Japan

Japan’s big cities are intoxicating. Fast paced and modern, destinations like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka are unlike anywhere else on earth, so it’s little surprise that they’re becoming more and more popular with travellers from Britain and beyond. But these cities, heady and irresistible as they are, don’t offer visitors the full picture of a …

There’s no denying that a Japanese kimono is a thing of beauty. It’s elegant, traditional and more than just a little bit cool. But there’s one thing that a kimono is not. A kimono is absolutely not easy to put on, as I learned when I visited Kitsuki Castle Town in Japan’s Oita Prefecture. This …

In a small corner of Japan’s southwestern Kyushu Island, the little-known destination of Oita Prefecture awaits. It’s a region that boasts plenty of natural beauty – think hot springs, mountains and beaches – as well as a rich cultural and religious heritage. Oh, and mouthwatering food. I landed in the Prefecture’s capital, the city of Oita, just …

The first thing I noticed about my hotel room was that there was no bed. Curious, I looked in cupboards and searched for hidden panels in the wall where perhaps a Murphy bed could be hiding. Nothing. Then it dawned on me. My room search had revealed that another fairly important feature was missing from …

With just one day in Tokyo, an enormous city bursting with sights and flavours and jaw-dropping contrasts, how much can you really see? This was the unenviable task that Sam, my guide, was given when he met me at Asakusa View Hotel on a sunny Sunday morning. I’ve been to Tokyo before, briefly and many …