This article is a one-month Japan travel itinerary. After Japan’s borders re-opened to foreigners (after the pandemic) at the end of 2022, I jumped at the chance to spend a month traveling through the country with my dad. We went…
The Best Day Trips from Tokyo by Train (That I’ve Actually Done)
This note was originally shared in my weekly newsletter, Letters from Japan (and LA) — a slow and personal space where I write about Japan, culture, and life between two homes. 💌 Whenever I visit Tokyo, I always leave a…
Hakone Day Trip from Tokyo: My 1-Day Itinerary, Experience & Recommendations
This Japan itinerary offers travelers an easy day trip from Tokyo to Hakone. I’ve always wanted to visit Hakone and was curious whether a day trip from Tokyo was possible to do without rushing. In this guide, you’ll get my…
Yufuin Floral Village: Fukuoka, Japan Day Trip Itinerary
Looking for Fukuoka day trip ideas? Check out this Fukuoka day trip itinerary to Yufuin Floral Village! Yufuin is known for hot springs, but there’s so much to do, see and eat there, even if hot springs aren’t your thing. …
Karuizawa Day Trip from Tokyo: My 1-Day Itinerary, Experience & Recommendations
This Japan itinerary offers solo travelers an easy day trip from Tokyo to Karuizawa. Whenever I visit Tokyo, I always leave a day or two in my itinerary to take a few day trips outside the busy city. Karuizawa is…
Solo Tokyo Day Itinerary: A Slow, Off-the-Beaten-Path Day in Asakusa & Sumida
This Japan itinerary offers solo travelers a peaceful, unhurried day exploring Tokyo. Asakusa and Sumida are Tokyo neighborhoods perfect for wandering without a strict plan. While Asakusa is often known for its busy streets and Sensoji crowds, just a short…
How to Spend Half a Day in Asakusa (Itinerary + Things to do)
Discover the best half-day itinerary in Asakusa: a perfect blend of Japanese culture and charm. This Japan travel itinerary will give you a taste of what the area is known for without feeling rushed. It includes Tokyo’s oldest (and most…
How to Travel with Oversized Luggage on Japan’s Bullet Train (Shinkansen)
Do you need to purchase special oversized luggage seats for the Shinkansen (bullet train)? If so, how can you do so, and what are the best seats to reserve? When do you need to purchase “oversized baggage” seats? I always…
Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass): What is it? How and Where to Buy
A Japan Rail Pass (or JR Pass) is a multi-use ticket that allows you to ride unlimited times during a specific period on all major JR trains. Tickets are valid for seven, fourteen, or twenty-one days. This can save you…
1-Day Spring Tokyo Itinerary: Nezu Shrine Azalea Garden & Ueno Park
This is a blog post about how to spend a day in Tokyo during the spring. Are you visiting Tokyo during the spring? Don’t miss the Nezu Shrine Azaleas in full bloom! The Nezu Shrine Azalea Garden Festival is held…
How I Spent 3 Days in Tokyo & Yokohama with Friends 🌸
Here you’ll find a three-day spring travel itinerary for Japan, featuring Tokyo and Yokohama. This guide accompanies and provides further details from my spring visit to Japan with friends, as shown in the following video. It’s the first of four…
4 Calm Places to Visit Near Osaka (That Aren’t Kyoto or Nara)
If you’re dreaming of a quieter Japan…these calm destinations are just a train ride away from Osaka. While Kyoto and Nara are popular day trips (and absolutely worth visiting), there are other peaceful places nearby that offer just as much…
