Matt Staton

5 tips while riding the Bullet Trains

Bullet trains are simply incredible machines that will get you across Japan in just a few hours. They are fast, efficient, and are one of the best ways to get around all of Japan. Here are some tips if you choose to take one on your way out of Tokyo.

Things to do in Tampa when it rains

Welcome to Florida where it rains on almost daily, especially during the summer months which can be a problem when you are on vacation. If/when that happens, it is good to have back-up plans to keep yourself entertained. Here are five places you can visit in the Tampa area if the rains come along.

Japan does away with vaccine requirement for arrivals

As of April 29, Japan is no longer requiring incoming arrivals to provide proof of their Covid-19 vaccine or a negative Covid-19 test, opening the door even to a full return to normal.

Etiquette tips for Japanese subways

There are a few things you should and should not do while riding on Japanese subways and trains. These are simple things that will make life a lot easier and also make sure you don’t stand out as an awkward tourist. While these aren’t laws that will get you in trouble, instead these are simple things people do to keep a nice, orderly ride while using the subways.

Time to focus on writing

Writing is content and content is everything for a blog. This has been something I have foolishly overlooked over the past year during my struggles to find a way to make a blog that I actually like to write on.

Japan trip booked!

The 2023 October trip to Japan has been officially booked! It took a while, a lot of money, and a lot of hard decisions, but the hotels and airfare are now officially booked.

Exploring Tampa: New Tampa Nature Park

Opened in 2012, the New Tampa Nature Park is a small, secluded nature trail that connects to the much longer Flatwoods Nature Trail in Tampa, Florida.

Japan in October

Here are the reasons I have decided to make October the perfect time to return to Japan.

Hotel Review: APA Kyoto Ekimae

Here is a hotel review from a 3-star hotel in Kyoto, the APA Hotel Kyoto-Ekimae, located right next to Kyoto Station. This is a nice, business hotel, but has some things about it you should know about before you book it.

5 must see wards in Tokyo

There are 23 wards that make up the greater Tokyo area. Each with its own unique charm and sites that make it unique to itself within Tokyo. Here are my top five wards to see while visiting Tokyo.

Things to remember while planning a trip

Planning a trip can be very stressful no matter how long it is. From a simple weekend get away to an international bucket-list destination, there are a lot of things to think about and plan for. Here are some helpful hints that I have learned that I want to share.

Overrated places in Tokyo

Have you ever gone to a place that you thought would be incredible but it ended up being a let down? It didn’t quite live up to all of the hype you read about and wonder how it got such great reviews on Trip Advisor?

Here are a few of those in Tokyo that you should rethink before planning an entire day around these sites.