Japan has approximately 190,000 temples and shrines and an estimated 200,000 festivals. Think about it, 200,000 events -- that averages out to almost 550 festivals a day!

The great thing about these festivals is the variety. There's the religious, fire, dance, snow, music, performance and the outrageously strange festivals.

Below is my list of the best festivals you must try if you're ever in Japan.

Most travelers visiting Japan follow the popular tourist circuit which takes them through Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka and do day trips to popular destinations like Kamakura, Nikko or Nara. While there's nothing wrong with traveling through Japan's most popular sites, this is an amazing country with so much more to offer. After all, Japan is rich in history, natural beauty and culture that's both reserved and enchanting.

Below is my list of places which are off the beaten track you must consider visiting in Japan:

Kyoto is an ethereal city that's packed with over 1600 shrines and temples, countless beautiful Zen gardens and more history than you could possibly hope to absorb in a single visit. This is one of the few places on Earth where having a pre-planned itinerary is mandatory. There's so much to see and do that it would be very easy to get overwhelmed. To make things easier below is my list of the top attractions you must see while in Kyoto.

Last year I happened to be in Japan during Halloween. The Japanese are notorious for their love of cosplay and dressing up as their favorite characters. Halloween is a relatively new celebration in Japan, but from the crazy day and night that I spent in Shibuya it's safe to say that they have fully embraced this event.

There are restaurants you go to for the food. There are restaurants you go to for the ambiance. Then there's Tokyo's crazy themed restaurants which you go to for a unique experience. The themed restaurant business in Tokyo is constantly evolving and changing. Just when you think you've seen everything, a new crazier idea pops up. One that you would've never thought of in a million years. In fact, the crazier the idea the more popular the place.

So if you ever make it to Tokyo, here's a list of themed restaurants you must checkout.

Queensland is blessed with a gorgeous coast that's lined with incredible beaches offering excellent surfing conditions for people of all levels. If you were ever curious about surfing or wanted to give it a try then this is place to do it. Up and down the Sunshine and Gold coast are lots of schools ready to teach you how to ride a wave.

This is a mistake ... a terrible terrible mistake.

I'd just checked into my hostel in Airlie Beach and was shocked to find a bar blaring loud music IN the hostel. During my travels I've been like a pendulum swinging between cheap shitty hostels to way-over-my-budget but dammit I need to pamper myself accommodations.

Tonight I managed to find the shittiest hostel in Airlie Beach filled with drunk young backpackers.

Diving in the Great Barrier Reef has always been on my bucket list. It was an incredible experience that totally lived up to my expectations.

As with most new experiences, I worried about things that were non-issues or never happened. I worried about being the lone inexperienced diver on the boat, I worried about not having a dive buddy and of course I worried about running into Jaws.

St. Kilda isn't an area that's necessarily on people's must visit list when in Melbourne, which is a shame. This is a beautiful neighborhood filled with chilled out bars, fantastic food and funky stores. Best of all it's only a 15 minute tram ride from CBD. It's definitely worth the trip to enjoy it's attractions, an early morning coffee or a night out in a bar.

These are my top reasons for why you must visit St. Kilda:

Australia is one of the world's top wine producers and (while in Melbourne) you must make time to visit Yarra Valley. There's over 80 wineries in Yarra, 50 of which have an open cellar door for tastings. Since I was traveling solo, and didn't want to drive home drunk, I booked a Yara wine tour.