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
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
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
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
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
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.
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Taking trains in Tokyo can seem incredibly intimidating and complex at first, but I can guarantee that once you get the hang of it, it’s really easy. With a little bit of knowledge, you’ll be zipping around the city like a pro and enjoying your journey.
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Today we’re talking about where to find public bathrooms in Japan. This is just one more reason to love Japan, because there are public bathrooms almost everywhere. They’re easy to find and usually pretty clean. So, let’s dive into everything that you need to know about public toilets in Japan. Read more
Every year, the goal of climbing Mount Fuji attracts thousands of tourists from all around the world. It’s Japan’s highest peak at 3,776 meters and an iconic symbol of the country, but things are changing for the 2025 climbing season. Read more
Whether you’re traveling to Japan for business or pleasure, you’ll eventually need to know what to do with your luggage on a Japanese train. Some travelers feel a tinge of frustration when they rush to board and then don’t know what to do with their bags. Read more
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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