My Travel Guides
NOTE: This guide was written before Tsukiji Fish Market moved to Toyosu Fish Market. Tsukiji is still functional as the restaurants of the outer market is still there. While the main fish auction is at Toyosu. You are planning your trip to Japan and one Read More …
When going to Japan, it’s easy to confuse temples and shrines. But they are quite different. Temples are Buddhist sites, while shrines are Shinto sites. It’s even more confusing by the fact that there are some areas that meld the two religions together. And that Read More …
In Japan, especially in Tokyo, in major foreigner-friendly shopping areas such as Akihabara, there are logos showcasing “Japan Tax-Free Shop”. It’s important to for people traveling Japan to know that shops will NOT give you tax-free if you don’t ask for it. Afterall, how would Read More …
You are planning to go to Japan for the first time and are wondering about Japanese currency. Should you get currency at the American airport or local bank before going to Japan? Should I wait until you get to Japan? Here is my advice when Read More …
You are visiting Japan and go to a shrine or temple and you notice people going to an area which looks like a tub of water and you see people drinking from it? The thought may cross your mind… “Why are they drinking the water?”, Read More …
You booked a flight and got it very cheap and you are now excited. But many travelers are learning that the cheap flight they paid for was “basic economy” and not regular “economy”. And for those who have read about the confusion, frustration or the Read More …
Quite often when I speak to people about traveling, especially to Japan, I’m always asked how much one should save. Especial for meals and how can one eat cheap. That is not an easy question as everyone is different and depending on how many weeks Read More …
I have written about IC Cards, such as Suica and Pasmo. But let’s assume you are planning to go back to Japan and are not sure how much money you have on your IC Card. Fortunately, there is an app called Suica Reader and if Read More …
As many of you can tell from this website, I love to travel and I especially love visiting Japan. While there are some people who strike when the iron is hot when they see social media posts of insane ticket sales going on. I don’t Read More …
You are in Japan and you see a cool shirt or jacket that is your size and you buy it, take it back to the hotel or back to your country and you find out… it doesn’t fit! Using America as an example, since I Read More …
When it comes to traveling, there are a few things I have learned when it comes to using a debit card overseas: a) Do not use my main ATM/Debit Card when I travel b) Find another bank where I put my budgeted travel money and Read More …
Between March through November in Japan, it’s baseball season. And baseball games in Japan are entertaining, lively and a different vibe than what one would experience in the United States. As one friend would say, it’s like a baseball game and concert mushed into one. Read More …
A friend was asking me about laundry in Japan. As I didn’t stay at an AirBNB or a friend’s place to access someone’s laundry machine, the hotels that I have been to have public laundry machines. So, knowing this, I always bring a net (like Read More …
You may be wondering why people talk about going to convenience stores in Japan. If you are from the United States, the first thing to do is eliminate what you have seen at your American convenience store, eliminate the thoughts of lottery tickets, slurpees, soda, Read More …
For those who are planning to travel and drive in Japan, one may see quite a number of gas stations that may resemble your gas station in your country. For those in the United States, one may look at the sign and think its similar Read More …
For those who have read my post about the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass), I first recommend after activation at a JR Station to discuss with them on getting shinkansen tickets in advance (as you want to make sure you get your seat before finding Read More …
So, you are traveling to Japan and want to figure out how to travel Japan on a budget and are interested in the Japan Rail Pass. Should you get a 7-Day, 14-Day or 21-Day JR Pass? Should you get one at all? If you are Read More …
If you are traveling Japan, aside from your passport and your JR Pass, one of the most important things to do, once you arrive in Japan, is to get an IC Transportation Card that will allow you travel in Japan. You can purchase the card Read More …
When traveling, one thing that a few people don’t worry about until the last minute is their travel tags. When purchasing travel tags, you will see the basic name, address and city, state. But these days, you have to protect yourself and not putting all Read More …