We all have funny travel habits, n’est-ce pas? Things we somehow decide are necessary to do when far away from home.

One of my habits is confirming, often multiple times, that I am, indeed, about to step aboard the proper train. Most of the time, this works a treat and all is jolly as I board [...]

The other funny thing about the whole driving on the left thing in Japan was figuring out which side of the sidewalk to occupy while strolling down the avenue.

This isn’t something that has ever even occurred to me when visiting the UK. Leaving me to suspect it was not the opposite side driving, but in [...]

One of the most unexpected things about Japan…realizing they drive on the left.

Oh, I’m sure I read that in some of the literature before hopping on the plane. I must have. Because, among other things, I contemplated renting a car to explore the Noto Peninsula. I put the kibosh on that idea for many reasons, [...]

Oh so close we must now be. I feel a Prince hotel in my near future.

Have you ever tried to gesticulate the concept: turn left ahead and drive a few hundred yards? It worked, but not due to my prodigious communication skills. Forward and a left was the only possible way to go.

The driver restarted [...]

When we first got into the cab, it was clear our driver was fuzzy on the particulars of where to find our hotel. It turns out that few Tokyo cab drivers have a great grasp of their city.

No surprise.

The city is huge, with something like 23 wards, more than 12 million people, and if you [...]

As we got into the taxi, it felt like a mistake. The kind of mistake that would end up taking extra time and probably money. It didn’t feel like the kind of mistake that would take our lives.

So, as the taxi driver turned left across the very large intersection and we suddenly found ourselves facing [...]