Something I noticed when I last visited Japan was how pristine the parks were. Even in small, local parks, local councils build public bathrooms that look so much nicer than those I've seen in Australia. That isn't to say that the hygiene inside is perfect. I recommend you bring your own flushable wipes and some fragrant oil, which I sprinkled whenever I had to use a public bathroom. I had a chance to visit one such park close to YAMAMOTO Roketsu dyeing studio. It was called

(A photo of me dressed as a Maiko Geisha, 2017. Photo by Josiah Sillavan.) What Was My Maiko Henshin Like? When you go for a Geisha transformation, you are usually given two basic options: You can dress as a Geiko, which is a full-fledged and qualified Geisha. They tend to be very prosaic and refined in their dress. Or you could dress as Maiko, which is an apprentice Geisha, bright, colourful, and covered in flowers. Some studios will give you an Oiran option, which means bei

When I've travelled to Japan, sooner or later I've usually ended up visiting an Aeon Mall. If you're only in Japan for a very short time, I don't suggest going out of your way to do the same. But if you happen to pass an Aeon Mall incidentally, or if you're in Japan for more than 4 days, I'd say it's worth a look. It's interesting to see the ways Japanese shopping malls differ from those in your homeland. (Me and a friend at Aeon Mall, 2017. Photos taken by me and Josiah Sill

(I originally wrote this long before Covid-19 was a problem. I hope that by the time Covid-19 ends, this shopping strip will still be open and capable of serving customers.) In a world full of uncertainty, at the very least, you can keep your computer safe. If you order through the link below, it will help me, too. One of the wonderful things about my hometown of Springvale, Victoria is that you can experiences a lot of Asian culture for very little cost. It's in the South Ea

(Image taken from Google Maps. 14/7/20) One of my greatest regrets about my last visit to Japan was that I visited the Yatsuhashi-An but did not schedule enough time for me to meticulously photograph it, and myself in it. It's a cultural institution in Kyoto where you can buy and eat traditional Japanese confectionery. But you might be surprised to know that they also hold many craft and cultural classes in the same building. Some of those classes involve making Yatsuhashi, w