Japan travel guides, tips, and itineraries. Where to stay in Japan, Japanese food you must try, and how to visit attractions like Universal Studios Japan and TeamLab.
Kyoto during the Cherry Blossom season is magical. The streets along the river and the canals are lined with blossoms in shades of pink and delicate whites. Spring is in the air, and the temperature is just right. Throngs of tourists and locals alike fight for the best cherry blossom viewing in Kyoto. Lines form…
A 10 day Japan travel itinerary based on the best Japanese food found in each city along the Shinkansen train line, starting in Tokyo and ending in Kumamoto. Japanese food is world famous for its taste, presentation, and demonstration of mastery. Each city and region in Japan has its own culinary traditions, local ingredients, and…
Eat your way through one of the most delicious countries on earth. These 15 foods to try in Japan are going to rock your tastebuds. Japan has a deep respect and understanding of ingredients and cooking techniques that are not found anywhere else in the world. From wagyu to fresh tofu, each dish on this…
10 bucket list Japan locations to visit using the Japan Rail Sanyo San’in Northern Kyushu Area regional pass. From hot springs to temples.
How awesome would it be to visit Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Fukuoka, and an onsen town in Japan? The JR Sanyo San’in Northern Kyushu Pass lets you and more. It used to be that travellers got the nationwide Japan Rail (JR) Pass. After a hefty price hike in 2023, that pass is no longer the best…
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the listing for Amanek Beppu Yula Re on booking.com. A hotel with an onsen, a rooftop pool, where I could rent a king-sized superior room for under ¥15,000 yen during Sakura season in Japan? With room available on 2 days’ notice? Pinch me. Reading the reviews sweetened…
I’m obsessed with Mario. I’ve played every version on every console since my friend Sabrina introduced me to Nintendo when we were little girls. Zach and I play Mario Kart every day. Naturally, on our visit to Osaka, Universal Studios Japan and Super Mario Land were top priorities. It was Sakura Season, and everyone else…
Sushizen Kyoto is a Michelin guide-recommended restaurant in Kyoto, Japan. I was excited to try sushi from a master, so we headed there just after they opened on a Wednesday afternoon during Sakura season. A small line had formed when we arrived. Sushizen has a simple sign hanging and 3 short blue draping banners across…
On my return to Osaka, Japan, the cherry blossoms were just beginning to fall, and despite Osaka hosting the World Expo, I was able to book a last-minute APA hotel room. I chose a standard double non-smoking room at APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Namba Ekimae Tower for around ¥18,000 per night and was offered…
On my first pass through Osaka, Japan, Zach and I rented a deluxe double smoking room at Hotel Hillarys Shinsaibashi, located near the Namba district. It was Sakura season, and a room cost around ¥21,000 yen a night. This seemed to be an average price, but the hotel looked like it had above-average amenities. We…
This Japanese accommodations guide will explain the types of accommodations available, the level of service you can expect, and the most popular booking platforms to use.
Getting sick in Japan can be a scary experience. There is a language barrier and a lot of misinformation about what over-the-counter drugs are allowed in Japan and what services you can access as a foreigner. On my recent trip to Japan, I became quite ill and had to visit both pharmacies and, ultimately, a…
Tokyo teamLab Borderless is a dazzling art experience with lights, sound, and smells at the Mori Digital Art Museum. This was my first visit to a digital art installation, so I was excited to see what all the hype was about. I didn’t know what to expect going in. I’d seen the photos—walls of colour,…