Osaka – Travels With Matt Blog

The Tour That Surprised Me the Most

Some experiences look simple when you book them.

A short train ride. A walk through a small town. A hike up a mountain. Back by the afternoon.

That’s what this one looked like.

The First Time I Felt Like I Belonged in Japan

There’s a point on some trips when something shifts. You stop feeling like a visitor.

You stop checking maps every few minutes. You stop worrying about whether you’re doing things “right.”

And suddenly, you just start moving through the day like everyone else.

That moment happened for me in Osaka.

The Dream of Living Somewhere You Don’t Need a Car

Living in Florida means accepting one simple reality: you need a car. And it’s something that is almost always a major pain on a weekly basis.

I dream about about living in a place that would not require a car just to make it down the street.

The Space Between Destinations

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.

What I Learned by Staying Longer in Japan

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.

Thank you, Japan

I returned home a few weeks ago after spending two weeks in Japan, exploring Tokyo, Osaka, and several smaller towns along the way. It was one of most incredible trips I have ever had in my four visits to the Land of the Rising Sun.

The sites, the foods, the places I experienced and the people I met along the way will always hold a special place in my heart. Makiko, Kayoka, Ittaa, Yoshie, Yoshi, Hiro, Yumi, and so many more I can’t list all made my trip incredible. From the knowledge, the care, and stories each one shared along the way made the trip one of the best I have ever taken in my entire life.

My life has not been the same since I got back to the states, with my thoughts always on Japan and missing the world I was lucky enough to live in for two weeks. A piece of my heart is still in Japan and I miss it every day.

The Final Countdown: One Month to Japan

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.

Why Are There So Few Trash Bins in Japan? A Tourist’s Guide to Managing Waste

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?

Unwritten Rules of Japan: Tips for Blending in as a Tourist

Japan is a country shaped by its unique customs and unwritten rules, which govern everyday activities—even something as simple as walking down the street.

For tourists, understanding and following these guidelines can help you blend in with the locals and show respect for their culture. Here are a few important rules to keep in mind during your visit to Japan.

Preparing for the Nankai Trough Earthquake: A Guide for Tourists

Japan is renowned for its natural beauty, rich culture, and warm hospitality. However, the country is also one of the most seismically active regions in the world. If you’re planning a visit to Japan, especially to areas along the Pacific coast, it’s important to be aware of the Nankai Trough earthquake—one of the most significant seismic threats facing the country.

In this guide, we’ll explore what the Nankai Trough earthquake is, why it’s a concern, and how you, as a tourist, can prepare to stay safe during your visit.

Return to Japan in 2024?

I love Japan, that much is clear, but will I return to this incredible country again in 2024? I am undecided at the moment, but if I do I will need to change some things for the next trip.

Hotel Review: Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka

Time for a hotel to review that I stayed in 2019, the Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka (Namba area) which might have been the nicest hotel of the entire trip to Japan (and one of the nicest hotels I have seen while in Japan).