Everyone heads to Kodai-ji for its famous night illumination, but its sub-temple across the lane is the real hidden gem. From peaceful rock gardens lit up after dark to painted sliding screens without crowds, here is my honest review of visiting Entoku-in Temple in Kyoto.

It is one of the most viral photo spots in all of Japan, but what is visiting the Yasaka Pagoda really like? Here is my honest review of walking Higashiyama’s cobbled slopes, dealing with the heavy crowds, and why it mostly functions as a quick itinerary photo stop.

While exploring the rail corridor between Kyoto and Osaka, I took a quiet detour to Minase Jingu. Even with inner doors closed, its serene forest setting, sacred natural spring, and helpful prayer guide made for a peaceful stop. Here is my honest review of the visit.

Lille might not be the capital, but its premier museum rivals anything in Paris. From brick-vaulted medieval basements to sunlit sculpture halls and dramatic master paintings, here is my honest review of spending a couple of hours inside the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille.

Fushimi Momoyama Castle looks grand on the horizon, but there is a catch. It isn't a preserved Sengoku stronghold, and you cannot step inside. Here is my honest review of the neglected grounds, its amusement-park past, and why it still works as a quiet picnic spot.

Looking for an unpretentious dram by the sea? Tucked away in North Laine just downhill from Brighton Station, Cut Your Wolf Loose strips away whisky snobbery with neon wolf signs, graffiti-lined walls, and an extraordinary library of indie bottlings. Here is my review.

An honest look at Tokyo's indoor Hello Kitty theme park in Tama Centre. Between 45-minute queues for basic walkthroughs, sensory overload, themed cafes, and gachapon machines, here is why this casual visitor left after 45 minutes—and who will actually enjoy going

While exploring Kobe's Nada district, Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum blew every expectation out of the water. From cavernous two-storey wooden storehouses packed with life-sized artisan dioramas to sake soft-serve ice cream, here is my honest review of this standout stop.

An honest review of The Melody Whisky Bar in Hammersmith, one of my absolute favourite dram spots in London. Between their massive international bottle list, stellar tasting events and masterclasses, and deeply knowledgeable staff, here is why it never disappoints.

Sitting right between the preserved rustic timbers of Sawanotsuru and the modern lines of Sakuramasamune, the Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum strikes an ideal balance. From traditional wooden press beams to antique porcelain sake cups, here is my honest review.

While many sake breweries across Kobe's Nada district lean heavily into dark, rustic timber warehouses, Sakuramasamune offers a strikingly modern and airy contrast. From historic tools upstairs to local art and an exceptional shop, here is my honest review of Sakuraen.

Beyond Kyoto's ancient shrines and temples sits one of Japan's most impressive engineering spaces. From full-scale bullet trains and vintage roundhouses to interactive transit history, here is my honest review of spending an afternoon at the Kyoto Railway Museum.

Soaring 634 metres above the capital, Tokyo Skytree offers unmatched panoramic views. From the Sakura-season lookouts and My Hero Academia pop-up displays to official photo packages and the massive downstairs gift shop, here is my honest review.

An honest review of La Maison du Whisky on Rue d'Anjou in Paris. From rare collector cabinets and stone-vaulted cellars to counter tastings and English-speaking staff, here is what to expect before heading to Whisky Live Paris.

An honest review of Whisky Situation on Stirling Street in Aberdeen. With over 600 open bottles, WSET-trained staff who know their stuff, and an outdoor terrace for cigar pairings, here is why this is a must-visit spot for any spirits lover exploring the Granite City.

My honest review of visiting Madame Tussauds Tokyo in Odaiba. Japanese icons, lack of crowds, ticket prices, realistic visit timings, and how to get there.

A quick guide to visiting the Statue of Liberty in Odaiba, Tokyo. The history, the best views of Tokyo Bay, cherry blossoms, and how to get there.

Honest guide to visiting Kensington Palace and Gardens in London. What to expect, royal dress & art exhibits, booking tickets, the café, and realistic timings.

Derbyshire and the edge of the Peak District are packed with dramatic stone landscapes and historic country houses, but tucked just down the road from Matlock lies a completely different kind of heritage: The Great British Car Journey.

Not all whisky festivals are created equal. From the airy halls of Whisky Live Paris and the luxury pours of The Whisky Event London to cramped multi-room venues and rushed 3-hour sessions, here is my honest, first-hand guide to which festivals are genuinely worth your time and money.