Mai and Chris Travel | Explore Japan & Beyond with Us!

Welcome to our independent travel platform! We are a cross-cultural couple (Japanese & British) exploring the world at a unhurried, authentic pace. We skip the generic tourist traps to bring you 100% first-hand travel guides, practical transport logistics, budget hacks, and deep-dive itineraries.

Whether you are navigating regional train lines across Japan, searching for historic sake breweries, or planning your next slow-travel backpacking adventure, our guides are built on real experiences(visited more than 100 countries), honest budget breakdowns, and practical transit survival tips.

Upcoming & Ongoing Journeys

Follow our real-time tracks as we pack our backpacks and explore on the ground.

September 2026: 13-Day Northeast Japan (Tohoku) Sake Brewery & Backpacking Tour

We are hitting the rails! Starting from Tokyo, we are navigating through Fukushima, Miyagi, Iwate, Aomori, Akita, and Yamagata using local train lines and regional buses. Follow our daily updates as we explore historic castle towns, hidden hot springs, and regional boutique sake breweries.

Winter 2026 – Spring 2027: 6-Month Southeast Asia Overland Expedition

Preparing for our major six-month journey across Southeast Asia. We will be sharing step-by-step overland border crossings, local budget eats, slow travel transport routes, and accommodation reviews across the region.

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Latest Articles

Bela Mori Homestay Review: Food, Accommodation and Snorkelling on Kepa Island, Alor
Planning a snorkelling trip to Alor, Indonesia? Read my review of Bela Mori Homestay on Kepa Island, including the 2026 price, excellent home-cooked meals, shared facilities and boat trips to nearby snorkelling spots.
Snorkelling in Alor, Indonesia: Coral Reefs, Marine Life and Our Experiences
Discover snorkelling in Alor, Indonesia, with real experiences from Kepa, Ternate, Pura and beyond. Read about coral reefs, visibility, currents and marine life.
Kupang to Alor (Kalabahi) by PELNI Wilis: Our Overnight Ferry Experience
Travelling from Kupang to Alor by PELNI Wilis? Our real experience covers booking, online check-in, QR codes, Tenau Port, Economy Class, private cabins, meals and arriving in Kalabahi at night.
Hotel Melati Kalabahi Review: A Convenient Hotel Just 3 Minutes from the Pelni Port
Our Hotel Melati Kalabahi review after arriving in Alor by Pelni ferry. See what the VIP twin room was like, how the hotel handled our 2am arrival, breakfast, and why its location near the port was so useful.
Sahid T-More Hotel Kupang Review: Free Airport Transfer and Spacious Rooms
Our Sahid T-More Hotel Kupang review covers the free airport transfer, spacious double room, hot shower, outdoor pool, friendly staff and nearby shops and restaurants.
Kupang Travel Guide: What We Did During a 2-Night Transit Stay
We spent two nights in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, as a transit stop before taking the Pelni ship to Alor. Here is how we explored the city, from Naikoten Traditional Market and NTT Regional Museum to local food.
Flying from Bajawa to Kupang with Wings Air
We flew from Bajawa to Kupang with Wings Air on flight IW1926. Here is our real experience, including carry-on baggage limits, rescheduling, check-in and actual flight times.
Bajawa Travel Guide: Bena and Gurusina Traditional Villages by Scooter
Explore Bajawa, Flores, in two nights by scooter, including Bena and Gurusina Traditional Villages, entrance fees, road conditions, ikat weaving, food and accommodation.
How to Get from Ruteng to Bajawa by Travel Taxi | Our Experience
Travelling from Ruteng to Bajawa by Travel taxi in Flores, Indonesia. Our experience, including fares, booking, pick-up, journey time, seating and road conditions.
Marcelino Homestay Bajawa Review: A Comfortable and Friendly Place to Stay in Flores
Our honest review of Marcelino Homestay in Bajawa, Flores. Find out about the clean rooms, hot showers, breakfast, motorbike rental, price and very friendly owners.

About Mai & Chris

In Laos

Hi! We’re Mai from Japan and Chris from the UK. We travel independently and share practical travel guides, detailed itineraries and honest advice based on our own experiences to help you plan memorable trips— especially if you’re planning your first trip to Japan.

For more information please click the links below!

➡ Our Travel History Together

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