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Japan & Destination Content Specialist

I create destination features, guidebook content and SEO travel articles that inspire readers to explore. With more than a decade of travel experience across 35+ countries and a specialist knowledge of Japan, I help publications and travel brands tell authentic stories that connect with travellers.

Publications Jess Had Regularly Worked With

Having spent more than a decade exploring over 35 countries and living across East Asia, the US, and Europe, I create destination features, guidebooks, SEO articles and branded content for travel magazines, publishers, tourism boards and travel brands. Specialising in Japan and cultural travel, I combine first-hand experience with thoughtful research to tell stories that inspire readers to explore with confidence.

I believe great travel content comes from collaboration. Whether you're commissioning a single article or an ongoing project, you can expect clear communication, thoughtful ideas and clean, polished copy that's delivered on time. I'm happy to work to a detailed brief or develop fresh story angles, always with your audience, voice and goals in mind.

Alongside my writing, I also work with Wunderbird to create tailor-made, boutique holidays around the world. Whether you're looking for a custom itinerary or destination advice, you can find out more on the Wunderbird website.

      Whether you have a detailed brief or just the beginnings of an idea, get in touch and we'll discuss how I can help. 

      Use the form below or email jesawriting@gmail.com

      Here's a sample of my portfolio

      Culture Trip

      Kanagawa's Hidden Side Offers Adventures Worth The Detour

      More than an urban park, Forest Adventure Yokohama delivers genuine treetop thrills just a short train ride from Tokyo. This aerial adventure park features authentic zip slides and athletic courses suspended high in the forest canopy, offering an exciting combination of adrenaline and nature. It’s the perfect morning expedition before diving into Kanagawa’s other attractions. The experience channels pure forest therapy with a side of heart-pumping excitement, proving you don’t need to travel to...
      Culture Trip

      Shizuoka: A Culinary Journey Through Nature's Bounty

      In Shizuoka, you can trace the path of ingredients from their source to restaurants all over Japan within an ecosystem of passionate farmers, artisan producers, and visionary chefs. Here are some of the best ways to explore this region’s delicacies, including coastal ingredients, mountain-sourced produce and, of course, sake. The waters of Mt. Fuji are inseparable from the produce of Shizuoka, which is no better exemplified than at Shimoyama Fish Farm. Akira Shimoyama has mastered raising am...
      Culture Trip

      Two Days In Hyogo's Historic Harima And Awaji Regions

      In the southwest of Hyogo lies Harima, a region where traditional crafts still thrive in its inland areas. Further south across the sea is Awaji Island, which holds cultural significance as both Japan’s mythological birthplace and the historical heart of the nation’s incense industry. This two-day itinerary will take you deep into the heart of traditional Japan, where master craftsmen still practice centuries-old arts and sacred sites unveil the mythical stories of Japan’s birth. Your first...
      Metropolis Japan

      10 Must-Read Japanese Novels of 2024 - Metropolis Japan

      From family dramas to thrilling mysteries and historical fiction, Japanese authors (and their translators) have brought something for everyone this year. Here are the ten must-read Japanese novels of 2024 that you shouldn’t miss.


      A sequel to The Kamogawa Food Detectives, this short novel continues the story of a father-daughter duo who runs a hidden Kyoto diner with a unique twist. The chef, Nagare, and his daughter, Koishi, act as culinary detectives, recreating long-lost dishes that hold de...
      Tripadvisor

      3 days in Kyoto: The perfect itinerary

      Morning: Greet the dawn at two amazing temples

      Morning: Get lost in the bamboo groves of Arashiyama

      Afternoon: Eat your way around Nishiki Market

      There are more than 100 vendors here, each with a story and a specialty. Many offer bite-sized samples, so try a few and get more of what you like the most. (A tip: When it comes on a skewer, it’s probably fantastic.) For a sit-down lunch, check out the small restaurants serving ramen, tempura, and seasonal kaiseki menus between the stalls (just mak
      Tripadvisor

      3 days in Osaka: The perfect itinerary

      MORNING: Step into the past at Osaka Castle

      There are plenty of ways to spend your night in Dotombori. Start with a stroll along the alley of Hozenji Yokocho. Splash some water on the Buddha statue at Hozenji Temple for luck, then check out the bars, cafés, and restaurants. For a caffeine boost, I love Arabiya Coffee, which has been around since the 1950s. Sit at the long bar at this kissaten—a traditional tea and coffee shop—and chat with the father and son team that runs it.

      The park has two
      TripSavvy

      Your Trip to Hokkaido: The Complete Guide

      There is nowhere in the world like Hokkaido, let alone just in Japan. The nation’s north most island is an expansive landscape of snow-capped mountains, crystal blue lakes, and endless fields of lavender come summertime. Its capital city of Sapporo is often dubbed the “Tokyo of the north,” and is the birthplace of many of Japan’s best dishes. Home to its native Ainu people, Hokkaido is brimming with its own unique cultural history. All of this without mentioning the seasonal festivals, the skiin
      Japan Objects

      Haori: How to Choose the Best Japanese Jackets

      As haori are loose fitting, they are very easy to wear, slipping easily over bare shoulders, layers of kimono, thick winter jumpers, or any other outfit.

      When purchasing a haori, it will mostly come down to personal preference in terms of how decorated you want it to be and how you want to wear it. But whatever pattern or style you go for, haori always look striking when paired with western clothes. An ideal look to go with your haori is pairing it with jeans or plain pants and a shirt, it can
      TripSavvy

      Ghosts, Demons, and Shapeshifters: An Introduction to Japanese Yokai Culture

      Japan offers a rich tapestry of folklore, inspired by Shinto myths and traditions, and with that folklore come tales of ghosts and creatures—known in Japan as yokai—who play tricks on or help humans who cross their paths. These yokai have been around for centuries, and their stories are often told to children and frequently pop up in literature and cartoons. Even in this modern world, they're still deeply ingrained in Japanese culture.

      The rise of Amabie, a mythical sea yokai which has become s
      Culture Trip

      The Story of Kitakata's Ramen and Where To Eat It, According to an Expert

      If you don’t know where to commence your Kitakata ramen journey, consider trying Genraiken because – as Hanami says – it is “said to be the ‘original Kitakata Ramen restaurant’” and is the descendent of the original street cart mentioned above. Close to the main train station, you can literally hop off the train from Tokyo and go straight to Genraiken to try some classic Kitakata ramen, and perhaps a side of homemade gyoza or rice. With a drinks menu ranging from sake to cider and classic dishes
      Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)

      4 Tokyo “Yokocho” Where You Can Experience the 1950s | Travel Japan | JNTO

      1950s Tokyo was a place abundant with small hideaway izakayas and taverns tucked into narrow alleyways behind the bustling streets. And it was in these taverns and izakayas that the people of Tokyo could fill their bellies, enjoy local food, chat with friends, and even make some new ones. Today, these may be fewer and farther between, but they are certainly not forgotten. Known as yokocho, these colorful, narrow alleys overflowing with local bars and restaurants are the perfect place to sample r
      Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)

      Head North! 3 Discrete Hot Springs to Visit This Winter | Travel Japan | JNTO

      A cornerstone of Japanese culture, bathing in hot springs (onsen) restores the body and mind and offers a relaxation experience like no other. There’s nothing better than escaping into nature and enjoying a discrete onsen experience surrounded by trees, mountains and even the ocean. From indoor sanctuaries with a snowy view to outdoor onsen that immerse you in your surroundings, the hot springs listed below are all perfect for warming up during the winter. Enjoy the snow around you and the crisp
      Japan Objects

      Choosing the Best Zabuton Cushion: All You Need To Know

      You will be surprised to learn that zabuton have more uses than you would first assume! Here are a few ways you will see zabuton being used in Japan and also how you can incorporate them in your day-to-day life.

      Chairs: Although zabuton are traditionally used on the floor, they can also be used as seat cushions on uncomfortable chairs to make them more appealing or to simply brighten up the room. This can really help if you work or study from home so you’re kept comfortable for longer and can p
      TripSavvy

      How to See a Maiko Show in Kyoto

      Geisha (known as geiko in Kyoto) are strongly associated with Japanese traditional culture and history. While you will likely see women dressed in traditional costume walking in the Gion district of Kyoto, they are very rarely a fully-trained professional geisha. An evening with a professional geisha is hard to come by and can cost hundreds of dollars due to the amount of skill and training necessary to become a geisha.

      A geisha must be trained in dance, flower arranging, musical instruments, t

      Find Tranquility in Shanghai's Tea Houses

      One of the oldest teahouses in Shanghai, serving tea since 1855, Mid Lake Pavilion Tea House (also known as Huxinting Tea House) can be found at the entrance of Yu Gardens. It certainly looks the part with its two-storey traditional wood design, the zig-zag bridge extends deliberately from it in an attempt to keep out demons who prefer a straight route in. Many famous visitors to Shanghai have sat for tea within, including Queen Elizabeth II and Bill Clinton.

      The tea served here is of the highe
      Japanese Film Festival

      The world of Japanese saké as seen in Kampai! For the Love of Sake

      Anyone who has tried good sake (pronounced sah-keh) can attest to the initial simplicity behind the drink giving way to depth and flavor. Drinking sake is an ancient tradition amongst the Japanese people, and can be found mentioned as far back as the 3rd century. Sake, or nihonshu (literally, Japanese liquor) as it is known in Japan, is very much intertwined with the culture of Japan, and is considered one of the country’s national beverages.

      Fascination with nihonshu is growing throughout the
      Culture Trip

      An Arts and Culture Walking Tour of Shinjuku, Tokyo

      An Arts and Culture Walking Tour of Shinjuku, Tokyo

      Underneath the twinkling LED screens and skyscrapers, Shinjuku’s creative minds have let their imaginations fly. Take this manageable walking tour (with a little help from the subway) to see another side of the Tokyo neighbourhood.

      Delve into the literary world of Natsume Soseki

      Start your day of culture by taking a 10-minute walk from Waseda station to the Natsume Soseki Memorial Museum. Soseki is of Japan’s most prolific writers and a Shin
      Tokyo Weekender

      10 Contemporary Japanese Authors You Should Know

      The last few years have seen sales of Japanese translated fiction booming in the West. As a result, more of these talented writers are finally being translated for people to enjoy. Here are some of the contemporary Japanese writers people are talking about, and where you should start.

      Author of the award-winning Memoirs of a Polar Bear (translated by Susan Bernofsky) tales told from three generations of polar bear, Tawada is an author that isn’t afraid of a high concept. Her recent novel, The L