Asia

Just think: Three weeks from now, you could be in Tokyo!

Los Angeles

United States

Tokyo

Japan

Tokyo 🌆 in $620s RT

You just Toky-KNOW this is going to be a good one...

Victoria

Canada

Edmonton

Saskatoon

Kelowna

Winnipeg

Tokyo 🍱 in $750s-$820s RT

Montreal

Toronto

Tokyo 🍜 in $950s RT

“Okinawa,” you say casually and let the silence do the bragging :-)

Vancouver

Okinawa

Calgary

Okinawa Island, Japan 🤿 in $960s-$1030s RT

Winter routines are comforting… but escaping to a bubbling hot onsen with barely any notice is way more fun :-)

Osaka

Japan 🍣 in $900s-$970s RT

Some places try to erase their history. Hiroshima is not one of them.

San Francisco

Hiroshima

Hiroshima, Japan ⛩️ at $742 RT  

Been dreaming about going back to Japan for years and my 2 weeks solo trip exceeded my expectations, i finally saw Naoshima and Teshima and they were the highlight of the trip. xx B 

Postcard from Bettina

2 weeks in Japan is not enough! We loved it so much we&#39;re planning to go back in the next 2 years

Postcard from The Bedlam Bride

£500 BA direct from Heathrow to the most infectious and beautiful country on Earth. 🇯🇵

Postcard from Dan

Took a chance with China Eastern Airlines and couldn’t been more happy with the service, flat bed seats and bonus layover in Shanghai. Japan was incredible and being able to get there comfortably was nice. Some may not be used to the airplane food but since I’m very familiar with Chinese food, it was extremely delicious for me. If you’re kinda adventurous stick to the Chinese options and avoid the western ones. 

Postcard from Jesslyn

Had a gorgeous two weeks in Japan. Only cost £500 return for flights. With a 2h layover in Shanghai! 


Postcard from Skott

I&#39;ve just booked Japan for May!!
Thanks JFC team

Kevin Wakefield

Postcard from Kevin

When it comes to taking a detour, at Jack's we&rsquo;re all about community-sourced wisdom to make that happen.&nbsp;Sure, you can ask AI which onsens in Fujikawaguchiko offer unobstructed views of Mt. Fuji or how to collect (and read) the coolest <a href="https://windowseatodyssey.com/2024/04/04/collecting-goshuin-my-favorite-japanese-souvenir-and-activity/">Goshuins</a>. But nothing can replace real-life lived experience in the planning stages of your trip.&nbsp;
Enter <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub">our Facebook group</a>.
Inspired by our partners over at Lupine&mdash;and some of you crazy readers&mdash;who&rsquo;ll be darting from city to sea on the <a href="https://www.lupine.co.uk/race/2026-shinkansen-scramble-japan.html">Shinkansen Scramble</a>, I wanted to know what unmissable places lay beyond <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/japan-in-7-days-jacks-itinerary">the iconic golden triangle</a> of Tokyo, Kyoto &amp; Osaka.&nbsp;
And you wayward wanderers didn&rsquo;t disappoint. From Nara to Nagasaki, your answers floated in like toro nagashi lanterns, carrying promises of unobstructed Fuji views, Edo-era old towns, and heavenly pagodas. So much so, I found myself wondering if one could declare they've &ldquo;done Japan&rdquo; without venturing beyond Tokyo.&nbsp;
So whether it's your first trip or fifth, you'll want to pin these places for your next visit.

日光を見ずして結構と言うなかれ/Nikkō wo mizu shite kekkō to iu nakare
Translation: Never say kekko [splendid] until you&rsquo;ve seen Nikko
<hr>
If&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpo0XPcHHtc/">Nikko in autumn</a>&mdash;or any season for that matter&mdash;looks even remotely the same in real life, we&rsquo;d have to agree.
Flanked by ancient oak and cedar forests, for nature lovers, Nikko is Nirvana. You wouldn&rsquo;t think it, being only a little more than 1.5 hours north of Tokyo, but Shibuya&rsquo;s skyscrapers and shoulder slammers feel worlds away. Here it&rsquo;s birdsong and bonsho bells that beckon first light.&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s the kind of place where, by day, you&rsquo;re <a href="https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3806.html">kayaking through liquid-silver </a>lakes, and at night, you&rsquo;re plunging deep in a steamy onsen beneath a starry sky.&nbsp;
The town sits at the entrance of its national park, renowned not only for its <a href="https://thefroggyadventures.com/nikko-waterfalls/">thundering waterfalls</a> but also for its Buddhist temples, tiered pagodas, and Shinto shrines, like the famous Toshogu. This is the resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun to unify Japan in the Edo period.&nbsp;
Time your trip for mid-May, and you&rsquo;ll be fortunate enough to witness the Grand Festival of Spring, where <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OmCQ5EboO4&amp;t=5s">a live procession of 1,000 samurai</a> marches through the streets reenacting the escort of Tokugawa Ieyasu&rsquo;s spirit to Toshogu Shrine.&nbsp;

<h2 dir="ltr" id="hiroshima">Hiroshima</h2>

七転び八起き/Nana korobi ya oki
Translation: Fall down seven times, stand up eight.
<hr>
Some places try to erase their history. They whitewash uncomfortable truths, rename streets, and bury their painful past beneath modern facades. All in hopes that a total lack of physical evidence leads to a historical amnesia. Hiroshima is not one of them.&nbsp;
81 years on, the largest city of Japan&rsquo;s Chūgoku region <a href="https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20171112-how-hiroshima-rose-from-the-ashes">has risen from the ashes</a> of tragic nuclear devastation. After the atomic bomb, reconstruction aimed not to forget but to forge a message of remembrance. Peace holds weight here. You&rsquo;ll find it on street corners and landmarks: <a href="https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3400.html">Peace Memorial Park</a>, Peace Boulevard, where, not far, are the Gates of Peace, displaying the word in 49 languages. Inside the Peace Memorial Park, just beyond the Pond of Peace, is the <a href="https://peace-tourism.com/en/spot/entry-47.html">Flame of Peace</a>; lit in 1964, it continues to burn until the abolition of nuclear weapons.&nbsp;
Travellers who&rsquo;ve come to this corner of the country will no doubt tell you how Hiroshima&rsquo;s immense green spaces, <a href="https://hiroshimacastle.jp/">historical castles</a>, and <a href="https://www.explorehiroshima.jp/post/best-hiroshima-restaurant-district-guide-where-to-eat-for-an-unforgettable-culinary-experience">deeply rooted food scene</a> surprised them. As do the <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/JapanTravelTips/comments/1j74c4g/day_trip_ideas_around_hiroshima/">equally impressive maze of day trips </a>on offer. Not to mention the far less-crowded <a href="https://www.snowmonkeyresorts.com/smr/chugoku/cherry-blossoms-in-hiroshima/">cherry blossoms</a> in full bloom. From mid-March to late April, they flower later here than in other areas of Japan.&nbsp;
Just an hour's ferry ride from Hiroshima is the serene island of <a href="https://quiltripping.com/a-day-in-miyajima-japans-most-sacred-island/">Itsukushima/Miyajima</a>, a sacred site for Shinto. The most famous landmark is an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DM4MmytzJ0u/">ethereal floating torii</a> set against the sacred peaks and virgin forests of Mt. Misen. Its vermillion pillars have seen every turning point in Japan&rsquo;s history. From the golden age of the Heian to the dramatic Meiji restoration and everything in between. And just like Hiroshima, it stands as a testament to human resilience and a shared commitment to learn from our past.&nbsp;

猿も木から落ちる/ Saru mo ki kara ochiru Translation:&nbsp;Even monkeys fall from trees.
<hr>
There&rsquo;s a famous Buddhist saying, &ldquo;There is no way to happiness; happiness is the way.&rdquo; Whoever coined it clearly hadn&rsquo;t experienced the sheer thrill of flipping a motorcycle&rsquo;s kickstand and hitting the open road to Nagano. The fittingly named Venus Line is a 76-kilometer route popular with road-trippers snaking through serene wetlands and wasabi fields. From the highest point, riders enjoy unobstructed views of the peninsula's rugged spine, looking as far as Mt. Fuji.&nbsp;
And smack dab in the middle, between the plunging valleys of the Japanese Alps, sits <a href="https://www.go-nagano.net/en/">Nagano</a>, a city that mirrors its snow-dusted sentinels: slow, sacred, surreal.&nbsp;
Known as &ldquo;the roof of Japan&rdquo; and boasting more than 80 ski resorts, this former Olympic host is not only<a href="https://db.go-nagano.net/en/special_detail/id=12201"> a hotbed for winter sports</a> but also for those seeking a &lsquo;spirited-away&rsquo; experience among some of the country&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.explorenagano.com/temple-and-shrines-in-nagano">most beautiful temples and shrines</a>.&nbsp;
Shaking off the Shinkansen-like speed of typical Japanese itineraries, visitors can sink into a contemplative pace, allowing <a href="https://www.snowmonkeyresorts.com/smr/nagano-city/top-religious-and-cultural-experiences-in-nagano/">the true essence of ancient traditions</a> to unfold. And with the highest number of designated forest bathing spots in Japan and proximity to <a href="https://voyapon.com/gunma-myogi-shugendo-mountain-shrine/">Shugendo pilgrimage sites</a>, restoration here is almost a guarantee.
Yet, if there&rsquo;s one group of residents that are the ultimate masters of zen, it&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbzHHzn6zB4">the ruby-faced snow monkeys</a> that can be found deep in Jigokudani Yaen-koen park, leaping across snowdrifts and soulfully soaking in its hot springs.

静かな水は深い/Shizuka na mizu wa fukai
Translation: Still waters run deep.
<hr>
When it comes to immersing yourself in traditional Japanese culture, the gold-leafed capital of the Ishikawa Prefecture often comes up as an alternative to Kyoto. Yet <a href="https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/">Kanazawa</a> remains under the radar for<a href="https://www.theinvisibletourist.com/2-days-in-kanazawa-itinerary/#day-1"> most first-timers</a> coming to Japan.
Here you&rsquo;re trading congested streets for intimate, inky cobblestones and staged maiko performances for working geiko and cozy teahouses that cater mostly to locals.&nbsp;
Like the stroke of a master calligrapher&rsquo;s brush, 400 years of skilled artistry have left an indelible mark on Kanazawa, crafting a city where traditional beauty and refined craftsmanship are woven into daily life.&nbsp;
From generations of gold-leaf guilds, tea ceremonies, geisha performances, Kaga yuzen dyeing, and porcelain production, the city&rsquo;s fortunate escape from World War II preserved the rich artistic heritage. Visitors can experience it through workshops or at the National Crafts Museum, relocated here from Tokyo in 1987.&nbsp;
The city is also home to the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olb2IqlbFnE">gardens of Kenrokuen</a>. A 25-acre haven of meandering paths, ponds, and teahouses, it's the epitome of Zen and one of Japan&rsquo;s top three gardens. 
Curating this level of tranquility required a mind-boggling attention to detail.&nbsp;In 1774, under restoration, the stones at the bottom of the Emerald Waterfall were rearranged several times to ensure the sound of splashing water was just right.
Basing yourself in Kanazawa even briefly means having Japan&rsquo;s scenic countryside easily reachable, including<a href="https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5950.html"> traditional UNESCO villages</a> and of course,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/228/">world-famous onsens</a>.

<hr>
Naturally, we're only scratching the surface of Japan's hidden corners. There's still Toba's watercolour sunsets waiting to be watched, and layers of history tucked behind delicate paper-and-wood screens of sliding shoji doors.&nbsp;
I've gathered all the spots our community has suggested <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/zrhu5vYVKBs3bfwFA">into a map here</a>.
And now it's your turn. What should we uncover in Part 2?
Share your must-see places in the comments (and pin them on our collective map) to help shape our next journey across Japan.

Where to go in Japan: Beyond the Golden Triangle

Uzbekistan

China

South Korea

Vietnam

Kyrgyzstan

Kazakhstan

Hey there Travellers,
You'll all be glad to know that I made it back from Portugal last weekend without so much as a drop of wine spilled down my front.
However, it's safe to say that my jeans were feeling a little tighter after a few days of sampling the Portuguese cuisine. Nobody warned me that I'd still be dreaming of that mustardy <a href="https://tasteporto.com/pt/portuguese-francesinha-the-deconstructed-version/">pica-pau</a> sauce a week later!
And no sooner had I returned than, once again, the good old&nbsp;Pastel de Bel&eacute;m was named <a href="https://www.tasteatlas.com/best/foods-by-category">sweet pastry of the year</a> for 2025. But would you visit just for its custardy goodness?&nbsp;
A few weeks ago, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/jacksflightclub/permalink/2654233541599157">we asked our Facebook Community</a> what food they'd travel abroad for time and time again. For me, it's an authentic&nbsp;<a href="https://polinachesnakova.com/blog/2020/3/29/imeruli-khachapuri">Imeruli khachapuri</a>, for others it's a Costa Rican breakfast, or Indian street food.
So tell me, dear readers, what's the tasty treat that you'd hop on a plane for right now? <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-216-island-life-bc-and-diy-pan-asian-adventure#comments">Let us know in the comments</a> (so we can organize a grand Jack's Food Club tour, obviously).
Happy travels and safe landings,

Katy - Editor of The Detour

Win 5 Nights in Dreamy Puglia

We&rsquo;ve teamed up with DAYMADE to give one lucky Jack's member an unforgettable 5-night escape for 2 to Puglia &mdash; flights, hotel, sunshine, all sorted.
It&rsquo;s totally free to enter. Just pop your details in, and you&rsquo;re in the draw.
Someone&rsquo;s going&hellip; why not you?

In Partnership with DAYMADE

A Taste of Island Life: Day Trips from the British Columbian Capital

A San Diego native, Olivia left home a few years ago to live on the road. Since then, she's had homebases everywhere from Quebec to England to New Orleans, but she always ends up back on the West Coast.&nbsp;

By Olivia

This week, Jack's released a new <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/jacks-guide-to-victoria">city guide to Victoria</a>: British Columbia's provincial capital, located at the southern end of Vancouver Island.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The island,&rdquo; as it's colloquially known, is truly the jewel of the Pacific Northwest. It's roughly the size of Belgium, and packed with seaside villages and lush woodlands. Everywhere you turn, there are rocky coastlines, moss-covered pine trees, and boardwalk caf&eacute;s.
While the charming capital city is worth a few days on its own, it'd be a shame to stay in town when there's so much beauty right in your backyard. And you don't have to look very far to catch views around here! Even a quick stopover in Victoria comes with some pretty lovely day trips.&nbsp;
So if you find yourself contemplating a visit to the island (and any cheap YYJ fares that you just so happen to see in your inbox), allow me to introduce you to some local sights...
<h3 dir="ltr" id="butchart-gardens">Butchart Gardens</h3>
This is THE day trip from Victoria &mdash; the one pretty much every visitor takes.&nbsp;

<p dir="ltr" id="its-not-hard-to-see-why-the-butchart-gardens-cover-55-acres-of-land-in-beautiful-floral-displays-descend-into-the-manicured-sunken-garden-meander-through-a-forest-of-japanese-maples-and-admire-fountain-after-bubbling-fountain-while-its-worth-seeing-at-any-time-of-year-springs-rose-blossoms-and-autumns-bright-red-foliage-make-for-especially-colorful-visits">It&rsquo;s not hard to see why!&nbsp;<a href="https://butchartgardens.com/">The Butchart Gardens</a> cover 55 acres of land in beautiful floral displays. Descend into the manicured Sunken Garden, meander through a forest of Japanese maples, and admire fountain after bubbling fountain. While it&rsquo;s worth seeing at any time of year, spring&rsquo;s rose blossoms and autumn&rsquo;s bright red foliage make for especially colorful visits.
You can reach the Butchart Gardens from downtown Victoria in about 30 minutes by car, or with a one-hour bus ride aboard the 75 or 30.
<h3 dir="ltr">Nanaimo</h3>
Pronounced nah-NYE-mo, this is the second-largest city on the island. It&rsquo;s got a much more small-town feel, with a cute downtown and Old City Quarter.

Other than whale-watching and ferry connections, its biggest claim to fame is the Nanaimo bar: a chocolatey, coconutty, custardy treat that just might ruin you for every other caf&eacute; dessert.
You can get to Nanaimo from Victoria by city bus or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.islandlinkbus.com/">Island Link</a>, but driving the full ~90 minutes yourself is much more fun. The highways will take you through several charming villages worth the stop &mdash; my favorites are Cowichan Bay, Duncan, Chemainus, and Ladysmith. Expect cozy shops, dockside restaurants, small local museums, and tons of gorgeous bay and island views.
<h3 dir="ltr">Provincial and Regional Parks</h3>
The island may only have one &mdash; difficult-to-reach &mdash; National Park, but it&rsquo;s covered in Provincial and Regional Parks. These protected areas include dense, mossy woodland, waterfalls, tons of lakes, and rocky coastlines.

I could fill an entire article just with outdoor day trips from Victoria, but a few highlights within a mere half-hour&rsquo;s drive include Thetis Lake (Canada&rsquo;s first nature sanctuary), Mount Wells (known for wildflowers and a challenging summit hike), and Goldstream (massive trees and a beautiful waterfall).
<h3 dir="ltr">Sidney</h3>
One of my favorite things about Vancouver Island is the abundance of lovely coastal towns, and Sidney is one of the coolest and most accessible from Victoria.
Unique highlights here include the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea (a small but very well-done aquarium), a fish market frequented by the local seals, and a pier that offers an excellent view of the Gulf. On clear days, you can even spot Washington&rsquo;s Mount Baker across the water.

It&rsquo;s also home to the Victoria airport, and the first big town you&rsquo;ll see if you arrive at Swartz Bay on the ferry. This means you&rsquo;ll likely pass through Sidney anyway, so take some time to look around!
<h3 dir="ltr">Salt Spring Island</h3>
If you only take one more ferry during your trip, it should be the one to Salt Spring! This island is around the size of Aruba, and it&rsquo;s become quite the artistic outpost on the Gulf. The main town, Ganges, is packed with galleries and nifty boutiques, plus there&rsquo;s a weekly street market each Saturday where local artists take to the sidewalks.
It&rsquo;s also one of the best hiking spots in the area &mdash; drive down to Ruckle Provincial Park and follow the trail along the coast for some gorgeous, peak Pacific Northwestern views.

To get there from downtown Victoria, either drive or take one of several direct buses up to Swartz Bay, then hop on the ferry to Fulford Harbour. You&rsquo;ll be much better off with a car on Salt Spring Island, but <a href="https://www.bctransit.com/salt-spring-island/schedules-and-maps/">buses do run every couple hours</a> and cover most of the highlights. 
Want to learn more about Victoria? <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/jacks-guide-to-victoria">Check out the guide</a>.

Travel Tips

Silk Road to Sakura: A Choose-Your-Own Adventure

&ldquo;I am looking into planning the itinerary for our big trip to Asia and it is a bit confusing where to start and what to do with visas (China). But we are planning to fly less and use rail and buses to enjoy the scenery. 
Our departure airport is Manchester and we&rsquo;re aiming to be gone from the last week of March to about June. We definitely want to include: Uzbekistan, China, South Korea, Japan, and maybe Vietnam. Rough budget around &pound;2000.&rdquo;&nbsp;- Nehla

Navigator Akasha finds phenomenal Flights faster than you can decide where you want to take a trip to next. A pro at finding the best of the best fares, she's also a master at sharing must-visit spots for when you land.

Answered by Akasha

Hi there, Nehla! Wow, what an adventure! Consider me officially jealous. Slow travel is by far one of the best ways to connect with the land and the people (and yourself!) on a deeper level. It&rsquo;s the anti-checklist trip.&nbsp;
I&rsquo;ve done some research and dug up your best options for traveling overland, and flying when necessary.
<h2 dir="ltr" id="stage-1-manchester-to-uzbekistan">Stage 1: Manchester to Uzbekistan</h2>
Currently, <a href="https://www.google.com/travel/flights/search?tfs=CBwQAho8EgoyMDI2LTAzLTI1KAFqDAgDEggvbS8wNTJid3IMCAISCC9tLzBkbDNncgwIAxIIL20vMGZzbXmQAY4CQAFIAXABggELCP___________wGYAQI&amp;tfu=EgoIABAAGAAgAigB&amp;gl=GB">one-way fares</a> from Manchester to Samarkand or Tashkent in March are pretty decent, in the &pound;240s&ndash;&pound;380s.
Uzbekistan is a firm bucket-lister at Jack&rsquo;s, with Detour Editor Katy the first of us to chart a course through its mesmerizing blue mosques and mausoleums.

&ldquo;In Samarkand, your journey will no doubt start at<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/mar/31/registan-samarkand-square-history-cities-buildings"> Registan Square</a>, the city's most iconic landmark. It is dominated by three ornately tiled madrasahs&mdash;Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor, and Tilla-Kari. Each one is a masterpiece, and pictures seriously do not do them justice.&nbsp;
There are hundreds of small alcoves and rooms to explore within the Madrasahs, not to mention handmade Uzbek crafts for sale. Needlework and embroidery are an integral part of the Uzbek culture, and you'll find gorgeous examples at shops all throughout the city.
If you look carefully, inside certain shops you&rsquo;ll spot narrow spiral staircases heading up. Follow them, and you&rsquo;ll emerge onto beautiful balconies overlooking the square, where you can grab a cuppa and watch the people go by.
Another highlight of Samarkand is <a href="https://www.baytalfann.com/post/the-beauty-history-of-shah-i-zinda">Shah-i-Zinda</a>, which is more or less a village of brightly-coloured mausoleums. To snap the best shots, plan to visit early in the day. The narrow pathways get pretty crowded, so a bit of patience is needed for unintentional photobombers.&rdquo; - Katy

<h2 dir="ltr">Stage 2: Uzbekistan to China</h2>
Option 1: Flying from Uzbekistan to China
Obviously, <a href="https://www.google.com/travel/explore?tfs=CBwQAxopEgoyMDI2LTA0LTA4agwIAxIIL20vMGZzbXlyDQgEEgkvbS8wZDA1dzNAAUgBcAKCAQsI____________AZgBArIBBBgBIAE&amp;tfu=GioaKAoSCVmL8zotQUhAEXruTojanVpAEhIJfdK0362sN0AR9NydEDUQTUA&amp;gl=GB">flying from Uzbekistan to China</a> is the easiest and quickest option and will cost you around&nbsp; &pound;100-&pound;180. Flying non-stop, you can either fly to Urumqi (close to the border with Kazakhstan), Guangzhou, Xian or Beijing.&nbsp;

Option 2: Crossing overland into China&nbsp;
Alternatively, if you&rsquo;re up for an adventure, you can cross overland into China, either via <a href="https://caravanistan.com/border-crossings/kazakhstan/#kazakhstan-%e2%80%93-china-border-crossings">Khazakstan</a> or <a href="https://caravanistan.com/border-crossings/kyrgyzstan/">Kyrgyzstan</a>. It&rsquo;s more difficult to cross from Kyrgyzstan because the region that borders it is Xinjiang, which is <a href="https://caravanistan.com/east-turkestan/">quite tightly controlled</a>, and they don&rsquo;t usually let foreigners visit. You&rsquo;d have an easier time crossing from Khorgos (Horgos) in Kazakhstan. The road is better, and you can cross by bus.&nbsp;
While you&rsquo;re in Kazakhstan, you might want to consider crossing the steppes by train; this <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2021/oct/22/across-kazakhstan-by-rail-a-photo-essay?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other&amp;fbclid=IwY2xjawOmN9FleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF5czdqRWlPU21WOWlvYmtzc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHl-dy5BRK4EbERMEiciMj5sJvKtWQcnvqEoTDjGx1kX5jg-U2dvxJt_U0Kr4_aem_karr_pNUs9Emx9HVMjFJ1g">dreamy photo-journal</a> certainly entices me to!
From Tashkent, you can take <a href="https://www.railrussia.com/routes/tashkent-almaty">a train overland to Almaty</a> (Khazakstan) in about 17 hours, and then catch a bus from <a href="https://thetripgoeson.com/almaty-to-urumqi/">Almaty to Urumqi</a> (China). The bus takes about 19&ndash;20 hours and costs around &pound;30 on average. This is by far the easiest way and beats trains with changes or separate border buses.&nbsp;
From Urumqi Railway Station, direct connections span Xinjiang regionally, as well as east to central China via the <a href="https://www.chinadiscovery.com/china-trains/urumqi-high-speed-train.html">Lanzhou-Xinjiang High-Speed Railway</a> &mdash; no transfers needed for most.
This 12-hour train route follows the ancient Silk Road via the oasis town of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RR-hlrRZrs">Turpan</a>. From here, it travels through some of China&rsquo;s wildest terrain, whizzing past lunar landscapes like the rainbow mountains of Zhangye and <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/gansu/dunhuang/attractions/mogao-grottoes/a/poi-sig/1496278/355964">the caves of the thousand Buddhas in Mogao</a>. This is one of the most important collections of Buddhist architecture in the world.&nbsp;

<h2 dir="ltr">Stage 3: China to South Korea</h2>
Option 1: Flying from China to South Korea
It&rsquo;s very <a href="https://www.google.com/travel/explore?tfs=CBwQAxooEgoyMDI2LTA0LTA4agwIAhIIL20vMDE5MTRyDAgEEggvbS8wNnFkM0ABSAFwAoIBCwj___________8BmAECsgEEGAEgAQ&amp;tfu=GgA&amp;gl=GB">easy to fly</a> between the two countries &mdash; expect to pay around &pound;60 one-way.
Option 2: China to South Korea via ferry
I imagine you'll train-hop from Urumqi across China to the Beijing area. From Beijing, hop on a high-speed train to Qingdao (3&ndash;4 hours, around &pound;40 for economy seats), where you can take <a href="https://4corners7seas.com/asia/china/china-korea-ferries/">a ferry to Incheon, South Korea</a>. The Weidong ferry sails every Mon/Wed/Fri at 17:30 and takes about 17&ndash;18 hours, costing around &pound;85+.&nbsp; 
<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/silk-road-to-sakura-a-choose-your-own-adventure">Continue reading...</a>

Reader's Corner

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across web this week.
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Storm Bram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/storm-bram-flights-trains-ferries-cancelled-weather-warnings-b2881568.html">brought chaos to travellers</a> in the UK and Ireland this week, disrupting everything from flights to trains to ferries. </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">No photo can truly do the Northern Lights justice, but these <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2025/12/08/25-award-winning-northern-lights-photos-to-inspire-your-next-adventure/">25 award-winning photographers</a> have gotten pretty close. </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Spirit&rsquo;s bankruptcy is <a href="https://simpleflying.com/is-american-spirit-merger-in-the-cards-new-court-filing-draws-speculation/">drawing rumours of an American Airlines buy-out</a>. Now, would their celebrity couple name be Spamerican or Amerit?&nbsp; </li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">After several shipping containers full of fruit were <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/uk/cruise-ship-iona-delayed-fruit-overboard-b2879752.html">accidentally plunged into waters off the Isle of Wight</a>, officials have warned locals not to eat any loose bananas they find washed up on shore. Darn it, there goes our whole lunch plan! </li>
<li>And finally, let's&nbsp;paws on a warm and fuzzy note: From donuts to shrines, this entire neighborhood in Tokyo is <a href="https://japanjourneys.jp/tokyo/lifestyle/things-to-do/cat-lovers-need-to-visit-yanaka-right-now/">themed around its feline residents</a>. It's&nbsp;purr-fect!</li>
</ul>

Travel News

A Taste of Island Life in British Columbia & a DIY Pan-Asian Adventure

Sometimes, we receive a question from the Jack's Community that sets our soul alight. The kind of question that excites us, ignites our wanderlust and transports us across continents.&nbsp;
This was one of those questions.&nbsp;
Navigator Kash fell so far down a pan-Asian rabbit hole that she's yet to fully emerge, so it's only right that we share all the goods she dug up along the way.
<hr>

Hi there, Nehla! Wow, what an adventure! Consider me officially jealous. Slow travel is by far one of the best ways to connect with the land and the people (and yourself!) on a deeper level. It&rsquo;s the anti-checklist trip.&nbsp;
I&rsquo;ve done some research and dug up your best options for traveling overland, and flying when necessary.

<h2 dir="ltr">Stage 1: Manchester to Uzbekistan</h2>
Currently, <a href="https://www.google.com/travel/flights/search?tfs=CBwQAho8EgoyMDI2LTAzLTI1KAFqDAgDEggvbS8wNTJid3IMCAISCC9tLzBkbDNncgwIAxIIL20vMGZzbXmQAY4CQAFIAXABggELCP___________wGYAQI&amp;tfu=EgoIABAAGAAgAigB&amp;gl=GB">one-way fares</a> from Manchester to Samarkand or Tashkent in March are pretty decent, in the &pound;240s&ndash;&pound;380s.
Uzbekistan is a firm bucket-lister at Jack&rsquo;s, with Detour Editor Katy the first of us to chart a course through its mesmerizing blue mosques and mausoleums.

&ldquo;In Samarkand, your journey will no doubt start at<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/mar/31/registan-samarkand-square-history-cities-buildings"> Registan Square</a>, the city's most iconic landmark. It is dominated by three impossibly ornately tiled madrasahs&mdash;Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor, and Tilla-Kari. Each one is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture, and pictures seriously do not do them justice.&nbsp;
There are hundreds of small alcoves and rooms to explore within the Madrasahs, not to mention handmade Uzbek crafts for sale. Needlework and embroidery are an integral part of the Uzbek culture, and you'll find gorgeous examples at shops all throughout the city.
If you look carefully, inside certain shops you&rsquo;ll spot narrow spiral staircases heading up. Follow them, and you&rsquo;ll emerge onto beautiful balconies overlooking the square, where you can grab a cuppa and watch the people go by.
Another highlight of Samarkand is<a href="https://www.baytalfann.com/post/the-beauty-history-of-shah-i-zinda"> Shah-i-Zinda</a>, which is more or less a village of brightly-coloured mausoleums. To snap the best shots, plan to visit early in the day. The narrow pathways get pretty crowded, so a bit of patience is needed for unintentional photobombers.&rdquo; - Katy

Tip: When it comes to your first glimpse of public transport in this area of the world, you&rsquo;re in for an absolute treat in Tashkent. Its <a href="https://twinperspectives.co.uk/the-most-beautiful-metro-stations-in-tashkent-2025/">metro stations are more like museums</a>. A myriad of mosaics and motifs, each spinning tales of the Silk Road and crumbled empires.&nbsp;

Option 2: Crossing overland into China&nbsp;
Alternatively, if you&rsquo;re up for an adventure, you can cross overland into China, either via <a href="https://caravanistan.com/border-crossings/kazakhstan/#kazakhstan-%e2%80%93-china-border-crossings">Khazakstan</a> or <a href="https://caravanistan.com/border-crossings/kyrgyzstan/">Kyrgyzstan</a>. It&rsquo;s more difficult to cross from Kyrgyzstan because the region that borders it is Xinjiang, which is <a href="https://caravanistan.com/east-turkestan/">quite tightly controlled</a>, and they don&rsquo;t usually let foreigners visit. You&rsquo;d have an easier time crossing from Khorgos (Horgos) in Kazakhstan. The road is better, and you can cross by bus.&nbsp;
While you&rsquo;re in Kazakhstan, you might want to consider crossing the steppes by train; this <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2021/oct/22/across-kazakhstan-by-rail-a-photo-essay?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other&amp;fbclid=IwY2xjawOmN9FleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF5czdqRWlPU21WOWlvYmtzc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHl-dy5BRK4EbERMEiciMj5sJvKtWQcnvqEoTDjGx1kX5jg-U2dvxJt_U0Kr4_aem_karr_pNUs9Emx9HVMjFJ1g">dreamy photo-journal</a> certainly entices me to!

Tip: This website, <a href="https://caravanistan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Caravanistan</a>, is a great resource for destinations all along the Silk Road. Here&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1Ml8xrhk9Jwr00_GdccYtBrEYScU&amp;ll=41.93493861474455%2C79.74287294999999&amp;z=3">a handy map of border crossings</a> on the Silk Road.

From Tashkent, you can take <a href="https://www.railrussia.com/routes/tashkent-almaty">a train overland to Almaty</a> (Khazakstan) in about 17 hours, and then catch a bus from <a href="https://thetripgoeson.com/almaty-to-urumqi/">Almaty to Urumqi</a> (China) the bus takes about 19&ndash;20 hours and costs around &pound;30 on average. This is by far the easiest way and beats trains with changes or separate border buses.&nbsp;
From Urumqi Railway Station, direct connections span Xinjiang regionally, as well as east to central China via the <a href="https://www.chinadiscovery.com/china-trains/urumqi-high-speed-train.html">Lanzhou-Xinjiang High-Speed Railway</a> &mdash; no transfers needed for most.
This 12-hour train route follows the ancient Silk Road via the oasis town of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RR-hlrRZrs">Turpan</a>. From here, it travels through some of China&rsquo;s wildest terrain, whizzing past lunar landscapes like the rainbow mountains of Zhangye and <a href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/gansu/dunhuang/attractions/mogao-grottoes/a/poi-sig/1496278/355964">the caves of the thousand Buddhas in Mogao</a>. This is one of the most important collections of Buddhist architecture in the world.&nbsp;

<h2 dir="ltr">Stage 3: China to South Korea</h2>
Option 1: Flying from China to South Korea
It&rsquo;s very <a href="https://www.google.com/travel/explore?tfs=CBwQAxooEgoyMDI2LTA0LTA4agwIAhIIL20vMDE5MTRyDAgEEggvbS8wNnFkM0ABSAFwAoIBCwj___________8BmAECsgEEGAEgAQ&amp;tfu=GgA&amp;gl=GB">easy to fly</a> between the two countries &mdash; expect to pay around &pound;60 one-way.

Option 2: China to South Korea via ferry
I imagine you'll train-hop from Urumqi across China to the Beijing area. From Beijing, hop on a high-speed train to Qingdao (3&ndash;4 hours, around &pound;40 for economy seats), where you can take <a href="https://4corners7seas.com/asia/china/china-korea-ferries/">a ferry to Incheon, South Korea</a>. The Weidong ferry sails every Mon/Wed/Fri at 17:30 and takes about 17&ndash;18 hours, costing around &pound;85+.&nbsp;

Tip: It&rsquo;s easier (and cheaper) to buy tickets in person than online, and you&rsquo;ll want to arrive no later than two hours before departure to fill out customs declaration and boarding cards. The amenities on board are basic, so pack snacks accordingly, or consider splurging for a higher tier like Business or Royal class.

<h2 dir="ltr">Stage 4: South Korea to Japan</h2>
Option 1: South Korea to Japan via ferry
Once you arrive in Incheon, you can then take an AREX train or subway to Seoul, which takes about an hour and costs around &pound;5.&nbsp;
At this stage, a few days of rest and rejuvenation probably wouldn&rsquo;t go amiss! In Seoul, a visit to <a href="http://google.com/search?q=siloam+sauna&amp;oq=Siloam+Sauna&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgAEAAYgAQyBwgAEAAYgAQyBwgBEAAYgAQyBwgCEAAYgAQyBwgDEAAYgAQyBwgEEAAYgAQyBwgFEAAYgAQyBwgGEAAYgAQyBwgHEAAYgAQyBwgIEAAYgAQyDQgJEAAYhgMYgAQYigXSAQgxMTAwajBqN6gCALACAA&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8">Siloam Sauna</a> offers traditional Korean spa relaxation for you weary travellers. Alternatively, a gentle hike up Achasan Mountain will do wonders for the spirit, and afterward, reward yourself with a quiet tea at <a href="https://firefortysix.com/2023/07/08/a-relaxing-afternoon-interlude-at-tteuran-teahouse-in-ikseondong/">Tteuran Tea House</a>.
From Seoul, you can then take <a href="https://www.koreantrain.com/train-seoul-busan">a highspeed KTX train to Busan</a> (stop off in the city known as <a href="https://southkoreahallyu.com/gyeongju-south-korea-things-to-do/">&ldquo;the museum without walls&rdquo;</a> if you have the time). From Seoul straight to Busan it takes about 2hrs 15 mins and costs around &pound;30.&nbsp;

Next up, <a href="https://whirled-away.com/ferry-south-korea-japan/">hop on an overnight ferry across to Fukuoka</a>. The ferry prices usually fall somewhere between &pound;46 and &pound;77 depending on the season and what kind of seat or cabin you pick. All in, you&rsquo;re looking at roughly &pound;76&ndash;&pound;108.&nbsp;
Another option is the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcleb7YgKGA">PanStar Cruise Line</a> to Osaka, offering a longer, more cruise-like experience that honestly might be worth the detour!
Option 2: Flying from South Korea to Japan
If you&rsquo;d rather get there fast, <a href="https://www.google.com/travel/explore?tfs=CBwQAxoqEgoyMDI1LTEyLTI0KABqDAgDEggvbS8waHNxZnIMCAQSCC9tLzAzXzNkQAFIAXACggELCP___________wGYAQKyAQQYASAB&amp;tfu=GgA&amp;gl=GB">flights from Seoul</a> to places like Tokyo, Osaka, or Fukuoka are typically pretty cheap and only take around 1.5&ndash;2 hours, with fares starting from &pound;40&ndash;&pound;70 if you catch a deal.

Tip: In Tokyo, instead of sticking to Shibuya, Asakusa, or Ginza, venture to neighbourhoods like Yanaka, Shimokitazawa, Kiyosumi‑Shirakawa, or Kichijoji for more local energy. 
<a href="https://monocle.com/travel/yanaka-neighbourhood-guide/">Yanaka</a> offers a quiet, nostalgic Tokyo with over 70 different temples, wooden houses and cozy eateries - and <a href="https://japanjourneys.jp/tokyo/lifestyle/things-to-do/cat-lovers-need-to-visit-yanaka-right-now/">most importantly, cats</a>!

<h2 dir="ltr">Stage 5: Japan to Vietnam</h2>
Option 1: Ferry and Overland
This one is tricky. You can do it overland by heading back to China by ferry (although the <a href="https://www.shinganjin.com/en/schedule/">Kobe/Osaka&ndash;Shanghai service</a> was suspended this week due to ongoing tensions), and then travelling south by train.
If you want to go for it, just be aware that there&rsquo;s a time investment involved! The crossing takes 45&ndash;48 hours, then it&rsquo;ll be around another 10 hours by train from Shanghai to the Vietnamese border.
Trains crossing from China into Vietnam <a href="https://www.indochinatour.com/china-vietnam-tour/china-to-vietnam.html#:~:text=hub%20in%20China.-,The%20Train%20to%20Vietnam%20from%20China%20is%20Available%3A%20A%20Very%20Scenic%20Route%20from%20Nanning,-Instead%20of%20flying">were not reinstated after the pandemic</a>. That means you&rsquo;ll have to alight at Pingxiang, take a taxi to the border crossing, and then hop on a train from Dong Dang on the Vietnamese side to continue towards Hanoi.

Option 2: Flying from Japan to Vietnam&nbsp;
You can catch <a href="https://www.google.com/travel/explore?tfs=CBwQAxorEgoyMDI1LTEyLTI0KABqDAgDEggvbS8wN2Rma3INCAQSCS9tLzAxY3JkNUABSAFwAoIBCwj___________8BmAECsgEEGAEgAQ&amp;tfu=GgA&amp;gl=GB">a direct flight from Tokyo</a> to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City in about six hours, with economy fares that can drop as low as &pound;80&ndash;&pound;90 one way.
In Hanoi, I recommend starting your mornings early at <a href="https://lilystravelagency.com/quang-ba-flower-market/">Quang Ba Flower Market</a> to see the city come alive with traders&rsquo; fresh flowers before the crowds arrive.&nbsp;
You can also use buses, trains, or the app Grab (similar to Uber) to catch a motorbike or taxi to quieter districts or artisan villages like Bat Trang and Duong Lam.&nbsp;
In <a href="https://artsandculture.google.com/story/0AUR6zBKq7ucyg">Bat Trang</a>, arrive in the morning to watch artisans shape pottery by hand, and try making a small piece yourself. In <a href="https://wander-lush.org/duong-lam-ancient-village-hanoi-day-trip/">Duong Lam</a>, take a bus or Grab through scenic rice paddies, then walk or cycle among clay-tiled houses and temples. Bring cash and wear comfortable shoes, and consider visiting on weekdays for a quieter, more authentic experience of local crafts and village life.

Tip:&nbsp;If you decide to go south, take a look at our <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/jfcs-guide-to-ho-chi-minh-city">Ho Chi Minh Guide</a> &mdash; it&rsquo;s packed with Katy&rsquo;s tips for your trip.

<h2 dir="ltr">Stage 6: Homeward Bound</h2>
Flying back home
Once you&rsquo;re done exploring Vietnam, getting back to the UK is easiest via London: there are several direct flights from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to London, and from there it&rsquo;s just a quick hop on a domestic flight or train to Manchester.&nbsp;
Total flight times from Vietnam to London are roughly 13&ndash;14 hours for a direct route, with fares ranging from &pound;390s&ndash;&pound;600 depending on the airline, season, and how early you book. Currently, <a href="https://www.google.com/travel/flights/search?tfs=CBwQAho4EgoyMDI2LTA2LTE1KABqDAgDEggvbS8wZm5mZmoMCAMSCC9tLzBobjRocgwIAhIIL20vMDRqcGxAAUgBcAGCAQsI____________AZgBAg&amp;tfu=EgoIABAAGAAgAigB&amp;gl=GB">fares in June </a>are reasonable at &pound;396.&nbsp;

<h2 dir="ltr">Rough totals</h2>
Overland/ferry-heavy route: &pound;1,400pp
Mostly flying: &pound;1,200pp

<h2 id="visa-notes">Visa Notes</h2>
Uzbekistan
<ul>
<li data-start="288" data-end="412">UK, EU, Canadian &amp; US Passports: Most will qualify for up to 30 days visa-free for tourism. Longer stays require a visa, usually via the official e-visa portal.</li>
<li data-start="288" data-end="412">Other passports: Many nationalities still qualify for visa-free entry or simple e-visas, but rules vary. Check your specific passport eligibility on the <a href="https://e-visa.gov.uz/">Uzbek government visa site</a>.</li>
</ul>
China
<ul>
<li data-start="640" data-end="900">UK, US &amp; Canadian Passports: A visa is usually required, depending on the exact duration and destination of your visit. The current process involves an online pre-approval form on <a href="https://www.visaforchina.cn/VIE3_EN/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">visaforchina.cn</a>, followed by an in-person biometrics appointment at a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre. Fees average about &pound;130. Allow 3&ndash;4 weeks total.</li>
<li data-start="903" data-end="1128">Other passports: Most European countries, as well as Australia and New Zealand, will qualify for 15-days visa-free entry to China. These rules change frequetly, and requirements, fees, and processing times can differ, so travelers should always check the rules for their specific nationality.</li>
</ul>
South Korea
<ul>
<li data-start="1150" data-end="1270">Most UK, European &amp; North American passports: No traditional visa needed for trips up to 90 days, but you must <a href="https://www.k-eta.go.kr/">apply for the K-ETA</a> before travel.&nbsp;Some passports may require a short-stay visa, so check the K-ETA site for nationality-specific entry rules.</li>
</ul>
Japan
<ul>
<li data-start="1150" data-end="1270">Most UK, European &amp; North American passports:&nbsp;Visa-free for up to 90 days. You may be asked to show proof of funds and onward travel/accommodation.</li>
<li data-start="1582" data-end="1742">Other passports: Japan offers visa-free entry to many countries, but not all&mdash;travellers should confirm whether their passport is on Japan&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html">visa-exempt list</a>.</li>
</ul>
Vietnam
<ul>
<li data-start="1760" data-end="1813">UK &amp; European passports: Most qualify for visa-free entry for up to 45 days.</li>
<li data-start="1816" data-end="1994">Other passports: Visa exemptions vary greatly by nationality. Many travellers will need an e-visa, which is generally straightforward to obtain via <a href="https://evisa.gov.vn/">Vietnam&rsquo;s official portal</a>.</li>
</ul>

Safe travels! I&rsquo;d love to know which routes you end up choosing! And <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/postcards">send us a postcard</a> on the road!

Silk Road to Sakura: A Choose-Your-Own Adventure

Switzerland

Norway

Chile

Indonesia

Hey there, Travellers,
I'd like to kick off by wishing a very happy Thanksgiving to all our American readers! However you celebrated, I hope your bellies were full and your hearts warm&hellip; and that you had five minutes free to check over all the bargain Flights landing in your inbox.
No doubt your emails have been overflowing this past week, so you may have missed some rather amusing "news." The US transportation secretary has been urging travellers to <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/sean-duffy-transport-secretary-air-travel-thanksgiving-request-b2869798.html">wind back the clock and dress with respect</a>, as though we were in the golden age of travel.&nbsp;
When you're embarking on a 20-hour journey across continents, or hopping on a budget flight with nothing more than a backpack and randomly allocated seat, does anyone truly expect you to care about more than comfort?&nbsp;
Sure, we can debate the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DBdqR-5qhVD/?hl=en">merits of jeans on a plane</a>, and we can probably all agree that shorts involve too much skin-seat contact. But, we're not living in&nbsp;that&nbsp;Golden Age of Travel. We're in our own, modern, slightly tarnished age with even more opportunity than ever before.&nbsp;
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the dos and don'ts of "respectful" travel garb. Should we bring back collars and dresses? Or are leggings and hoodies perfectly reasonable? <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-214-ultimate-carry-on-respectful-dressing#comments">Jump into the comments</a> or reply to this email.
Happy travels and safe landings,

Your Top Recommendations for Underseat &amp; Carry-on Bags

The Detour Editor Katy is a budget travel aficionado who has already travelled to more than 50 countries. Whether she's at home or on a foreign adventure, she has a particular talent for stumbling upon tasty Georgian restaurants.

By Katy

I knew when I asked for backpack recommendations last week that frequent travellers like yourselves would have some strong opinions. Thank you so much for all the bag reviews, suggestions, and links, lovely readers!
The ideas came rolling in, and a few loyal camps became clear. To be honest, I'm actually pretty concerned that some of you may have joined a particular multicoloured cult&hellip;
With my trusty Herschel nearing the end of its life, I've spent this week researching all your suggestions and trawling the Black Friday sales. Frankly, I'm only a little closer to pulling the trigger, and time is ticking on those discounts.&nbsp;
But without further ado, here are the top recommendations from you, the wonderful Jack's Community:
<h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.osprey.com/">Osprey</a></h2>

&ldquo;I've had an Osprey Farpoint 40 for the last few years, and so far it's passed every test with flying colours. It's had dozens of work trips, backpacking in Japan, hiking in Iceland, travelling around Europe visiting 28 countries in 28 days with 100s of buses, coaches and trains, numerous trips to the US &amp; Canada and here's the thing: nothing has broken 😱😱 no broken zips, no frayed ends, no rips, nothing. And I have not been careful!
It also opens up fully laid down which is a great plus. If the 40 is a little big, Osprey have brought out a smaller Sojourn backpack in the same style, which I bought my gf and she loves. The Farpoint is probably a 4/5 on comfort when carrying but easily a 5/5 on endurance. I think there is a "trek" version they've recently brought out that is presumably more comfortable. I've also gotten away with it as cabin baggage on easyJet many times, even though it's technically too big (only been fined on 2 occasions out of maybe 25?). Hope this is useful for people!&rdquo;&nbsp;-&nbsp;UninhibitedBackpacker38333
<hr>
&ldquo;I bought my Osprey 40 litre Fairview pack 3 years ago and have been using it nearly year round ever since. It opens flat so I can see everything inside, has enough compartments and easy access whilst on the move. I have travelled for several 3 month trips and it takes everything I need and more, and is comfortable for a nearly 60 year old like me to carry!&nbsp;
There are no signs of wear and tear. 100% recommended.&nbsp;
Good luck, it's a tricky and important decision!&rdquo; - Claire

Pros: Osprey bags are practical, supportive, and clearly have staying power. There are a few nice colorways to choose from, for those who like their functionality served with at least a little pizzazz.
Cons: They&rsquo;re not the cheapest; Navigator Lauren&rsquo;s fave Fairview is currently clocking in at around &pound;115/$140/&euro;150. And while they do come in different colors, they&rsquo;re hardly serving up that enduring <a href="https://www.fjallraven.com/eu/en-gb/bags-gear/kanken/">K&aring;nken</a> style. Maybe more for the outdoorsy types than purely savvy travelers?
Next up, the zero frills, zero fuss crew:
<h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://cabinmax.com/">Cabin Max</a></h2>

&ldquo;The cabin max bird and stars is amazing, I&rsquo;ve used it for a few trips and I also use it at work!&nbsp;
It easily fits clothes and toiletries in for a whole week for one person, with room to spare for a drink and snacks. Though I haven&rsquo;t tried to fit a proper jacket in there yet as it&rsquo;s only been used for warmer trips.&nbsp;
But it still looks brand new after being used almost every day since the start of May. It even has a clip on bit for you to pop glasses/goggles/sunglasses into, and the front zip up pocket has extra compartments and a tether that clips onto items for extra security. It has a little padded slot for a tablet or such and buckled straps in the main section to hold items in tight for you to fit in extra! I love it.&rdquo; - Danielle
<hr>
&ldquo;Another Cabin Max fan here, especially the Metz 20L that fits the Ryanair bins. Sturdy and it fits a huge amount of stuff!&rdquo; - DauntlessHolidaymaker17406

Pros: Cabin Max cater to nearly every airline&rsquo;s dimensional whims. It&rsquo;s all in the name: you&rsquo;ll get the max cabin space possible (without paying extra). Plus, they&rsquo;re super affordable and come in a variety of jazzy colors and styles, some even a little more stylish than purely functional.
Cons: Not ideal for lugging around on your back all day &mdash; the shoulder straps are all you&rsquo;ve got in the way of support, so don&rsquo;t bring the kitchen sink. And yes, they are on the cheaper side, so pay close attention to design elements like laptop padding and secure closures.
And now we&rsquo;ve got a PSA from Navigator Fran, who, surprisingly, is not being sponsored for this rave review:
<h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.cotopaxi.com/">Cotopaxi</a></h2>

&ldquo;So I have a couple of Cotopaxis, but the ones that I use the most are the Cotopaxi Allpa 28L and the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L. The thing that I love the most about them is that they open fully like a suitcase, but they&rsquo;re backpacks. That&rsquo;s the key thing for me because I hate having to put my hands inside a backpack without seeing what I&rsquo;m touching. Everything gets messy, whereas if your backpack opens completely like a suitcase, it makes everything much more orderly.&nbsp;
Another thing that I love is the material. The external material, especially the front, has a kind of waxy feel, but it&rsquo;s not actually wax, so you don&rsquo;t need to treat it. Even though it&rsquo;s a soft backpack, it's made with sturdy materials, so even if it gets thrown around, it feels like the things inside won&rsquo;t get hit too hard.
<img src="https://cdn.jacksflightclub.com/id/a4a6e696d247b91ff1b2f8c198c762c9f99997cd" width="501" height="626" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
I really love all the pockets inside and outside. That&rsquo;s important for me for storing things properly and for accessibility. The Allpa 28L I have is the new model, and it comes with a side pocket, which I absolutely love. I use it for my water bottle, flip-flops, thin sneakers &mdash; whatever fits. That pocket only exists on the newer version Cotopaxi released last year. My 35L is the older model, so it doesn&rsquo;t have it, and I really miss it. I&rsquo;m honestly considering upgrading my 35L just for that pocket (lol Cotopaxi I love you pls send me one).
Another key thing is: the 35L one has back support, which is crucial for me. It has the adjustable chest buckle and the waist strap, while the 28L doesn't have the waist strap. I&rsquo;ve walked endless kilometres with it, and it&rsquo;s essential that the weight sits on my hips and not fully on my back.
I also love the little loops on the outside where you can attach a lock or hang things. Anything with a carabiner can go there &mdash; a portable speaker, flip-flops, whatever. I really love the colours too. They&rsquo;re veeeeeeery fun and stylish.&rdquo; - Fran

&ldquo;The Cotopaxi Allpa is AMAZING. I will not have another bag, ever. The 35L one is still Euro airline friendly, and I've lived out of it for months.&rdquo; - Layla

Pros: Cotopaxi bags are clearly super reliable and practical. Plus, you gotta love their <a href="https://uk.cotopaxi.com/collections/del-dia-collection">&lsquo;Del D&iacute;a&rsquo; collection</a>, made from a patchwork of leftover fabrics. That means you get a completely one-of-a-kind bag, which can come in pretty handy during the shuffle of international travel.
Cons: That price, though. You&rsquo;re looking at &pound;140-&pound;200 new on the Cotopaxi website. If you dig around online, you&rsquo;ll no doubt be able to find them a little cheaper, but they&rsquo;re still far from a budget-friendly option. More of a long-term investment, perhaps.&nbsp;
Also, you might be joining a cult that it&rsquo;s really hard to leave if you buy one.
Now, not to be confused with the Max competition above, the Jack&rsquo;s Community is also fond of&hellip;&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.cabinzero.com/">Cabin Zero</a></h2>

&ldquo;Hello! I love my cabin zero. The 28L one is small enough for under Ryanair seats, and you can get them in a variety of sizes. Happy bag shopping!&rdquo; - Daniella
<hr>
&ldquo;I absolutely adore my Cabin Zero military backpack. I used it for 6 months to travel through Asia next to my larger backpack, used it as hand luggage while making short trips. Very roomy, holds a bottle, can be locked and has a separate space for a laptop.&rdquo; - BoldHiker86402

Pros: Once again, we&rsquo;ve got bags designed to beat airline restrictions. Looking for a carry-on that&rsquo;ll fit under the seat in front of you? Just filter by &lsquo;Underseat&rsquo;. They&rsquo;re functional, affordable, and they come in pretty much every color. 
Cons:&nbsp;What they offer in color, they kind of lack in actual style. Maximizing functional bag space is key here, and every model appears to be a cuboid bag designed to fit perfectly in a bag sizer.
<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/the-best-underseat-and-carry-on-bags-for-travel">Keep reading...</a>

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across web this week.
<ul>
<li>From next year, National Parks in the USA will begin charging <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1kpnxvpgy2o">higher entry fees for foreign visitors </a>than US residents. </li>
<li>Inside the Swiss village where <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/travel/article/20250314-murren-the-stunning-car-free-village-reached-by-cable-car">the only cars are cable cars</a>. </li>
<li>Move over salmon sperm facials, there's an island in Patagonia where <a href="https://www.afar.com/magazine/the-rare-potato-revival-in-patagonia-chile">potatoes are the key</a> to a youthful glow. </li>
<li>Here's how to make that <a href="https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/norway/how-i-did-a-once-in-a-lifetime-norway-journey-for-a-fraction-of-the-price-8lmfnss9h">bucket-list cruise of the Norwegian fjords</a> into a reality without breaking the bank. </li>
<li>US passport holders can now save a <a href="https://www.afar.com/magazine/can-apples-new-digital-passport-be-used-for-travel">digital version of their passport</a> to their Apple Wallet. But can you actually use it on your next trip? </li>
<li>It's official: <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/jakarta-and-dhaka-topple-tokyo-to-become-worlds-biggest-megacities-13475419">Jakarta has overtaken Tokyo</a> as the most populous city in the world. </li>
<li>And finally, while Fodor's list of <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexledsom/2025/11/19/overcrowded-travel-destinations-in-2026-as-per-fodors-no-list/">over-touristed destinations to avoid</a> may not have thrown up many surprises, their <a href="https://www.fodors.com/news/photos/10-destinations-begging-for-more-visitors">10 spots crying out for more visitors</a> certainly will. From Palau, to Pakistan, to regional Japan, there's always somewhere new to discover without adding stress to the local community.</li>
</ul>

Our Ultimate Carry-On Backpacks & Respectful Dressing On Board

Haiti

Spain

Madagascar

Bolivia

Spooktacular greetings, Travellers,
I hope your pumpkins are carved, cobwebs are hung, and creepy movie marathon candidates selected.
Or, alternatively, your lights are off, curtains drawn, and there are no signs of life that'll give you away to those pesky trick-or-treaters!&nbsp;
Whichever way you plan to spend your weekend, make some time to scroll back through this year's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/geodesaurus/?hl=en">Spooky Lake Month</a> destinations and pick your next eerie lakeside getaway. My pick? Gotta be <a href="https://www.meganstarr.com/lake-kaindy-kazakhstan-sunken-forest/">Lake Kaindy</a> and its sunken forest.&nbsp;
Where's the spookiest place you've ever been? Or is there a spot you're dying to visit? Let us know <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/detour-210-celebrating-souls-around-the-globe#comments">in the comments</a>!
Happy (broomstick) travels and safe landings,

How the World Welcomes Home its Dead

By Akasha

Something shifts at this time of year. Can you feel it?&nbsp;
Candles burn slower. Dusk deceives us, casting silhouettes of illusion and ink. The air feels thinner&mdash;as if you could almost reach out and peel back the veil separating the living and the lost.&nbsp;
And in some corners of the world, that&rsquo;s precisely what they do.&nbsp;
From the highlands of Madagascar to the cemeteries of Port-au-Prince, the living draw back the curtain a little wider, welcoming those who linger just beyond&hellip;
<h2 dir="ltr">Famadihana in Madagascar</h2>

<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC image</a> by Hery Zo Rakotondramanana on&nbsp;<a href="https://flic.kr/p/ai6McA">flickr</a> 
<blockquote>
&ldquo;One by one, the dead were brought out of the tomb. The band kept playing, people dancing around them. First, I climbed on top of the tomb to get a bird&rsquo;s eye view of the scene. Below, a colorful crowd circled the tomb, carrying the dead on top, wrapped in straw mats, before placing them in the sun. I didn&rsquo;t want to intrude, to get too close to where the dead were lying.&rdquo; - <a href="https://www.thecrowdedplanet.com/dancing-dead-famadihana/">The Crowded Planet</a> 
</blockquote>
 In Madagascar, the turning of the bones, known as&nbsp;Famadihana, only happens every few years during the dry winter months. The Malagasy believe that so long as the body remains, the spirit does too. It starts when the deceased appears to an elder in a dream, proclaiming that they are cold and need new garments. Then <a href="https://www.101lasttribes.com/tribes/antemoro.html">a traditional astrologer</a>, known as an Ombiasy, consults the stars for an auspicious day to open and close the tomb.&nbsp;
Loved ones and guests often travel days on foot across the highlands to reach their ancestral crypt. And for two days the ceremony commences. Graves are exhumed, bodies are cleaned and wrapped with silk and straw, and they are danced down the streets.&nbsp;
Relatives tell their troubles to their loved ones and ask for guidance and blessings. Just before the sun sets, the bodies are returned to their resting place but placed upside down. The crypt then closes for the next 5&ndash;7 years.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Fiesta de Santa Marta de Ribarteme, As Nieves, Spain</h2>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;One corpse smiles and waves. Another fans herself. They regularly re-hydrate. This is not your average funeral. &rdquo;It is 33 degrees in the Spanish shade, but much hotter inside a Spanish coffin.&rdquo; - <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/europe/grateful-dead-the-festival-celebrating-near-death-experiences-1.2760403">Kevin Pilley</a>, The Irish Times
</blockquote>

<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en">CC image</a> by Jose-Maria Moreno Garcia on <a href="https://flic.kr/p/vA9XDX">flickr</a>
Few international tourists venture off the Camino, into the lush interior of Spain&rsquo;s northwest, Galicia. But those who do might find themselves among&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-gP4_Jha28">a horde of Spaniards clambering into coffins</a>, eager to be carried by their families through the single-street hamlet of As Nieves every summer.&nbsp;
Those that willingly curl up in the comfort of a satin casket (sans lid) have had a brush with death and are here to give thanks to Santa Marta for sparing their lives. And if you&rsquo;re one of the unlucky souls that lacks a family, lugging your coffin down the road comes with a weight that&rsquo;s both literal and painfully metaphorical.
After the parade, the real fiesta begins with lively brass ensembles and patrons dishing out local delicacies like fresh octopus, white wine, and mountains of barbecued meat. By nightfall, the coffins and wine bottles are empty, and As Neves lives on. 
<h2 dir="ltr">D&iacute;a de las &Ntilde;atitas, La Paz, Bolivia</h2>

<blockquote>
&ldquo;Everyone has a personality, and in some cases it might not be a good fit between a person and a skull,&rdquo; Koudounaris says. &ldquo;People will say, &lsquo;I got this skull from my cousin who didn&rsquo;t get along with it, but I&rsquo;m getting along with it very well. I remember a couple of years ago all the skulls were given ham sandwiches. It was a bizarre touch.&rdquo;&nbsp; - <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/meet-celebrity-skulls-bolivias-fiesta-de-las-natitas-180957289/">Rachel Nuwer, The Smithsonian</a>
</blockquote>
 Drifting to La Paz, every year the living and the dead share cigarettes, flowers, and &mdash; occasionally &mdash;&nbsp;the odd sandwich or two. Long before Christianity, the Aymara believed that human skulls called &ntilde;atitas (translation: little pug-nosed) hold protective powers, acting as messengers between our world and the next. Families keep skulls in their homes, believing they have special powers.&nbsp;
Curiously, the collection of craniums are not often family members but heirlooms or obtained through questionable means from archeological sites, medical schools, and cemeteries. And once a year on November 8th, they&rsquo;re taken to La Paz&rsquo;s General Cemetery in glass boxes, adorned with sunglasses, flower crowns, cigarettes, and coca leaves to be blessed by a priest. Once the sun sets, parties known as prestas spill into the city&rsquo;s streets.
<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/parting-the-veil-how-the-world-welcomes-home-its-dead">Keep reading...</a>

I Visited the "Most Haunted" Places in Barcelona and This is How it Went

Currently based in Barcelona, you&rsquo;ll likely find Lauren exploring all that Spain has to offer. When she&rsquo;s not falling off her skateboard, you&rsquo;ll catch her hunting for bargain flights.

By Lauren

Being a lover of all things macabre and having recently relocated to Barcelona, it only seemed appropriate that I tour the cities most haunted spots this spooky season. So, after many a late hour researching the dark corners of the web and listening to my local friends&rsquo; eerie tales, I&rsquo;ve compiled a list of 5 potentially paranormal places&hellip;
<h2 aria-level="1" style="margin: 0; margin-bottom: 16px;">1. Rocafort Metro Station</h2>
The backstory: Whether it&rsquo;s down to the unsettlingly high number of accidents on the tracks, or a rumoured mudslide during construction that supposedly claimed the life of a worker, it seems like everyone I speak to has a story about Rocafort. Allegedly, even the metro staff are afraid to stay after hours, with ghostly sounds filling the tunnels and suspicious figures appearing on the CCTV footage.

The station definitely has an older, more dilapidated feel than other more modern stops. The tiles adorning the floors have a scuffed cream and black finish, and the dim lights overhead dress everything in a slight sepia tone. Despite the midday rush of commuters when I visited, this station still felt pretty creepy, and I certainly wouldn&rsquo;t want to roam the platforms alone in the evening.
👻👻👻/5 spookies 
<h2 aria-level="1" style="margin: 0; margin-bottom: 16px;">2. Poblenou Cemetery</h2>
The backstory: Originally opened in the 18th century, it was briefly destroyed by Napoleon&rsquo;s troops in 1813, then reopened again in 1819. Aside from being the resting place for thousands of the deceased, it&rsquo;s the marvellously macabre statues that give this one its spooky points.

At the entrance of the cemetery, I snapped a pic of a large map to help guide my walk, since the place seemed pretty huge. I must say, as someone who appreciates the beauty of a time-worn tomb or two, I was thoroughly impressed. One statue in particular, called &lsquo;The Kiss of Death&rdquo; really took my breath away. If you ever happen to visit the city on a sunny autumnal day, I thoroughly recommend a peaceful stroll around the grounds. All in all, though, not overly scary.&nbsp;&nbsp;
👻👻/5 spookies&nbsp;

<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/investigating-haunted-barcelona">Keep reading...</a>

Travel Tales

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across web this week.
<ul>
<li>November 1st marks World Vegan Day, so what better way to celebrate than by planning a trip to <a href="https://www.wanderlustmagazine.com/inspiration/the-best-destinations-for-vegans/">plant-based foodie paradise</a>? </li>
<li>Fancy travelling between the USA and Tokyo <a href="https://parade.com/news/japan-travel-agency-reveals-rocket-that-could-connect-tokyo-us">in just an hour</a>... via&nbsp;space?! </li>
<li>If you go down to the Japanese woods today, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/27/bear-attack-survival-tips-released-in-japan-as-encounters-surge">prepare for a growly surprise</a>. </li>
<li>Bonus spookies: plan a <a href="https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/states/10-most-haunted-states-america-ranked-scare-level">terrifying US road trip</a> around the country's most haunted states. </li>
<li>And finally, I (Editor Katy) sat down with The Independent's <a href="https://shows.acast.com/green-list-travel-with-simon-calder-and-the-independent/episodes/october-30th-inside-the-world-of-jacks-flight-club">Simon Calder for a six-minute grilling</a> on what it is we do here at Jack's Flight Club &mdash; and thankfully, I came out unscathed!</li>
</ul>

Celebrating Souls Around the Globe

If you&rsquo;re planning a trip to Japan, Kyoto will likely be up there as one of the top cities on your list (typically along with Tokyo, Osaka, and Hiroshima). It&rsquo;s within a few hours of Tokyo, making it an easy trip on the Shinkansen, but holds its own.&nbsp;
While it shares similarities with the capital (like fast-paced, sprawling neighborhoods, skyscrapers and temples galore), Kyoto&rsquo;s history as the former Imperial court of the country and its long traditions of Geiko, Maiko and Kabuki Theatre, attract millions every year.&nbsp;
The city is split up into <a href="https://sushisandwich81.com/all-11-wards-of-kyoto-city/">11 wards</a>, with the main &lsquo;downtown&rsquo; areas around Kyoto Station and the Kawaramachi/Teramachi neighbourhoods. The Kamo River splits the city in half, with the main business district on the western side, and the more historical temples and neighborhoods on the eastern side (including Gion, one of the most popular neighborhoods). At the far west of the city, you&rsquo;ll find the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Monkey Park, where macaque monkeys roam freely on Mount Arashiyama.&nbsp;
When I visited in February 2025, I found that while there are nowhere near the number of people in Kyoto that live in Tokyo, the city felt similarly busy in central touristy areas. I was also surprised by how spread out different attractions are, and how long it can take to move from one area of the city to the other, so that&rsquo;s worth keeping in mind when you make your itinerary!&nbsp;
A quick note on the links in this guide:&nbsp;we&rsquo;re not affiliated with any of the external sites included in this guide, so we&rsquo;re not getting any kick-backs or commission. We&rsquo;ve only included resources we think will genuinely be useful to help you decide if this destination is for you.

FYI: if you'd like to read more about food, public transport, visas, cash and currency, seasonality and my top tips on how to navigate Japan in general, check out my guide to&nbsp;<a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/jfcs-guide-to-tokyo">Tokyo</a>.&nbsp;

<h2>Getting there</h2>
The closest airport to Kyoto is Kansai International Airport (KIX), which is actually closer to Osaka than Kyoto. Osaka and Kyoto are less than 1 hour apart (by car), and it takes about 90 minutes to get to Kyoto from KIX by public transport.&nbsp;
The options to fly to KIX airport directly are more limited than for Tokyo, but it&rsquo;s still large enough where you&rsquo;ll be able to fly direct from some cities, or via a connecting flight from almost anywhere.&nbsp;
You&rsquo;ll find non-stop flights to KIX directly from these cities in Europe and North America:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Paris (CDG) with Air France&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Amsterdam (AMS) with KLM&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Munich (MUC) with Lufthansa</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Helsinki (HEL) with Finnair</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">San Francisco (SFO) with United&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Los Angeles (LAX) with JAL&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Vancouver (YVR) with Air Canada</li>
</ul>
As with Tokyo, you&rsquo;ll find the cheapest 1-stop fares if you fly via China from the UK or Europe. From North America, the cheapest 1-stop option is usually via Tokyo.&nbsp;

Here&rsquo;s our handy guide on what to expect when booking your flight to KIX airport:
From Europe:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range: &euro;450-&euro;650 rtn</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 15</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/flights/japan-south-korea-from-germany-in-high-300s400s-rtn-1">&euro;384 rtn</a></li>
</ul>
From the UK:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range: &pound;400s-&pound;480s rtn</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 7-8</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/flights/london-to-around-japan-in-300s-rtn">&pound;363 rtn</a></li>
</ul>
From the USA:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range: $580s-$750s RT</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 10+</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/flights/price-drop-philadelphia-to-japan-in-300s-rt-1">$331 RT</a></li>
</ul>
From Canada:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expected average price range: $1000s-$1100s RT</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">How many cheap flight alerts we&rsquo;d expect in a year: 8-9</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Lowest price we&rsquo;ve ever seen: <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/flights/japan-in-910s-970s-rt">$917 RT</a></li>
</ul>

<h3 dir="ltr">By train</h3>
I arrived in Kyoto by Shinkansen from Tokyo (which is how most visitors get to the city). The journey took about 2-2.5 hours and cost about &pound;70/&euro;84/$98 (14,370 JPY) per person. We booked our tickets directly at the Shinkansen ticket machine in Tokyo Station about 30 minutes in advance.
There are generally 10&ndash;12 trains per hour, and they are either with Nozomi, Kodama or Hikari train services. Nozomi and Hikari trains tend to be express trains (with only 4&ndash;5 stops between the two cities), whereas Kodama stops at more than 15 stations. Because of this, you can expect them to take over an hour longer than the express trains.&nbsp;
You can catch the train to Kyoto from other major cities in Japan, too. Here&rsquo;s how long it&rsquo;ll take you, and generally, how much a ticket will cost (as of August 2025):&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Nagoya (35 mins) 6110 JPY (approx. $41/&pound;30/&euro;35)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Osaka (45 mins), 570 JPY (approx. $4/&pound;3/&euro;3)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Kobe (1 hr 20 mins), 3910 JPY (approx. $36/&pound;20/&euro;22)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Hiroshima (1 hr 45 mins), 11820 JPY (approx. $80/&pound;59/&euro;68)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Yokohama (2 hrs 20 mins), 13700 JPY (approx. $92/&pound;69/&euro;79)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Fukuoka (2 hrs 45 mins), 16780 JPY (approx. $110/&pound;84/&euro;96)</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Niigata (5 hrs 20 mins), 22800 JPY (approx. $150/&pound;115/&euro;130)</li>
</ul>

<h2 dir="ltr">Getting around</h2>
<h4 dir="ltr">Metro and suburban trains</h4>
Similarly to Tokyo, you can get around the city center with the <a href="https://www.insidekyoto.com/kyoto-subways">Kyoto Subway</a>. There are 31 stations across two subway lines, and they&rsquo;ll take you to most of the main sites in the center of the city, like Nijo Castle, Pontocho Alley and Nishiki Market.&nbsp;
To use the metro, you&rsquo;ll need an <a href="https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_003.html">IC card</a>. These are contactless cards that you can preload with cash and use at the ticket barriers to enter the station. The same cards that work in Tokyo generally work here (e.g., Suica and Icoca). There are also Kansai-specific IC cards, like Pitapa.&nbsp;
Unlike in Tokyo, many of the main sites in Kyoto are a little further outside the downtown area and will require suburban trains outside the subway network. This will be the case for sites like Arashiyama in the west of the city, Fushimi Inari Taisha to the south-east, and many of the temples.&nbsp;
You&rsquo;ll still be able to use your IC card, and pricing will be about the same (220-900 JPY depending on distance), but the main difference is frequency &mdash; the subway will typically come every couple of minutes, where you may be waiting up to 15 minutes for a train.&nbsp;
<h4 dir="ltr">Buses</h4>
We used buses occasionally when we were in the city. We found the bus especially useful when coming back to the hotel from the end of the Philosopher&rsquo;s Path, which isn&rsquo;t anywhere near a train or metro station. There&rsquo;s a flat fee of 230 JPY (approx. $1.55/&euro;1.30/&pound;1.15) and you&rsquo;ll need exact change if you&rsquo;re not using your IC card. 
When you're waiting for the bus in Japan, you should line up on the footpath next to the bus stop until it arrives.&nbsp;
Read more about riding the bus <a href="https://www.kyotostation.com/taking-a-bus-in-kyoto/">here</a>.&nbsp;

<h2 dir="ltr">Geisha IRL: Geiko, Maiko and the performing arts</h2>
If there&rsquo;s one word that&rsquo;s associated with Kyoto in the western world, it&rsquo;s &lsquo;Geisha&rsquo;. This profession is unique to Kyoto, and comes with hundreds of years of culture and history.&nbsp;
While fetishised overseas, Geisha are not what many people think they are. In real life, these performers are known by the terms Geiko (or Maiko, an apprentice Geiko). They live an extremely demanding lifestyle, learning skills of dance, playing instruments, and the art of conversation, which take years to master. While they do entertain visitors in tea houses around Kyoto, they do so in groups, and as a tourist, you&rsquo;re unlikely to see them in action.&nbsp;
The Geiko and Maiko live in okiya (boarding) houses, which you can find in the Gion district (these houses are easily spotted by the wooden nameplates over the door of each Geiko and Maiko living in that house). There are estimated to only be 100-150 Geiko practicing in Kyoto, a real decline in from their peak population of <a href="https://www.toki.tokyo/blogt/2016/8/2/the-history-of-geisha-in-japanese-culture">80,000 in the 1920s</a>.
FYI, If you&rsquo;re lucky enough to see a Geiko or Maiko walking around, it&rsquo;s best to admire them from a distance, and put your phone away. There has been backlash in recent years of tourists taking unsolicited photos of Geiko and Maiko on the streets of Gion.&nbsp;
If you&rsquo;d like to learn more, the newly opened <a href="https://gion-museum.com/en/">Gion Kagai Art Museum</a> is your best bet. You&rsquo;ll find out all about the many years of training these women go through, see different clothing items worn during performances (including beautiful kimonos), watch videos of real-life Geiko speaking about their lives and explaining the art from their own perspective.&nbsp;
You can also pay to watch a 15-minute performance with a practicing Geiko and Maiko, which I can highly, highly recommend. Admission is 3,100 JPY (or about &pound;15/&euro;18/$20). &nbsp;

If you're looking for Geiko or Maiko on the street, you'll see lots of visitors dressed up in the typical dresses, taking photos at temples and on the street, so don't be fooled. In the wise words of my tour guide, &ldquo;if you have to ask yourself &lsquo;is that a real Geiko?&rsquo;, they definitely aren&rsquo;t&rdquo;.

Larissa's Pro Tip

<h2 dir="ltr">Kabuki Theater</h2>
Kabuki Theater is another performance art that has become famous across Japan and the world. The performers wear masks and perform scenes of moral conflicts, traditions, and Japanese legends.&nbsp;
Plays are usually around 3&ndash;4 hours long and don&rsquo;t have English subtitles or audio guides, so they're not as accessible as other performances you may be used to. If you&rsquo;d like to get a taste of a show but don&rsquo;t want to sit through a whole play, buy a &lsquo;Single Act&rsquo; seat, which is usually only 30 minutes. 
If you&rsquo;d like to see one, your best bet is to go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kabukiweb.net/theatres/minamiza/">Minamiza Theatre</a> in the Gion district.

<h2 dir="ltr">Useful links</h2>
If you'd like my top apps and websites to use on your trip to Kyoto, check out my guide to <a href="https://members.jacksflightclub.com/articles/jfcs-guide-to-tokyo">Tokyo</a>.&nbsp;

Japan

Tokyo in $620s RT

Tokyo in $750s-$820s RT

Tokyo in $950s RT

Okinawa Island, Japan in $960s-$1030s RT

Japan in $900s-$970s RT

Hiroshima, Japan at $742 RT

Where to go in Japan: Beyond the Golden Triangle

A Taste of Island Life in British Columbia & a DIY Pan-Asian Adventure

Silk Road to Sakura: A Choose-Your-Own Adventure

Our Ultimate Carry-On Backpacks & Respectful Dressing On Board

Celebrating Souls Around the Globe

Jack's Guide to: Kyoto

Postcard from Bettina

Postcard from The Bedlam Bride

Postcard from Dan

Postcard from Jesslyn

Postcard from Skott

Postcard from Kevin