Japan hasn’t fully opened up to tourists yet since shutting its borders, but I can dream, can’t I? Checking out gorgeous Hakone Ryokan on booking.com has been surprisingly therapeutic while I wait for the borders to open. It’s made me even more excited for my next...
Tokyo is one of the greatest cities in the world that would take months and years to fully explore. Three days in Tokyo won’t cover a lot, but it’ll let you see the highlights of this city and give you a feel for what makes this city tick. For first-time...
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is also the heart and soul of the country. Experience the neon flashing lights and massive crowds next to serene Japanese gardens and temples. Take on anime culture and visit late-night bars, then pray at Shinto shrines or visit dazzling...
Most first-time visitors to Tokyo want to know: where is the best place to stay in Tokyo? The answers vary depending on what you want to be near: Shopping? Try Ginza. Nightlife? Shibuya or Shinjuku. Anime? Akihabara. Museums? Definitely Roppongi or Ueno. Most likely,...
Nagoya, Japan is a large industrial city perfectly situated between Tokyo and Kyoto. Sadly, Nagoya doesn’t make it on a lot of Japan itineraries because it’s dismissed as just another large city. Actually, Nagoya is filled with interesting attractions,...
Kyoto is the cultural capital of Japan, and a must-visit city for a Japan itinerary of any length. Countless cultural heritage sites, incredible temples and shrines, and fantastic markets and neighborhoods dot this beautiful city. Before visiting Kyoto, there are a...
Hakone is a popular destination in Japan known for its hot springs and amazing views of Mt. Fuji. Although many people choose to stay overnight in a luxurious Hakone ryokan, it’s entirely possible to do a Hakone day-trip from Tokyo. With a little help from a...
It’s a myth that Japan isn’t for backpackers or budget travelers! Although you shouldn’t expect $2 dorm beds like in Southeast Asia, it’s entirely possible to travel three weeks in Japan on a budget. If it’s your first time backpacking...
Naoshima and Teshima, two of the Art Islands located in the Seto Inland Sea were once suffering from the effects of depopulation. For decades, the combination of young people moving to big cities, an aging population, and low birth rates has resulted in rural Japanese...
Two foodie hot-spots in Yokohama draw both a local and foreign crowd: The Yokohama Cup Noodles Museum, and the Shin-Yokohama Ramen museum. If you are spending a day or more in the Yokohama area, it’s worth going to both of these attractions. Although the food they...
Teshima, also known as one of Japan’s Art Islands, is located just next to Naoshima in the Seto Inland Sea. What once was a rural island suffering from depopulation, the Setouchi Triennale Art Festival, along with several museums built on Teshima, have helped to...
Tokyo Skytree is the tallest structure in Japan, and also the tallest tower (not building, but tower) in the world! The cost to go to the top, the Tembo Galleria at 450m is a whopping ¥3400-¥3100 (about $30 USD) combined with entry to the lower Skytree Tembo Deck at...
So you’ve been to Sensoji-Temple, seen the Shibuya Crossing, and had a drink in Shinjuku Gai. You’ve checked off everything on my Top 15 Things to do in Tokyo list. Now what? It’s time to visit off-the-beaten-path Tokyo. There are many staple things...
Extra days in your Tokyo Itinerary? Seen all the top things to do in Tokyo and checked off some of the weirdest things to do there too? That’s a sign to pack up your day bag and head out on the best day-trip from Tokyo! There are many incredible day-trips from...
Yokohama is the second largest city in Japan, located just south of Tokyo. It’s known for being a massive port city home to an impressive Chinatown, and it’s a popular day trip from Tokyo. Famous tourist spots in Yokohama include the Yokohama Cup Noodles...
There are countless weird and wacky things to do in Tokyo. Everyone’s Tokyo bucket list should include something uniquely Tokyo, something you can’t experience anywhere else in the world. Luckily, Japan’s lively capital city is filled with activities...
Kamakura and Enoshima are separately, two beautiful day-trip destinations from Tokyo. If your time in Tokyo is short, combine the two trips to one in a jam-packed, Kamakura-Enoshima day-trip itinerary! What can you expect from both Kamakura and Enoshima? Kamakura is...
If you’re looking for the best Tokyo viewpoints, there are more than enough skyscrapers to choose from. Looking down upon the largest metropolitan area in the world, 38 million people, is a wonder to behold that shouldn’t me missed. From the flashy...
Mt. Koya, or Koyasan, is a holy mountain in central Japan that is reachable as a day-trip from Osaka or Kyoto. Traditionally, Shinto pilgrims would walk from the base of Koyasan to the top, then stay in a temple accommodation at the summit. Now it is still common to...
There is no better way to explore the culture and beauty of a country than to embark on a trek through its most scenic and remote regions. When visiting such a diverse continent like Asia, its amazing how many different landscapes you can treat yourself to an...
For Starbucks lovers, the world’s largest Starbucks, the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Tokyo, is a sight not to miss during a trip to Japan. For anyone else who loves coffee shops, coffee, or coffee-inspired alcoholic drinks, the Starbucks Roastery Tokyo...
Hiroshima is a vibrant city located a little ways down the coast from Osaka and Kobe in Japan. Known for being one of two cities that was devastated by an atomic bomb during World War II, Hiroshima has come a long way since 1945. Hiroshima’s famous attractions...
Naoshima, one of the Art Islands in central Japan, is the perfect place to spend a day between Hiroshima and Osaka during your Japan itinerary. Not only can you experience laid-back island life, but you can also explore the many museums and sculptures during your...
The immensely popular Mt. Takao day-trip from Tokyo might be a bit crowded for visitors looking to spend time in nature. Mt. Mitake is a perfect alternative day-trip from Tokyo where you can enjoy the Japanese countryside. The entire Mt. Mitake region, also a National...
Miyajima Island near Hiroshima is a popular day-trip destination for all travelers to Japan. It’s a place to escape into nature, explore beautiful shrines, and admire the famous Miyajima sunset behind the ‘floating’ torii gate. I recommend spending...
Hi Everyone! I’m Erika van ‘t Veld, and I’ve been traveling around the globe since I quit my corporate America job in October, 2017. I hope to inspire others to travel by showing how cheap and easy it can be. You can read about my own experiences on my blog page too!
