Today we head to Japan.

Japan is a country I feel I should know a lot more about than I do. For example, I had no idea that Japan is made up of 6852 islands, or that only 28 miles of sea separate Japan and Russia. There’s even talk of a bridge spanning Cape Crillion that would connect Russia and Japan. I feel like I vaguely knew KFC was popular in Japan, but I find it utterly bizarre that the Japanese celebrate Christmas with KFC!

There’s only one way to fix my lack of knowledge about Japan. Luckily Japan is one of the countries I most want to visit. The culture seems so distinct compared to any other country I’ve visited. For today’s post, I thought I’d write myself a very quick itinerary for when I do eventually manage to visit Japan.

Things I’d love to do in Japan:

• Cross Shibuya Crossing.

• Stay in a capsule hotel.

• Savour the bard and barbecue in Omoide Yokocho, or Piss Alley as it’s commonly known.

• Relive my childhood by visiting Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan.

• Visit the decaying ruins of Gunkanjima Island.

• Get lost in the Motor Car Museum of Japan.

• Explore Sagano bamboo forest.

• Take in the view of Tokyo from the top of Mt Fuji.

• Visit the world’s only monkey spa at Jigokudani Monkey Park.

• See some of Japan’s dramatic samurai castles starting with Himeji Castle in Hyōgo Prefecture.

• Visit one of Japan’s world-renowned spas, such as Maenohara Onsen Sayano.

• Eat my way around Tsukiji fish market.

• Ride a Shinkansen.

• Get into the local spirit by visiting some of Tokyo’s famed whisky bars.

• Walk the ancient Kumano Kodō pilgrimage routes.

Japan, I cannot wait to visit you!