In my earlier post, a guide to the JR Pass, I was pretty upfront with my opinion on "is the JR pass worth it?". But now I want to put my money where my mouth is and show you what the maths looked like for both of my trips to...

Japan is an incredible country, with so much to offer. From the bright lights of Tokyo, the serene temples of Kyoto, the late night convenience store runs, and the iconic Shinkansen that spirits you across the country with speed and efficiency that would make even Germany jealous. Seriously, for an...

Osaka is often referred to as "The Kitchen of Japan", and it's famous for its street food. One of its most famous dishes is takoyaki. If you've never had it, they're traditionally made with minced octopus, shaped into balls, covered in batter and deep fried. As a vegan traveller, I...

Imagine this: You've just stepped out of Shinjuku Station, your heart racing as you dragged your case through the crowds, trying to find which of the over 200 exits is the right one. You finally surface on the pavement, the bright lights and chaos of Tokyo hitting you like a...

The Quest for Vegan Ramen Ramen is the ultimate comfort food. From the hot, nourishing broth to the indulgent noodles and rich toppings, it's a culinary experience you can't miss, especially if you're visiting Japan. However, for vegans and vegetarians planning a trip to Japan, the fish stoke and bone...

Above the bright, busy streets of Tokyo's Harajuku district there's a cosy restaurant called Vegan Bistro Jangara. To enter, you'll need to find a nondescript elevator next to a subterranean Family Mart. The elevator doesn't look especially inviting, but it's about to lead you to some of the best vegan...

T's Tantan is one of the most beloved ramen purveyors in Japan, and for very good reason. An offshoot of the popular T's Restaurant in Jiyugaoka (near the gorgeous Saido, another great vegan restaurant), T's Tantan has been around since 2011 and now has four branches: two in Narita airport,...

Down a dark alley in Tokyo's quiet Jiyugaoka neighbourhood I had the most creative meal of my life. Saido restaurant is voted one of the best vegan restaurants in the world on Happy Cow, and for good reason. The chef, Kusumoto Katsumi, opened his restaurant in 2018 after spending years...

In early October this year, I found myself sitting on a bike on top of a 4km long suspension bridge, nothing but water below me. I was soaking wet, my waterproof jacket having long given up on doing its job. My legs ached, one of my backpack straps was digging...

If you've ended up here, you're probably planning your Shimanami Kaido adventure and frankly, I'm pretty envious of you. I've put together the ideal two-day Shimanami Kaido itinerary, based on personal experience and what I've learned since. While it's possible to complete the entire route in a day, it means...