Train ride through Japan’s countryside

*Japan* Kobe – “budget” trip (2D 2N)

Kobe is the capital of Hyogo prefecture and is only a 20min train ride from Osaka - getting to Kobe is really easy with several lines running between the two cities. The city has a nice harbour and several foreign traces left by previous foreign expats in the city (note the Kobe foreign settlement was…

*Japan* Nara – Sakura weekend (2.5D 2N)

TO OSAKA Shinkansen from Shin-Yokohama - Shin-Osaka station (approx 2.5hrs ¥15,000)TO NARA Kintestsu minami line from Osaka-Akenobashi (opposite Tennoji station) to Yoshino station (approx 1.5hrs ¥1,000) DAY 1 Japan's 2nd state of emergency has ended and we're working in Osaka for a week. It's Fri 26 March 2021 and we took the day off to…

*Japan* Wakayama, Mie & Nara (1 week)

After completing the Nakahechi trail of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage (5N 6D) we did an amazing road trip across Wakayama, Mie and Nara prefectures. We snacked a lot while on the road and bought a lot of omamori (amulets) during this trip. Trip satisfaction score of 5/5! Day 1 - Wakayama Car rental at Toyota…

*Japan* Osaka (2D 2N)

Flight Tokyo Narita - Kansai International Airport KIX (approx 1.5hr)Airport express train into Osaka, Namba station (approx 1hr ¥1,000, Pasmo / Suica travelcard ok)Late October 2020 (10-20 degrees) Areas - Where to Go Tip: Wear comfortable shoes as it's the perfect place for on foot city exploring. The main / busy areas in Osaka are…

Dummies guide : hiking backpacks

I'm finally investing in a proper 5-day backpack. Why get a pack? I've always maintained that I'm fine hiking with my regular old student backpack - the price of hiking packs being too steep for my liking - but having done over 10 hikes in the past 2 years and tried out AD's daypack, I've…

*Japan* Mitsutoge day hike / Sights of Fuji – Yamanashi (May 2019 – 1Night, 2Days)

JAPAN: Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi (Mitsutoge & Lake Kawaguchi) Our yearly hike form Mitsutoge to Kawaguchiko for great views of Mt Fuji. Some good info about hiking routes from https://mynihonblog.com/2020/11/10/mitsutoge/ Date: late May 2019 (1N 2D) This has become a yearly hike for us - we went in 2021/2022/2023 around late Feb / early March (note in Feb…