The Journal
Stories from the long way round.
Field notes, route guides and honest essays from travellers spending a year — or a lifetime — circling the world.
6 results found
Planning a Year Around the World: The Honest Guide
Budgets, routes, visas, vaccines and the small choices that make a 12-month trip feel effortless rather than chaotic.
12 January 2026 · 9 min read
Is the Japan Rail Pass Still Worth It in 2026?
After the 2023 price hike, the math changed. Here is when the JR Pass still pays off and when it does not.
19 March 2026 · 5 min
Kyoto on a Budget: Temples, Tea and 500-Yen Lunches
Japan's ancient capital has a reputation for expense. Locals know better — here is how to do Kyoto for less than 60 euros a day.
14 March 2026 · 7 min
Hokkaido: Japan's Wild North by Car and Onsen
Volcanoes, drifting ice, and the best seafood in Japan — a one-week loop through the island Tokyo forgot.
19 May 2026 · 8 min
Palawan: Island-Hopping the Philippines' Last Frontier
El Nido's lagoons, Coron WWII wrecks and the underground river — planning a week on the world's best island.
2 June 2026 · 8 min
Asia for First-Timers: Where to Start and What to Skip
Thailand or Vietnam? Japan or India? The honest starter guide to picking your first Asian adventure.
14 July 2026 · 8 min
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