Northeast Asia

Destination guide

Tokyo

The Viking ship the Yi Dun docked in Shanghai.

Cruises

Asia’s imminent cruise boom is great news for Aussies

Asia tantalises with long coastlines, culture-dense cities and fabulous archipelagos. Now the cruise focus has finally turned towards this under-cruised continent.

by Brian Johnston

I did not expect Tokyo’s Haneda airport to offer the worst airport experience I’ve had for a long time.

Opinion

Air travel

A Tokyo airport delivered my worst travel experience in a long time

The Japanese have traditionally been known for their organisation and politeness. How could it go so wrong?

by Lee Tulloch

The National Palace Museum – the largest collection of Chinese art. And excellent museum shops.

Culture holidays

The world’s biggest collection of Chinese cultural objects isn’t in China

The collection spans a wide range of art forms and thousands of years of history. Every exhibit is a wonder.

by Brian Johnston

Things have changed when it comes to payment methods in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Savvy traveller

Thank COVID for making one aspect of travelling in Japan much easier

Until recently Japan was still a very much cash-only society, where even restaurant bills of hundreds of dollars would have to be settled with cold, hard currency.

by Ben Groundwater

Tokyo

Japan’s toilets are amazing, but Tokyo’s public loos are next level

Public bathrooms aren’t usually stars of travel itineraries, but The Tokyo Toilet scheme’s facilities deserve to be.

by Lee Tran Lam

★★★½

Hotel reviews

A relaxed haven in the heart of Tokyo’s most vibrant neighbourhood

When you imagine what Tokyo is like, there’s a good chance you’re thinking of this location. This new hotel offers respite from the hustle and bustle.