Myanmar has been in the international news a lot the past couple of weeks, and it hasn’t been for the glorious stupa-dotted landscape of Bagan or the tranquil waters of Inle Lake. It’s been for the religious and ethnic persecution of the Muslim Rohingya minority of Rakhine State by the Burmese army and militia groups, […]
Asia/Oceania
Your Ultimate Guide to a Grand Sumo Tournament in Japan
Watching a sumo tournament in Japan is a fascinating experience. Consider it not just a sporting event, but a display of long-standing culture and tradition. While it’s pretty easy to understand who wins and who loses, if you don’t know anything else about sumo, a lot of what makes it special will be lost, which […]
Japan’s Annual Health Checks: The good, the bad and the problematic
“I got all A’s on my health check!” I called out to Hai as I opened my letter containing the results of this year’s medical examination. “What’s new?” he called back, probably rolling his eyes at the same time. A friendly dig at the fact I did well in school. Yes, in Japan we get […]
The picturesque route to Inle Lake (The Slow Train from Thazi)
Most travellers in Myanmar take the bus to get from city to city. The rationale is clear: they are faster and more comfortable. So why would we sacrifice a day out of our itinerary to spend on a hot train? Well, we are suckers for epic train rides and when we heard about ‘The Slow […]
12 interesting things to do in Yangon (2 day itinerary under $20)
Many people say to see the Shwedagon Pagoda and then hightail it to one of the other highlights of the country like Bagan or Inle Lake. The glittery Shwedagon is undeniably the city’s jewel, but hitting the road before giving the city’s other attractions the chance to shine is a downright shame. While you can […]
Myanmar eVisa: How to get a tourist visa online for Myanmar (Burma)
Getting a visa for travel to Myanmar (Burma) is now much easier thanks to the government’s eVisa program. Under the program, passport holders of around 100 countries can apply for their tourist visas online. Who can apply for a Myanmar tourist visa online? Ordinary passport holders of around 100 countries may now apply for their […]
How to get to Tokyo City from Narita Airport (and vice versa)
There are two international airports that service Tokyo. The main international airport, Narita Airport, isn’t actually in Tokyo at all, it’s located in the neighbouring prefecture of Chiba. The second is Haneda Airport, the city’s main domestic airport, now also the departure and arrival point of an increasing number of international flights. Depending on where […]
Shinrin-yoku: ‘Forest bathing’ is the latest Japanese health trend
Japan is no stranger to the concept of bathing in nature and its therapeutic benefits. You only need to take a dip in any of the thousands of natural hot springs across the country to understand the importance of this activity within the Japanese cultural context and the positive effects of a long, relaxing soak. […]
Daio Wasabi Farm: Where to try REAL wasabi in Japan
Think you’ve eaten wasabi before? Chances are you probably haven’t, even if you’ve visited Japan. I know, I was as shocked about this as the next person and I’ve been living in Japan for years. So what the hell have we been eating all this time? Most condiments presented as wasabi in stores and restaurants […]