Japan
The charming hot spring town that time forgot
In this charming Japanese town big hotels are banned and the buildings that are here are camouflaged in a dense valley of trees.
- by Brian Johnston
★★★★½
Airport reviews
This cramped, daggy airport is my new favourite
This isn’t a flashy, modern airport, and it doesn’t have many exciting facilities, but I love New Chitose with all of my stomach and heart.
- by Ben Groundwater
Opinion
Opinion
Businesses charging foreigners more than locals? So they should
Some Japanese businesses are controversially charging tourists more than locals. Here’s why I have no problem with that.
- by Ben Groundwater
Six times more: Call for higher prices for foreigners amid Japan tourism boom
A mayor suggesting tourists should pay up to six times more than locals to enter attractions is gaining support.
- by Akemi Terukina
What most visitors miss on Kyoto’s bucket-list trail
Kyoto could easily entrap you in bucket-list busyness. Rush and you’ll wonder what the fuss is about.
- by Brian Johnston
Sightseeing in Japan wasn’t enough for me, so I tried this
Taiko-Lab is up a narrow flight of stairs inside a scruffy office building on a scruffy back street in Kyoto.
- by Brian Johnston
Win one of five 16-day Japan holidays
Readers have the chance to win an Inspiring Vacations “Unforgettable Japan” tour, plus return flights for two.
Five of the world’s best new (or revamped) train journeys
A new version of the Orient Express, an extended Australian epic and high-speed trip through South-East Asia are some of the highlights.
- by Tim Richards
Five exciting new cruise routes will take you to truly unusual places
From ice-encrusted mountains to jungle-clad volcanoes, glamorous Asian cities to the remotest settlements, here are five of the most tempting new cruise routes.
- by Brian Johnston
These six transformative trips will enrich your mind and body
Much-needed time out is even better in an exotic location. If you’re in need of some cup-filling, you can’t go wrong with these revitalising journeys.
- by Julietta Jameson