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. 

Moo and Simon are a Japanese-British couple who fell in love with Kyushu and decided to start their own travel agency there. Kyushu Journeys helps English-speaking visitors plan their dream holidays around the beautiful Kyushu and offers incredible tours. Read on to discover their tips on exploring Kyushu on a budget, themed trips they offer, and top places you need to see when visiting for the first time!

Shizuoka prefecture, located a short high speed train ride away from Tokyo, is famous all over the world for its top notch onsen hot springs and being one of the best spots to see Mt. Fuji. What many people aren’t aware of is that Shizuoka is also Japan’s largest green tea producer, 40% of green tea comes from here! Covered with stunning tea fields creating an unforgettable landscape, it’s the mecca of Tea Tourism. That’s where you want to head for hands on experiences while visiting one of many plantations or simply enjoying a cup of this locally produced goodness. Find out about the best tea destinations for the new normal! 

Located in the northeast of the Tohoku region, Iwate overlooks the Pacific Ocean via the Sanriku coastline and is buttressed by the Ou Mountains, home to some of Japan's best ski resorts and hot springs. Roughly divided into four distinct regions, Iwate is also marked by common themes of nature worship and traditional folklore, as well as samurai history and a long-standing tradition of high-quality metalwork craftsmanship. To find out more about this remote corner of Japan, we caught up with Oikawa-san to discuss all things Iwate and ferrous. 

The spring weather brings us the re-opening of many pubs but some of us might be discouraged by how fleeting those moments of warmth have been. You don't have to wait until the summer to enjoy an 'evening out', just crack open the beers and prep a feast of delicious Japanese bar snacks! Read on to find out just how easy it is to recreate a Japanese beer garden - beers, snacks and vibes - from the comfort of your very own home!