#japan-travel

#japan-travel

This year, I finally fulfilled my dream of visiting Japan, spending a week in the country with two friends. About a month before, I purchased a round-trip ticket from New York City to Tokyo for $1,000. We chose to visit in early December - the month isn't as popular with tourists, and we hoped to catch the tail end of the area's peak fall foliage.

When people don't give grace to their fellow passengers, it drives me nuts. When I see somebody traveling with a young kid, and they're not only worried about their baby's experience of this flight and trying to make sure that it's a good memory for them, but also then having to worry about the adult the row over who is huffing and puffing and rolling their eyes? Have some grace!

Book an international flight from Europe to Japan, in economy class, before Saturday 31 January with ANA, and benefit from a stopover of 24 hours or more in Tokyo before heading onto lesser-visited territory on a domestic flight at no extra cost. The offer applies to economy class only and, while the airfare is free, taxes and other fees may apply.

When the Grand Sumo Tournament arrived in London this October, the city reacted as if a global pop star had touched down. For five days, the Royal Albert Hall transformed into a dohyō (sumo ring), alive with roaring crowds. It was a collision of worlds: ancient Japanese ritual unfolding in a Victorian concert hall usually reserved for symphony orchestras. Sumo's first visit to London in 34 years sparked an electric response.