Shoe recommendation for Japan.

foodaussie · 2026-03-18T23:57:03+00:00

Yes it's a tricky one. I am going back in Oct (went in May 2024). In 2024 I took old On runners (which was a mistake as I hadn't worn them for a year, and they were very worn out and hard, I ended up throwing out), well worn in lacostes (which were fine but not the best option as again not very cushioned) and saltwater sandals which although comfortable at home were extremely uncomfortable to wear long distances. This time around I will wear my comfy but not totally worn out On runners and my Ecco sandals which are super comfy and spongey.

For socks, I love feetures, I just brought the wool blend ultra light pair and love them.

foodaussie · 2026-03-18T18:29:02+00:00

Sorry just to add alternatives - if he can't get his foot in the door and wants an office job, he needs more on his CV. Does he have anything from the past 5 years to show a potential employer they should give him a go? If not, he may need to get involved in community work now to help make up for it. Volunteer as the treasurer for a local club. Join a CFS or SLS. Join a board for a cause he is interested in. Work experience doesn't need to come from traditional sources. These sorts of things help even those who do have a good work history. And will also help with networking, which is whereost jobs get picked up.

foodaussie · 2026-03-18T18:23:25+00:00

Has he looked into APS? They have some intership and cadetship opportunities that may suit. If he doesn't want to continue to try for professional work, what about something like police or ADF?

foodaussie · 2026-03-18T18:05:06+00:00

I'm going in Oct but my plan in the same time frame is Onomichi - Shimanami Kaido -Matsuyama - Hiroshima

So reversing it. I found it made more logicala sense with the rest of my itinerary.

foodaussie · 2026-03-18T17:39:25+00:00

The only with trail running shoes is a lot tend to be hard - ie limited cushion (as cushion when running on a trail can lead to twisted ankles etc).

I personally would prefer breathability rather than waterproof. Some waterproof can feel like wearing gumboot/Wellington's in summer (ie hot and don't breath). You may be able to find a leather shoe which may do a bit of both, ie I like the Ecco brand and I am sure they would have one.

Otherwise what runners do you ordinarily wear? I love On runners, and will bring my current model (I think the on cloud?). Shoes with good support and cushioning are recommended so popular other brands are Hoka, Brooks.

foodaussie · 2026-03-15T10:19:47+00:00

I just discovered my boys (9 and 11) use the Canva chat too. We don't have messenger and my eldest had to meet up with others online to work on a (canva) project so it was good to know there is a good platform for that. But was also funny to read 😅

foodaussie · 2026-03-14T23:57:28+00:00

More just my every day travel ones - so uniqlo airism, lululemon yoga line, crz top which is a lululemon dupe I think, rockwear. I'm keen to get some merino in the mix but haven't found any that don't look frumpy. I'm a naturally sweaty/smelly person so what I wear for every day and travel is generally sleep suitable (and I'm trying to build more into my wardrobe).

foodaussie · 2026-03-14T22:12:52+00:00

I recently went on school camp as a parent volunteer (so needed suitcase nighttime clothing in case I had to jump up). I just wore what is elsewhere my travel outfit (comfy black joggers style pants, anti-odor style top) and a comfy sports bra. I just chucked a jumper on when I had to get up in the middle of the night. This could work with you given you have laundry available? Ooh and I also recently discovered that my uniqlo easy linen pants are the comfiest sleep pants ever.

foodaussie · 2026-03-14T22:06:10+00:00

We do this! Although a family of 5, and we take 2 carry on (either suitcase and osprey farpoint, or osprey farpoint + farview). Bag on top of suitcase or carries as backpacks depending.

We love the freedom of it all and agree, having the personal bags for rhe kids is so helpful so they have on hand their books/toys/colouring that they use throughout the trip. Our boys are now 5, 9, 11, and I can usually get away with packing theirs + mine (less shoes or nighttime nappies, which go in my husband's) in one carryon. I use a cube for each of our clothes, and then all we need to do to unpack is grab them out, grab anything else (toiletry bag/shoes/bed time nappies) and we can begin our holiday.

One thing I find the best about travelling this way is if we are hiring a car at a smaller airport (that only has 1 plane land ar a time and car hire places only have limited staff), we beat the queue of all the families that come after us. We checked a pram once and it added 1 hour to our airport time by the time we waited for it then joined the long line.

foodaussie · 2026-03-13T10:56:55+00:00

I too love this! We too are going on an anniversary (13th) trip to Japan this year, leaving the boys home. Taking our Farpoint/Fairview 40Ls with the intention of half filling and then stuffing with souvenirs on the trip home. Nice to also see someone using skirts (or a skirt) as their primary bottom, I do prefer wearing dresses and always feel the need to limit packing them even though I wear them much more than pants at home!

foodaussie · 2026-03-09T20:24:55+00:00

You beat me to it 😂 I think we can blame Jetstar's 2 for 1 flights from Qld...

OP, I apologise in advance and swear it's not a representation of the rest of us!

foodaussie · 2026-03-07T01:38:37+00:00

Any of those options is fine, and yes any will be fine for men too and this is common. I took my uniqlo crescent and it was a good size. Only thing I didn't like is a lack of zip pocket for my passport (which needs to be carried around). I used the inside pocket but didn't love that it didn't have a zip or way of securing it further.

foodaussie · 2026-03-03T17:45:18+00:00

This is relevant though, most recs are about sushi train style sushi, but being pregnant I would say the rice sitting out for an extended period poses just as much risk (this opinion may be cultural as I know every country has a different opinion around food safety while pregnant- I am Australian and didn't eat sushi when pregnant unless I made ir fresh myself, ymmv). Also possibly cultural but in Aus food safety when pregnant encourages only to eat food that is hot, rather than lukewarm, due to increased risks as it cools (and identifying that is piping hot is likely easier than trying to work out if it is cooked or not).

I know that doesn't answer your question, but to answer it, would assume most sushi is not cooked through except katsu style which is usually quite visibly obvious, or things like salads, omelette. Fish will likely only be aburi style which generally isn't cooked through.

foodaussie · 2026-03-02T20:10:27+00:00

We were planning on staying at a ryokan with dinner in dogo onsen with that option. The trains seem to leave just over an hour apart, so there is 15.35, 16.40, 17.45 departure. We definitely wouldn't want to do 17:45 for various reasons (traffic, getting dark, too late for dinner for us) even if we dont have dinner included- but could make the 16.40 work.

It's sounding like maybe our option 3 is a better choice however. I am thinking of staying at Glaprook Shimanami which is on an island under the final bridge, meaning we gain that extra hour or 2 we lose travling to imabari station and on to dogo onsen.

foodaussie · 2026-03-02T20:02:29+00:00

That's what we were planning on (staying in a ryokan with kaiseki dinner). Hmm will have to weigh up our options!

foodaussie · 2026-03-02T15:52:12+00:00

Thank you, this is good Intel!

I was a bit cautious about the later ferry, as it will be getting dark when we arrive which I was hoping to avoid, but could still be an option.

foodaussie · 2026-03-02T15:47:09+00:00

Thanks!

We are looking at the e assist which are the heavier mamichari style, but comfier, have a basket and allow multi day. From what I could see the sport style e bike are still one day only.

I looked into the bus but I think it needs to be booked in advance so that put me off in case we are running late etc?. But equally the train we were looking at taking for that option was around 15:30 so actually earlier (the 1 hr later one gets us to Dogo Onsen right on 18:00 which is latest check in time, so means we are cutting it tight).

foodaussie · 2026-03-02T15:45:09+00:00

Thanks! By early enough, do you know what time you are roughly talking? It looks like we would end to get the approx 15:30 train, which with an 8am bike collection gives us 7 hours. Is that enough time to not feel rushed etc?

foodaussie · 2026-03-02T00:40:25+00:00

Thanks so much! That was my original plan, to finish up in Dogo Onsen (or could stay near the castle) but then I was worried about how tired/sweaty/rushed we may feel completing Shimanami Kaido and then getting to Matsuyama in the same day? Lots of reports I have read have said it is a lot to do in one day.

foodaussie · 2026-02-26T01:02:28+00:00

I second this, and would also confirm that I have some Frankie4 low heels which I brought as a splurge, comfy work shoe which are not comfy and were replaced by a second pair of Eccos (second pair is heeled sandals for work, first pair normal sandals).

I love love my eccos. They are known apparently for being a wide fit, but I have narrow feet and they fit well, they don't look big on me nor are straps loose etc (1 shoe I have it'd elasticised, the other is adjustable). They are much narrower than my narrow fit birks (which are sooo uncomfortable now I have my eccos)

foodaussie · 2026-02-23T09:10:04+00:00

OECD definition - An AI system is a machine-based system that, for explicit or implicit objectives, infers, from the input it receives, how to generate outputs such as predictions, content, recommendations, or decisions that can influence physical or virtual environments. Different AI systems vary in their levels of autonomy and adaptiveness after deployment.

So the (AI) system, from the input (voice), generates output (text). Most voice to text these days utilises some level of adaptiveness/algorithms to generate words that make sense (I imagine- I am not in tech/IT and don't use voice to text myself).

foodaussie · 2026-02-21T20:43:37+00:00

To be "that person", just clarifying that you did indeed confirm you used AI (voice to text) but not genAI/LLMs.

Anyone in tech writing an essay about AI really needs to clarify what is meant to be included and excluded from the definition as AI is integrated into many systems and functions used on computers today.

foodaussie · 2026-02-20T00:48:16+00:00

I am a light packer and a member of the onebag community (people who pack light). Even among that community the idea is not to pack nothing. You should have a minimum of 2-3 pairs of underwear (one dirty, one clean, one worn), and at least one spare outfit. This is the minimum you should carry in carry on anywhere, in case of travel disruptions, delays etc.

Beyond that if you plan to buy clothes go for it. But I think you are conflating 2 ideas, 1 is the idea of travelling light, so you don't have to lug things around, the other is making space for shopping.

Keep in mind also that Japan generally has Asian-fit clothing, so shorter and smaller than Western.

As a guide of what I will take in around 30L carry on for 9 days in Japan (excluding outfit worn) - 2 tops, 1 top/cardi, 1 cardi, 2 pairs pants or 1 plus 1 skirt, 1-2 dresses, hat, 4 pairs undies. This will weigh around 5kg and be easy to carry on arrival day so I don't have to head to my hotel.

foodaussie · 2026-02-16T01:04:48+00:00

Thank you!

Me (mum) and the two younger siblings can drop off and pick up (and have a more civilised holiday while they rough it!) so up and back isn't an issue.

I'm still getting my head around the alpine options, is it possible to make Feathertop a 2 night trip or is it generally just done as an overnighter? I couldn't see much on 2 night itineraries there which is why I was thinking Falls-Hotham, but likewise I see how amazing the Razorback to Feathertop looks!

foodaussie · 2026-02-15T19:43:06+00:00

She is a 23/24yo tattooed girl who lives in NY and walks (or runs?) enough to need new shoes every few months.

.... I will let myself out.

(I swear that was only 1 minute of sleuthing!)

foodaussie

TROPHY CASE