Asia
Discover Asia’s diverse cultures, vibrant cities, spiritual sites, and breathtaking landscapes. From Japan to Thailand, explore the best travel experiences across the continent.
The Ultimate Japan Convenience Store Guide: Mastering Konbini Culture
If your idea of a convenience store is a dried-out roller-grill hot dog under fluorescent lights, Japan is about to completely recalibrate your expectations. In Japan the convenience store, universally known as a konbini (コンビニ), is a genuine pillar of daily life. Open 24 hours a day, these neighbourhood hubs pack a high-end deli, a…
Suica and IC Cards in Japan: How to Get and Use Them
If there is one thing that makes travelling in Japan easy, it is the IC card. With a Suica or PASMO card you just tap and go on trains, subways and buses, and you can pay at convenience stores, vending machines and coin lockers. I used my Suica every single day during my three years…
Colonialism in Japan: The History of the Japanese Empire
Most visitors arrive in Japan with a story about the country already half-formed: temples, bullet trains, an island nation that kept to itself for centuries and then modernised at astonishing speed. That story is not wrong, but it leaves out something that shaped modern East Asia as much as any other single force. For roughly…
Asagaya: Tokyo’s Hidden Gem for Foodies and Culture Seekers
While many first-time visitors spend most of their Tokyo trip around famous districts like Shinjuku and Shibuya, some of the city’s best food, nightlife, and local culture can actually be found just a few train stops further west. One of the best examples is Asagaya, a neighborhood in Suginami that still feels authentically local despite…
Is Japanese Food Actually Chinese? The Origins of Japanese Cuisine
Many visitors are surprised to learn how much Chinese influence can be found in Japanese cuisine. When exploring the origins of Japanese food, it quickly becomes clear that some of Japan’s most popular dishes, ingredients, and cooking techniques were influenced by ideas that arrived from China centuries ago. This pattern extends far beyond food. Throughout…
Japan Packing List: What to Bring in Every Season
Packing for Japan is different from packing for Europe. You will walk a lot, take your shoes off many times a day, carry everything on crowded trains and deal with very different seasons, from humid 35°C summers to snowy Hokkaido winters. After three years of living in Tokyo, this is the packing list I would…
Koi Fish Japan Meaning: Symbolism, Culture & History
Why Koi Fish Matter in Japan If you spend even a few days in Japan, you will quickly notice something recurring: koi fish. They appear in temple ponds, traditional gardens, and even in places you would never expect at first glance. But unlike in many other countries, koi in Japan are not just decorative animals.…
Renting in Japan as a Foreigner: Hidden Costs, Rejections and Why Buying Can Be Better
For many expats moving to Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto, the excitement of renting in Japan as a foreigner quickly meets a frustrating reality: the residential rental market. Between non-refundable fees, confusing floor plans and landlords who refuse foreign tenants, it can feel as if the system works against you. Even figuring out how much living…
ぶつかり男 (Butsukari-otoko): The Reality of Deliberate Bumping in Japan
If you live in Japan long enough, you eventually notice behaviors that visitors rarely see. One of them is called ぶつかり男 (butsukari-otoko). The term literally means “bumping man” and refers to men who deliberately collide with others in public spaces. It is not an official legal term, but it is widely used in Japanese media…
The Seasonal Symphony: A Guide to Kaiseki-ryori and the Soul of the Japanese Inn
For many travelers, staying at a traditional Japanese ryokan is one of the most unforgettable experiences in Japan. While the hot springs, tatami rooms, and mountain scenery often receive the most attention, the true heart of the experience usually arrives quietly in the evening, course by course, through an elaborate Kaiseki-ryori dinner. Often described as…
