Japan 2026

From Hokkaido to Kansai

There's something about Japan in winter that just feels right. This trip took me from the snowy north all the way down to the historic cities of Kansai. Four destinations, each completely different from the last.

Hokkaido was the perfect place to start. I stayed at Club Med, and spent most of my days on the slopes. The snow conditions were excellent, the runs were well groomed, and after a full day of skiing there was nothing better than a warm meal and calling it a night. Cold, clean, and exactly what I needed.

Then came Osaka, and the contrast was immediate. The noise, the neon, the energy. Osaka hits hard from the moment you arrive. I spent my days just wandering the streets with no real plan, which turned out to be the best way to experience the city. One afternoon I rode the Tempozan Ferris Wheel and caught a sweeping view of the city and the bay. A perfectly clear day, and the kind of view that stays with you.

Kobe was quieter, more understated. A port city with a cosmopolitan edge that sets it apart from its neighbours. I had Kobe beef here for the first time, and yes, every bit of the reputation is deserved. Afterwards I walked through Kobe Harborland as the sun went down, the waterfront lit up and the atmosphere surprisingly calm for a Friday evening.

Kyoto was where the trip found its stillness. I walked through the bamboo forest in Arashiyama early in the morning before the crowds arrived, and the quiet there was something else entirely. Later I made my way to Fushimi Inari, climbing through hundreds of torii gates winding up the hillside. Kyoto has a way of making everything slow down, and for a few days, I was grateful for that.

Four cities, one journey. Already looking forward to the next one.