Talk Japan: Embark on a virtual travel adventure
Miss travelling? Satisfy your wanderlust with Walk Japan’s new online series to your next travel destination
Text: Tiff H
Travel and holidays are something we are all missing right now, but there is a way to temporarily satiate wanderlust — through virtual travel. Yes, we get that it’s not (um, anywhere near) the same, but hear us out. Walk Japan is a pioneer of luxury travel walking tours, taking small groups to the untouched corners of Japan. As a bid to help us to continue to explore their fascinating country, they’ve launched a new series of virtual travel tours, Talk Japan, so you can still visit Japan and get off the beaten path.
These engaging talks provide an opportunity to explore and connect with Japan from the comfort of your home and you can register on their website for free. While they may not physically take us on treks through the rolling hills of Kunisaki or the snowy peaks of Hokkaido, they do provide in-depth insights into Japan’s history, culture and society.
Whether you’re looking to travel with Walk Japan in the future or are simply interested in the wonders of this incredible country, join for a virtual experience. Here are some upcoming talks for March and April.
Water Matters: ‘How I grow rice in my village’
Japan is not known for a wealth of natural resources but water is abundant across the nation. This is most obvious sign is when the rice paddies are flooded in the spring with each field shimmering with reflections of sunrises, sunsets and the surrounding countryside. Steaming bowls of white rice are ubiquitous in Japanese cuisine and invariably appear at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Rice is also transformed into a plethora of other products including senbei crackers, mochi cakes and, of course, sake.
Given its abundance, rice may seem like a straightforward crop to grow. However, in his talk, virtual travel tour leader Takuya Ugajin guides us through the dedicated year-round process of manipulating the huge volume of water he needs to grow his rice in Nagano Prefecture. Takuya also introduces the intriguing role that water played in forming Japanese Shinto beliefs and shrines.
11th March 2021 11am JST
‘What I think about Ueno when I think about Ueno’
Tokyo’s Ueno Park is a top spot for ohanami, the Japanese celebratory spring picnics held under the full-bloom of sakura cherry trees each year. Ohanami are highly anticipated by all Japanese, and are all-the-fun despite sometimes being raucous social occasions. In Ueno, however, the ground beneath the party-goers feet saw a dramatic unfolding of events in the late 19th Century.
Professor Bill Steele reveals in his virtual travel tour how Ueno Park became a battlefield during the Boshin War (1868-69). He describes the turmoil and ferment of the age and introduces the heroic winners and losers, who are fondly remembered to this day in Japan and commemorated with statues in the park.
1st April 2021 11am JST
‘Read before you drink: unlocking the secrets of your sake bottle’
Walk Japan tour leader and head researcher for the Sake Industry News newsletter, Shima san brings her sake expertise to her virtual talk on Japan’s libation to the gods. Shima san delves into the options of sake available, introducing us to grading and qualities, subtleties of flavour, and regional varieties. She also provides practical tips on how to choose a sake to accompany different occasions and menus, and how to just simply imbibe for the pleasure of Japan’s most unique beverage.
22nd April 2021 11am JST
To join Talk Japan events register on their website, and complete the form. Talks will also be recorded and made available for viewing at a later date.
About Walk Japan
National Geographic has described Walk Japan as “one of the 200 Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth”. The company leads the way in providing the most fulfilling and enjoyable tours available in Japan. Walk Japan has an unrivalled range of regular, scheduled tours for Japan and is researching more for the future. It also creates and runs private, custom tours tailored to customers’ particular interests. These include private tours for families, friends, societies, companies and schools.
