Until this year, outdoor rock climbing was something I had long been fascinated by but had never worked up the courage to try. I was lucky to finally have my first experience in this beautiful and little-known spot on the border of Nagano and Yamanashi prefectures.

This summer, I escaped the heat and crossed off one of my top bucket list destinations with a weekend camping trip to Kamikochi, a national park sometimes called the Yosemite of Japan. Peaceful forest trails, spectacular mountain views and close encounters with curious macacques made this a perfect summer getaway.

The philosophy surrounding Zen Buddhism is one aspect of Japanese culture that has fascinated me from a young age, and on a recent trip to Kyoto for a forthcoming video, I finally had the opportunity to learn about it firsthand. Sharing the experience with a charming and patient monk, by a beautiful traditional garden with a gentle patter of rainfall, this was as close as it gets to a perfect moment.

For my first ever real mountain hike, I set out with Joe on an overnight trek to the top of Mount Kai Koma in Yamanashi. After a challenging full day of climbing, camping out in sub zero temperatures and a final push to the summit, we were rewarded with jaw-dropping panoramic views, with Japan's four highest peaks visible from a single spot.