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...

It’s easy to be vegetarian in Kyoto. As Japan’s ancient capital, it has a long tradition of shojin ryori or Zen Buddhist temple cuisine, which is entirely vegan and includes multiple small dishes using seasonal ingredients. Eating in a temple is a highlight of a visit to the city, but there are many other vegetarian and vegan restaurants in...

As Harry Potter and theme park fans, we couldn’t miss Universal Studios Japan on our visit to Osaka. While wandering through the magical Harry Potter World was the highlight of our day, we also rode the scariest rollercoaster we’ve ever been on and discovered many more fun attractions. Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is well worth a day...

Mission Beach is a blissfully relaxed beach town in Tropical North Queensland far from the hustle and bustle of Cairns and Port Douglas. It’s made up of four coastal villages linked by 14 kilometres of idyllic (mostly empty) golden beach fringed by palm trees—a quintessential tropical paradise. While most people come here for relaxation,...