Author: Lucy Dayman

A weekend in Unzen Onsen: Japan’s first national park

Ready to explore a new corner of Japan? Or looking to elevate your next Japanese holiday? Discover a side of the country that’s still very much a local secret and take a look at how we spent a few days in Japan’s first national park, Unzen Onsen. Nestled in the heart of Nagasaki Prefecture, Unzen…

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A Cheat Sheet to Unzen, Japan’s Oldest National Park

Unzen Amakusa National Park is Japan’s oldest national park. While its legacy has had far-reaching international influence, the park still feels like one of Japan’s best-kept local secrets. At the middle of it all is Unzen Onsen, an onsen town home to a landscape of rugged hiking trails, steaming volcanoes, lush forests, and some of…

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Explore the virtual world of Japan’s best art

In recent times, seeing some of the world’s finest pieces of art in the flesh has been impossible. However, you can still travel to Japan (virtually), thanks to the ‘Japan Cultural Expo VIRTUAL PLATFORM’, a platform that will change how we experience the country’s fascinating art scene. This new platform is – as its name…

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4 ways you can enjoy Japan online right now

Now that it’s coming into spring in Japan, the days are getting longer, the sun is somehow shining a little brighter, and the cherry blossoms are about to bloom; in short, it’s the best time of year to be in Japan. Unfortunately, because of ‘you know what’ popping over to Japan for a cheeky visit…

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A guide to Japan’s three main performing arts… and where to see them

Japan is a nation well known for its far-reaching history and passion for keeping culture and traditions alive. From the ancient tea houses of Kyoto to the quaint building styles of Gifu’s Shirakawago, you can practically read the history of the nation through its architecture and city design. One of the more elusive forms of…

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Exploring Koga: one of Japan’s secret attractions, and an ideal Tokyo day trip

When first-time tourists visit Japan, they often take such a well-trodden route that it has a nickname within the Japanese tourism circles. Known in the industry as ‘the golden route,’ this commonly explore circuit travels from Tokyo to Osaka and Kyoto and often Hiroshima. While it’s a stunning and undeniably rewarding path to take, the…

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Himi, Japan: Where the mountains back onto the sea

It’s an outrageous understatement to say that Japan is a country full of natural diversity. From the snow-capped peaks of Hokkaido’s mountains to the tropical islands of Okinawa, for a nation whose landmass is relatively humble, it doesn’t matter how many times you visit, there will always be something new to discover. Case in point…

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Escaping Tokyo: Five perfect day trip destinations less than 90 minutes from the city

Tokyo is an amazing city, with bright lights, weird cafes and hidden watering holes – no matter how long you stay there’s always something new to discover. However for some the flood of neon and constant city bustle can get a little much, especially for us Australians used to a little space and the urge…

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Exploring the six most interesting food museums in Japan (because that’s a thing)

Spend a little time in Japan and you’ll quickly realize it’s a food obsessed nation. From local specialties to unique twists on pretty much everything edible the country’s love for food is potentially unmatched anywhere else in the globally. Given their serious love for eating it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Japan is potentially…

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Six regular events and parties to check out in Tokyo, Japan on a budget

With ridiculously cheap flight options, its relatively close proximity to Australia and the promise of endless cultural fascination, Tokyo has in recent years become a regular go-to destination for Aussie travellers. Though it enjoys a reputation for being an expensive destination to visit, when compared to our major cities, this idea is somewhat unfounded. That…

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