Sakura season: what’s all the fuss about?
Sakura, or cherry blossoms, are a big deal in Japan. They attract countless people and tourists from all over the world year after year. At first, we didn’t quite understand the hype around the...
Category: Blog
Our life in ‘infamous’ Nagasaki
Besides the gruels of the atomic bomb, this narrow city nestled between the hills, actually has a rich and fascinating history! As a port city, Nagasaki has attracted many different cultures over the centuries;...
Our top 10 best day hikes near Taipei (with GPX)
Taipei truly is a hiking paradise; it’s surrounded by an extensive network of trails, offering everything from scenic short hikes to full-day adventures. In just 30 minutes to an hour, you can journey from...
Sushi and beyond- how healthy is the Japanese cuisine?
When people think of Japanese food, certain images come to mind: the mouthwatering tender Wagyu beef from cows pampered with massages, fresh sushi available on every streetcorner, and, of course, that Japanese cuisine is...
Our new home: Japan!
A few weeks ago we landed in Nagasaki, our new home for a while. Many people want to visit Japan to experience its unique culture and beautiful nature, but it’s less likely they’ll end...
How sustainable tourism can help revive underpopulated regions of Japan
Three PhD students from the NTNU – Elok, Wan-Jou, and Viola – recently joined the Sakura Science Research Exchange program, which was fully funded by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). This program...
Jade mountain in one day: summiting Taiwan’s highest peak in a single, epic hike
When you’re pressed for time, but still want to do a high mountain hike or just when getting a multi day permit for Jade mountain is difficult, there is an option to hike up...
Exploring new heights
Yes, we’re making good progress on our PhDs, and of course, we have a million adventure plans, but none are set in stone. In the meantime, we’re happily enjoying our time in Taiwan with...
The Wulai Historic Cross Trails: Hidden Gems south of Taipei
Three scienic historical trails can be found within an hour of Taipei, but unfortunately, it can be challenging to find comprehensive information about these trails online; translations from the websites made by the Taiwan...
Hiking Kumano Kodo in winter (Nakahechi route)
Japan has many long-distance trails with great history, but one stood out for us in particular; the ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail. The Kumano Kodo is a pilgrimage network along the steep mountain ridges...
