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Japan Starts Here - Travel

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Japan Starts Here

22.04.2025

Plan Your Shikoku Road Trip Today

Although you can explore Shikoku by bus and rail, having a car—and my Shikoku road trip itinerary—will make your life much easier.

Japan Starts Here

22.04.2025

The Problem With the Meguro River Cherry Blossoms

The Meguro River is one of Tokyo's top cherry blossom spots—but seeing sakura here isn't as fun as it used to be.

Japan Starts Here

22.04.2025

Why You Should Visit Uwajima Castle

Uwajima is the smallest and most remote of Japan's 12 original castles, but it's still very worth visiting. Here's why.

Japan Starts Here

16.04.2025

30 Pictures to Inspire Your Japan Cherry Blossom Trip

I've taken a Japan cherry blossom trip nearly every year for the past 11 years. Here are some pictures to inspire your own sakura sojourn.

Japan Starts Here

15.04.2025

A Personal Account of My 2025 Japan Cherry Blossom Trip

2025 was the most unique Japan cherry blossom trip I've ever taken, for good and for bad. Here's how it went down.

Japan Starts Here

14.04.2025

How to See Plum Blossoms in Japan in 2026

Want to see Japan's plum blossoms in 2026? Here's what to know about the bloom of the ume (aka plum blossoms) in Japan.

Japan Starts Here

25.03.2025

Where (and How) to See Early Cherry Blossoms in Japan in 2026

Want to see sakura, but can't travel in late March or early April? Here's where (and how) to see early blooming cherry blossoms in Japan.

Japan Starts Here

25.03.2025

How to Plan Your Trip to Japan's Mt. Yoshino in 2025

Is Yoshino Japan's ultimate cherry blossoms destination? That's for you to decide. I'm just here to help you plan your trip!

Japan Starts Here

25.03.2025

The Ultimate Guide to Climbing Mount Fuji in 2025

Want to Climb Mt. Fuji? Here's how to do it without stress or complication, and without needing to book an expensive tour.

Japan Starts Here

25.03.2025

The Ultimate Guide to Buying Shinkansen Tickets

Feel intimidated about riding the Shinkansen? Don't be! I'm here to demystify the process of buying Shinkansen tickets.

Japan Starts Here

21.03.2025

The Ultimate Guide to Plum Blossoms in Japan

Want to see Japan's plum blossoms in 2026? Here's what to know about the bloom of the ume (aka plum blossoms) in Japan.

Japan Starts Here

21.03.2025

Plan Your Trip to the Izu Peninsula Today

With Mt. Fuji on one side and some of Japan's best beaches on the other, the Izu Peninsula is a treasure. Here's my Izu Peninsula itinerary.

Japan Starts Here

21.03.2025

Is Kyoto or Tokyo a Better City for Travelers?

The Kyoto vs Tokyo debate is fraught, but I have more than a decade of experience to add to it. Here's how to think about each city.

Japan Starts Here

21.03.2025

Is Mito, Japan Worth Visiting?

Mito is the capital of Ibaraki, Japan's least-loved prefecture. This might not seem like a place worth visiting—give it a chance anyway.

Japan Starts Here

12.03.2025

Why "Business Hotels" Are Japan's Best-Kept Secret

Planning a trip to Japan and seeking cheap accommodation? Here's why you should consider staying in one of Japan's business hotels.

Japan Starts Here

11.03.2025

Is Tokyo Overrated?

While travel blogs (and Japanese tourism boards) tend to focus heavily on Tokyo, that's not the only reason you might find Tokyo overrated.

Japan Starts Here

04.03.2025

How to Take a Day Trip to Fukuoka from Hiroshima

Want to visit Fukuoka but don't have time to spend the night there? Head to Fukuoka for the day from Hiroshima!

Japan Starts Here

25.02.2025

Discover Japan Off the Beaten Path (for Real)

"Off the beaten path" has become a cliché, in Japan and elsewhere. Here's where to go if you want to escape Japan's tourist trail entirely.

Japan Starts Here

25.02.2025

The Ultimate Sapporo Travel Guide

Is Sapporo worth visiting? Read my honest thoughts on the hub of Hokkaido here, including advice on things to do in Sapporo.

Japan Starts Here

20.02.2025

How to Mt. Fuji Day Trip from Tokyo

Think you can't visit Mt. Fuji from Tokyo in a day? Think again! Here's how to take a Mt. Fuji day trip from Tokyo—on your own, no tour.

Japan Starts Here

19.02.2025

These Are My Favorite Things to Do in Hakodate

Searching for things to do in Hakodate? My Hakodate itinerary is the best place to begin planning your trip.

Japan Starts Here

19.02.2025

The Ultimate Osaka Cherry Blossom Itinerary for 2025

Visiting Osaka in spring? Whether in 2025 or any other year in the future, use my Osaka cherry blossom itinerary to plan your trip.

Japan Starts Here

19.02.2025

The Ultimate Kyoto Cherry Blossom Itinerary for 2025

Curious about where to see cherry blossoms in Kyoto in 2025? My Kyoto cherry blossom itinerary has you covered.

Japan Starts Here

11.02.2025

Should I Rent a Car in Japan?

Is it worth renting a car in Japan? The answer might surprise you, given Japan's reputation for stellar public transportation.

Japan Starts Here

11.02.2025

Is Zao Onsen Worth Visiting?

Yamagata's Mt. Zao isn't well-known—except, in some circles, for its "snow monsters." Here are some other reasons to visit Zao Onsen.

Japan Starts Here

02.02.2025

Plan Your Kaga Onsen Itinerary Today

Kaga Onsen is a stone's throw from Kanazawa, but many tourists don't even consider visiting. My Kaga itinerary will help you take the plunge.

Japan Starts Here

02.02.2025

How to Visit Tea Fields Near Mt. Fuji

There are few more quintessentially Japanese views than Mt. Fuji rising over verdant tea fields. Here's how to capture them for yourself.

Japan Starts Here

02.02.2025

An Amazing Day Trip from Tokyo to Chiba

Whether you go by public transport or rent a car, a day trip from Tokyo to Chiba prefecture will exceed your wildest expectations.

Japan Starts Here

02.02.2025

Is Togakushi Shrine Worth Visiting?

Visiting Togakushi Shrine in winter was near the top of my bucket list for years, but did it live up to the hype? Read to find out.

Japan Starts Here

28.01.2025

Is Ginzan Onsen Worth Visiting?

Made famous by "Spirited Away," obscure Ginzan Onsen in Yamagata has become a top Japan destination. But is Ginzan Onsen overrated?

Japan Starts Here

28.01.2025

Is Kawaguchiko or Yamanakako the Best Lake Near Mt. Fuji?

Although it's called "Fuji Five Lakes," two tend to dominate the conversation. Should you prioritize Lake Kawaguchi or Lake Yamanaka?

Japan Starts Here

28.01.2025

Is Kusatsu Onsen Worth Visiting?

Although it's popular among Japanese, very few foreigners make it to Gunma prefecture's Kusatsu Onsen. Here's why you should be one of them.

Japan Starts Here

28.01.2025

Your Search for the Best Day Trips from Tokyo Ends Here

Looking for day trips from Tokyo, beyond the usual suspects? From Nikko, to Kamakura, to Mt. Fuji, to Chiba, read my Tokyo day trip guide.

Japan Starts Here

28.01.2025

Searching for the Best Onsens in Japan? Start Here.

Japanese hot springs, or onsen, can be intimidating for foreigners to explore. My list of the best onsens in Japan will inspire you to try.

Japan Starts Here

21.01.2025

JAL A350 vs ANA The Room: The Best "New" Business Class

Both ANA and JAL have rolled out flagship business class products in recent years. Here's which one I think is better.

Japan Starts Here

21.01.2025

Why You Should Visit Japan in January

Whether or not you ring in the New Year there, Japan is extremely underrated in January. Read my account of my trip to learn why.

Japan Starts Here

21.01.2025

Does JAL's A350 Business Class Live Up to the Hype?

JAL recently debuted its A350-1000, which will soon be the airline's standard bearer. Is JAL's A350 business class as good as they say?

Japan Starts Here

21.01.2025

Where (and Why) to Celebrate New Year's Eve 2026 in Kyoto

Kyoto might seem like an odd choice for a place to celebrate New Year's Eve 2026 or 2027. Here's why it's actually the perfect one.

Japan Starts Here

09.01.2025

Amazing Alternative to Japan's Fushimi Inari Shrine

Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Shrine is legendary—but it's also a tourist trap. Read this post to discover other orange (and red) gates to visit!

Japan Starts Here

26.12.2024

How (and Why) to Visit Izumo Shrine

Izumo Shrine is more than worth the complicated journey of getting there—especially if you explore the rest of the city.

home›Japan Starts Here›Travel

Japan Starts Here - Travel

Plan Your Shikoku Road Trip Today

The Problem With the Meguro River Cherry Blossoms

Why You Should Visit Uwajima Castle

30 Pictures to Inspire Your Japan Cherry Blossom Trip

A Personal Account of My 2025 Japan Cherry Blossom Trip

How to See Plum Blossoms in Japan in 2026

Where (and How) to See Early Cherry Blossoms in Japan in 2026

How to Plan Your Trip to Japan's Mt. Yoshino in 2025

The Ultimate Guide to Climbing Mount Fuji in 2025

The Ultimate Guide to Buying Shinkansen Tickets

The Ultimate Guide to Plum Blossoms in Japan

Plan Your Trip to the Izu Peninsula Today

Is Kyoto or Tokyo a Better City for Travelers?

Is Mito, Japan Worth Visiting?

Why "Business Hotels" Are Japan's Best-Kept Secret

Is Tokyo Overrated?

How to Take a Day Trip to Fukuoka from Hiroshima

Discover Japan Off the Beaten Path (for Real)

The Ultimate Sapporo Travel Guide

How to Mt. Fuji Day Trip from Tokyo

These Are My Favorite Things to Do in Hakodate

The Ultimate Osaka Cherry Blossom Itinerary for 2025

The Ultimate Kyoto Cherry Blossom Itinerary for 2025

Should I Rent a Car in Japan?

Is Zao Onsen Worth Visiting?

Plan Your Kaga Onsen Itinerary Today

How to Visit Tea Fields Near Mt. Fuji

An Amazing Day Trip from Tokyo to Chiba

Is Togakushi Shrine Worth Visiting?

Is Ginzan Onsen Worth Visiting?

Is Kawaguchiko or Yamanakako the Best Lake Near Mt. Fuji?

Is Kusatsu Onsen Worth Visiting?

Your Search for the Best Day Trips from Tokyo Ends Here

Searching for the Best Onsens in Japan? Start Here.

JAL A350 vs ANA The Room: The Best "New" Business Class

Why You Should Visit Japan in January

Does JAL's A350 Business Class Live Up to the Hype?

Where (and Why) to Celebrate New Year's Eve 2026 in Kyoto

Amazing Alternative to Japan's Fushimi Inari Shrine

How (and Why) to Visit Izumo Shrine

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