THE GREAT INDOORS: FROM SOFA TO… JAPAN

Our brand new series, The Great Indoors, is now in its first season. This is the Land of the Rising Sun.

Maybe you had hoped to enjoy a picnic under the cherry blossoms in April or win tickets to an Olympic sporting event this summer. COVID-19 was a blow to those who were eager to explore Tokyo’s neon lights and eat our way through Osaka.

Fear not! This is the ultimate list to help you travel to Japan from your own home. Although it may not be a temple, you can make it one. For now, you don’t need a passport. All you need is WiFi.

VIA YOUTUBE, VISIT A MAGICAL LIGHT INSTALLATION

This digital art museum is a masterpiece. The TeamLab Borderless Exhibit is a must-see next time you’re in Tokyo. You can still visit the TeamLab Borderless Exhibit. Legends have created an immersive experience that you can access online. For the best experience, you should view it on a large screen such as your TV. Turn the lights down to enjoy the experience. You can also add a glass of sake to the mix (we won’t tell if it doesn’t).

GET YOUR OWN HANAMI RIGHT AT HOME

Hanami’s are Japanese cherry blossom viewing parties. You can make some Japanese treats ( see our okonomiyaki recipe), grab someone you live with, or host a Zoom Call and hold your viewing party in the garden. You might feel like you’re in Tokyo if you have these cherry bloom archives next to your computer.

LEARN BUDDHIST MEDITATION

The Taizo-in Zen Buddhist Temple’s head priest is offering online Zazen classes. You can grab some headphones to block out the noise and join them for some meditation at your home. This meditation practice can help you if you have struggled with being trapped.

TAKE A DIP WITH THE FAMOUS SKY MONKEYS!

It may be heating up in the UK (who would have thought lockdown could look great without pub gardens? ), but it is cooling down in Aus. You can fill your tub with water, add bubbles, and enjoy a soak while these adorable monkeys bathe at Nagano’s hot springs. This video captures them taking a dip in the cold water to warm up. It might be our favorite animal video of 2020. We don’t blame them. After a long day on the Japanese slopes, there is nothing more satisfying than a relaxing evening on the onsen.

LEARN THE JAPANESE RETIRE TO LONG, HAPPY LIFE

To save paper, grab a copy of Ikigai. You can get it on Kindle and Audible. Find out why Okinawa, Japan, has the highest number of people over 100 years old. Ikigai, a Japanese concept, reveals the secrets of happiness and longevity in our lives. How do we sign up??

LEARN JAPANESE ON DUOLINGO

Learning the language is the best way to immerse oneself in another country. This app is free and will help you understand Japanese.

NETFLIX – EAT VICARIOUSLY

Our street food tours in the Dotonbori district of Osaka have been canceled. As always, our favorite streaming service is available. You can find season 1 episode 2 on Netflix. We are confident that the okonomiyaki will get you booked for your Japan trip after the corona.

CROSS THE BUSIEST PEDESTRIAN CROSSING IN THE WORLD (WITHOUT THE PERSONS)

Sounds like a contradiction, doesn’t it? This loophole may be a solution. This live stream shows Shibuya Scramble. Social distancing makes it less strenuous and more amble. But you will never see it again. Instead of scrolling through the ‘gram, spend 15 minutes gazing at the lights change instead. It’s more rewarding than you might think.

There you go! You can have an immersive experience right in your own home. We are sure that we will soon be enjoying The Great Indoors. You don’t have to stay at home forever. Get involved and feed your travel inspiration while waiting for the borders to reopen.