iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 02/10/2026

We passed this park on the way to Hamarikyu Gardens and decided to pop in and we had the entire place to ourselves! Japanese gardens are lovely and the contrast with the city behind was particularly striking This is the Kyū Shiba-rikyū Gardens and it was a lovely little moment of solitude in Tokyo

Erin standing on a bridge looking out over a lake with some traditional Japanese gardens behind which in turn lead into the cityscape of Tokyo large buildings

020

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 01/10/2026

Tokyo Disney Resort introduces a range of cooling options in the heat of the Tokyo summer. This year it was Baymax's Mission Cool Down Parade with these trucks that soak the crowd. The water cannons on these things are intense—a 50m+ radius I reckon—and I would say mission accomplished, frankly.

Erin and I in front of the Baymax Get Soaked Max Plus water cannons which are currently firing at full force. We are, naturally, soaking wet.

000

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 29/09/2026

Splash Mountain gets an upgrade during the summer, where it becomes Splash Mountain Get Soaked Max Plus (yep, really). The Get Soaked Max Plus comes in the form of array of water cannons that are shot directly at you at the bottom of the mountain. They are...effective. #Tokyo #Disneyland

A photo of me outside Splash Mountain at Tokyo Disneyland. I am wearing a blue shirt and it is clear that I am soaked from my shoulders down. I am looking...less than pleased about it!

110

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 24/09/2026

This was a super fun one—canoe trip in Hokkaido down the Kushiro river. At this point we had stopped and our guide had brought out chairs and a table and was serving us tea on coasters with a li'l treasure chest that had a homemade sweet in it! Just absolutely delightful #Hokkaido #Japan #canoe

Erin and I holding up our li'l cups by a coffee table that had been set up in the dang river. Our feet are in the water and there's coasters and a framed sign telling us about the homemade sweet. The double canoe we were in is in the background.

000

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 23/09/2026

#Disney are doing some absolutely wild things with drones right now! You can get a sense of the scale from the fact that's a WHOLE DANG CASTLE underneath. This is at Tokyo Disneyland, but the new Adventure World in Paris also has an amazing drone show (when the wind doesn't shut it down).

Drones spelling out Reach for the Stars above the princess castle at Tokyo Disneyland

000

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 20/09/2026

Since we're back on the topic, I feel like the Corkestra deserves a second look because sat in the enterance of a Cheese Factory in Hokkaido is one of the greatest pieces of human art ever created. #Japan #Hokkaido #art #nobutreallylookatthis

OK so this is 45 or so little cork characters arranged as an orchestra with little instruments and there's a conductor. Their hair is all made up of different forest detritus like acorn tops and pine cones and little seeds. They all have different expressions too. Very tiny. Very detailed.

131

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 18/09/2026

Continuing the on-again-off-again theme of cool li'l dioramas at the entrances of Japanese businesses, here we have a bear carving at our hotel in Biei! I'm not sure if the trinkets in front of them are the bear's personal collection or offerings made to it for a bear-free summer. #Hokkaido

A bear carving outside our hotel in Biei, Hokkaido. They're quite an angular beast and they're sitting on a log with a collection of trinkets in front of them, mostly pinecones and some sort of rusted container. Next to them is a metal pot on a log, for some reason.

011

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 17/09/2026

These are the jumping Salmon at Sakura Falls trying to get back to a breeding ground upstream. We were here for like 20 minutes and not a single one made it in that time. And they were trying so hard, bless their li'l hearts! #Hokkaido #salmon #wildlife

A roaring white-water waterfall with green vegetation above and below. In the middle are two salmon in mid air trying their bestest to get up the top but it's clear neither of them will manage it this time.

010

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 16/09/2026

The reason the top half of Tokyo Tower in this here pic wasn't lit was because it was a full moon evening! They leave the top lights off so you can appreciate the moon and that is quite lovely of them (I mean, there are a lot of other lights nearby but, still, it's a nice gesture) #Tokyo #Japan

A view from the one of the feet of Tokyo Tower looking up. It looks otherworldly bathed in a purple and red light, with rows of even blue lights dotted on the structure until half way up, at which point it is just the rest of the tower reaching into the dark blue sky

010

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 10/09/2026

The hike to Momijidaki Falls in Sounkyo, Hokkaido is short but the reward is this stunning and dramatic waterfall! I loved this one in particular and went back a second time to record a short video which we will hopefully have out soon. #Momijidaki #Hokkaido #Japan

Erin in the foreground with her back to us as she stares at a roaring waterfall. In the middleground are the huge tree trunks that have fallen down these falls and gotten caught on the rocks. There are some other trunks that are caught half way down, reminding us that these falls are not to be messed with!

010

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 09/09/2026

A view of Lake Kussharo, Hokkaido on the drive in. We stayed here for 5 nights of canoeing, hiking, and natural onsens which, conveniently, you can read all about here: buff.ly/EPPBYsl #TravelBlogShare #TravelBloggersCommunity

A view of Lake Kussharo from high up, looking down across undulating hills of trees before hitting the water, which is surrounding a large green island in the middle. It's partly cloudy but it all looks very warm and rugged and tranquil.

020

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 08/09/2026

Sunayu on Lake Kussharo is where the hot springs meet the lake edge. We dug a li'l hole in the sand to make our own warm foot bath but Erin was also excited by these lupins and that's because flowers are cool. #Kussharo #Hokkaido #Japan

Erin sitting on sand with her feet in the water (which is warm, although you can't tell that from the picture). She is staring out to the lake and the sun is shining top right.

Some lupins up close and sharp in the foreground with a blurry lake in the background.

000

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 01/09/2026

Kamakura is our new favourite city in Japan! Hydrangea season is a great, if busy, time to go but we have the best ways to make the most of it in our guide: buff.ly/755DbPr #TravelBlogShare #TravelBloggersCommunity

A close up of blue hydrangeas in full bloom

030

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 28/08/2026

A panorama from the summit of Mt Mashu, overlooking the pristine Lake Mashu. Apparently it's shrouded in fog 85% of the time so we were super lucky to get such an amazing day!

There is a mountain in the foreground and the lake circles around it in the background. The mountain is covered in trees except for one side which is bare rock. The lake is a deep blue and there is a small beach to the right hand side

010

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 27/08/2026

One of the fun things about Japan is that places have displays set up (c.f.: last week's Corkestra) and our hotels had them to varying degrees. The one at the Sounkyo Onsen Canyon Choyo Resort is for the long-tailed tits. It's the Bird of Hokkaido probs because these li'l friends are legit adorbs!

Me standing in front of the Shimaenaga display at the hotel. There are around two dozen cute round white fluffy birds of varying sizes on a tree branch above and to either side of me. There are also other cute, squidgy animals in the mix.

100

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 27/08/2026

We visited Naoshima in 2019 and got to see Kusama’s pumpkins and they were so big and fun and whimsical and unique and we need more of that kind of energy, not less. Three absolute icons in one week. Sad times.

Kusuma’s iconic yellow polka dot pumpkin sits on the pier at Naoshima island

020

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 25/08/2026

There are bears in Hokkaido so when you head out hiking, it's a good idea to take a bell so at the very least they can hear you coming and (hopefully) leave you alone. This was ours. I'd be lying if I said I was considering effectiveness over cuteness when choosing this bear bell.

100

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 21/08/2026

Keeping with the Buddha theme, we met the big chap at Hare-Desa, Kamakura.

This is the Big Buddha, which is a giant blue-tinged statue with its eyes closed in a prayer pose. In front of it is a small basket of hydrangeas.

001

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 20/08/2026

Hydrangea season is big in Kamakura, and we found this little chap at the Meigetsu-in temple. While he may look peaceful, the rest of the temple was not! Queuing early was essential but even then the crowds got a little overwhelming.

A small stone statue of a Buddhist monk with his eyes closed holding a bowl full of bright blue hydrangeas. In the background are lush green bushes.

100

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 19/08/2026

OMG OMG CHECK OUT THE CORKESTRA We found this just sitting in the entrance at the Furano Cheese Factory, Hokkaido, Japan and oh my heart! Look at all the tiny little instruments! And the HAIR! I like the drummer lost in it's little world, although angry violinist in the front row is also fun.

001

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 18/08/2026

More flowers, this time it's where the daisies meet the catmint at the Panoramic Flower Gardens, Shikisai-no-oka, Hokkaido. We really got into flowers on this trip.

On the left is a sea of daisies and on the right is a sea of catmint and they meet bang in the middle, creating this contrasting effect.

100

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 14/08/2026

Look how colouful they are! And also the flowers! At the Panoramic Flower Gardens Shikisai-no-oka, Hokkaido.

Erin and I standing in front of fields of brightly coloured flowers. We look like we're having a nice time and my arm holding my phone is in the reflection of Erin's sunglasses which I probably should have noticed sooner

100

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 13/08/2026

Erin in the flowers at the Panoramic Flower Gardens Shikisai-no-oka, Hokkaido. We went back to this place twice, cause it's nice to wander around fields of brightly coloured flowers with mountains in the background.

In the foreground is a sea of catmint (or lavender, but pretty sure it's catmint) and then a tiny Erin walking in front a bunch of tall trees

220

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 12/08/2026

The Hydrangeas of Kamakura. Hydrangea season is a beautiful, if busy, time to go—for all the details, check out Erin's latest post: www.neverendingvoyage.com/kamakura-jap... (She's better at details as I'm more the big picture guy (except in this case (because it's a close up)))

000

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 11/08/2026

At Panoramic Flower Gardens, Shikisai-no-oka, Hokkaido with Roru-chan and Roru-kun (I think—my Japanese is intermediate at best).

I am standing between two 12 foot mascots made of round hay bales with the top bale turned to its side and with faces plastered on them. One has a bow and rosy cheeks.

000

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 09/08/2026

A mascot for every occasion here in Japan. This li'l fella is the Popura Farm mascot, famous for their melon and soft serve (also known as a Santa's Beard, hence the giant Santa).

A bright yellow and magenta sign with a santa mascot. He has a melon on his head and then a santa hat on top of that, literally putting a hat on an hat.

Erin is in the background having been caught in that slightly unflattering moment just after taking a big bite of ice cream.

A random giant santa clause statue at a roadside attraction in Hokkaido

000

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 02/08/2026

My 6 year old nephew gets very excited by vehicles. Kids are so silly. At Farm Tomita, Hokkaido. (If I did have a need for a tractor, which I do now, it would need to be purple.)

010

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 30/07/2026

A row of catmint at the quite spectacular Panoramic Flower Gardens, Shikisai-no-oka, Hokkaido.

000

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 29/07/2026

In Haneda airport, Tokyo, I found these random display cases of vintage goods, including these cool retro radios and these somewhat discomfiting dolls.

000

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 23/07/2026

At Disney, animals fall into two categories: 1. They speak; or 2. They are good dogs Exhibit #3668: Baby Reindeer

A picture from the Frozen ride at Tokyo DisneySea, where a girl is keeping a carrot away from a baby reindeer, which is lowering itself in that way playful that dogs do just before they jump up and go running around.

000

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 22/07/2026

Enjoying one of the Tokyo DisneySea special anniversary lime beverages at Zambini Brothers' Ristorante, overlooking the Mysterious Island volcano. 2026 is Tokyo DisneySea's 25th anniversary and the colour of this particular sparkling jubilee, hence the colour.

I am holding up an unnaturally coloured beverage in front of a blurry volcano. There is a picture of Mickey Mouse in a top hat and coat looking particularly Victorian on the plastic cup.

110

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 21/07/2026

We rode Aquatopia at Tokyo DisneySea for the last ever time. It walked so that the Beauty and the Beast ride at Tokyo Disneyland could run (and spin and rock). Weird spinny water ride, we salute you 🫡

A photo of the stylised Art Deco-style poster for Aquatopia in Port Discovery. It's a top down view of lots of cars and riders in the lake surrounded by a whirlpool, fountains, and rocks.

010

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 17/07/2026

This week has been all about the Tokyo Disneyland, but we also have a great two-parks-in-one-day itinerary for Disneyland Paris that has been updated to include the new Disney Adventure World: www.neverendingvoyage.com/disneyland-p...

A photo of the Disneyland Paris castle with the flowers and the weird abstract statues that used to be in front of the castle. In the foreground is a thistle with crazy bright red hair that I think is supposed to be Merida.

000

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 16/07/2026

As we were coming out of Splash Mountain, Dale here had no one with him, saw Erin on her own, and pounced

Dale from Chip 'n' Dale approaching Erin with malice in his eyes outside Splash Mountain, Tokyo Disneyland

Dale and Erin reaching up for a high ten. Erin is actually quite delighted by this.

100

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 15/07/2026

To book a decent spot at a Disney Parade at Tokyo Disneyland, simply leave all your stuff on the ground a good couple of hours before the start time, go off and enjoy your day, then come back just as it's beginning. (Please don't try this at Disneyland Paris)

000

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 14/07/2026

It was Donald's birthday while we were at Tokyo Disneyland which saw a new merch drop, the stans out in forces, and to meet the chap you'd be waiting up to 160 minutes!

010

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 12/07/2026

Tokyo Disneyland is the classic Disneyland experience but in Tokyo! We have the best rides for adults for you right here: www.neverendingvoyage.com/tokyo-disney...

000

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 10/07/2026

A Buddhist Mandala except it's Mickey Mouse and it's made from water. Toontown, Tokyo Disneyland

On the floor is a portrait of Mickey Mouse that is made from water and is already beginning to evaporate. It's a solid likeness, though, created by one of the cast members.

030

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 09/07/2026

I asked Erin for the ¥ to £ exchange rate but she missed a zero and for a heart stopping second I thought I’d paid £25 for this li’l fruit pot which seems ridiculous until you realise we're at Disney.

My hand holding the cutest li'l fruit pot that should definitely not cost £25

010

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 08/07/2026

Two things I thought when I saw this here portrait: 1. It's possible there's something in the brownies; and 2. White Rabbit needs to slow down.

A portrait of the White Rabbit hanging in the Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall at Tokyo Disneyland. He's looking very anxious and his eyes are exceedingly red in a way that is synonymous with a certain activity.

110

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 02/06/2026

Good morning! Erin has a new post out about Alassio, an undiscovered gem on the Italia Riviera We were there for wisteria season and it was enchanting. Throw in some beaches, lovely hikes and, of course, Italian food and you have the makings of a solid trip www.neverendingvoyage.com/alassio-italy/

Simon under a canopy of wisteria at the Villa della Pergola

110

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 27/05/2026

Into the second day of debate with my WhatsApp group: (Also the Dairy Milk Choc-Ice-Onna-Stick wasn't actually that bad but I needed it to be for rhetorical effect as it was the only example I had to hand)

WhatsApp Message Thread

Me: This is just moving the problem around! Now we're back to: at what point does a choc ice achieve enough status to slough off its derogatory name? Thickness of chocolate? Quality of ice cream?
I ate that particular choc ice onna stick that I was pictured with yesterday and toh it wasn't all that great
It was, frankly, a choc ice with better
And. A. Stick.
(To be clear, it was a Dairy Milk choc ice onna stick not a Magnum)

Friend (In reply to first part): Def these two, but also it changes shape and grows a stick.

000

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 12/05/2026

Disneyland Paris' expanded World of Adventure is stunning, taking this runt of a park and turning it into a world class attraction. Wide thoroughfares, a huge lake hosting an intense evening light show, two new rides, a working swing bridge, new dining options, and, of course, the World of Frozen.

000

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 30/03/2026

It was Erin’s birthday last week so I took her away for a couple of nights to a country hous in East Sussex. We went hiking, paddle boarding, did a couple of saunas, and had a hot tub by the lake. That’s a lot of outdoor activities for late March but I lucked out with the weather 💪☀️

A photo of Erin sitting by a lake next to a roaring fire and enjoying a negroni

2101

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 04/03/2026

Wandering through the frozen boulders of Diamond Beach, Iceland with the North Atlantic stretching into the distance behind them was captivating. It's the kind of epic, bleak beauty that Iceland specialises in and, despite it being very popular, is well worth a visit. Also, we saw a seal!

A huge chunk of clear blue ice sits on pebble beach surrounded by other chunks of ice with a channel of water leading out to the sea behind it.

110

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 23/02/2026

A blue sky over a roaring waterfall with a rainbow I mean, c'mon Iceland, now you're just showing off. This here is Skógafoss. It is one of the more popular waterfalls in the southwest but it's not hard to see why. #iceland #TravelBlogShare #TravelBloggersCommunity

030

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 09/02/2026

We are back from our trip to Iceland, in which many waterfalls were visited! Iceland has such a glorious landscape that you can skip the Must Sees and get places like Gluggafoss here to yourself. Personally, I much prefer the less spectacular but quieter (but actually still quite spectacular) ones

A photo of Erin and I at Gluggafoss in Iceland. It's a thin waterfall that disappears into the rocks and then bounces out again. We are standing over to the right with our arms out in celebration of such a magical sight (and also that we have it entirely to ourselves).

000

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 12/01/2026

We’re back from a couple of days at Disneyland Paris where not only was it the last couple of days of Christmas, but it snowed! ⛄️ Walking around the park was super fun, as was getting blasted in the face by it while riding Big Thunder Mountain!

A photo of Erin and I standing in front of a snowy castle at Disneyland Paris

150

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 18/12/2025

I still have one slightly delayed present left to arrive but just finished the rest of it and now I am ready to hunker down for the holidays!

A Christmas tree with a whole heap of presents underneath together with a plushy of li’l Ringring from Tokyo Disneyland for extra cosy vibes

020

Never Ending Voyage @neverendingvoyage.com · 22/09/2025

Hello Voyagers we are back from Lake Molveno in the Italian Alps! I am currently working through the 450 video clips we shot to see if I said anything coherent in there and Erin is working on a new post, but in the meantime here's an unreal sunrise she captured on her way to a morning paddleboard:

A photo of the town of Molveno shot from across the lake. It's early morning and the sun has just risen above the hill, lighting the tops of the moutains in a warm glow that contrasts with the cool turquoise of the lake.

191