For decades, the classic Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka route has been the default answer to one of the biggest questions facing first-time visitors: Where should I go on my first trip to Japan? It is easy to understand why. Tokyo gives you the scale, energy, food, and neighborhoods of modern Japan. Kyoto delivers temples, shrines, gardens, and historic … Read more
How many days do you really need in Cornwall? It is an important question because Cornwall is one of those destinations that looks easier to explore on a map than it actually is. Picturesque fishing villages, dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches and famous sights are spread across the peninsula, and getting between them can take longer … Read more
Devon or Cornwall? It sounds like a simple choice between two neighboring counties in southwest England. In reality, choosing between them can completely change the character of your trip. Both offer beautiful beaches, dramatic coastal walks, picturesque villages and some of England’s best seaside scenery. But they do not deliver quite the same experience. Cornwall … Read more
Traveling around Japan with a large suitcase can turn an otherwise easy journey into a surprisingly awkward one. Busy stations, stairs, crowded trains, hotel check-in times, and multi-stop itineraries all become easier when you are not pulling your luggage behind you. That is where Takkyubin — Japan’s luggage forwarding service — can be incredibly useful. … Read more
Planning a first trip to Japan can be surprisingly deceptive. On a map, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hakone, Hiroshima, and even destinations farther afield can seem easy to combine. Japan’s excellent rail network makes ambitious itineraries look perfectly reasonable — at least on paper. The problem is that travel time is only part of the … Read more
For years, the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) was one of the easiest recommendations for travelers planning a trip around Japan. Buy the pass, use the Shinkansen between major cities, and there was a good chance you would save money. Today, the decision is very different. After a major price increase, the nationwide JR Pass … Read more
Just an hour south of Tokyo, Kamakura offers something that can be surprisingly hard to find on a busy Japan itinerary: historic temples, wooded hills, traditional streets, and the coast all within an easy day trip. The former political center of medieval Japan is best known for the Great Buddha of Kamakura, but that is … Read more
Japan can be surprisingly affordable — or surprisingly expensive. The difference often comes down to a few key decisions. Where you stay, how many cities you visit, when you travel, and how often you use long-distance trains can change the cost of your trip far more than saving a few hundred yen on lunch. The … Read more
For most first-time visitors, Tokyo is the better place to start. It offers Japan’s most famous landmarks, world-class shopping, diverse neighborhoods, and an incredible variety of experiences. If you’re visiting Japan for the first time and only have time for one major city, Tokyo is usually the smartest choice. That said, Osaka can be the … Read more
Most travelers know Himeji for one reason: its spectacular white castle. But while Himeji Castle is undoubtedly the city’s biggest attraction, the city itself offers much more than a quick photo stop. Beautiful traditional gardens, peaceful temples, local food, and one of Japan’s most impressive UNESCO World Heritage Sites make Himeji an easy and rewarding … Read more
