Japan – Page 4 – Travels With Matt Blog

5 things to know before exploring Japan

There is a lot to things to know before heading to Japan, so narrowing it down to some of the key ones is quite useful. Here are five general things to know before preparing and exploring Japan.

How to get from Narita Airport to Tokyo

Congratulations, you have made it to Japan. You have traveled for hours, but your journey is still not quite over. In fact, you are still an hour away from downtown Tokyo, so how on earth do you manage not only the jet lag but also getting you and your luggage into the city? Here are some ways to get into the city.

Final verdict: Solo travel vs. group travel

I have listed all of the positives and negatives for both traveling by yourself and the ups and downs with traveling with a group. So what is the answer? Is it better to travel on your own or to travel with a group? The answer, at least to me, is not that simple.

Hotel Review: The Gate Hotel by Kaminarimon by HULIC

The Gate Hotel by Kaminarimon in Asakusa, Tokyo is one of the nicer hotels I have stayed in while visiting Tokyo. It is located right across the street from Sensoji Temple, putting it in an ideal location for any tourist wanting to explore this incredible part of Tokyo.

5 restaurant experiences to try in Tokyo

There are a lot of amazing restaurants, both big and small, to experience while exploring Tokyo (and throughout Japan). Here are five that are a must when you visit Japan. They are sure to fit any appetite and budget, no matter what you are looking for.

Restaurant Review: Gonpachi

If you are a fan of Kill Bill and the epic fight scene against the Crazy 88, then you should visit this restaurant. If you are looking for an average meal in Tokyo with high prices, then this place is also for you.

Top travel websites for planning a trip to Japan

There are a lot of websites out there when planning an international trip to Japan. While the amount of information can be overwhelming at first, these are some of the top websites I have used and have trusted in my past trips and recommend you visit before heading out on that next vacation.

Picking a hotel in Japan

Japan is full of of hotels, each one with unique styles and features that ideal for whatever you are looking for. Here are a few notes about different types of hotels and what you can expect from each as you plan to book your trip.

Restaurant review: Bill’s Omotesando Restaurant

This location of Bill’s Omotesando Restaurant is located in Tokyo Plaza Omotesando in the Harajuku district of Tokyo (there are several locations in Tokyo including one in Ginza).

Chopstick Manners in Japan

Knowing how to use chopsticks might seem like a small part of the Japanese dining experience, however, it is a very important one. Having proper manners and etiquette is very important, so here are some quick things to remember about chopsticks in Japan.

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.

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.