The Japanese language is very distinct from English, most notably in its grammar. To give an example, a sentence like “I eat rice without chopsticks” would be ordered grammatically in Japanese like “chopsticks without I rice eat”. However, this difference doesn’t make travelling across Japan impossible without being fluent. A few common Japanese phrases can …
Discover Japan
For so many of us, there’s nothing more soothing and warming than relaxing in a cosy cafe, nursing a coffee, and losing hours to a thrilling novel. There’s something about a cafe atmosphere that enhances the experience of reading, making a memory of the experience. And that goes double for book cafes. A book cafe …
Claiming this is the best place to stay in Tokyo is a bold one. yes, this is a city brimming with world-class accommodation but Book and Bed certainly belongs up there with the best. Books, travelling, and sleeping are my three favourite things. And Japan is my favourite country, full of wonderful arts and culture …
Wondering what to do in Fukuoka? Try exploring Daimyo. Daimyo Fukuoka is a tiny quarter in the heart of the city that very much defines the soul of the city. Daimyo is the slightly older, calmer, chicer hipster cousin to Tokyo’s Harajuku and it hides many of the best things to do in Fukuoka. The …
Home to everything that traditional Kyoto has to offer, photogenic districts like Higashiyama and Gion plunge you into a world of Shinto shrines, rickshaws, cobblestone streets, and Buddhist temples. Far from sleepy, however, you can also enjoy boutique shopping, sake bars, cafes, and tea shops without ever leaving this dynamic neighbourhood. Discover historical Kyoto with …
Osaka doesn’t immediately unfold its history in the same way its neighbor Kyoto does. Nevertheless, the city houses some unique cultural museums which will take you on a journey through the fascinating story behind Japan’s third-largest city. Here’s a round-up of the five best Osaka museums, from ramen to whisky and beyond. Osaka is perhaps …
Osaka is a wonderful city; full of seemingly endless things to fascinate the foodie, the nerd, the history buff, and the culture-seeker. I’ve never experienced a vibe quite like the one I did in Osaka. With so many things to do in Osaka, it’s almost easy to get overwhelmed. Being a short hop from both …
As the capital of Japan, Tokyo is steeped in a deep history of vibrant arts and culture which are still alive and popular today. In the city, visitors can find everything from sumo matches and kabuki shows to see, a samurai museum and a variety of traditional art galleries to explore. Not to mention Disneyland …
It’s no secret that Japan is far behind other developed countries when it comes to LGBTQ rights. While some local governments issue same-sex union certificates, gay marriage still isn’t recognized by the Japanese government, and the Supreme Court recently ruled that transgendered people must be sterilized before they can legally change their gender. And yet, …
Tokyo is not only the largest and most exciting city in Japan to visit, but there are also a rich and exciting amount of varied and beautiful day trips from Tokyo that you can take. Just a short train ride from Tokyo, other exciting cities like Yokohama are conveniently accessible, and smaller Edo-syle towns are …