Tag Archive for: Environment

Do You Need Travel Insurance in Japan?

/in /by

Insurance in Japan is one of those things you hope you never have to use, but you’ll be incredibly grateful if you need it. Read more

Koshu Inden: Japanese Deer Leather Accessories

/in /by

If you’ve ever browsed a high-end department store in Japan, you might have come across some stunning Japanese deer leather accessories covered in intricate, textured patterns. These aren’t your typical mass-produced luxury handbags, wallets, and phone cases. Instead, Koshu Inden is a 400-year-old craft that gets its origins from the samurai battlefields.
Read more

The Reality of Booking an Airbnb in Japan

/in /by

Whether you’re traveling for business or a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, you’ve likely considered booking an Airbnb in Japan. On paper, it sounds like a fantastic experience. You get to stay in a local apartment with a kitchen and get a real neighborhood experience. However, there is a massive gap between Western expectations and the reality of Japanese culture. Read more

Travel Easily with Luggage in Japan

/in /by

To travel easily with luggage in Japan, you need to have a solid plan for what to pack and how to move your bags from city to city. Read more

Bears in Japan: A Growing Safety Concern

/in /by

You’ve probably never really thought about the possibility of there being bears in Japan. But if you’re planning to hike the historic Nakasendo trail or visit a scenic UNESCO village like Shirakawa-go, you may want to be prepared.

What used to be a rare deep woods sighting has shifted into a real-life safety concern that you need to know about before you head out on a hike. Read more

Cherry Blossom Forecast 2026

/in /by

The Cherry Blossom Forecast for 2026 has just been updated! This year’s cherry blossoms are now set to bloom quite a bit earlier than usual in most locations. Read more

Enjoy Cherry Blossoms in Japan Like a Pro

/in /by

If you’re traveling this spring to enjoy cherry blossoms in Japan, there are a few things we’d like to share with you to help you blend in. Read more

Best of Our 2025 Japan Small Group Tours

/in /by

If you’ve heard of our Japan small group tours, you probably know we do things a little bit differently. We keep our groups small, maxing out at just eight guests. This small group size allows us to use public transportation to move around Japan easily while minimizing our footprint on local communities. Read more

The Art of Standing in Line in Japan

/in /by

Standing in line in Japan properly will save you headaches and ensure you blend right in with the locals. Understanding these unspoken rules is the key to a smooth journey and avoiding the confusion that many first-time travelers face. Read more

What are Japanese Hot Spring Dos and Don’ts?

/in /by

Visiting a Japanese hot spring, or Onsen, is one of the most traditional and memorable experiences you can have during your trip. They are absolutely wonderful, but they also come with some very specific and important rules of etiquette you should know.
Read more