Okinawa is an amazing and surprising part of Japan. The Okinawa archipelago is a collection of islands in Southern Japan, some 600km south of the main islands. Okinawa has a subtropical climate and with beautiful clear waters and forested mountains, it is often called the ‘Hawaii of Japan’. Okinawa, with the presence of the US…
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Okinawa is known for Ryukyu glassware. Okinawa is part of the chain of Ryukyu islands, the most southern islands of Japan. Glassware began in Okinawa around the late 1860’s the time of the Meiji Era. However, after World War II, resources were scarce so empty glass bottles from American troops were recycled and used to…
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Unfortunately Oodeo Onsen is now permanently closed. If you are looking for a hot spring experience near by try the Heiwajima Onsen. Onsens are synonymous with Japan and Japanese culture. However, it can be a very foreign idea for Aussies to be hopping in a big hot tub naked with strangers! Ooedo Onsen offers onsen…
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If you or your kids are into Gundam and have watched some of the anime then they will absolutely love visiting the Unicorn Gundam statue in Odaiba. The life-size statue from the Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn Series is 19.7m tall and is awe inspiring, even if you have no idea what or who Gundam is!…
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teamLab are a group of Japanese artists that use digital technology and interactive art with exhibitions around the world. Their exhibitions range from individual artworks to restaurants with interactive displays to full museums. We visited teamLab Borderless in Odaiba, which moved to Azabudai Hills as a permanent location in 2024. We also visited teamLab Planets…
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Himeji also known as White Heron castle is one of the most amazing castles in Japan. It is one of the country’s 12 original castles and has not been destroyed by war or fire or earthquake. The castle complex is over 400 years old and was extensively restored in 2015. Himeji castle is elegant and…
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Osaka is known for its amazing food, in fact it is called the food capital of Japan. Many of these foods you can find elsewhere in Japan, but Osaka is the best place to eat them! 1. Okonomiyaki – Japanese pancake This is a savoury pancake made of egg, flour and vegetables (sometimes of noodles)…
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Fushimi Inari shrine is located in Southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that stand close together and make a red tunnel up through the mountain forest. This shrine was established for the Shinto god of rice, Inari, in 711, before Kyoto was the capital of Japan. The path leads…
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Northern Kyoto boasts one of the most famous temples in Kyoto and perhaps in Japan, the opulent Kinkakuji or ‘Golden pavilion’. Kinkakuji was built by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu the shogun as his retirement villa in 1397. Yoshimitsu was instrumental in reopening trade with China and importing goods such as green tea and pottery, he was a…
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