As if Japan itself isn't exciting and alluring enough as it is, the icing on the cake is Japan's rail system, surely one of the best on the planet. The country has consistently invested in the development and maintenance of its rail infrastructure. This includes high-speed shinkansen (bullet trains) and extensive urban transit networks,…
We woke up this morning with a real longing to go to Japan, a place where we've never been, but know that we will go, someday. After a little research, we decided to go back in time to Japan in the 1940s. The miracle of the internet constantly drip-feeds us, every day, with…
We don't need to spend too much time discussing how proud, clever and efficient (not to mention kind) the people of Japan are. Similar to the Koreans, the Japanese strike a balance between efficiency and personal pride, for the good of all. As a refresher, Japan is an archipelago, or string of islands, on the…
Like many modern, progressive countries, Japan has its eyes wide open when it comes to the environment and what we need to do to save it. In addition to Japan's willingness to live in smaller, more sensible dwellings, they are also world leaders when it comes to rail versus auto travel. And, this…
If you're of a certain age (like us,) you may long for places or things that remind you of when you were young. In our case, we have a sweet spot for the 1960s. Just last night (for Valentine's Day,) Mr. and Mrs. Matouring ventured to a place here in Vancouver to…
Like many of the Asian countries, Japan has opted to carefully plan its reopening to the world. And that makes good sense for everyone. But, the country has finally announced the way forward. And we've got some great options for you to book your trip, courtesy of our affiliate friends WendyWu Tours. Be the first…
Take a look at the Nine Hours Capsule Designer by Naruse Inokuma Architects in Osaka, Japan. Would you stay in one of these for the night? If not, here are some other suggestions. Read more courtesy of The Architectural Times.com
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Did you know that Japan’s shrines and temples welcome regular tourists to stay for a night or more? Experience authentic Zen meditation, the traditional, vegetarian cuisine called shojin ryori, and explore a fascinating world so different from anything you know. Staying at a shrine or temple is an experience that even a lot of Japanese people don’t get to have that easily, a…
It had been a packed afternoon of exploring the charming city of Tamba Sasayama, where the vibrant energy of young businesses ran hot through the city. But it was also a relentlessly cold and rainy day. so I was already fantasizing about hot baths and steaming hot pots when we arrived at the 100-year-old traditional Japanese house.…
Wander or Bust is an Elite Daily travel series that follows young women/femme-identifying travelers all over the globe to record their journeys as they experience the thrill of the far-flung and unknown.
They'll track their budgets, where they stay, where they eat and drink, and where they took that amazing Instagram that got them ~maximum…
As the world gets ever smaller, if we're smart we learn as much as we can. Travel is a huge component in this quest for knowledge and experience. And, in the most unusual places you will find situations and opportunities that you may not have expected. This article tells the story of a young man's…
Japan’s trains can at times be some of the most crowded in the world. You may have even seen videos online of people being pushed into trains to be able to fit, and you probably thought, “No way!” However, it’s actually quite a common sight in the packed city of Tokyo!
Although trains in the…
This year, make tracks for one of the hottest trends in travel right now and experience the new golden age of rail travel with Wendy Wu Tours.
Three to get ready, now go go, cat, go.
Figaro, Figaro, Figaro, go go go!
This post draws parallels between the peculiar charm of cats and the music band Kraftwerk. Cats, much like appreciating Kraftwerk, require an acclimation period due to their unpredictable nature. The post highlights the affectionate, low-maintenance, entertaining qualities of cats, and their associated health benefits. It mentions Catfe in Vancouver, a café that aids in cat…
I slept in a Chimney.
Keep on Chuuk’n baby. Sun, fun and quiet. Ahhh.
We're branching off a bit here from the "normal" posts that you typically see on our site. This essay is not purely about travel, even though travel will, indeed show its face soon enough. Let's set a marker that music is a big deal for us, as we assume it is for you.…
If you spend any time scouring the travel sites (including ours) it won't take much effort to see that China is - finally - becoming the place to visit. The doors are opening up, westerners are welcomed with open arms (provided that you don't prove yourself to be an idiot) and the ways and…