When Michael No came to Japan on a farming holiday, his travels brought him to Nikko where his curiosity to learn yabusame, a shinto ritual of mounted archery, turned into a 7 year passion and a job at Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura. In 2019 he become the first foreigner to become the opening rider of a yabusame ritual in front of 25,000 people!

We talked to Michael about his journey, insider's tips for exploring Nikko an area famed for its natural beauty, and his expert food recommendations.

Japanese 'matsuri' festivals happen all year round but summer is particularly famous for its explosions of vibrant energy, especially in the Tohoku region. This year the majority of festivals have moved online to help keep communities connected at a socially distant time but that has meant that the 'mikoshi' portable shrine, which usually leads the processions, has taken a bit of a time out. 'Mikoshi' repairman Nobuya Miyata comes from strong 'matsuri' stock and even had a documentary made about him - we can see why! 

Kyoto is a big draw for a lot of people and with good reason - it's the cultural heart of Japan. But with so many people visiting in recent years, knowing where to escape the crowds and get a  taste for a more authentic Kyoto has never been more key to your Japan itinerary. Rachel aka Girljin in Japan talks to us about daily life in Kyoto and which temples you should REALLY be visiting.

Located in the northeast of the Tohoku region, Iwate overlooks the Pacific Ocean via the Sanriku coastline and is buttressed by the Ou Mountains, home to some of Japan's best ski resorts and hot springs. Roughly divided into four distinct regions, Iwate is also marked by common themes of nature worship and traditional folklore, as well as samurai history and a long-standing tradition of high-quality metalwork craftsmanship. To find out more about this remote corner of Japan, we caught up with Oikawa-san to discuss all things Iwate and ferrous.