Category: Japan

3 'only-in-Japan' experiences not to be missed

3 'only-in-Japan' experiences not to be missed

I don’t know where I was when I first heard there was a new taste: umami. Surely you can’t discover a taste, can you? It’s like saying scientists have just designed a new emotion or announced a thicker type of gravity. To be fair, it is no surprise somebody from Japan discovered this ‘fifth’ savoury taste.
Secret escapes - 3 epic powder resorts in Japan not to be missed

Secret escapes - 3 epic powder resorts in Japan not to be missed

A cucumber is almost all water. Take away the pesky four percent or so of its, er, cucumber-ness and you could brush your teeth with the liquid remains (if that’s your sort of thing). In essence, the world is surprisingly water-logged, and where you least expect it. So it used to baffle me, early in
5 countries to visit this Spring

5 countries to visit this Spring

Daffodils are out and blossom is slowly appearing on the trees. It’s finally Spring. Many will flock to the Netherlands to see the tulip fields in full bloom but we have some other suggestions for where is best to visit this season. From the blossoms in Japan to wildflowers in Jordan and whales in Argentina,
Photograph of the week: Cherry blossom in Japan

Photograph of the week: Cherry blossom in Japan

The Meguro River flows through Tokyo, Japan, and is a popular destination for cherry blossom viewers in the Spring. About 800 cherry trees line both sides of the Meguro River to create a beautiful sight for tourists. While this is one of the more famous locations, many people travel all over Japan to look at
Suite of the week: Palace Suite, Palace Hotel Tokyo, Japan

Suite of the week: Palace Suite, Palace Hotel Tokyo, Japan

Suite name: Palace Suite Location: Palace Hotel Tokyo, Japan Size of accommodation: 210-250 sq m / 2,260-2,690 sq ft Cost per night: JPY 1,000,000 Who’s stayed here: The suite has been home to, among others, globally recognisable titans of industry (including fashion, finance, business and entertainment) as well as some very high profile diplomatic guests. What makes it special: Palace Hotel
Short stay: Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, Japan

Short stay: Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, Japan

Located in the heart of the city’s Nihonbashi business district and consistently rated one of the finest hotels in Asia, the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo can be found a short walk from the ‘Bridge of Japan’ from which Nihonbashi takes its name. Situated on the upper floors of the Cesar Pelli-designed Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower, where there
Short stay: Aman Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

Short stay: Aman Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

I’d been tipped off on how to get to the new Aman Tokyo on landing at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport: I was to take the monorail from the airport to Hamamatucho and to then take a taxi from there. The first part proved seamless, but the latter not so, with the first three taxi drivers all
3 stunning boutique hotels for an Asian honeymoon

3 stunning boutique hotels for an Asian honeymoon

Asia is a vast and beautiful continent, one which is veiled with hidden gems to entice the curious traveller. And for the adventurous honeymooning couple, Asia is full of romance and surprise. But to get the best out of your honeymoon, skip the executive suite in your favourite luxury hotel chain – and opt for
Top 10 experiences for food lovers

Top 10 experiences for food lovers

Food and travel are the two loves of our lives, and there’s nothing quite like the appetite to ignite that spark of wanderlust, from the incredible street food in Mexico’s bustling capital to uncovering the hidden local hotspots in Vietnam. So we’ve scoured the globe searching for our favourite culinary experiences, from truffle hunting in
Tokyo: tourism, temples and... toilets!

Tokyo: tourism, temples and... toilets!

The toilet seat in my hotel bathroom lifts as I approach it. It’s warm when I sit down, and it flushes itself once I’ve finished. The lid even closes by itself afterwards should I forget. Yet, despite all this self-automation, I am not exaggerating when I say there are 15 different buttons to control the
5 must-sees when in Kyoto

5 must-sees when in Kyoto

With a couple of thousand or so temples and shrines, Kyoto’s reputation as a temple town is solid. Every trip should save room to see a few, but there’s no need to over do it. Kyoto has more than enough non-temple must-see sights to keep you busy and maybe even inspire you to make a
What's it like to fly business class with ANA (All Nippon Airways)?

What's it like to fly business class with ANA (All Nippon Airways)?

ANA (All Nippon Airways) is the largest airline in Japan, a member of Star Alliance, and ranked one of the top 10 airlines in the world. It is one of less than 10 airlines worldwide to currently hold Sytrax’s 5-star rating and has a fleet of more than 230 aircraft, with a coverage of over
Heading for Tokyo and Singapore... your recommendations, please!

Heading for Tokyo and Singapore... your recommendations, please!

Next week I shall be travelling to Tokyo and Singapore courtesy of ANA – All Nippon Airways. I’m really looking forward to the trip as it’ll be my first time in each of these destinations. I’ve done a fair bit of reseach, gathering ideas on what to see and do, but obviously I’d like to
5 original destinations for 2015

5 original destinations for 2015

It’s the time of year when we in the travel industry stare deep into our crystal balls, peer at the tea leaves and read the runes (and do a bit of considered research, naturally) to predict the delectable destinations that we think will hit the heights in 2015. These can be completely new places around
The best new luxury hotel openings of 2014

The best new luxury hotel openings of 2014

The best new luxury hotel openings of 2014 include beautiful new properties in Beijing, Kyoto, Moscow, NYC, Orlando and Vienna. Some of these hotels are entering extremely crowded markets, while others are in the enviable position of having only a few luxury competitors, making them the go-to property for most luxury travelers to that destination.
Top 4 unusual ski experiences

Top 4 unusual ski experiences

As soon as one winter season is over, talk quickly turns to the next for eager snow lovers. From world class après ski to skiing across untouched powder in remote fjords, feast your eyes over these incredible destinations, from Norway to Japan. They’re perfect for a more unusual ski experience. Fjord skiing in Lofoten, Norway For those skiers wanting