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”
Tag Archives: Japan travel advice
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?!”
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?”
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”
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”
The OTHER cherry blossom seasons
These kanzakura cherries bloom a week to ten days before The Season cracks a bud Even the official cherry blossom forecasters have a hard time predicting the peak of the somei yoshino bloom, so you’re not alone if you guessed wrong. But failing to hit the precise moment for the fluffy pink variety has aContinueContinue reading “The OTHER cherry blossom seasons”
Bigtime cherry blossoms, small town crowds
Everyone who comes to Japan for cherry blossom season flocks to the top spots in Tokyo for good reason—they’re spectacular. Which means they’re also spectacularly crowded. But guess what? Locals know that just an hour away in Kamakura, you can see jaw-dropping pinkness and gorgeous blooming views at the most entertaining shrines and temples inContinueContinue reading “Bigtime cherry blossoms, small town crowds”
How to get into Shinjuku Gyoen during cherry blossom season
If you’re in Tokyo to see the cherry blossoms, there’s no place bigger and better and pinker than Shinjuku Gyōen National Garden. The problem is, everybody and their brother knows that, so now you have to book a time slot in advance to get in. If you’re a buttoned-up planner who is adept at navigatingContinueContinue reading “How to get into Shinjuku Gyoen during cherry blossom season”
Tips & tricks for maximum fun at the new TeamLab Borderless
Hi, it’s me, Jonelle. The TeamLab Borderless Digital Museum is the hottest ticket in Tokyo right now, but it’s also the great grandaddy of FOMO. There are no maps, and it’s designed to get you turned around so you “discover” instead of beelining to the thing you’re dying to see. The new Azabudai Hills siteContinueContinue reading “Tips & tricks for maximum fun at the new TeamLab Borderless”
How to pick a hotel in Tokyo and book it yourself online
I’m not going to recommend specific hotels because your budget and travel plans are unique to you, but here’s how you should pick a place to stay in Tokyo. How to check out the options and book your hotel by yourself online The best way to see all the options is to do a GoogleContinueContinue reading “How to pick a hotel in Tokyo and book it yourself online”
Where do I get a visitor transit card at Haneda Airport?
Regular PASMO, Suica and ICOCA transit cards are available again at all train station ticket machines, but if you buy a temporary visitor transit card when you arrive at the airport, it won’t cost you the ¥500 non-refundable deposit and can be reloaded for 28 days from the date of purchase. OR If you haveContinueContinue reading “Where do I get a visitor transit card at Haneda Airport?”
How to put a Japanese transit card on your phone
This is the easiest and most reliable way to buy a transit card. You can do it from home before you leave and use a credit card,* even if it’s not issued by a Japanese bank. *Important note: For various arcane reasons, VISA credit/debit cards issued by foreign banks are not accepted. MasterCard and AmExContinueContinue reading “How to put a Japanese transit card on your phone”
How to get and use a visitor transit card
If you’re flying into Osaka/Kyoto or points west, you can buy an ICOCA reloadable transit card at any train station and use it anywhere in Japan. But as of August 2023, you can no longer buy Suica or PASMO transit cards in Eastern Japan (Tokyo region and east), so you have to put one onContinueContinue reading “How to get and use a visitor transit card”
Jonelle Patrick writes about Japan 