Blog

Guides6 min readWhere to base yourself in Kyoto: station, Gion or KawaramachiKyoto has five areas that suit visitors. Pick your base by how you travel, how you eat and how late you want to be out.Guides5 min readWhere to stay in Tokyo on a first tripTokyo has many districts for a first stay. Compare Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa and Ginza by train access, late nights and quiet evenings.Guides5 min readYokohama Chinatown: how to eat well thereHow to eat well in Yokohama Chinatown: snacks or a full meal, how to read reviews on Tabelog, queues, and the best time to eat with children.Guides5 min readYokohama for a day from TokyoIs Yokohama worth a day from Tokyo? Yes, if you want a harbour walk, old brick warehouses and Chinatown. Here is how to plan a relaxed loop.Guides5 min readYokohama Minato Mirai: a harbour walkA waterfront walk in Minato Mirai from the late afternoon to dusk, with the architecture, the harbour views and an indoor plan for wind or rain.Festivals6 min readGion Matsuri: a Kyoto July explainerGion Matsuri is Kyoto's major summer festival, held in July. Learn what the parades are, how the festival works and how to watch it without getting lost.Festivals5 min readKanda Matsuri: a festival near AkihabaraKanda Matsuri is one of Tokyo's big shrine festivals, a short walk from Akihabara. Learn what happens, where to stand and what to check first.Festivals5 min readSanja Matsuri in Asakusa: the spring paradeSanja Matsuri is a spring festival at Asakusa in Tokyo, held in May with portable shrines carried through the streets. Learn how to watch it and plan your day.Festivals5 min readSapporo Snow Festival: how it worksThe Sapporo Snow Festival is held in February with large snow sculptures. Learn how the festival is laid out, how to plan your visit and what to check before you go.Festivals5 min readSummer fireworks: how to watch themSummer fireworks draw large crowds in Tokyo and Osaka. Learn how to choose a viewing spot, arrive early and get back to your hotel safely.

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