My Latest Posts
From Tokyo’s hidden treasures to breathtaking destinations beyond, my latest blogs bring you closer to the heart of Japan.
Everything You Need to Know About Omoide Yokocho (Piss Alley) in Shinjuku
Step into Omoide Yokocho, Shinjuku’s smoky alley where yakitori sizzles and strangers become fast friends. This guide covers what to eat, where to drink, and how it compares to Golden Gai plus why this scrappy postwar strip, affectionately called Piss Alley, delivers one of Tokyo’s most unforgettable nights.
How to Visit the Haruki Murakami Library in Tokyo
The Haruki Murakami Library (officially the Waseda International House of Literature) is one of the most enchanting free attractions in Tokyo. Designed by architect Kengo Kuma and housed on Murakami’s alma mater campus at Waseda University, it holds over 3,000 of his books in 50 languages, a jazz vinyl listening room, a replica of his writing study, and the Orange Cat cafe. I visited in 2022 and, as a Murakami fan, spent one of my most magical afternoons in Tokyo. Here is everything you need to know before you go, including opening hours, the reservation system, and the best Murakami novels to read first.
Tokyo’s Islands: How to Visit What Most Tourists Miss
Tokyo’s 11 islands stretch 1,000 kilometers south into the Pacific from the surf beaches of Niijima and the volcanic scenery of Miyakejima to the UNESCO World Heritage shores of Chichijima and Hahajima. This is the definitive guide to every island accessible by ferry from Tokyo including how to book tickets, what to expect on board, and where to stay.
Moving to Japan? 10 Things I Wish I’d Known
Moving to a new country as different as Japan comes with its own unique challenges. This guide covers the ten most important things to know before you arrive from carrying your Residence Card at all times and navigating Japan’s cash-based economy, to setting up a bank account, registering at your ward office, renting an apartment, and mastering the trash rules. Whether you are moving to Tokyo or a smaller city, these tips will help you settle in faster and avoid the most common mistakes.
Japan for First-Time Visitors: 10 Insider Tips from 13 Years of Living in Tokyo
A 13-year Tokyo resident shares the 10 things every first-time visitor to Japan truly needs to know including calculating whether a JR Pass is worth it, setting up a Suica on your iPhone, finding tourist-friendly ATMs, and surviving onsen etiquette.
Japan’s Snow Monkeys: The Complete 2026 Guide to Jigokudani Monkey Park
Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano Prefecture is one of Japan’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences: wild Japanese macaques soaking in a natural mountain hot spring, surrounded by deep cedar forest and snow. This complete 2026 guide covers admission prices, the Snow Monkey Pass, how to get there from Tokyo on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, what to wear on the trail, and what to do in nearby Shibu Onsen and Shiga Kogen.
Tokyo Itinerary Day 2: Five More Amazing Places to See
Cherry blossoms, the world-class museums of Ueno Park, and the narrow music-filled lanes of Shimokitazawa – these five Tokyo neighborhoods reveal a side of the city that most visitors never find.
My Top Five Recommendations for Your First Time to Tokyo
From crossing the world-famous Shibuya scramble to sipping tea in a maid cafe in Akihabara, these are the five experiences every first-time visitor to Tokyo needs. An insider’s guide from someone who has spent more than ten years living in the city, covering Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Electric Town, Shinjuku’s tiny bars and hot springs, Shibuya’s iconic crossing and loyal dog, and the world famous fashion streets of Harajuku and Omotesando.
Yakushima: One of the Best Places in Japan You’ve Never Heard Of
Yakushima is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage island in southern Japan where trees have been alive for thousands of years, forests inspired Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke, and loggerhead turtles nest on moonlit beaches. This first-person guide covers the Jōmon Sugi hike, the overnight Mt. Miyanoura climb, Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine, sea turtle snorkeling, and everything you need to plan your visit — including updated prices, ferry and flight options, and what to pack for the wettest island in Japan.
Kurashiki: One of Japan’s Most Charming Towns
Kurashiki’s Bikan Historical Quarter is one of Western Japan’s most extraordinary hidden treasures: a perfectly preserved Edo-period canal district lined with white-walled kura storehouses, weeping willows, and the extraordinary Ohara Museum of Art, Japan’s first private collection of Western art. Just 15 minutes by train from Okayama, it is one of the finest off-the-beaten-path destinations in Japan and pairs beautifully with a visit to nearby Naoshima Island.
The Top 5 Things to Do in Okayama, Japan
Naoshima: The Complete Guide to Japan’s Extraordinary Art Island
Naoshima Island is Japan’s most extraordinary art destination: home to the Chichu Art Museum, Yayoi Kusama’s pumpkin sculptures, and Tadao Ando’s architecture. This 2026 guide covers verified admission prices, newly
opened venues including the Naoshima New Museum of Art, and first-person tips from someone who has been there.
19 Incredible Facts about Mt. Fuji That Will Shock You
Mt. Fuji is far more than a Japanese icon. It is a living volcano, a sacred site, and a cultural force that has shaped Japan for centuries.
Can You Smoke Weed in Japan? Japanese Drug Laws Explained
26 Things NOT to Do in Japan
Knowing these things not to do in Japan
definitely helped me fit in much better during my 13 years in Japan, but it took years for me to learn all of them. Today, I’m giving you the shortcuts you need to be a Japan-savvy traveler TODAY, not tomorrow.
Mt. Koya and Japan’s Largest Graveyard (at Night!)
Why Japan?
The Best Place to Stay for Your First Time in Tokyo
Shinjuku not only has direct train access from Tokyo’s Narita airport (and direct bus access from both Narita and Haneda airports), but its train station also has 36 platforms and another 17 platforms (51 total) accessed through hallways to five directly connected stations, making Shinjuku the busiest train station in the world by total number of passengers.
16 Japanese Phrases to Help You Impress the Japanese
The 8 Best Hiking Trails in Japan That You Will Never Forget
19 Japan Customs You Need to Know Before Your First Trip to Japan
Shimokitazawa: Stories from Nine Years in Tokyo’s Coolest Neighborhood
Finding Apartments in Japan for 1 Month or More
Searching for apartments in Japan for one month or more can feel overwhelming the first time you visit Japan. As someone who moved to Japan three different times within a 13-year stint and stayed in Japan for more than one month two other times, I can really speak from experience.
