Travel Blog
I discovered the wonders of second-hand stores in Tokyo purely by accident. I was planning my last-minute hiking trip to Kamikochi (also known as the “Japanese Alps”) and realized I didn’t have any appropriate hiking wear. I was torn between shopping it up vs. going without when I realized I could try looking at second-hand stores …
A thrift shopper’s guide to Tokyo: 6 second-hand stores you need to visitRead More
If you’re planning your first trip to Kyoto, Japan, I’ve put together a 4 day Kyoto Itinerary, just for you! If you think of Tokyo as a modern city, Kyoto is like it’s older, more traditional sibling. If you’re after cultural experiences – temples, old architecture, beautiful Japanese gardens and Shrines, well Kyoto is for you. Kyoto …
Other than Tokyo, Kyoto is the most popular city for tourists visiting Japan. Every time I’ve visited Kyoto – whether it be during fall, in sweltering summer or during the ever popular sakura (cherry blossom) season, I’ve had a tough time navigating crowds. As a photography lover, it’s always proven challenging to get beautiful photos …
Planning a trip to Japan? Not sure where to even begin when it comes to packing for Japan? I learned the hard way that carrying too much in your suitcase leads to sore arms and a lot of stuff that you don’t ever end up using. Train stations in Tokyo are famed for having hidden …
Can you believe that the land size of Japan is approximately equivalent to that of California?! For a country of its size, there are so many destinations to choose from when planning a trip to Japan. Every time I visit, I always have to sacrifice a place or city from my list – there is …
8 Travel bloggers share their favorite places in JapanRead More
If you’re looking for weekend trips from either Tokyo or Kyoto, then look no further than Kamikochi. This beautiful area in central Japan is part of what is considered the Japanese Alps. I spent 3 nights here, though you could visit just for the weekend and still not feel rushed. It was a great way to …
Naoshima Island, also known as Japan’s Art Island is famed for its art museums and outdoor sculptures. Most famous is the “giant pumpkin” by artist Yayoi Kusama which is the unofficial icon for Naoshima. For me, visiting Naoshima started off as a crazy pumpkin hunting mission, but turned into a full-blown love affair. To help …
I always get asked about how hard it is to travel in Japan as an English speaker. Without fail, I constantly hear “but how do you get around?” or “I’d love to go to travel to Japan, but I don’t know any Japanese!” While most Japanese people speak Japanese in their everyday lives, many learn …
When visiting Japan, it’s hard not to stock up on awesome souvenirs for friends and family back home. We’re talking patterned chopsticks, hello kitty themed everything (how about Hello Kitty toilet paper guys!) or a cute “kawaii” phone case. If you’re after something unique, however, a cute iPhone case is just not going to cut …
So many travelers think you need to spend a lot of money to visit Tokyo. This sprawling metropolis has a reputation as an expensive city! When I first traveled to Japan, I didn’t think it was possible to travel on a budget in Tokyo. After living in Tokyo, I’ve come to realize that while it can …
