Don’t do Japan flying solo, you need a guide, they’re inexpensive and vital. The depth of history behind every subtle nuance of a tea ceremony is to be appreciated. Westerners aren’t as common as you think in Japan and I did feel like a celebrity as locals take selfies of you accidently in the background. Guided tours are the way to go, the fresh food is beyond exquisite and the markets a treat to lose oneself aimlessly wandering the halls. The metro was an experience in itself, up to date, clean, fast and cheap. It’s true they have cat cafes and I hear now also pig cafes… would you believe it! If you get the opportunity to experience both mountainous snowcapped village life and national park, it’s worth immersing yourself in your wooden balcony hot tub and local gastronomic experiences. Western food and in particular kobe beef can be eye wateringly expensive but there is an experience for every budget. The street food is exquisite. Legend has it that a poor man in Japan will feed his family with fresh food in preference to putting a roof over their head, and you can believe it with the quality of fare.

The more you embrace local life the more you come to love this country and its people, their charm, warmth of welcome, enterprising nature and appetite for health and wellbeing.

This was no ordinary ride and even the taxis give white glove service. Not many Japanese speak English so your guide is a godsend even though locals will trip over themselves to be helpful. We also took in a couple of Buddhist temples, embraced the spiritual believes and enchanting rituals to immerse ourselves in Japanese tradition. From arrival at our ryokan with our feet gently washed by the running water under the reception desk, we were given our kimonos to wear whilst indoors.

Japan is quiet, sublime, there are no bins, there is no mess, the people are charming, and the land is built upon a foundation of respect for one’s fellow being. Sushi in Tokyo is different also. Akin to authentic Guiness only from the Liffey in Dublin.

If I recommend one thing when planning your trip, it would be to first establish what you want to experience and how you want to feel, thereafter the opportunities and options are, quite simply, limitless.” ~ James