It may have been 65 million years since a real dinosaur last wandered around Fukui, but there’s no doubt who still rules in this city. From the giant Diplodocus who greets you at the train station to the white T-Rex statue standing in a nearby field, dinosaurs are omnipresent. That’s no surprise, as 80% of…
Nobody knows much about Ben Allison, but he must have had one heck of a life. Around 160 years ago, he was part of the British aristocracy. He spent much of his time going off on adventures and hunting animals. Today, there’s little information about him left, but take a trip to Kobe and you…
Akiko clearly loves her job. Our open-top train ride along the Takachiho Amaterasu railway only lasts 30 minutes, but Akiko puts everything she has into it. As we enter the first of two tunnels, there’s the light show. Akiko theatrically points to the ceiling to indicate where a flurry of disco lights are about to…
Every day Mito Kosei makes the same journey from his home to the Atomic Bomb Dome in central Hiroshima. Once there, he leans his bicycle against a railing and carefully lays out a collection of posters, photographs and documents. And then he waits for the visitors that always come. He speaks to them in clear,…
Hokkaido is one of Japan’s top winter destinations. Its abundance of powder-fine snow makes it a perfect spot for a winter break. But as well as some of the best skiiing options in Japan, it’s also home to some charming small towns that are worth spending a day or two in. One of these is Otaru,…
Leaves are a big deal in Japan. For a fortnight each Spring, locals will travel miles to catch a glimpse of cherry blossom, or sakura. The birth of these delicate pink leaves signifies the end of winter and the start of a new season. Then, each November, the leaves transform again. Autumnal oranges, yellows and…
My first ten minutes in Japan were spent staring at a picture of a lemon. The lemon is Japan’s first example of helpfulness, as the lemon is there as a guide to how your salivary glands may be persuaded to produce enough saliva to pass a covid test. From the airport, where dozens of staff…
Top 10 things for children to do in Osaka Osaka may not have the old-town retro feel that nearby Kyoto boasts, but this coastal city compensates with a host of activities. This makes it ideal for younger visitors. It’s also a simple city to navigate, with excellent train and bus links. Here are our top…
With a furious flurry of fingers and thumbs, Ryu unleashes his special move – a fireball of energy. In the other corner, Blanka stumbles, staggers and then collapses. Game over. An electronic wave of cheering heralds Ryu’s victory. The gamer playing Street Fighter acknowledges the real-life applause and slaps on the back. Next to this,…