Emma Frances

8 Jobs You Can Do On a Working Holiday in Japan Without Speaking Japanese

December 6, 2018

Japanese temple dusted with snow

Every Brit knows about working holidays in Australia. But did you know that you can do a working holiday in Japan? Every year, almost ten thousand people visit Japan for a working holiday.

Working abroad is a fantastic way to (more…)

Lake Biwa (琵琶湖) Omimaiko Beach and Floating Torii at Shirahige Shrine

October 9, 2018
A white sand beach next to a lake. A plant with yellow flowers in the bottom left hand corner

Omimaiko Beach at Lake Biwa

After spending a few days in Kyoto, exploring the city and visiting the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine, the temperature was beginning to climb. Kyoto is a uniquely beautiful city that doesn’t really feel like a city. Even so, I was craving (more…)

Nara Park (奈良公園) Japan – Deer Cookies, Temples and Socks

September 21, 2018

At the centre of this ancient capital of Japan lies Nara Park (奈良公園); a wide open space filled with temples, shrines, museums and galleries.

And a lot of souvenir stands.

The most famous landmark in Nara is Todaiji Temple (東大寺) . But Nara Park is perhaps most famous for its resident deer (more…)

Swimming With Dolphins at Mikura-jima (御蔵島)

June 29, 2018

swimming with dolphins at Mikura-jima

(The kind of image I might have got if my camera hadn’t malfunctioned)

Swimming with dolphins at Mikura-jima (御蔵島) was a bucket list moment for me.

Not that I have an actual list. But if I did, I’m pretty sure swimming with dolphins would be at the top.

It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was small.

I love the ocean. I love cetaceans (dolphins, whales and porpoises). But I had one problem. (more…)

Miyake-jima (三宅島) – Life on the Edge of a Volcano

June 2, 2018
miyake-jima

Arriving at the harbour on Miyake-jima

Our next stop in the Izu Islands was Miyake-jima (三宅島).

The volcano here is very much active.

Oyama has erupted several times throughout the 20th century. Consequently, the island had to be (more…)

Hachijo-jima (八丈島) How Not to Climb a Volcano

May 30, 2018
Views of Hachijo-jima from the ferry

Views of Hachijo-jima from the ferry

I must confess that my (very limited) planning of this trip went something along the lines of this:

Aogashima looks cool, let’s book a flight and see what happens! …and someone said something about dolphins?!”

Hachijo-jima (八丈島) sadly was completely overlooked.

I admit it. In my excitement, I viewed Hachijo-jima as nothing more than a stepping stone to my beloved (more…)

Aogashima (青ヶ島) – A Tiny Volcanic Island 350km South of Tokyo

May 27, 2018
Aogashima viewed from the ferry

The silhouette of Aogashima

I have always felt most at home in places where the land meets the ocean.

I am irresistibly drawn to tiny islands.

There’s something about the colliding of two worlds; a tiny (more…)