These are the seven things you should know before riding a train in Japan. The Japanese are very conscious of how their behavior affects the people around them. There seems to be a set of unwritten rules that almost everyone in society follows when it comes to public behavior. As a visitor to Japan, it’s beneficial to know these rules in advance before getting on your first train. Read more
Becki and I are back from our 2018 Japan Spring Tours. We had a great time, met a bunch of nice people and made new friends along the way. It was wonderful sharing what we love about Japan and showing everyone around. Here are some photos of the places we saw during our tours. Enjoy! Read more
Japan is very strict about over the counter drugs, so many of the North American brands don’t make it onto Japanese pharmacy shelves. Japan has different brands, and more often than not, different active ingredients. Read more
The answer is YES! Buses, subways and trains in Japan can only be described as safe, efficient, clean and comfortable. For most North Americans, this is a hard concept to wrap your head around, even if you’ve travelled by rail in Europe. Read more
Deciding what to wear in Japan on your holiday can be a bit stressful. Especially if you are not familiar with the culture and the weather. Read more
I can guarantee that you will encounter a high tech, futuristic Japanese toilet seat on your trip to Japan. Don’t panic when you see it because I’m going to explain what the buttons are and what they do. Read more
When packing for your trip to Japan, it is very important to follow these tips for packing light. Packing light doesn’t just refer to weight, it also means keeping the number of bags to a minimum. Read more
If you’re traveling to Japan, then you’re definitely going to want to learn how to use chopsticks. Unless you’re having dinner at a western-style restaurant, it’s very unlikely that the restaurant will have a fork, spoon or knife available. Once you know how to use chopsticks well, you’ll find that they are a very versatile utensil. Read more
My first trip to Japan was as a student studying abroad. Upon arriving, I was instantly impressed by the kindness and hospitality of the people. At the train station, strangers went out of their way to help me carry my three large, 50-pound suitcases down the stairs. I had noidea there wouldn’t be elevators or even escalators. Read more
When I first arrived in Japan, I couldn’t believe the sheer number of people everywhere I looked. I had expected large crowds, but had never experienced so many people in one place. It was as if the big game had let out in all directions.
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Becki and Shawn
Japan Travel Specialists
Hi, we’re Becki and Shawn! We love Japan and are truly passionate about Japan and Japan travel.
We’ve lived, worked, and traveled in Japan for 20+ years, so we know where to go, what to see, and how to get there. Join us in Japan for an adventure of a lifetime!
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