Japan - Tokyo, Kyoto & Hakuba.

I, like all who visit Japan, am utterly obsessed. From the energy & pace of Tokyo to the gentle hum of Kyoto, it was a very special trip, especially for the kids, with it being their first time experiencing snow. Our time felt like a wonderful balance of rest and recharge with a sprinkle of activity, finding endless inspiration while exploring new places, not to mention a good cackle with friends, down the slopes of snowy mountains. It left me with an extensive list of interior notes & a post-holiday depression, spurring me to plan our next trip the second we landed home.

I thought I’d take you through our itinerary with a few of our favourite places to see & experience. Notes on antique markets in Tokyo, Temples in Kyoto & recommended hotel & Airbnb stays from the city to the snow.

It's not often I am called to a city, but Tokyo has a gentleness within the fast-paced bustle. It’s busy yet calm, with the ability to energise and inspire rather than overwhelm. There is a softness that comes from the people & respect they have for one another, with no horns used in traffic, mobile phones kept quiet on public transport, and designated smoking areas that help keep streets clean, all working towards harmony in such a densely populated city. We arrived to see the very first signs of spring: green shoots on every sidewalk & park, and, luckily, a few early Sakura blooming just down the street from where we were staying.