Kids in Japan
Japan remains one of the most popular long-haul destinations for Kiwi families, and a new release aims to make it easier for younger travellers. A Kid’s Guide to Japan by Lonely Planet is now on sale, offering a family-focused way to explore the country through its culture, food and experiences.
The 144-page guide introduces Japan through interactive sections such as maps, places to play, food highlights and cultural insights. It covers destinations like Tokyo, Kyoto and Hokkaido, while also diving into experiences such as themed parks, sushi culture and seasonal activities like skiing. Designed for travel and at-home discovery, the book blends practical information with engaging visuals and storytelling.
A Kid’s Guide to Japan by Lonely Planet, $26.99 RRP. shop.lonelyplanet.com
![Say konnichiwa and get ready for an awesome adventure to Japan. Photo / Lonely Planet]()
Say konnichiwa and get ready for an awesome adventure to Japan. Photo / Lonely Planet
Feather-light suitcase
Airline cabin rules are getting stricter, and your luggage needs to adapt. Kathmandu has expanded its award-winning Feather Flight range into a full luggage system.
The range now includes four styles across carry-on and check-in options, with two-wheel rollers and four-wheel spinners. The original Feather Flight carry-on weighs 1.68kg, while the 85-litre large check-in Feather Flight comes in at 2.92kg – saving fliers plenty of kilos (and money if you loathe paying extra for checked-in luggage) to use on more important holiday weight, such as packing 16 bars of Whittaker’s chocolate for your family overseas.
kathmandu.co.nz/pages/feather-flight
![Choose from a range of carry-on and check-in options built for durability, flexibility and easier movement. Photo / Supplied]()
Choose from a range of carry-on and check-in options built for durability, flexibility and easier movement. Photo / Supplied
Melbourne as a city-wide stage
RISING Melbourne returns from May 27 to June 8, 2026, bringing a diverse programme of music, performance and art to central Melbourne.
The festival runs across the CBD and surrounding areas, activating theatres, galleries and public spaces with live music, performance and large-scale installations. The programme brings together local and international artists across multiple disciplines, with events designed to be experienced across the city rather than in a single venue. Visitors move between locations, encountering performances and exhibitions that unfold throughout the night.
2026.rising.melbourne
![Move through Melbourne as art, live shows and large-scale installations unfold across the city over 12 nights. Photo / Instagram, @rising.melbourne]()
Move through Melbourne as art, live shows and large-scale installations unfold across the city over 12 nights. Photo / Instagram, @rising.melbourne
GOMA after hours
Brisbane extends its gallery experience into the evening with GOMA Friday Nights, running from May 1 to June 26, 2026, at Gallery of Modern Art. The programme keeps the gallery open after hours and layers in live music, DJ sets, food and drinks alongside current exhibitions.
Visitors move freely between performance spaces and gallery rooms, creating a more fluid way to engage with art. Curated line-ups feature a mix of established and emerging artists, with each night offering a different atmosphere.
qagoma.qld.gov.au/event/goma-friday-nights-presence-2026-05-15
![Spend the evening at GOMA with live music, DJs and exhibitions running together in one after-hours programme. Photo / @qagoma]()
Spend the evening at GOMA with live music, DJs and exhibitions running together in one after-hours programme. Photo / @qagoma
AloJapan.com