When people talk about travel in Japan, they usually talk about destinations.
Tokyo. Osaka. Kyoto. A specific temple, a neighborhood, a restaurant worth waiting in line for. Those places matter — but the longer I spend in Japan, the more I realize that the parts that stay with me live in between.
Continue reading “The Space Between Destinations”Most trips are built around highlights.
You arrive with a list, move quickly, and measure success by how much you managed to see before it was time to leave. That approach works, especially in a place like Japan where every city feels dense with experiences. But on my two-week trip in 2025, something different happened — not because I saw more, but because I stayed long enough for the country to stop feeling new.
I spent a full week in Osaka. Not hopping between cities. Not treating it as a base for day trips. Just staying. And that decision quietly changed everything.
Continue reading “What I Learned by Staying Longer in Japan”Some places win you over immediately. Others do it quietly, without asking for attention. Yanaka-Ginza was the second kind.
I didn’t arrive there with expectations. It wasn’t high on any list, wasn’t framed as a must-see, wasn’t something I had been imagining before the trip. It was simply a stop along the way, a neighborhood I was passing through rather than aiming for. A tour to get away from Shibuya and the neon-light streets, a change of pace.
And maybe that’s why it stayed with me.
Continue reading “A Neighborhood I Didn’t Plan to Love”Every time I arrive in Japan, it’s in the afternoon or later. By the time the plane touches down, my body is already behind. I don’t sleep on flights — never have been able to — so I arrive carrying that familiar mix of exhaustion and adrenaline. The kind where your eyes feel heavy but your mind is wide open, taking everything in whether you want it to or not.
Jet lag hits fast, but I’ve learned not to fight it on that first night in Japan.
Continue reading “The First Night in Japan Still Feels Different”There’s one train ride from my last trip to Japan that I find myself returning to more than any other. It wasn’t my first time on the Shinkansen, and it wasn’t even the longest journey I took. But something about that ride — moving from Osaka back to Tokyo — has stayed with me in a quiet, persistent way.
Continue reading “A Train Ride in Japan I Still Think About”Why Traveling to Japan Continues to Shape How I See the World
There are places you visit, places you enjoy, and places you remember fondly. And then there is Japan — the place that never really lets you leave.
Continue reading “Japan Is the Place That Never Lets Me Go”The countdown is officially on—only 30 days until I travel to Japan! After months of planning and preparing, the trip I’ve been dreaming about is finally within reach. Japan has always held a special place in my heart after several visits, and I can’t wait to experience everything this incredible country has to offer once again.
Continue reading “The Final Countdown: One Month to Japan”The countdown is officially on. After months of dreaming, planning, and hoping, my trip to Japan this November is finally becoming a reality—and I couldn’t be more excited to share this journey with you.
Continue reading “The Countdown Begins: Japan in November!”If you’re walking through almost any city in Japan, you’ll quickly notice something unusual—something that’s missing: public trash bins. Unlike many Western cities where you’ll find garbage cans on nearly every street corner, Japan takes a different approach. So, what should you do with your trash as you explore the country?
Continue reading “Why Are There So Few Trash Bins in Japan? A Tourist’s Guide to Managing Waste”Welcome to Shibuya, Tokyo’s pulsating heart where tradition intertwines seamlessly with modernity, and every corner tells a story of vibrant urban life.
In this guide, we’ll unveil the quintessential places to explore in Shibuya, including the newest addition to its skyline, Shibuya Sky. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, prepare to be captivated by the kaleidoscope of experiences awaiting you in this dynamic district.
The lantern room from the Team Labs museum experience in Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan. Shot with an Iphone 10 (2019).
Visiting Tokyo, Japan, for the first time can be an exciting and overwhelming experience. With its bustling streets, neon signs, and rich culture, Tokyo offers an adventure around every corner. One of the essential skills for a traveler to master in this metropolis is navigating the Tokyo subway system. The subway system is efficient, extensive, and the key to unlocking the city’s treasures.
In this article, we will provide you with essential tips and information to confidently navigate the Tokyo subway system during your first visit.
Continue reading “Navigating the Tokyo Subway System: A First-Time Traveler’s Guide”
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