On your way up into Hokkaido from Tokyo by bullet train, you'll stumble across this unassuming port town with oodles of history and culture on offer. A star-shaped fortress, squid fishing, a Michelin-starred night view, onsen monkeys and fantastic food - all this and more is on offer in Hakodate.

Rosi moved to Japan on the JET Programme where she got a slice of countryside life in Shimoichi, a rural town in Nara prefecture. She later moved to Osaka where she is now in the process of opening her first vegan cake shop! We talked about her baking journey, best places for a plant-based feast in Japan, and her favourite must-see locations in Nara and Osaka.

Visiting Japan there is one place on everyone's to-do list, the famed convenience stores known as 'conbini'! They are real treasure troves of delicious food and sometimes curious flavour combinations. We got the low-down on conbini from two experts - Matt and Mike who are behind the 'Conbini Boys' podcast!

Neon lights and buzzy sidestreets make Japan pop after dark, but with so much variety of options, it can be difficult to choose for a first-time visitor. Read on to find out about Japan's prize winning nightlife and find your top picks!

We talked to Alex Davies who has spent the past 5 years in Japan's historical capital working as the head distiller at the award-winning The Kyoto Distillery, the first craft gin distillery in Japan. Alex shared with us his favourite places for tasting Japanese alcohol and his tips on how to experience the other, less ventured, side of Kyoto.