Half the fun of going to Japan is shopping for all the things to bring home for yourself to enjoy and to spoil all your friends/family with. Japan is known for making products that are incredibly well-designed, thoughtfully packaged, and built to last. From everyday …
Every year at the Fuji Shibazakura Festival, a beautiful carpet of bright pink flowers rolls out beneath Japan’s tallest and most majestic mountain, Mt. Fuji. The Fuji Shibazakura Festival (Fuji Shibazakura Matsuri or the Fuji Moss Phlox Festival in English) is one of the most …
Tokyo is a city that never stops surprising me. I’ve been here on all of my 7+ trips to Japan, and every single time, I discover something new—whether it’s a hidden ramen joint, a quirky museum, or a neighborhood I’ve somehow never explored. I It’s like the …
Planning your first trip to Tokyo? You’ve probably already seen the same recommendations over and over—Takeshita Dori, Tsukiji Fish Market, Golden Gai… but after 6–7 trips to Tokyo since my first visit in 2015, I can confidently say most of those spots are way too …
Who in their right mind doesn’t swoon at the pure thought of Mount Fuji? UNESCO didn’t name Mt. Fuji a World Heritage Site for being “meh.” It’s a soul-stirring, culture-defining icon, and it’s 100% worth seeing for yourself! I learned the hard way that skimping …
Osaka is packed with history—Osaka Castle, endless shrines, and temples that make it onto just about every travel guide. And look, if it’s your first time in Japan, those are definitely worth seeing. But after a few trips to Japan, you start craving something different. …
I’ve been obsessed with the idea of World Fairs for as long as I can remember. There’s something magical about how these events have shaped cities and left behind iconic landmarks that define their skylines. Take Paris, for example—home to the Eiffel Tower, which was built …
The world is changing in a way where the travel gods are now in our favor. Specifically, traveling to Japan has never been cheaper! These days, everyone is going to Japan. The country may not be considered a ‘cheap’ Asian destination by any means (compared …
There’s a lot to love about Kyoto. But let’s be real—Kyoto isn’t the hidden gem it once was. When I first created this itinerary back in 2016, most of the city felt like a peaceful escape, with the exception of hotspots like Fushimi Inari Taisha …
Kyoto is a city that feels like stepping into a postcard—tranquil temples, wooden teahouses, and streets steeped in history. When I first created this itinerary back in 2016, Kyoto was already magical, but it felt more intimate, like a well-kept secret. Fast forward to today, …