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Here in Japan, autumn invites us to slow down and notice change—the hush of a temple garden after rain, the warmth of tea between our palms, the quiet joy of a red maple leaf against a slate sky. At Arigato Travel, we see travel as a mindful practice: a way to step into the season with curiosity, presence, and gratitude. Japanese life philosophy reminds us to welcome each moment as if for the first time (beginner’s mind), appreciate the beauty of imperfection (finding grace in the worn and weathered), and offer sincere hospitality—small, thoughtful gestures that turn strangers into friends. These ideas pair naturally with mindfulness, asking us to breathe, look closely, and let the season teach us how to transition with ease. Affirmations are a simple tool that helps you do exactly that. In psychology, affirmations are values-based statements that reinforce your sense of identity and purpose. They aren’t magic—but they are meaningful. Research on “self-affirmation” shows that reflecting on what matters to you can reduce stress responses, support clearer thinking under pressure, and even increase openness to positive health messages that lead to better choices. Over time, these small moments of self-alignment can ripple outward into lasting benefits for well-being, relationships, and performance. How to use the October affirmations for best results: Keep it brief and present-tense. Read or say your affirmation in a calm voice that feels believable and kind. Tie it to a daily cue. Pair an affirmation with an existing habit—morning tea, a walk under changing leaves, or your first glance out the train window. Engage your senses. Look for one autumn detail (color, scent, texture) as you repeat your line; let the season anchor the words in your body. Write it down. Handwriting increases intention; pin your note where you’ll see it—luggage tag, mirror, or phone lock screen. Align with values. Choose affirmations that reflect what matters most—curiosity, compassion, steadiness—so they resonate beyond the moment. Practice gently. If resistance shows up, soften the wording (“I am learning to…”) and return to your breath. Our Japan-themed autumn affirmations were created to travel with you—whether you’re exploring Kyoto’s gardens, wandering seaside shrines, or savoring ramen on a breezy evening. Think of them as quiet companions that help you mark thresholds, release what no longer fits, and step into the next chapter with clarity. Please enjoy and use the following 31 affirmations—they evoke October in Japan and invite a path of calm consideration, gentle transition, and openness. I welcome October like a new journey, open to crisp air and small wonders. I see beauty in change, like turning leaves. I grow by letting go. I treat every meeting as a once-in-a-lifetime moment and savor it fully. I leave white space in my plans for serendipity—room for a detour under red maples. I offer wholehearted hospitality and receive it with gratitude, warming hearts like tea. Nature restores me; I walk tree-lined paths and breathe deeply. I carry calm through stations and shrines, steady as mountains in morning mist. I honor my repairs—kintsugi (mending with gold) in spirit—stronger and more beautiful. I improve through small, steady steps, as leaves shift color day by day. Stillness clarifies my path; I pause to hear the soft rustle of leaves. I anchor my day with simple rituals—tea, a bow, a breath—harmony and respect. I notice haiku-sized details: a single leaf on stone, steam from a rice shop, a quiet smile. I waste nothing and thank everything I use, packing lightly and mindfully. I trust the season’s mystery; earlier dusk invites lamp-lit wanderings. I walk with relaxed awareness, mindful of each wooden step and fallen leaf. I accept wholeness even when incomplete, like a circle drawn in one imperfect stroke. I move like a clear brushstroke—confident, graceful, unhurried. I travel light and resourcefully, wrapping each day’s surprises with care. Warm baths soften my body and thoughts; I release tension and return to ease. I feel protected by the good intentions I carry, like a small charm in my pocket. I pause for tsukimi (autumn moon-viewing); the night sky resets my rhythm. I welcome momiji (turning maple leaves); change is natural, necessary, and beautiful. I speak with gratitude and humility; simple words can warm a chilly day. A seasonal lunchbox and a train window are enough for contentment. I practice courtesy and presence on every ride, creating islands of calm. I celebrate community wherever I find it, joining a local harvest festival. I step through new thresholds with courage and reverence, into bright autumn light. I lift each curtain gently, crossing spaces with care and curiosity. I rise after every fall; resilience is my daily habit—seven setbacks, eight returns. I fold hopes patiently; small, steady acts build great results. I align with purpose as the year turns; my inner compass points to what matters most. If this approach to mindful travel speaks to you, we’d love to craft something special. Visit our blog for more reflections and practical guides, and contact Arigato Travel to plan a Japan journey centered on wellness, meaningful experiences, and personal transformation. Together, we’ll curate moments that feel like deep breaths: small, beautiful, and unforgettable. Featured Photo Credit: AaronChenPS2 Ready to experience the best of Japan, let us help plan your entire trip from start to finish.
Across the world, each season paints the landscape with its own mood and meaning. In Europe, we often connect the seasons not only with changing colors and shifting atmospheres, but even with music. Who hasn’t tried to guess which melody in Antonio Vivaldi’s magnificent The Four Seasons corresponds to each season of the year? The importance of a season, after all, depends on what it has historically meant in each country. Some seasons are dreaded, while others are eagerly awaited. It is the same in Japan, where each season carries its own cultural weight, reflected in art, poetry, and tradition. Today, we’ll step into autumn, a season that in Japan embodies both brilliance and impermanence. As leaves blaze crimson before falling, artists and poets have long drawn inspiration from the fleeting splendor of this time of year. Autumn as a painting The idea of depicting the seasons in art has a long history in Japan, particularly with yamato-e, a classic style of painting inspired by the pictorial works of the Chinese Tang dynasty. Another important genre was the shiki-e, or “pictures of the four seasons.” Both flourished in the Heian period (794–1185). In these works, autumn was marked by brilliant red maples, pampas grass swaying under the moon, or chrysanthemums in bloom. Such motifs weren’t just pretty decorations; they carried layers of meaning. Momiji (maples) embodied both vitality and impermanence, while chrysanthemums symbolized longevity and dignity. One of the most famous early visual records is found in the Genji Monogatari Emaki (The Tale of Genji illustrated scrolls, 12th century). Certain scenes are set in autumn, and the choice of seasonal detail helps to deepen the mood: the blaze of leaves, the sound of wind, or a moonlit night reflecting on water. Over time, artists like Hiroshige and Hokusai (known for The Great Wave Off Kanagawa) brought autumn landscapes into the ukiyo-e woodblock tradition, making them accessible to townspeople. Hiroshige’s prints in particular capture glowing hillsides, rice fields ready for harvest, and temple gardens carpeted in red leaves. Even today, autumn exhibitions are common in Japanese museums and galleries, where classic and contemporary works alike highlight the seasonal shift. Paintings of geese migrating, persimmons ripening on bare branches, or moon-viewing gatherings remind visitors of how this imagery has remained constant for centuries. Autumn’s poetry If art gives autumn a visual form, poetry gives it a voice. In Japan, autumn is one of the richest poetic seasons, appearing in anthologies as old as the Manyōshū (8th century) and the Kokin Wakashū (905). These works don’t just describe scenery; they express feelings of melancholy, longing, and appreciation for impermanence. One waka from the Kokin Wakashū opens the autumn section with surprise at the season’s arrival: “I could not see clearly that autumn had come, but suddenly — startled by the sound of the wind.” — Fujiwara no Toshiyuki (c. 9th century) Haiku, a short Japanese poem of three lines that follows a 5-7-5 syllable pattern, are especially suited to autumn’s sharp, fleeting impressions. Matsuo Bashō (1644–1694), the great haiku master, left many verses about autumn, including: “On a withered branch a crow has settled— autumn evening.” Here, the quiet image captures not just the sight of autumn but its emotion: loneliness, stillness, and acceptance of change. Another haiku, written in his later life, shows how autumn can mirror personal reflection: “First autumn morning— the mirror I stare into shows my father’s face.” Both poems embody mono no aware, the Japanese sensitivity to the beauty of impermanence. Experiencing autumn in Japan This cultural celebration of autumn is not confined to art and poetry. It is lived out in traditions like momijigari (maple leaf viewing), where families and travelers alike seek out mountainsides, temple gardens, and riversides glowing with red and gold. Just as spring brings cherry blossom picnics, autumn brings excursions to admire leaves. Kyoto’s temples, Nikko’s cedar-lined paths, and even Tokyo’s parks transform into destinations for leaf viewing. Autumn festivals also highlight chrysanthemums, the season’s symbolic flower. The Nihonmatsu Chrysanthemum Doll Festival in Fukushima, for instance, blends floral art with cultural storytelling, while chrysanthemum exhibitions across the country showcase elaborate displays of this dignified bloom. Food also becomes part of the seasonal experience; dishes with matsutake mushrooms, roasted chestnuts, and persimmons reflect the harvest and add a sensory richness to the season. Autumn in modern Japan What image do Japanese people have of autumn today? On the one hand, it remains deeply tied to tradition: the glow of momiji, the taste of autumn foods, the sound of crickets in the evening. On the other hand, autumn has also become associated with new, modern idioms. There is a saying, shokuyoku no aki (autumn, the season of appetite), because cooler weather brings heartier meals. Another is dokushō no aki (autumn, the season of reading) since long evenings are perfect for books. Sports festivals are often held in autumn, making supōtsu no aki (autumn, the season of sports) another familiar phrase. For many Japanese today, autumn combines nostalgia with comfort. It is a time to savor, whether by walking under fiery maples, enjoying cultural events, or simply cozying up with a seasonal snack. While the imagery of classical poetry, loneliness, impermanence, still resonates, autumn is also seen as a season of abundance, reflection, and balance. In Japanese culture, autumn is more than a transition between summer and winter. It is a profound source of inspiration that links art, poetry, tradition, and everyday life. From Heian-period scrolls to Bashō’s haiku, from temple leaf viewings to modern expressions of seasonal joy, autumn reminds people to pause and appreciate the fleeting beauty around them. It is both brilliant and fragile, fiery and fading, a season that captures the very essence of Japanese aesthetics. So that’s why Autumn matters so much in Japan! Featured Photo Credit: NTRdesign Ready to embark on an unforgettable autumn adventure in Japan? Check out our top autumn tours to embrace the magic of the season!
Alright! Everything is packed. Got my passport. Let me not forget the camera to take some awesome memory shots. (Aren’t you forgetting something, though?) No, I seem pretty much prepared, unless...wait, do you mean my toothbrush? Nope! Is it my sunscreen? Not even! Guess again….or in fact, let me tell you. APPS! Wait what. Apps? On my phone? Why is that necessary now? Funny you should ask, because not everyone’s super aware of how unique and useful having certain apps can be, especially in Japan! In fact, with such advancements in the world today, there’s an app for almost anything. However, let’s not dig so deep into the world of apps today, but instead, here’s a list of apps you should definitely download to make your next trip to Japan a travelling experience that’s worth it! (#dreaming) NAVIGATION: Of course, we need to learn this first. In a foreign country where nothing is close to your normal route, you’d definitely need to know where you are going, or how to get there (yes, let’s not wind up in an onsen when we were actually looking for a cafe.) Check out these awesome apps that can help steer you along the right path: JapanTaxi As you step foot onto the land of the rising sun, take a deep breath in and say, “Yes, I made it!” Next comes the tricky part. How do I get to my hotel? Whether you are flying solo or not, finding your way to your accommodation to have a good rest before an energized day of adventuring begins is a must! Get JapanTaxi, an ideal and convenient app designed with over 61,000 taxis readily available. Usable in all 47 prefectures, it boasts a wide area of service. Payment is within your reach as it can be done online once you input the relevant information (but you should check if the company allows online payment first). Ready to hail a taxi? Simply choose your pick-up location and your destination, and tap the button. Feel free to check the varying rates before you decide, or even the company you prefer. Available on: App Store and Google Play Store. Maps.me Not just an app but a friend in all your adventures, is one sentence that describes Maps.me. Standing out as the best offline mapping tool internationally, simply download your map area, input your route, and get ready for a spectacular journey ahead! Acquiring its data from OpenStreetMap, this app makes it quite a favourite for offline assistance. Saves you the hassle of sourcing WiFi spots to find your way! Available on: App Store and Google Play Store Japan Travel by Navitime Any person travelling does not want to stand out too much as a foreigner now, do we? Of course not. Looking like a lost bird isn’t the main aim, so that’s why this app’s defining statement says “get around like a local”. Yes! Don’t mind if I do! Walk through Japan like a fearless adventurer as the app, Japan Travel (by Navitime), fully provides you with the essentials. The maps function is great in helping you locate nearby spots such as ATMs or WiFi hotspots, and their route search is effective in finding the most efficient way to get somewhere. Also, learn more as you travel with their guides. This comes in super handy as the ultimate function of this app allows you to plan your own itinerary, as it calculates the total time and cost of the trip once you are done! Available on: App Store and Play Store. Japan Transit Planner (Norikae Annai) by Jorudan A multilingual app intended to aid in your travels, allowing comfortable movement in Japan. Japan transit planner helps you check in with your nearby stations and map out your direct route of travel for a trouble-free trip. Input your location and destination, then check your route. It can supply information related to the cost and also calculate the average time of your transit schedule due to the availability of the station timetable. Available on: App Store and Google Play Store. Bounce Imagine the most awkward situation of checking out your accommodations hours earlier than your scheduled flight, so you decide, why not go exploring one more time to grasp all the excitement you can! What am I going to do with all my bags, though? Well, our friends at Bounce are the nifty app that comes to save your day! An economy service app for luggage storage, this app relieves the hassle of finding a place to store your items while capturing your memories. So instead of lugging all the heavy….well, luggage! Find a storage space near you at great prices, depending on the sizes of your items. Reserve a space and conveniently pay the fee online. (simple and quite helpful!) They are an international company with over 15,000 locations all over the world, and they are putting a lot of emphasis on their operations in Japan. With 24/7 around-the-clock support service and a super simple booking process online or in their app, you can store your luggage with ease and take your mind off it while enjoying all that Japan has to offer. The luggage storage is safe and trusted by millions of customers worldwide, with tons of positive reviews. If you want to put your mind at ease and lighten your travel load throughout your sightseeing, please check out Bounce and book their storage service for your next trip! COMMUNICATION: I want that over there! Oh no, what if I say the wrong thing and the locals mistake me? What to do, what to do. Yes, this is only a snippet of the questions you will be asking yourself, especially if you aren’t fluent in Japanese. Our connection to the locals will be just as important as getting around, and therefore, here are some apps you should be sure to have on hand (you’ll thank me when you get the correct food you wanted.) Imiwa First, let’s make sure you can definitely order that delicious bowl of ramen correctly. The app, Imiwa, is an offline multilingual Japanese dictionary, where you can find word meanings in 5 different languages! Access many sentences, learning words not only in context but also to pronounce them accurately with the app’s functions. This means interacting with locals becomes as easy as onigiri for everyone! (haha) Available on: App Store. Yomiwa When you’re in a foreign country, you don’t take into consideration that not only do the people here speak another language, but their entire environment is based around it as well. From road signs to a sign at a cafe window, everything will mostly be written in Japanese, with a few exceptions, as some will have English. Fear not! This app saves you from the many troubles you are about to encounter by just downloading Yomiwa. Simply take a photo of the sign you’d like translated, and it does it for you! What a lifesaver it is! Available on: App Store and Play Store. Japanese Wait. The name of the app is called Japanese? Yes! It is. Quite simple and self-explanatory, this app acts as the ultimate self-study companion! Whether you're just a beginner or a language enthusiast for years, don’t let the Japanese disappear from memory eternally, but instead, keep the momentum with you, even offline. Equipped with over 175,000 dictionary entries, 58,000 example sentences, references, and flashcard study tools, you’ll be a force to be reckoned with by mastering the Japanese language. Available on: App Store. FOOD APPS: Now there is no way you can step foot in another country and not take the chance to savour the cuisine there. Quite unthinkable it is! Definitely, you’ve got to grab hold of the local cuisine and the regional specialities on your travels, and Japan, for one, has lots to offer when it comes to food. Here are some apps that are just up the alley to help you navigate the culinary world of Japanese culture: Gourmet Navigator (GuruNavi) Speaking of navigation, this app is called Gourmet Navigator (shortened to GuruNavi) and presents itself to you in the simplest sentence ever: “ Restaurants at your fingertips.” Not everyone is quite aware that the restaurant industry in Japan is booming, being close to the top with over 400 Michelin-starred restaurants! This puts them in high demand for trying out the food and experiencing the cuisine and culture. With that being said, there’s a multitude of choices to try your taste buds at when it comes to food, both locally and internationally. Discover a restaurant of your choice, depending on your location or the category of food you are looking for, which searches through their database of over 50,000 restaurants. The only disadvantage of this app is that it only supports the Japanese language. However, I believe that with your enthusiastic and passionate soul, who has been studying Japanese all along, you can easily ‘Navigate’ this app well! Available on: App Store and Google Play Store. Tabelog You may be used to using Google Maps for restaurant recs and reviews, and you will certainly be able to find plenty of places using Google in Japan, but it's not the most popular food reviewing app for locals. If you want to see what Japanese residents are rating the highest, you've got to check out Tabelog. It's the most popular food reviewing App in Japan! The App itself is in Japanese, but you can always screenshot the images and put them through a machine translator, or use their website, which will do it for you! It's been said that the Japanese critics rate things a bit more harshly than we're used to on Google, so if you see a shop with a 3.6 on Tabelog, don't be alarmed! It might be the best ramen you've had for your whole trip! Available on: Their website, App Store, and Google Play Store. Sushi Dictionary Are you a huge lover of sushi but have never paid attention to the many differences in the sushi world? That’s alright because I’m the same. The app, Sushi Dictionary, is a genius invention created to help everyone out there get that sushi lingo down! Simply said, it's a dictionary filled with tons of sushi menu items that’s searchable. It can help you read and know the difficult sushi names easily. Also, if you click the little fish icon at the top, it searches the internet to show you photos of what the item looks like. Get learning and the next time you go to a sushi restaurant, you can blow the chef away with your newly found sushi knowledge! (there we go! A master trick unveiled!) Available on: Google Play Store. Ramen Beast Stay in the know with Japan’s ramen scene! You wouldn’t believe it when I found this out, but in order to make this app become a reality, over 10,000 bowls of ramen were eaten! (wow! すごい). Ramen Beast is, therefore, a supreme app when it comes to locating your next bowl of ramen. A guide for any foodie, it comes fully loaded with only the finest shops sourced across the nation for your viewing (yum!). With a map showing the ramen near you, check out the shop’s rating and information easily in your palm, and conveniently decide your next ramen stop! (What are you waiting for?) Available on: App Store. BE AWARE! LIFE-SAVER APPS: Whether your reason for going to Japan is to live there or travel around, it’s always advisable to be in the know of natural disasters. Especially where there are vast, tall buildings, you won’t want to be unaware of your next move in case an earthquake were to occur. Therefore, with such vast improvements in modern technology, apps were actually designed to aid in the preparation and response to natural disasters and emergencies you can encounter in Japan: Yurekuru Call With information from the Japan Meteorological Agency, Yurekuru Call utilizes the earthquake early warning through a push notification. It quickly notifies you of seismic activity and information on the expected time of further tremors. You can share your own experience with the earthquake’s intensity and also view the comments of the situation in other areas, which also provides you with an alert of any oncoming tsunamis. Available on: App Store and Google Play Store. NERV A smartphone service that gives you the best emergency news to the T! NERV was built to help people living or visiting areas where disasters would usually occur and help them quickly assess the situation to be safe. When it comes to earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, or any other weather-related issues, NERV helps provide information dependent on the user’s location, so that they can be alerted on how to avoid some situations. Available on: App Store and Google Play Store. Now, now, you no longer have a reason to be NERVous, right? Your trip to Japan becomes all the more exciting once you get the hang of these amazing apps! You will no longer feel anxious when it comes to communication or finding your way. Travelling is made so much easier! So of course, with your phone all geared up for your next Japan travels, enjoy your adventuring with an ease of mind, but also don’t forget your camera to collect tons of memories! (ka-chick!- there you go!) Featured photo by Jezael Melgoza on Unsplash Be sure to reach out to our Local Travel Specialists to plan your trip and to get more great tips for when you come! PIN THIS FOR LATER
Moving to or living in Tokyo can be an amazing adventure; neon lights, cozy cafés, endless convenience. But let’s be honest: it can also feel overwhelming, lonely, or even isolating, especially if you're far from your usual support systems. Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, culture shock, burnout, or something deeper, know this: you’re not alone, and there is support out there! This guide gives you real, helpful options to find mental health services in Tokyo, including English-speaking therapists, crisis lines, and affordable or free support. Tokyo English Lifeline (TELL) Best for: Immediate support, ongoing therapy, and community resources Languages: English TELL has been supporting the international community in Japan since the 1970s. They offer a free, anonymous Lifeline you can call or chat with 365 days a year. It’s staffed by trained volunteers and mental health professionals, perfect if you need someone to talk to right away. They also provide counseling services (online or in-person) with licensed therapists from different backgrounds. Fees depend on the counselor and insurance, but some support is available if cost is a concern. Hotline: 0800-300-8355 Website: https://telljp.com/ Tokyo Mental Health Best for: Therapy with licensed English-speaking psychologists or psychiatrists Languages: English, Japanese, and more Tokyo Mental Health offers a wide range of services: individual therapy, couples counseling, psychiatric evaluations, and more. Their therapists are internationally trained, and they have experience working with expats and intercultural issues. They also provide telehealth sessions, so you don’t need to be physically in Tokyo to access support. Prices can be high, but many international health insurance plans are accepted. Address: https://share.google/CMhaRGqlWzUysYeZk Website: https://www.tokyomentalhealth.com/ The Roppongi Clinic Best for: Psychiatry and psychological therapy in central Tokyo Languages: English, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish Located in the heart of Roppongi, this clinic specializes in mental health evaluations, psychiatric medication, and counseling. It’s a private practice, so services are prompt, confidential, and well-suited for international residents. The clinic’s team includes bilingual professionals trained in both Japanese and Western approaches to care. Address: https://share.google/flChyavBvticQYdR4 Website: https://www.roppongi-clinic.jp/english-page/ American Clinic Tokyo Best for: General and mental health consultations with U.S.-trained staff Languages: English (primary), Japanese Though it's a general medical practice, American Clinic Tokyo offers mental health services including anxiety and depression treatment, medication management, and referral to specialists. It’s staffed by English-speaking physicians and caters mostly to expats and international travelers. Address: https://share.google/vF6p6qII88Iuys8e3 Website: https://www.americanclinictokyo.com/ Hotline: +81-3-6441-0969 Inochi no Denwa (いのちの電話) Best for: Crisis support in Japanese Languages: Japanese only Inochi no Denwa is a long-running, nationwide mental health and suicide prevention hotline in Japan. It’s staffed by trained volunteers and offers confidential support to anyone in emotional distress. However, the service is entirely in Japanese, and there is no English-language option. If you’re fluent or semi-fluent in Japanese, it can be a very supportive resource. Hotline: 0570-783-556 (10:00–22:00 daily) Website (Japanese Only): https://www.inochinodenwa.org/ Yorisoi Hotline (よりそいホットライン) Best for: Multilingual mental health support, especially for foreign residents Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, and more The Yorisoi Hotline is a free and confidential service that provides emotional support and practical help for those facing distress, abuse, or life difficulties in Japan. Unlike most other services, they offer support in multiple languages, making them ideal for international residents. Their operators can connect callers to interpreters when necessary, though wait times may vary slightly depending on the language. When calling, press “2” for foreign language support, then follow the voice guidance to select your preferred language. Hotline: 0120-279-338 (10:00–22:00 daily) Website: https://www.since2011.net/yorisoi/ International Community Centers & University Counseling Best for: Localized, sometimes free support for students and residents If you’re a student in Tokyo, check with your university. Many campuses offer free counseling services in English and Japanese. These include Waseda University, Sophia University, and Temple University Japan Campus, among others. The Tokyo International Communication Committee (TICC) or your local ward office can also point you to support services tailored for foreigners, including bilingual therapists, group sessions, or referrals. More than Just Coping, You Deserve to Feel Okay Mental health isn’t just for when things fall apart; it’s also about building tools to thrive, not just survive. In a fast-paced city like Tokyo, that matters more than ever. Whether you're here for work, study, or just passing through, know that taking care of your mental well-being is valid, brave, and very possible. You don’t need to speak perfect Japanese. You don’t need to have it “bad enough.” You just need to know that help is there, and you’re absolutely allowed to take it. Featured Photo Credit: Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash If you need to relax and practice mindfulness, why not reach out to our Travel Experts to arrange a Zen Meditation Experience or Retreat?