China - Shanghai - The modern China

Shanghai is the modern China... or more to the point, how China wants to be known. With over 24 million people and an endless sprawl of concrete and glass, this is the city that most typifies how China has developed in the last few decades and is the most westernised. So does Shanghai really represent the real China?

Shanghai... welcome to China... or is it?

Japan - Mt Yoshino - a mountain of blossom

Mt Yoshino is known for Sakura - and so as we were in the area (about 2 hours away) and it was peak blooms, we thought it would be a super idea to see it for ourselves.

Surrounded my sakura on Mt Yoshino

Japan - A week in Kyoto

Kyoto is one of those destinations that has so many great sight you need some serious time there so we decided to make sure we gave it the justice it deserved, planning a full week's stay. This was the first time since Australia we had stopped in one place for more than three days, so we were looking forward to staying put and really having the time to get under the skin of the place.

Julia, Julia and Chris under the cherry blossom

Japan - a great day in Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a bit off the normal tourist trail, but we would highly recommend giving this place at least 2 days if you can especially in spring with the sakura as there is a surprising amount to see. There is a spectacular station, geisha and samari districts with old photogenic streets, a Ninja house (recommended by Chris' sister, but a little expensive so we didn't go) and one of the best gardens in Japan.

Kanazawa castle in full bloom

Japan - Sake time

Japan - Takayama

Back to the mountains and old, rural Japan. Takayama is located a couple of hours north of Nagoya by train, but the best bit, is the journey there.

Whatever they are... they are everywhere