Hi Chris, did you not get the cracks on top with the recipes as it is? The cracks develop from rapid expansion during cooking from a reaction between the baking soda and the golden syrup (acidity) so cooking a few minutes long will make then crunchier if you oven is slightly on the cooler side but shouldn't impact that classic cracked appearance.

Love this recipe. Simple and repeatable. Sometimes make minor variations. Use ginger, cinnamon and cardamom spices. Sometines throw in some chopped walnuts or put a pecan on top. Bake a bit longer for a good, dry snap or a little less for a wonder chewie biscuit.

As kids growing up in Nz we used to buy wonderful ginger nuts from a shop called Adam’s Bruce in Hamilton. The biscuits looked like yours, thick and cracked on top but darker and hard right through. Do you think I could achieve this finish just by cooking your recipe a little longer to dry them out more?

Hi Barry. I wouldn't worry about it, you have a long visit and that gives you flexibility to enjoy being there at what is a lovely time of year, usually the peak of the azaleas and wisteria if you enjoy Japanese gardens and some of the most stable weather. Personally I book ahead our accommodation during Golden Week but in Japan I usually do that anyway as it can make a significant impact in the cost. We've been in Tokyo twice during Golden Week and even there if you are happy to chill and do what you can when you can then you'll be fine, everywhere is densely crowded, and we notice it most heading out for meals. You'll find plenty of places open to eat but a lot are closed too and that combined with so many people enjoying their time off means you can queue outside a restaurant for well over an hour, sometimes several hours waiting for a table and not just in tourist hotspots, smaller areas that are usually mostly locals too.

Heading out of the major cities as you suggest can also be a good option, while areas like the Nikko and Hakone hot spring regions will have an influx of domestic tourists that is less the case in the other cities although it is usually still significantly busier, especially eating out. If you can avoid travelling on the major train routes with luggage that week I would. Have a fabulous time, we'll also be in Japan for May this year, it's not a reason to avoid the time of year, just to manage expectations of doing anything quickly.

Hi
We are returning to Japan for a second visit in April through to late July. We overlooked the consequences of the Golden Week Celebrations which will occur during our second week. We would be keen to hear your advice and experiences to navigate the impacts. We are happy to immerse fully in the culture but understand accommodation and travel between major destinations can be very problematic. We thought we go rural and or over to the Japan Sea side and potter around down the coast. E.g Niigata, Toyama, Kanazawa etc and head inland to eventually revisit Kayoto on the way to Kumamoto etc. love to hear your thoughts. Very keen on ceramics, crafts, textiles and nature etc. Travelling by trains.

When I was there there were both vegetarian and vegan alternatives but you needed to book that in advance.

English translation:

good and useful explanation for foreigners who want to visit the shrine