I first traveled to Japan 30 years ago and was instantly captivated. Within a year, I’d moved to Japan and ended up staying for five years, living in Hiroshima and Kobe. I did a master's in Japanese language while I was in Japan, and also got married.
I travel to Japan frequently, usually staying in Kyoto, where my wife is from. I have a real passion for Japan. I’m in love with the food, the language, and the people. I also enjoy exploring the futuristic megacities of Tokyo and Osaka and wandering through the temple districts of Kyoto.
Q&A with Vernon
Your best piece of travel advice?
I like to stay in the moment as much as I can. It’s often the small details that stay with me as much as the big-ticket items, the fleeting glimpse of a stunning view from the window of a train, so easily missed and so precious.
What's your most vivid travel moment?
On my last trip to Japan, I visited Meiji Jingu in Tokyo. It’s a major Shinto shrine surrounded by dense woodland in the middle of Tokyo. As I passed through the huge Torii gate, I was instantly transported from a bustling 21st-century city into a silent and mysterious forest. It was a perfect example of the contrast between modern and ancient at the heart of Japanese culture.
Where would you love to travel next?
Okinawa, I’m keen to explore this subtropical Japanese paradise with its distinct language and culture.