Munya Chawawa on how to lose yourself in the real Japan

Hidden forest temples, secret anime action and a heavenly hotel where the actor and comic forgot about time itself

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Where is your favourite destination and why?

Japan. Arriving there felt like entering another dimension, just in terms of the country playing by its own rules and people deciding what kind of a world they want to live in. Like entering a society built on respect. For example, I got a coffee from somewhere and I ended up carrying the cup for about four hours because there were no bins on the street. I guess it’s because they want people to take their rubbish home, which is amazing. Obviously carrying the dregs of a cappuccino around Japan wasn't on the bucket list. Or how the smokers were forced to accumulate under a designated lamp post of shame to discourage people from smoking. Also incredible. Or even when you're crossing the road — in London you just accept you're going to have four different people's breath funnelling down your collar at a zebra crossing, but in Japan everyone left exact measurements of space between each other. The fashion was also amazing and everyone was super-polite. All of the Uber drivers collected you in little tuxedos with white silk gloves — it was so cute. A sign of having pride in the job that you do. I just loved seeing how they were kind of playing by their own rules. It really shook me out of my Western stupor.

When was the last time you were there, and who were you with?

I went last May with a friend who's also in the industry, and who I work with. He loves manga and anime, so it was like going to Disneyland, but with more cartoon-on-cartoon violence.

Where is the best place to stay?

A discreet little ryokan, which is a traditional Japanese hotel, just outside Kyoto. I feel torn saying exactly where it is because I know within five minutes I'll see someone on TikTok setting up a tripod and crying in front of it. So I'm just going to be selfish with it.

Is there a hidden gem you are willing to share?