You don’t have to understand Japanese to understand omotenashi. The meaning becomes apparent soon enough on a trip to Japan. It’s Japanese hospitality. “Omote” means “public face,” the false front you display for the public. “Nashi” means “nothing.” Taken together,…
Japan has always loomed large over my imagination. I grew up playing Nintendo games and watching Pokémon and Dragonball Z after school. As a teenager, I discovered Akira Kurosawa’s samurai movies and learned more about the country’s history and culture.…
You don’t have to leave Tokyo to experience Japan’s famous culinary prowess. Japan’s capital city is so large and varied that you could spend a lifetime here and not discover every hidden gem or must-try restaurant. That being said, it’s…
Enjoy the many contrasts and surprises to be experienced in the “Land of the Rising Sun,” on a Japan vacation. Like visits to all countries, it is a question of what to see and do to not only enjoy a…
It’s amazing the optimism spring brings with it. Not only does it mean winter is behind us, but also that our days will soon be filled with blooming flowers, thriving greenery, and gentle showers in the afternoon. Spring is also…
If there’s ever been a city where it’s hard to choose between all the sights on offer, it’s Tokyo. It’s one of the world’s largest cities and has attractions to satisfy every kind of traveller. So how can you choose…
Big cities can be a double-edged sword for travellers looking for a budget getaway. They often boast the big sights, but big names like London, Paris, and Sydney can also empty your wallet faster than most destinations thanks to higher…
With the 2020 Olympic Games having been awarded to Tokyo, here is what this vast metropolis offers visitors on Japan tours. The feeling I experienced on my first visit to Tokyo was one of being somewhat overwhelmed. This was due…
Impossibly vast, overwhelmingly chaotic, yet strangely intuitive, Tokyo is one of those great cities you have to experience at least once. And what an experience it is! The megacity is a feast for all the senses. You might be watching…
Increasingly, the gap between the world we live in and the futuristic cities we see in sci-fi movies and TV shows is shrinking. For instance, the original Blade Runner film was set in Los Angeles in 2019, which is a…
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