Feeling like a samurai at Matsumoto Castle, the black crow castle
When we asked Rafe and Odessa what came to mind when they thought of Japan, sushi, ninjas, Pokémon and samurai were the quick answers. Matsumoto Castle, known as the Black Crow Castle due to its black exterior and wing like…
In the elusive shadow of Mount Fuji: A couple of days around Hakone with children
Less than an hour and a half by train southwest of Tokyo, the forested hills of Hakone felt like another world after the bustle of the big city. Hakone describes the area around the Hakone volcano and is one part…
Five views of Mount Fuji
Hi I am Rafe. You know, the nine year old with the terrible hairstyle. The silent one with the death stare! Anyway, lets get on with the post. One of the most famous and iconic and Japany things about Japan…
Spirited Away at the Ghibli Museum, Tokyo
There have been a few things which have been difficult to secure tickets for on this trip. A bus which left Ushuia at 3am and could only be booked in cash at a desk with unfathomable opening hours, the fantastic…
Sushi making class at Chagohan in Tokyo
When we conjured up images of Japan, sushi was one of the first things to come to mind. This was certainly true for Rafe and eating plenty was high on his wish list for this trip. A sushi making lesson…
Banging the Taiko drum in a class with Taiko-Lab, Tokyo
Taiko drums come in many different shapes and sizes and are embedded deeply in Japanese culture going right back as early as the 6th century. They have been used in warfare and are an important part of religious ceremonies in…
No way, San Jose – California Highway 1 road trip
There are plenty of ways to travel between San Francisco and Los Angeles. But there is really only one way suitable for a round the world adventure like this – a road trip down California’s iconic Highway 1. In total…
A couple of days in Seattle-on-Sea
After more than three weeks on the road camping and sightseeing our way across America we needed to get some housekeeping done. Chiefly some good sleep, baths for everyone, washing all the clothes we own and catching up with some…
U.S.A. Road Trip: Red Lodge to Mount Rainier
All too quickly, we found we were onto the final leg of our US road trip, which took us from Montana, through a sliver of Idaho and on to Washington towards our final destination of Seattle. Red Lodge After making…
U.S.A. Road Trip: Grand Teton and Yellowstone
After Moab, the most southerly point on the roadtrip, we turned and headed north, towards another two National Parks on our hitlist, Wyoming’s Grand Teton, and the Grandfather of all National Parks, the enormous Jellystone Yellowstone. On the way, we…
Adventuring Together
