With most of Japan now re-opening its doors to domestic tourists, when better for Japan-based photographer Ben Richards to head out on the road and continue to experience all the beauty Japan has to offer? Join Ben as he sheds a little light on his Hokkaido road trip and offers some words of wisdom when hiring a car in Japan. 

Join us as we sit down with Takako Imai, a local lodge-owner in Fukushima's beautiful Oku-Aizu region, to find out what life is like in this idyllic and enigmatic part of rural Japan and how you too can experience its many charms. 

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.

Missing Japan? So are we! It feels like a lifetime that we've not been able to travel and we really do hope the point at which safe travel can resume comes soon; but until then, 'Shouganai' (しょうがない, "It can't be helped")! Thankfully, there are still a number of ways you can "visit" Japan, albeit virtually: read on for 7 of our favourite!

Join as us as we sit down for a chat with master soy sauce producer Yasuo Yamamoto from the island of Shodoshima in Japan's Seto Inland Sea. What's a day in the life of a soy sauce maker like? What's there to see in Shodoshima? What makes a really good bottle of Shoyu? Read on to find out!