A Gaijin’s Guide to the Ryokan

Posted by on Dec 22, 2011 in Ishikawa, Travel Volunteer Journey | 7 Comments
A Gaijin’s Guide to the Ryokan

Staying at a ryokan – a traditional Japanese inn – can be an intimidating experience for the first-timer. With that in mind, we present our handy cut-out-and keep to surviving enjoying your stay. Step One: Take off your shoes. It’s preferable if you can do this by reversing neatly, thereby allowing a quick getaway when ...

The Living Island – Part Two

Posted by on Nov 30, 2011 in Kagoshima, Travel Volunteer Journey | 3 Comments
The Living Island – Part Two

“Sleeping is giving in, so lift those heavy eyelids,” so sing Arcade Fire, but this morning if it had been up to us – or more specifically: me – we would definitely have raised the white flag. In my humble opinion, 5am starts are not conducive to a good morning, especially when the blog is ...

Haute Hakone

Posted by on Oct 21, 2011 in Kanagawa, Travel Volunteer Journey | 5 Comments
Haute Hakone

First of all I should make it clear: I don’t have to write this. I mean, no one has told me to write it, and I’d probably ignore them if they did. Secondly, you need to know about Gora Kadan, which might sound like a second division Romanian football team, but is in fact a ...