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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Shiogama Day Trip Guide: Best Things to Do, Sake Tasting & Access from Sendai
Plan your Miyagi itinerary with this ultimate Shiogama travel guide. Discover top things to do, historic Shinto shrines, legendary sake breweries, and easy train access from Sendai without a car.
Fukushima Station Sightseeing: No Car Needed! 7 Great Spots Accessible on Foot and by Public Transport
Discover 7 fantastic sightseeing spots around JR Fukushima Station that you can easily reach without a car, using just trains, buses, and your own two feet. From historic shrines and castle ruins to retro streets, museums, and hot springs, find practical access info and travel inspiration for your next trip.
Nihonmatsu on Foot: A Day-Trip Sake Brewery & Castle Itinerary from Koriyama to Fukushima
Discover Nihonmatsu, Fukushima with this walking and public transport model course. Explore historic sake breweries, castle ruins, and head towards Fukushima Station.
Ouchijuku Half-Day Itinerary from Aizu-Wakamatsu: Top Highlights and Travel Guide
Discover Ouchijuku on a half-day trip from Aizu-Wakamatsu! Explore the historic post town in a logical walking sequence, including the overlook, exhibition hall, and shrine, alongside public transport guidance.
Aizuwakamatsu Walking Guide: Top 8 Attractions from JR Station & Access from Tokyo
Discover the best sights in Aizuwakamatsu on foot from the station! Explore Tsuruga Castle, Sazaedo, Nanukamachi Street, and top spots with our complete walking guide, access from Tokyo, and local travel tips.
Hidden Sake Paradises: Best Station Bars and Kakuuchi Spots in Tohoku
Planning a Tohoku travel itinerary? Discover the ultimate 2-week guide to Northeast Japan’s best sake, station bars, and Kakuuchi spots without needing a car.
Tachinumi Guide in Tokyo and Osaka: Navigating the Best Standing Bars and Yokocho Alleys
Want to experience real Japanese nightlife? Discover the best Tachinumi standing bars and yokocho alleyways in Tokyo and Osaka, from Shimbashi to Ura-Namba.
What is Tachinumi? Why Japan’s Standing Bars Are the Ultimate Travel Trend (and Why It’s Not Bad Manners)
Planning a Japan trip? Discover the booming trend of Tachinumi (Japanese standing bars and standing-and-drinking culture) in Tokyo and Osaka, and why it’s not bad manners.

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!

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