You are listening to Vacation in the Dungeon the podcast with your host(s) Charlton Smit and Muhammed Tahir .

In this episode of Vacation in the Dungeon the Podcast where we discuss travel and gaming.

Japan is a dream destination for travelers and gamers , imagine you're walking in japan with neon streets Akihabara in Tokyo. The King for gaming and anime culture You can visit shops filled with the latest consoles, rare collectible figures, and arcades where games you’ve only played online come to life. It’s an entire world built around your favorite games and characters. Japan isn't just about gaming and anime. Just a short train ride away, you can explore unreal temples in Kyoto or stroll through the bamboo forests or soak in some hot springs while you're surrounded by beautiful views. The mix of modernized cities and ancient culture and it is a unique experience. You might be playing a game one moment then the next you're standing in ancient temples the next, it feels like you're traveling back in time between worlds. Many games are inspired by landscapes and traditions. Traveling to japan gives you a real feel of the world that inspires the awesomeness of the most popular games. You can see shrines, gardens, streets that look like scenes out of a video game.And it’s not just scenery. Japan celebrates gaming culture everywhere from themed cafes where you can sip coffee surrounded by your favorite characters, to arcades with classic and modern games, to festivals where cosplay brings characters to life. Experiencing this culture in person is so much more than just sightseeing; it’s stepping into the heart of the games themselves. So even if you're a traveler searching the world for its beauties or if you're a hardcore gamer, japan is the place for you it offers both worlds in one and it doesn't even seem like it. It all blends in together

Muhammad: Now that we have explored real world magics of Japan from its temples to its neon lit cities, it's now time to cross over into its virtual side of that same world. Few games capture Japan's beauty, history and spirit better than the ghost of Tsushima.

Set during the Mongol invasion of the 13th century, Ghost of Tsushima feels like stepping into a living painting of feudal Japan. The island of Tsushima is brought to life with stunning detailed fields of golden grass, misty bamboo forests, mountain shrines, and quiet villages that reflect the balance between nature and civilization

that Japan is known for. Every frame feels cinematic, almost like a tribute to the samurai films that shaped Japan’s storytelling tradition.

Charlton: But what makes it even more special is how the game connects to real Japanese culture. The way Jin Sakai, the main character, struggles between the samurai code of honor and the need to protect his people mirrors the real moral conflicts that defined Japan’s warrior history. Even the smallest details like composing haiku, paying respects at shrines, or following a guiding fox are drawn straight from Japanese customs. As we shift from travel to gaming, we’re not really leaving Japan behind, we're just seeing it through another view. Ghost of Tsushima lets you experience the country’s spirit in motion: the discipline of the samurai, the beauty of its landscapes, and the quiet strength of its people. It’s not just a game; it’s an artistic love letter to Japan’s past.

You know when a game doesn’t just entertain you it makes you think about who you’d be if you were in that world? That’s Ghost of Tsushima. It’s not just a samurai action game; it’s a story about loyalty, sacrifice, and what it means to hold onto your humanity when the world forces you to change.

You play as Jin Sakai, a samurai...