Okayama Province in southern Honshu is commonly referred to as the “Land of Sunshine“, due to its usually pleasant weather. Its capital city, which goes by the same name, is a cool destination that doesn’t see too many foreign visitors. The reason can’t be for a lack of sights, because Oyakama’s utterly beautiful Kōraku-en Garden and…
8 Amazing Things to See and Do on Miyajima Island, Japan
Visitors mostly flock to Miyajima Island in the Bay of Hiroshima to visit the magnificent Itskukushima Shrine and its world-famous floating gateway. While this must-visit sight might be the main reason to drop by the island, Miyajima features a wide array of cool sights warranting a longer visit. Expect plenty of pagodas and temples in…
Everything You Need to Know About Visiting the Magnificent Itsukushima Shrine, Japan
Even if you’ve never been to Japan, I’d venture to guess that you’ve seen pictures of the vermilion gate of Itsukushima-Jinja seemingly floating on the glittering waters of Hiroshima Bay. The torii seems to have become synonymous both with the elegance of Japanese Architecture and the serenity of the country’s Shinto Shrines. Apart from being…
A Short Guide to the Japanese Tea Ceremony
Also known as chado, the traditional Japanese tea ceremony is an essential part of the country’s cultural heritage and partaking as a foreigner can be both fascinating and slightly intimidating due to the amount of rules and cultural etiquette involved. These include, amongst others, even the proper way to hold the cup containing the tea….
The Ultimate One Day Itinerary for Leipzig, Germany’s Cultural Boomtown
Central Germany’s largest city seems to be a bit of a paradox: On the one hand, it’s the country’s fastest-growing city and a vibrant cultural hot-spot due to its large university and important role in the contemporary art scene, yet on the other hand it still appears to be something of a well-kept secret among…
The Pros and Cons of Solo Travel
Whenever I’m traveling somewhere on my own, I tend to get the same reactions from at least some people who can’t seem to fathom that decision. To be fair, these are mostly people who don’t travel a lot themselves and can’t quite seem to grasp the appeal. Yet, this clearly isn’t something that only pertains…
8 Fantastic Things to See and Do in Chanthaburi, Thailand’s City of Gems
Pretty Chanthaburi is a small town in Thailand’s southeastern province of the same name that still sees few foreign tourists, despite its mellow vibe and pretty historical centre. Due to its role in gemstone trade, it still gets its fair share of international visitors aiming to make a deal by buying or selling the various…
Visiting Thailand’s Nam Tok Phlio National Park – What You Need to Know
With a whopping 156 National Parks, Thailand certainly doesn’t suffer from a shortage of protected areas. While many of them are super beautiful and certainly well-worth visiting, Nam Tok Phlio National Park in southeastern Thailand’s Chanthaburi Province sets itself apart from the majority by the fact that it’s mainly known to domestic tourists. I for…
7 Unique Things to See and Do on Ko Sichang, Thailand
Unlike many of the surrounding islands, pretty Ko Sichang still doesn’t seem to see a lot of foreign visitors. The main reason for this is probably that there simply aren’t as many beaches and spots to party at if compared to many other Thai Islands, like for instance Ko Samet further south-east along the coast….
The Coolest Things to Do on Ko Samet, Eastern Thailand’s Best Beach-Hopping Destination
Sprawling white sand beaches, coconut palms and a turquoise sea: Ko Samet is bound to fulfil your expectations of Thai Island Paradise. Plus, while it’s far from a secret amongst travelers, it still gets less foreign visitors than the likes of Ko Samui or Ko Phi-Phi and you have a very good chance of being…