Buying a train ticket in Japan is an adventure in itself — three different colour-coded machines, each seemingly requiring a degree in cryptography. After a bit of button-mashing and soul-searching, I finally secured my ticket and made my way to Tanabe, the gateway to the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage. Checked into @Shin Kumano Guest House, a…
Woke up at 0500 to a symphony of alarms that weren’t mine. Thanks, fellow travelers. Nothing like an unsolicited wake-up call to kick off an overambitious day of sightseeing. Nara Park: First stop — ancient temples, stunning scenery, and… bowing deer? Yes, the deer bow for cookies. It’s adorable. Until it isn’t. Give one a…
Checked out of my dinosaur hotel this morning — and yes, the velociraptor at reception was as polite as ever. I appreciate a hotel that embraces the “prehistoric reptile meets customer service” aesthetic. Honestly, the robot dino had more warmth than most front desks I’ve dealt with. Then came the train. Japan’s train system is…
There’s a moment — standing stark naked in a Japanese onsen — where you question everything. Not in a deep, philosophical way. More like, “How did I end up here, stripped of all dignity and clothing, surrounded by strangers pretending none of this is weird?” Let’s rewind. The onsen (Aqua Ignis Onsen) is a sacred…