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”Convenience usually comes with a tradeoff. Speed over quality. Efficiency over care. Get in, get out, move on. In many places, convenience feels transactional — useful, but impersonal.
Japan somehow manages to do it differently.
Continue reading “Why Convenience in Japan Feels Thoughtful, Not Rushed”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”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”Before traveling to Japan, I thought I knew how to navigate cities.
I knew how to plan routes, pin destinations, and optimize days so nothing was “wasted.” I moved through places with intent, but also with a quiet sense of urgency — always aware of what was next, what I might miss, and how much ground I could cover.
Japan changed that, all for the better.
Continue reading “How Japan Changed the Way I Move Through a City”The end of the year has a way of making people rush.
Everyone starts talking about what’s next — goals, plans, resolutions, big ideas for the year ahead. But as I look toward 2026, I find myself moving in the opposite direction. Instead of speeding up, I keep thinking about slowing down. And once again, that instinct leads me back to Japan.
Continue reading “What Japan Taught Me About Slowing Down”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 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”Exploring Japan’s sacred sites is a unique and enriching experience, but it’s important to follow proper etiquette when visiting Shinto shrines. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to respectfully interact with shrines while embracing their traditions.
Continue reading “How to Respectfully Visit Shinto Shrines in Japan”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.
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