With the explosion in popularity of shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race in the US, Canada and even in the UK, too, the art of drag has never been more celebrated.

Drag in Japan has been alive and well for centuries across its big cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo and even Kyoto, but one drag queen recently snatched a headline with her innovative approach to social distancing amidst the global COVID-19 pandemic. 

Fish markets and morning squid auctions, a retro tram network with wood-panneled carriages, a weirdly wonderful and exclusively regional Japanese hamburger chain, beautifully preserved old timey boutique cafes overlooking sunsets on the sea… There's a lot to love about Hokkaido’s second city of Hakodate, but standing proudly next to Jujigai tram stop is another of the city’s characterful hidey-holes and a must-visit landmark on any craft-lover’s map: Hakodate Kogeisha gallery and boutique. Read on to find out what they had to say about their gallery and this wonderful port city.

Tom returns to Tokyo, Japan's futuristic and funky capital for the final installment of his Tohoku adventure. After a bout of retail therapy in Shibuya, Tom scrambled to get his hands on anything and everything colourful in Harajuku, the pop-culture capital of the world; a whacky outfit for a trip to the equally whacky Kawaii Monster Cafe? Tom then paid a visit to leafy Meiji-jingu Shrine, before enjoying a late-night drink in one of Shinjuku's many cosy izakaya. Read on to find out more!

Simon Richmond takes you around Hokkaido's snow and ice festivals. 

Despite their size, capsule hotels have come a long away from their inception as a cheap and uncomfortable place for businessmen to crash for the night: not only do they now include free Wi-Fi (a blessing!), but both their designs and their compatibility with female guests have for the better changed with the times. Here are 5 female-friendly Tokyo capsule hotels that'll help save you some coin and provide the perfect base for your adventures into the concrete jungle!