First few weeks of our Japan trip were fantastic. Despite some minor confusion over our visa length on entry, we had a great start in Sapporo, with nice weather and friendly people.

We've been going over the pros and cons of the current route, and have decided that the V-shaped travel route is not our best option.

Instead, we're going to jump from Hokkaido to Okinawa, and head back up from there!

As I wrote about in February, Ash and I are traveling to Japan for three months (May → August). It's a trip I've always wanted to take, and since I'm between work engagements I've been taking some time to prepare.

Three months is a long time to spend in a country you've never visited, and I'm going to go over a few ways we've been preparing.

I've been fascinated by Japan since I was a teenager. Thanks to Hayao Miyazaki (among others) the food, landscape, and architecture all exist in some dreamy, liminal space in my mind alongside wood sprites and lost civilizations.

Maybe it sounds daft, but the idea of actually visiting the country always seemed like it would break the spell somehow? Like anywhere, Japan has crime, social problems, bad weather, and if I go, me.