inspo & info

If you're reading this and are younger than maybe around 40, you're hardly going to believe this but there was a time, not even that long ago, when to book a hotel in Japan, you would have to either call the front desk and speak to someone (who was unlikely to have more than a basic grasp of any language other than Japanese) or rack up in Tokyo and hope for the best. These days, services such as booking.com , Agoda or trip.com do all the leg-work (and linguistic work) for y

Having called Osaka home for several years, we’ve learned one thing: this city doesn't have really have one centre or even two - it has a personality that changes every few subway stops. From the neon-soaked chaos of Dotonbori to the quiet, hidden alleys of Honmachi, choosing where to stay can make or break your trip. We’ve spent countless weekends exploring every corner of this city, and in this guide, we cut through the tourist noise to show you exactly which neighbourhood

With more trips to Japan under our obis than we care to admit, Japansophy knows a thing or a hundred about prepping for that long-awaited Tokyo adventure. We remember way back then writing to the tourist office in Hiroshima or Fukuoka or Sendai (pen and paper, peeps!) and asking for the telephone numbers of local hotels so we could book in advance. These days, of course, the info is all at your fingertips on websites like this one. Still, we know what it feels like to plan th

So, you're venturing beyond Tokyo, and heading down to Kansai is the natural choice. But choosing where to base yourself is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning a trip to Japan’s cultural heartland. For most travellers, the debate quickly narrows to two cities: Kyoto vs Osaka. Both offer exceptional experiences, but each city offers something completely different in terms of vibe, price, convenience and attractions. If you’re wondering whether to stay

Choosing where to stay in Tokyo can be a bit of a headache, especially for first-timers. Let our guide narrow it down for you Tokyo is...