Gabrielle Doman

Japan-based freelance journalist, copywriter, PR and presenter who writes for content agencies, national newspapers, lifestyle magazines and online titles.

In my 20-plus years of writing, I have worked in the UK, UAE, Cambodia, Thailand, Netherlands and Japan.

About Me

My interests and expertise are curious and varied; Japan, powerlifting and strength training, nutrition, luxury, traditional arts and crafts, cycling, vintage shopping, Thailand, podcasts, over-analysing pop culture, travel, hiking, fashion, beers…

I'm especially excited about projects that promote tourism in Japan's lesser-known, rural areas.

Previous work; The Independent, Vice, Louis Vuitton City Guides, Tokyo Weekender, Gulf News, Gulf Business, Japan National Tourism Organisation, LifestyleAsia, Mamamia, Japan Tourism Authority, Visit Gunma, Luxury Japan...

The Independent •

Why Japanese toji water therapy is the wellness trend you need to know about for 2024

Tis the season for punishing rituals, like glugging litres of water each day, embarking on military-level exercise challenges and vowing to plunge your semi-naked body into icy water in the name of recovery.

Ice baths have become inextricably linked with fitness, grit and determination, driven in no small part by Dutch motivational speaker, Wim Hof, dubbed the Iceman. He is a proponent of controlled breathing techniques, regular ice baths and cold water immersion, which he claims helps with fat
Tokyo Weekender •

The Timeless Swag of Japanese Tabi Shoes

2023 was the year of the tabi shoe. Specifically the Maison Margiela Tabi. Celebrities including Dua Lipa, Nick Jonas, Cardi B, Chlöe Sevigny and Pedro Pascal all sported the hoof-like split-toe footwear this year. But perhaps the most powerful marketing tool for the shoe was a viral TikTok in September, when a woman shared on the platform that her Tinder date, dubbed “the Tabi Swiper,” had stolen her pair worth around ¥150,000. It was viewed more than 178 million times and prompted a staggering
The Independent •

High fashion: What’s it like to rent your entire holiday wardrobe from an airline?

Travelling with only a tiny carry-on suitcase for a long-haul flight is a flex.

It’s freedom. It’s relaxing on your flight without worrying that your belongings will be held up in transit. It’s breezing past baggage claim while weary passengers wait for their cases to trundle onto the carousel. It’s hopping from city to city with nary an escalator or flight of stairs you can’t handle.

But it’s also a small measure travellers can take to pack lighter, thus reducing their flight’s CO2 emissions,
Tokyo Weekender •

Strongirls Festival: Muscular Women Raising the Bar in Japan

Colorful balloons, a DJ spinning bops and the buzz of anticipation at Yokohama’s PRagmatic Academy on a public holiday in November: it looked like the setting for a lively party. Yet, despite appearances, it was the scene of Japan’s second Strongirls Strength Festival, a women’s powerlifting competition (known as a meet), where 39 women of all ages, sizes and abilities tested their strength in three lifts; squats, bench presses and deadlifts.

This welcoming and joyful atmosphere has been delibe
Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) •

Dazaifu Town Stay | Heritage Stays | Travel Japan | JNTO

Stay at a historical boutique property and immerse yourself in the fascinating history and rich cultural heritage of Japan’s ancient western capital

Discover Dazaifu through Hotel Cultia Dazaifu’s boutique heritage properties. Feel at home in one of several inviting, lovingly restored properties, from former artists' residences to businesses that once served members of Japan’s Imperial Court. The hotel’s buildings retain the atmosphere and aesthetic of the time in which they were built, with st
Rakuten Travel •

Unpacking Japan’s Obsession With Fruit

For an insight into the esteem in which Japan’s luxury fruit is held, and to see some of the eye-watering prices firsthand, visit the luxury fruit store, Sembikiya. Japan’s best-known specialty fruit shop first opened in Tokyo’s chic Nihonbashi area in 1834 and remains a prestigious place to buy flawless, perfectly packaged fruit. The store’s aesthetic is akin to a sleek wine store, and, like a wine store, great importance is placed on how the fruit tastes, where it was grown, and by whom. These
Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) •

Miidera Temple Stay | Heritage Stays | Travel Japan | JNTO

Miidera is a grand temple complex at the foot of Mt. Hiei near the shores of Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture. It has welcomed emperors and worshippers for thousands of years, and now, visitors can enjoy a private temple stay in the beautiful grounds. Myogonin Temple is a 400-year-old monks’ quarters surrounded by private gardens on Miidera’s grounds, which is available for exclusive stays. The property was renovated in 2018 into a stylish, private shukubo or temple lodging, by Japanese architect T

8 Onsen Experiences in Kusatsu | Stories & Guides | Gunma Official Tourist Guide

Traditions are held in high esteem in Kusatsu Onsen, where life revolves around its hot spring—quite literally. The center of the town is dominated by Yubatake, a large hot water field where water cools before being piped to nearby bathhouses and ryokan inns. These hot, acidic, mineral-rich waters are purported by local legend to be able to cure any disease but lovesickness. Embrace Kusatsu’s traditions as you stroll the atmospheric streets, bathe in styles unique to Kusatsu, and take in cultura
Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) •

Cycling Report | Japan Cycling | JNTO

Explore a historic corner of Japan on two wheels

Biwaichi is one of the country’s designated National Cycle Routes. It is in Shiga Prefecture, and allows you to cycle around the circumference of Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan. This 200-kilometer-long cycling path is well-marked and easy-to-navigate, designated by blue lines around the shore. If you want to explore a little deeper and see the area through the eyes of a local, a guided cycling trip is the best way to go. The opte
Rakuten Travel •

Hotel Chain Feature: Four Seasons

Japan is synonymous with hospitality that anticipates your needs and exceeds your expectations. Luxury international hotel chain Four Seasons more than meets this lofty benchmark at its three properties in Japan: two in central Tokyo; Otemachi and Marunouchi, and one in the historic city of Kyoto. Four Seasons has established a global reputation for providing top-notch service and a stylish, welcoming sanctuary, making it a favorite for VIPs and the global elite. This high level of attention to
Rakuten Travel •

Hotels Near Mount Fuji with Private Open-air Baths

In the shadow of the majestic Mount Fuji, a collection of ryokans beckons travelers seeking the epitome of serenity and indulgence. These hotels offer the ultimate Japan experience, with private hot springs in the guestrooms and suites. Picture yourself soaking in steaming, mineral-rich waters as you gaze upon the silhouette of Fuji majestically framed in the distance. These accommodations range from contemporary and elegant to traditionally Japanese, but they unite in one promise: to be a haven
Rakuten Travel •

The Okura Tokyo: Tokyo's Traditional Luxury

A vacation in Tokyo is, without question, thrilling and fast-paced. But it can also be relaxing, serene, and restorative when you stay at The Okura Tokyo, a taste of old-world luxury conveniently located in the central Tokyo district of Toranomon. This refined hotel is a tranquil escape from the city streets below, and from the moment you step inside the lobby, you'll feel the serenity. With the design's wabi-sabi (simple beauty) and the authentic Japanese omotenashi (hospitality), the bustle of
Rakuten Travel •

Top Shopping Streets in Tokyo

Tokyo is singular in its enormous diversity of retail experiences. Shoppers can spend big in the high-end boutiques of Ginza and Omotesando, shop for bargains in its retro markets, look for hyper-specialized finds, and discover the newest trends on the neon-lit streets where international fashions and local trends meet. The seamless marriage of tradition with modernity in Tokyo is reflected in its array of shopping districts. To experience the best Tokyo offers, grab your wallet and explore thes
Rakuten Travel •

Hotels in Hakone with Private Open-air Baths

Hakone has a lot to offer: world-class museums, views of Mount Fuji, and charming ryokans with natural hot springs. These intimate sanctuaries transport you to a world of tranquility, where private, mineral-rich baths bubble up in your very room. Immerse yourself in steaming waters as you savor this gift of the nearby volcanoes, soothing the body and soul. Discover retreats catering to all preferences and tastes, with Japanese-style rooms and western accommodations available. Whether you seek th
Rakuten Travel •

Unpacking Japan’s Fascinating Train Culture

Traveling on the shinkansen (bullet train) is a rite of passage when in Japan. The country's best-known trains have huge cultural significance. Aside from being the backdrop to the 2022 movie, "Bullet Train" starring Brad Pitt, they're known globally for being some of the fastest and smoothest trains in the world, reaching speeds of up to 320 kilometers per hour.

They're also known for their punctuality, so much so that in 2017, when one of them departed the platform 20 seconds earlier than sch
Japan Tourism Agency,Japan Tourism Agency •

Gassan Visitor Center: A Guide to Dewa Sanzan | Search Details

Dewa Sanzan is the collective name for three mountains of great spiritual importance: Mt. Haguro (414 m), Mt. Gassan (1,984 m), and Mt. Yudono (1,500 m).

Shugendo, an ancient tradition of mountain asceticism incorporating elements of elements of both Buddhism and Shinto, is thought to have emerged here in 593. Its beliefs and practices center on the reverence for nature and understanding of features of the landscape, such as rocks, rivers, and mountains, as abodes of the divine. During the Meij
Luxurique •

New Generation Lacquerware

Japanese lacquer (urushi) is a 10,000-year-old art that, for many, conjures up images of black, red and gold rice bowls, chopsticks and ornate boxes. However, there are a growing number of artisans that are broadening the appeal of this versatile material, from traditional tea ceremonies right through to modern art and jewellery.

Takuya Tsutsumi, managing director of Tsutsumi Asakichi Urushi in Kyoto has taken almost 115 years of his family’s experience with lacquerware to find a new use and au

Onsen Near Tokyo | Stories & Guides | Gunma Official Tourist Guide

Soak in geothermal baths and traditional atmospheres just hours from the capital Gunma’s mountainous landscape was shaped by volcanic activity, meaning the prefecture is dotted with natural, geothermically heated hot springs. Scenic onsen towns, many with a history dating back hundreds of years, are a highlight of a Gunma vacation in any season.


Gunma’s location in the northern Kanto region means many of its onsen are near Tokyo. Takasaki, the prefecture’s main gateway, is just 50 minutes fro

The Japanese Romantic Road | Stories & Guides | Gunma Official Tourist Guide

Take a road trip on the Gunma leg of one of Japan’s most scenic routes Renting your own wheels to explore Gunma’s remotest reaches and set your own schedule, opens up more opportunities to explore the prefecture. To see some of Gunma’s most famous and beautiful sights, consider a road trip along the Japanese Romantic Road, also known as the Japanische Romantiche Strasse, after its German namesake. This 320-kilometer road stretches from Nagano, through Gunma, and on toward Nikko in Tochigi.


O

Gunma Off the Grid | Stories & Guides | Gunma Official Tourist Guide

As travelers seek an escape from busy tourist destinations, many of us are planning vacations to nature-rich destinations that allow ample social distancing. Gunma is within easy reach of Tokyo, but the prefecture’s national parks, mountains, waterfalls, and small onsen resorts feel a world away.


Step off the tourist trail and be rewarded with gorgeous landscapes, authentic cultural experiences, and delicious local cuisine. Gunma’s accommodations are taking comprehensive measures to ensure a
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