A family ski stay at Akakura Kanko Hotel in Myoko Kogen: why you need a 4WD to get there, the ski-in ski-out layout, the SPA & SUITE rooms and the food.

Skiing at Zao Onsen in Yamagata with a child: where to see the snow monsters up close, which lift connections to avoid, and an honest review of Zao Kokusai Hotel.

A family guide to Awaji Island: which attractions and which ticket to pick at Nijigen no Mori, and a night in a Star Cocoon cabin at GRAND CHARIOT Hokutoshichisei 135.

Our second family trip to Huis Ten Bosch in Nagasaki: an honest comparison of Hotel Amsterdam and Hotel Europe, and why Jurassic Island is now the thing to plan your day around.

A family trip to Ishigaki Island in Okinawa: a superb private jungle and kayaking day on Iriomote with Ken Guide, plus an honest review of the Club wing at ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort.

An honest family review of TOWA Pure Cottage beside Nasu Highland Park: the renovated cottages are genuinely good, but the queues, the buffet and the operation were not.

A night at Nature Live Rokko, a five-room hotel above Kobe where your child cooks the dinner, plus an honest guide to Rokkosan Athletic Park GREENIA next door.

A family stay at The Tokyo Station Hotel: the rooms, the tasting menu at Enoteca Norio, the famous breakfast buffet, and the service that made it the best hotel stay we have had in Japan.

A family review of Hotel Shigira Mirage on Miyakojima: the pool villa, the beach and snorkelling, every restaurant we tried, and an honest note on where the service falls short.

A family ski trip to ANA InterContinental Appi Kogen in Iwate: how to get there, the ski valet, the runs at Appi, the food, and an honest look at the service.