The bright lights of Japan’s capital entice many visitors to the most famous spots, but when in Tokyo it’s best to do as locals do and explore the city’s lesser-known neighbourhoods.

Spanning the length of 3 prefectures, the Japanese Alps are full of natural beauty. From snow monkeys and sacred forests to thatched-roofed villages and more, here’s how to experience it at its best.

If you’re anything like me, then after your first trip to Japan, you’ll probably be reassessing your life and thinking about how you can return to spend longer in the country.

From design hotels and creative living spaces to art islands and floating tea houses, Japan has so many unique places to experience art and architecture.

A world class museum doubles up as a hotel, cutting edge modern art flows along the coastline, and disused buildings are transformed into pop-up galleries.

Once a quiet residential suburb, Nakameguro is a neighbourhood that has reinvented itself over the years.

What most people miss when planning a first time itinerary to Tokyo, is the wealth of day trips on offer on the outskirts of the city.