
Nakasendo Way – On the path of Shōguns
The local Chuo train pulled into Narai having stopped at every station dropping locals off with their shopping. Narai is a simple country station, obvious by

Death in Japan ⛩
Graveyards can be sombre and contemplative spaces. Coming across a 17th century burial site just above the Kanmangafuchi Abyss in Nikko, that was interring “The

A day and a night in Nikkō, Japan
Two hours from a Tokyo by bullet train is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Nikko. Nikko is famous for its natural scenery of gorgeous

Electric Tokyo, gateway to Japan
Nothing really prepares you for the impact of Tokyo. Despite all my pre-reading, Tokyo unleashed is overwhelming, but in such a good way. It’s a

Cherry blossom season in Japan 🌸
Possibly the only thing in Japan that isn’t completely punctual is the advent of cherry blossom flowering. The more I read about timing one’s trip

Yachtmaster™ Offshore – A circuitous passage⚓️
Why after 20 years of bareboat charters around the world do you need a sailing qualification, Nikki asked? A very good question with a convoluted