Kyoto in autumn is gorgeous. The ancient Japanese city abounds with temples and gardens full of maple trees that turn from green to gold, then orange and fiery red. We found koyo (fall foliage season) just as beautiful as cherry blossom season, and it lasts longer. In this post, I share our picks for the best places to see autumn foliage...

Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass is a line skipping service at Walt Disney World in Florida. It’s a paid service that replaced Genie+ in July 2024 (and previously the free FastPass). Lightning Lane Multi Pass can save you a lot of time waiting in line, but it can be confusing, and it’s not always worth it in every situation at every park. ...

Choosing where to stay in Kyoto can be confusing. While the city isn’t as large as Tokyo, it’s still spread out with diverse areas from the modern downtown to traditional Gion. The right location can make your experience much more enjoyable. You’ll spend less time on transport and more time exploring the historic streets. It also helps to be...

Saihoji Temple is our new favourite temple in Kyoto. Nicknamed Kokedera or Moss Temple, this beautiful spot features a garden covered in vibrant green moss. You must make a reservation for the Kyoto Moss Temple, but this means that crowds are lower than other popular temples in the city. We found the experience so peaceful and relaxing,...

Ghibli Park is known as the Studio Ghibli theme park but doesn’t contain any rides. Instead, it’s an immersive experience in the world of Studio Ghibli films. You can walk through scenes from the animations, snap a selfie next to famous characters like Totoro, and even look around iconic buildings like World Emporium (the antique shop from...

Our multi-course meal at Monk Kyoto was one of our favourite meals in Japan (and the world). While the food at Monk isn’t really Japanese, the restaurant very much has a Japanese soul, and I can’t imagine a place like this in any other country. It’s a serene, intimate dining experience (just 14 guests) with a chef who cares deeply about...