The temptation is nearly unbearable, but… You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t a good Japan traveler, so you already know to take off your shoes off outside the door, you wouldn’t dream of eating and drinking while walking around, and the last thing you’d ever do is get on a train while blabbing onContinueContinue reading “Don’t accidentally do these five things that drive Japanese locals crazy”
Category Archives: Japan travel
Noooo! Why is it CLOSED?!
There’s nothing more disappointing than flying all the way to Japan, navigating the trains, and hiking to the pin on your map,* only to discover that something you really want to see is CLOSED! Here’s what locals know about when things are open and when they’re not. 1 The 30-Minute Rule Most places don’t allowContinueContinue reading “Noooo! Why is it CLOSED?!”
Where to see the best cherry blossoms in Tokyo
Cherry blossoms at the Imperial Palace Chidorigafuchi Moat Map to all Cherry Blossom Spots First of all, what kind of cherry blossoms do you want to see? They bloom in four waves of different varieties, starting in mid-March with the dark pink kanzakura… Early-blooming cherries at Shinjuku Gyō-en then the weeping varieties bloom from mid-MarchContinueContinue reading “Where to see the best cherry blossoms in Tokyo”
Mt. Takao
Mt. Takao is still within Tokyo city limits, but it feels like a world away! You can ogle plum blossoms in February, walk across hot coals in March, hoist a cold one with a great view all summer, or hike and enjoy the monkey park any time of year. Climbing this mountain has its rewards!ContinueContinue reading “Mt. Takao”
What Japanese phrases should I learn before I go?
None. That’s right, none. Yikes, that seems super rude, right? Nobody wants to be the kind of clueless tourist who assumes all the world speaks English! But let’s imagine for a moment how trotting out those “useful Japanese phrases” you plan to memorize on the plane will play out… Imagine, if you will, a foreignContinueContinue reading “What Japanese phrases should I learn before I go?”
Jindai Botanical Gardens
This garden isn’t just beautifully designed for strolling, its flower displays in every season rival the cherry blossoms for sheer WOW. It’s most famous for the plum grove that begins to bloom in February, the cherry blossoms in March, its incredible display of azaleas in April, its wisteria in late April to early May, andContinueContinue reading “Jindai Botanical Gardens”
Don’t let AI ruin your Japan trip!
This little piece of fiction is from FineArtAmerica My friend the amazing tour guide recently told me that getting his guests into the top sushi restaurant in Tokyo is no longer his biggest challenge—it’s breaking the news that cherry blossoms aren’t really that pink and their #1 must-see destination doesn’t exist. The thing is, everyoneContinueContinue reading “Don’t let AI ruin your Japan trip!”
When is the best time to come to Japan?
How to see Japanese festivals and events that most people missFrom today, I’ll be publishing a series of posts about destinations that are especially great to see in each month, with shout-outs to festivals, events, and places to see flower extravaganzas that are just as amazing as The Crowded Pink Season. Everyone thinks the bestContinueContinue reading “When is the best time to come to Japan?”
Where to see the strangest shrines in Tokyo
Some of the gods in residence at Tokyo’s shrines have hilarious and entertaining specialties! Oddly enough, many of these shrines sit on the grounds of venerable Buddhist temples. Japan’s indigenous Shintoism predates the arrival of Buddhism, and because Buddhist belief doesn’t require renouncing allegiance to other gods, they preserved the sites honoring the old godsContinueContinue reading “Where to see the strangest shrines in Tokyo”
Fun stuff to do in Tokyo when it’s HOT outside
Don’t let a little steamy weather keep you from having all the summer fun and seeing all the good stuff! There are plenty of only-in-Japan delights you can 100% enjoy and still keep your cool. Instead of groaning at the soaring temperatures, think yourself lucky you’re here for experiences and food that are only offeredContinueContinue reading “Fun stuff to do in Tokyo when it’s HOT outside”
The secret locals know about finding the best cherry blossoms in Tokyo
Yes, the Meguro River near Nakameguro Station is amazing, but… If you’re planning a trip to Japan, you’ve seen the pictures, done the research, checked the cherry blossom forecast, and planned your itinerary to make sure you see the best of the best at the peak of the pink. But if you spend all yourContinueContinue reading “The secret locals know about finding the best cherry blossoms in Tokyo”
Pink River Season: The cherry blossoms just keep on giving
This especially fine one is at a park in Kanazawa, but pink rivers are everywhere, once you start to look! Real cherry blossom hunters don’t just sigh and write a wistful haiku about the fleetingness of life when the petals begin to fall. Now it’s time to gear up for Pink River Season! Because asContinueContinue reading “Pink River Season: The cherry blossoms just keep on giving”
Just added: New destinations & travel tips
What’s new on The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had • NEW DESTINATIONS • The Tokyo Toilets are all the public toilets lovingly cleaned by the main character in Wim Wenders’ film Perfect Days • They’re just public restrooms, but each is a masterpiece of the architect’s style and vision • Beautiful during the day AND lit upContinueContinue reading “Just added: New destinations & travel tips”
All things Disney
Photo: Japlanease, which is Helen Foster’s excellent Japan travel guide that explains ALL the nuts and bolts (and what they cost) I’m not going to pretend to know about Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea. But I know it’s a major must-see for some travelers, so I’m going to send you to the greatest Disney authority IContinueContinue reading “All things Disney”
The Tokyo Toilets…with maps!
The quietly fascinating janitor in Wim Wenders’ Perfect Days cleans toilets for a living. But not just ANY toilets. If you spent every day in and out of the seventeen toilets designed by Japan’s most famous architects, your days might be perfect too! These toilets use innovative materials—some are made of clear glass that becomesContinueContinue reading “The Tokyo Toilets…with maps!”
Beyond Tokyo: Great only-in-Japan stuff to do in the rest of the country
I’m always telling people they should spend more time in Tokyo because HELLO UNKNOWN GOODNESS, but there are plenty of other places in Japan worth visiting too! You already know the obvious ones, so I’m going to show you some only-in-Japan spots where you’ll be astonished by the experience, not the crowds. MAP TO ALLContinueContinue reading “Beyond Tokyo: Great only-in-Japan stuff to do in the rest of the country”
Where to get the best foodie souvenirs in Tokyo
If you’re longing to bring home the amazing tastes of Japan to share with your nearest and dearest, you need to know about antenna shops! Many regional governments sponsor “antenna” outlets in Tokyo where they sell their most famous wares at the same price you’d pay if you visit the hometown maker. In one stop,ContinueContinue reading “Where to get the best foodie souvenirs in Tokyo”
Where to get a healing souvenir for your ailing loved one
If you have dear ones whose health you can’t stop thinking about—even while on your dream trip to Japan—why not bring back a healing gift to show how much you care? Japan has many healing shrines and temples—some specific, some general—and you need not be a practicing Buddhist or a Shinto believer to enjoy theContinueContinue reading “Where to get a healing souvenir for your ailing loved one”
How to make your own sea creature swim through TeamLab Borderless!
Did you know there’s a room at TeamLab Borderless where you can make your own sea creature and send it swimming through the museum? It’s really fun, it’s not just for kids, and it’s free for everyone with museum admission! Here’s how! When you enter the aquarium room, find the doorway leading into the sketchContinueContinue reading “How to make your own sea creature swim through TeamLab Borderless!”
How to find a traditional Japanese inn and book it yourself online
This is one of the the most luxurious inns I’ve ever stayed at—it’s Miyamasu Onsen in the town of Zao Onsen, in Yamagata So, you’ve asked yourself the question, “Is staying at a traditional Japanese inn heaven or hell?” and decided it’s an experience you can’t afford to miss. But how do you find the bestContinueContinue reading “How to find a traditional Japanese inn and book it yourself online”
What to do in Tokyo on a rainy day
You’ve got every precious day in Japan all planned out…then you wake up one morning and it’s raining. Here are some only-in-Japan things you can do on a rainy day that might deliver even more fun than what you thought you’d be doing today! MAP TO ALL DESTINATIONS • Only-in-Japan Aquariums If the word “aquarium”ContinueContinue reading “What to do in Tokyo on a rainy day”
Do you know about the currency converter on your iPhone calculator?
Today I learned that there’s a super handy currency converter built right into my iPhone! If you have iOS 18 or later, it’s in the calculator app. Here’s how to use it: See this button? Tapping it takes you to this: Toggle the “Convert” slider… and you’ll see this: You can change the currencies byContinueContinue reading “Do you know about the currency converter on your iPhone calculator?”
Seven Perfect Days in Tokyo: Destination combos that work together
Here are seven ways to hit all your must-see Tokyo attractions, then discover the other incredible things to see nearby! • Quick “7 Perfect Days” navigation buttons, if you already know where you’re going • Perfect Day #1Art Aquarium, only-in-Japan theater, shopping gold & the world’s best coffee Start at Art Aquarium, then roam to…TheContinueContinue reading “Seven Perfect Days in Tokyo: Destination combos that work together”
Jonelle Patrick writes about Japan 