All tagged Japan

Barhop through Asia at the Best Bars for 2023

Could your idea of a dream Asian holiday be a three-week bar hop visiting some of the best cocktail bars in Asia? If so, here’s an itinerary that you can combine with visits to some of the most exciting cities in Asia, enjoying their cultural and culinary delights during the day, and dressing up for a relaxing evening to sample exquisite cocktails created by Asia’s best mixologists using local ingredients blended with traditional spirits.

Getting Lucky the Asian Way

Asia is home to many superstitions and beliefs, some of which date back centuries. Whilst many Westerners may scoff at the rituals that supposedly bring health, wealth and happiness, millions of people continue to follow traditions to bring luck that have been handed down through generations. We take a look at some of the rituals you’ll likely come across in the coming months.

Best Online Booking Services for Trains, Buses, and Ferries in Asia

Booking train, bus and ferry tickets in Asia can be difficult if you are not familiar with the routes and transport operators, but online booking apps and websites can make the task much easier. But with hundreds of such online ticketing platforms vying for your business, how can you tell which are the best ones to use. We take a look at reviews of these sites to determine which are the most reliable.

Asia’s Top Sustainable Tourism Destinations for 2021

In a recent awards list of the top 100 sustainable tourist destinations in the world, 22 in Asia were recognised for their efforts in providing tourism experiences that had a positive impact on the local environment or culture. Many of these will appeal to older travellers seeking destinations that are off-the-beaten-track and travel experiences that are supporting local communities.

Best Luxury Train Journey Experiences in Asia

Asia offers some of the best luxury train experiences in the world with Japan and India leading the field. Travelling by train provides the opportunity to enjoy scenery and sights at a leisurely pace with onboard fine dining and entertainment. Many multi-day journeys offer tours at stopovers to interact with locals and visit places of historic and cultural interest.

Asian Airports Amongst the World’s Best

Asian airports have always ranked well in the annual Skytrax awards, but this year Singapore’s Changi has been knocked from its top perch by two others in the region. Here’s a rundown of where the top Asian airports have ranked in the 2021 awards, so if you have to spend time at any of these Asian airports, at least you know you’ll be staying amongst the world’s best.

Snow Skiing in Japan for Older Travellers

Japan has some excellent snow skiing destinations for older travellers who are looking for quieter and more relaxing places to ski than the crowded mountain resorts in North America and Europe. For most residents of Asia it is the easiest ski destination to reach, and for travellers from Australia and New Zealand, it provides the additional opportunity to ski in the southern hemisphere summer.

Finding Your Zen in Nikko

If you are looking for a holiday destination that’s off-the-beaten track, somewhere that’s peaceful where you can slow down, smell life, rest and rejuvenate, then Nikko in Japan’s Tochigi Prefecture is the perfect destination. Just two hours north of Tokyo, you can unwind, meditate, relax in hot springs, and enjoy the authentic delights of Japanese culture away from the crowds.

The Okinawa Islands: A Different Japan

Japan’s southernmost prefecture of Okinawa has a sub-tropical climate and a slower pace that may appeal to older travellers looking for a restful holiday. The prefecture is made up of over 100 islands and is home to more centenarians than anywhere else in the world. Many have claimed that’s because of the healthy Okinawan cuisine and eating habits which visitors can sample.

Asia’s Best Religious Sites to Visit

Asia is blessed with many of the world’s greatest religious sites, some dating back centuries. While the finest of them enjoy near-universal acclaim, others are less well-known, and many people will have visited sites that mean something special to them. Here are 12 of the best to visit ranging from the famous to some lesser known.

An Older Female Travelling Solo in Asia

Travelling solo in Asia may not be for everyone – especially for older females – but for those who enjoy time on their own, it can be liberating and rewarding. It enables you to travel at your own pace, do what you want to do, when you want, and change your schedule whenever you feel like it. With a few sensible safety precautions, solo travel in Asia can be a safe and enjoyable experience for anyone.

The Pleasures of Drainspotting in Japan

Japan’s distinctive manhole covers are an unusual drawcard for visitors and locals alike. Thousands of decorated covers are found throughout the country. Most of them highlight the attractions of local cities, towns and districts, while others feature geometric designs or portray popular cartoon characters. Many are genuine works of art and well worth watching out for.

Best Virtual Tours of Asia to Experience from Home

During periods that we are unable to travel because of coronavirus lockdowns, closed borders or quarantine restrictions, there is only one way to satisfy the travel bug — and that’s through virtual travel from our computers and tablets. We take a look at which websites offer the best virtual travel experiences for when we are stuck at home.