Introduction Planning a vegan Shimanami Kaido cycle? It's easier than you might think, but it does need some forward planning. In October, my husband and I visited Japan for the second time. He's a keen cyclist, but we weren't able to make the cycle happen last time round. We'd agreed...

Travelling through Japan is pretty easy with the extensive train network and great metro links in the major cities, and it's a country known for its efficiency and service. Luggage forwarding, or takuhabin, is one of the country's most innovative ways to make travel easier, and frankly I wish we...

Introduction If you're planning on cycling the Shimanami Kaido, then first of all: excellent choice. And secondly, planning what to pack is just as important as planning the route itself. I've put together a Shimanami Kaido Packing List to help make sure you cover the basics, but leave the dead...

Introduction: Japan's Tea Capital As I write this, it's a grey November day in London. I've got a cup of matcha in front of me, a souvenir from an Uji day trip on my most recent trip to Japan. If, like me, you're a tea-lover, then the name Uji may...

Introduction If you've ever spent time scrolling through Instagram Reels about Japan, you've probably come across the videos of adorable deer bowing in exchange for crackers. This is Nara, Japan's ancient capital. From Osaka or Kyoto, a Nara day trip is a wonderful way to venture out of the cities,...

Introduction A traditional part of Japanese culture, ryokans often come up on lists of recommendations and itineraries for any Japan trip. But for plant-based travellers, is it even possible to find a vegan friendly ryokan that gives the same authentic, kaiseki experience? On my first trip to Japan with my...

Introduction Tucked away in a quiet part of Tokyo, there are thousands of cats. Well, ceramic ones anyway. This is Gotokuji Temple, the famous "lucky cat" temple. Said to be the birthplace of the maneki neko figurine. If you haven't heard of these little lucky cats before, you've definitely seen...

On a trip to Japan with my husband last year, one of our favourite discoveries was a sake bar in Tokyo: Sake Market in Shinjuku. It was one of our last nights in Japan, and we'd just finished an underwhelming dinner in a nearby vegetarian restaurant. Wanting to turn the...