lover of gimmicky foods and eccentric flavours – has leapt on ruby chocolate like you wouldn’t believe. Earlier this year Japan began selling the ruby chocolate flavour of KitKat, and now the...
Written by: Hye-Young Pyun | Translated by: Sora Kim-Russell Millennials are often accused of destroying a lot of things, but they have also been attributed to the resurgence of so much lost art, such as vinyl records and pixel-art video games. In literature, one of the greatest writers to receive a second life is Franz Kafka. More and...
Written by Yukiko Motoya | Translated by Asa Yoneda ‘Tomoko had married him of her own free will. Some of her friends had advised her to reconsider, but most people didn’t even seem to notice that he was straw.’ Two months ago I had already decided on my favourite novel, and novelist, of 2018: Convenience Store Woman and its author...
Japan Story by Christopher Harding For any curious lover of history, searching for an enlightening but comprehensive history of Japan, there are many places to look. Just last year, Jonathan Clements published his excellent A Brief History of Japan, which does exactly as it says on the tin. Another book to capture the hearts of many a...
Vietnam has a world class reputation when it comes to food. The renowned street food plus the unique spices and herbs mean that foodies have very much put Vietnam on their travel bucket list. Here’s a quote that many will be familiar with from Anthony Bourdain: “Going to Vietnam the first time was life-changing for sure. Maybe...
Here is the second of two articles summarising and reviewing the stories found in the Keshiki series, brought to you by Strangers Press. Click here if you missed part one. What is the Keshiki Series? Eight chapbooks, each containing a tale (or tales) of around thirty or forty pages, all by Japanese authors of varying successes that you...
If you’re a fan of books and travel then look no further. Jimbocho (神田古書店街), in Tokyo is a book lovers paradise with plenty of book stores to choose from that serve both Japanese and English readers. You’ll also find lots of art shops, vintage shops, and wonderful restaurants. How to get there: You can find Jimbocho at...
Taipei is a fantastic city, and one that deserves to be explored to its fullest. Part of the beauty of Taipei is its proximity to a range of other amazing locations that will suit every kind of traveller. The easiest way to get to Taipei is by flying in to Taipei Songshan Airport (you can easily access the rest of the city by subway or...
