Chris moved to Japan in search of a change from his life in the UK and Tokyo delivered with what he calls a “A Disney remake of Blade Runner”. Together with the fellow enterpreneur Greg Lane, he created the popular website Tokyo Cheapo with tips for tackling the bustling metropolis on a budget. We had a chat about the various projects he's involved with, how to be cheap and smart on a Japan holiday, and his favourite place to visit!

There is one thing that can connect you with your dream holiday destination and allow you to live the culture rather than be a passive observer: learning the local language!  Studying Japanese can help you understand the culture, get more out of your dream holidays, and impress quite a few locals on the way. Find out where to start and check out our language tips!

On your way up into Hokkaido from Tokyo by bullet train, you'll stumble across this unassuming port town with oodles of history and culture on offer. A star-shaped fortress, squid fishing, a Michelin-starred night view, onsen monkeys and fantastic food - all this and more is on offer in Hakodate.

No other artform gets your inspiration going quite like cinema, but, in the spirit of thinking beyond just the armchair when it comes to travel, we thought we would ask for the help of an old friend, the founder of Studio Ghibli and the Walt Disney of Japan, Mr Hayao Miyazaki. But which films were inspired by which places? Well, buckle up and join us as we tour Japan from north to south - the Ghibli way!

Meet Elly and Lena whose mission is to prove that, opposite to what travellers and locals think, Nagoya has a lot to offer. Their firm belief that 'Nagoya is not boring' has led them to opening an experience booking platform with the same name! We had a chat about how they fell in love with Japan and all things Nagoya,