Tips
Quick observations and practical bits - too short for a full article, too useful to lose.
- Tip· Japan
Japanese etiquette & language
Tattoos were fine, queues are everything, don't tip, bring a trash bag, and a few Japanese words go a long way.
- Tip· Hakone
Visiting Hakone
Plan the transport carefully, don't pin everything on seeing Fuji, and try an onsen - the rules are simpler than they look.
- Tip· Kyoto
Visiting Kyoto
Start early, and don't rely only on trains - Kyoto is more spread out than Tokyo and you'll need buses too.
- Tip· Japan
Eating in Japan
Book what you really want, don't only trust Google reviews, watch for tourist traps, and treat 7-Eleven as part of the experience.
- Tip· Japan
Getting around Japan
Suica on iPhone, some cash anyway, Google Maps (yes, here), big train stations, comfortable shoes - and look up luggage forwarding.
- Tip· Japan
Planning your Japan trip
Plan in advance, but plan rest days too. Pick a hotel where you can actually relax. And don't try to do everything.
- Tip· Seoul
Things I wish I knew before Seoul
Places disappear faster than you'd think. The neighbourhood you pick matters more than the hotel. And Seoul stays with you long after you leave.
- Tip· Seoul
Shopping & beauty in Seoul
Olive Young is amazing, but Seoul shopping can run away with you. A list helps. And not every Korean skincare or haircare product is actually good.
- Tip· Seoul
Eating & cafés in Seoul
Restaurants close earlier than you think, BBQ alone is harder than it looks, and cafés are part of the day, not just a coffee break.
- Tip· Seoul
Korean manners & culture
Small bows, both hands, a few basic words, and a habit that helps more than any rule: just observe what people do.
- Tip· Seoul
Getting around Seoul
The metro is great, but there are unspoken rules - and Seoul is bigger and more tiring than it looks.
- Tip· Seoul
Internet & apps in Korea
SIM card at the airport, Naver instead of Google Maps, Papago for translations, and a warning about opening hours.
- Tip· Seoul
Money & payments in Seoul
Revolut for low-fee spending, cash for food markets and metro top-ups, and a note: Seoul isn't always as cheap as you'd think.