How to Decide Where to Stay in Tokyo
There's no one "right" answer for the best place to stay in Tokyo—but I'll help you choose the right one for you.| Japan Starts Here
Archives for October 2025| Japan Starts Here
My JAL domestic first class review is incidental, not intentional. The post JAL’s Domestic First Class is Overrated appeared first on Japan Starts Here.| Japan Starts Here
Moving to Japan is pretty straightforward, presuming you don't undertake the process when the country's borders are closed like I did. The post The Truth About Living in Japan appeared first on Japan Starts Here.| Japan Starts Here
There's no one "right" answer for the best place to stay in Tokyo—but I'll help you choose the right one for you.| Japan Starts Here
Headed to Japan? From amazing Japan itineraries to personalized help planning your trip, Japan expert Robert Schrader has you covered.| Japan Starts Here
Tokyo vs Osaka is one of Japan's oldest urban rivalries. I recommend visiting both, but here's how to choose Tokyo or Osaka if you must.| Japan Starts Here
Wilder than the main island and more remote than Ishigaki, Miyakojima is the perfect place to go off Okinawa's beaten path.| Japan Starts Here
Considering a trip to Japan's Shizuoka prefecture? Plan it today using my comprehensive Shizuoka travel guide.| Japan Starts Here
Visiting Togakushi Shrine in winter was near the top of my bucket list for years, but did it live up to the hype? Read to find out.| Japan Starts Here
The Satsuma Peninsula is one of the least-visited places in Japan. Here's why you should add it to your bucket list.| Japan Starts Here
Archives for February 2025| Japan Starts Here
Archives for October 2022| Japan Starts Here
Want to visit one of Japan's original castles? Here's where to find the 12 original castles of Japan, as well as how (and why) to visit each.| Japan Starts Here
Although you can explore Shikoku by bus and rail, having a car—and my Shikoku road trip itinerary—will make your life much easier.| Japan Starts Here
Whether you travel from Osaka or Kyoto to Himeji, Japan's most beautiful castle is definitely worth visiting. Here's why (and how).| Japan Starts Here
I'm confident I've crafted the perfect Kawagoe day trip. The post Edo for the Afternoon appeared first on Japan Starts Here.| Japan Starts Here
If you happen to be in the Tokyo area around October 1, I highly recommend making a pilgrimage to see the red spider lilies. The post Saitama’s September Surprise appeared first on Japan Starts Here.| Japan Starts Here
Udatsu, while easy to miss, is impossible to forget. The post Japan’s Underrated Indigo Town appeared first on Japan Starts Here.| Japan Starts Here
It's easy—well, easy enough—for you to see this amazing sakura view yourself. The post Cherry Blossoms and the Seto Inland Sea appeared first on Japan Starts Here.| Japan Starts Here
Tatebayashi is the most hidden sort of hidden gem in Japan. The post Tatebayashi is Worth the Trek appeared first on Japan Starts Here.| Japan Starts Here
Inuyama Castle is technically Japan's oldest castle, but is often an afterthought nonetheless. Here's why you should make sure you visit.| Japan Starts Here
Is Mt. Fuji worth visiting? Take a day trip from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji, hike in the Fuji Five Lakes region or even climb Mt. Fuji.| Japan Starts Here
In spite of being a country of islands, Japan isn't necessarily known for its beaches. These amazing Japanese beaches buck that trend!| Japan Starts Here
Atami's glory days might be behind it, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth a visit. Here's how—and why—to spend a day in Atami.| Japan Starts Here
Archives for March 2025| Japan Starts Here
Kyoto's Fushimi ward is one of Japan's most prolific sake-producing towns—and one of the best places in Japan to do a sake tasting.| Japan Starts Here
Over the years, I've relied more and more on the Kintetsu Line to explore Japan's Kansai region. The post Kansai’s Most Underrated Railway appeared first on Japan Starts Here.| Japan Starts Here
As a general rule, there is no tipping in Japan. The post Why You Should (Almost) Never Tip in Japan appeared first on Japan Starts Here.| Japan Starts Here
Traditional wisdom suggests that Higashiyama is the best and most important district of Kyoto. But what about Arashiyama?| Japan Starts Here
I've had more than seven years to ponder the question "is Sendai worth visiting?"—I think you'll find my answer illuminating.| Japan Starts Here
Looking for a Kunisaki peninsula itinerary? Whether you go for a day trip from Beppu or stay a few nights, you'll find what you need here.| Japan Starts Here
Tourism at Mt. Aso never quite recovered from the 2016 earthquake. I could empathize in late 2019, when I was suffering some aftershocks of my own.| Japan Starts Here
Shimoda beaches are rightfully known as the best beaches near Tokyo, providing a taste of Okinawa just hours from the capital.| Japan Starts Here
The good news? One half of my experience climbing Mt. Fuji was absolutely delightful. The bad news? The other half was literally hell on Earth.| Japan Starts Here
Curious about booking a Tokyo go kart tour? Read about my experience with a Mario Kart tour, Tokyo apart from it and a unique Shinjuku ryokan.| Japan Starts Here
Saga is one of Japan's least-loved prefectures, but don't let that dissuade you from going! Plan your trip with my Saga travel guide.| Japan Starts Here
Your search for a Nagasaki Islands itinerary ends today. Whether you visit Ikishima, Tsushima, the Goto Islands or all of them, start here!| Japan Starts Here
Think Kyoto isn't any fun? Think again. The annual Gion Matsuri is one of Japan's most exciting (and underrated) summer festivals.| Japan Starts Here
Curious about ANA's new 777 business class? Read my review of "The Room," which also includes which routes have the new seats.| Japan Starts Here
Located far off Kyoto's tourist trail, Kurama-dera temple and Kifune-jinja shrine can be respites of peace in Japan's #1 tourist trap.| Japan Starts Here
Looking for a unique food day trip from Kyoto, Osaka or Kobe? Make a beeline for Uo-no-tana, a fish market in Akashi, Hyogo.| Japan Starts Here
Planning a day trip from Kyoto to Amanohashidate, Ine Fishing Village or elsewhere in Kyotango, aka "Kyoto by the Sea"? Get inspired here.| Japan Starts Here
Everything you need to know about studying Japanese in Japan: How to choose a Japanese language school and how to get a Japan student visa.| Japan Starts Here
Archives for May 2024| Japan Starts Here
Archives for June 2025| Japan Starts Here
Japan has no shortage of superlative airline cabins. But the experience in first class onboard JAL's new A350-1000 is something else entirely.| Japan Starts Here
ANA's "The Suite" first class was revolutionary when it debuted in 2019. Here's how it's holding up more than half a decade later.| Japan Starts Here
Hot, humid July can be a surprisingly unpleasant month to visit Japan. But I've got a unique way to beat the Japanese heat.| Japan Starts Here
Curious about ANA's new 777 business class? Read my review of "The Room," which also includes which routes have the new seats.| Japan Starts Here
Archives for August 2025| Japan Starts Here
ANA's "The Suite" and JAL's new A350-1000 sky apartment are Japan's most exclusive first class products. Both excel, but one clearly wins.| Japan Starts Here
Want to explore Japan's Seto Inland Sea? My Setouchi itinerary can help you explore this captivating, off-the-beaten-path region.| Japan Starts Here
Although it's located just across the sea from Okayama, many travelers skip Takamatsu. Here's why you shouldn't!| Japan Starts Here
Archives for April 2025| Japan Starts Here
Osaka doesn't have the hanami reputation of Kyoto or even Tokyo. Here's how I made the most of my Osaka cherry blossom trip.| Japan Starts Here
Looking for Takamatsu, Japan inspiration? Read about my recent return to the city to learn what makes this Shikoku city so special.| Japan Starts Here
My second cherry blossom trip through Kyushu| Japan Starts Here
In this post, I don't explain precisely why I came back to Nagasaki Ground Zero, but I do explain the way my return sojourn affected me.| Japan Starts Here
Whether you need Shimanami Kaido bike rental or simply want to know what to expect on the route, here's how to bike the Shimanami Kaido.| Japan Starts Here
Given their proximity, it's tempting to compare Okayama and Hiroshima, but the cities are very different from one another.| Japan Starts Here
Archives for December 2022| Japan Starts Here
Niigata is among the least-loved prefectures of Japan. If you follow my Niigata travel guide, however, you'll enjoy it.| Japan Starts Here
My Takayama winter trip was interesting—and not just because the end-of-January snow was rapidly melting when my bus pulled into town.| Japan Starts Here
Want to visit Wakayama? Whether you plan to hike the Kumano Kodo or spend a night at Koyasan, here's what you need to know.| Japan Starts Here
Though popular among Asian tourists, the sakura tunnel in Kitakami is relatively unknown among Westerners. Here's how to get there.| Japan Starts Here
The bad travels? It can be a nightmare to travel during Golden Week in Japan. The good news? It doesn't have to be, if you follow my advice.| Japan Starts Here
Planning a trip to Japan's Nagano prefecture? Here's a rundown of things to do in Nagano, including the Snow Monkeys.| Japan Starts Here
Considering whether to visit Japan's sup-tropical islands of Shikoku and Kyushu? Let me litigate the Shikoku vs Kyushu debate for you.| Japan Starts Here
Unsure how many days you should spend in Osaka? Read. this guide to Japan's underrated second city to help you decide!| Japan Starts Here
It's easy (and, for Americans and Europeans, relatively quick—and jet lag free!) to travel between Australia and Japan. Here's how!| Japan Starts Here
Is it worth renting a car in Japan? The answer might surprise you, given Japan's reputation for stellar public transportation.| Japan Starts Here
There are few more quintessentially Japanese views than Mt. Fuji rising over verdant tea fields. Here's how to capture them for yourself.| Japan Starts Here
Considering a day trip to Uji from Kyoto? Here's how to decide whether Uji is worth visiting, and what to do there if you go.| Japan Starts Here
With Mt. Fuji on one side and some of Japan's best beaches on the other, the Izu Peninsula is a treasure. Here's my Izu Peninsula itinerary.| Japan Starts Here
Want to watch Noh in Japan? While Niigata prefecture's Sado Island is the most scenic place to see a performance, there are other options.| Japan Starts Here
Is Sado Island worth visiting? Well, I can tell you that this idyll off the coast of Niigata is an absolute gem. Here's why.| Japan Starts Here
Is Nagoya worth visiting? If you do come to here—most don't—I encourage you to get inspired by my Nagoya travel guide.| Japan Starts Here
After several aborted past trips, I've finally visit Mie, one of Japan's most underrated prefectures. Here's why should you follow in my footsteps.| Japan Starts Here
Considering a visit to Beppu Onsen? Whether you stay at a sea-view onsen or simply take a trip to hell, you'll want to read what I have to say.| Japan Starts Here
Wondering whether you should take the Narita Express or the Keisei Skyliner? Here's how to decide the best way from Narita Airport to Tokyo.| Japan Starts Here
What to do in Kobe, Japan for a day? Whether you're looking for a run-down of things to do in Kobe or a Kobe itinerary, you're in the right spot.| Japan Starts Here
Though I'd been to Matsuyama Castle before, seeing the fortress during peak sakura season was more than a little special.| Japan Starts Here
You could spend a lifetime exploring Japan's former capital, but you likely have less than a week. Here's how many days you need in Kyoto.| Japan Starts Here
Should you visit Naoshima? Do you need to stay at Benesse House "Musuem Hotel"? Allow me to answer these questions—and all your questions.| Japan Starts Here
Most people use Okayama merely as a stopover between Tokyo or Osaka and Hiroshima. Here's why I consider Okayama worth visiting in its own right.| Japan Starts Here
According to forecasts, Hiroshima would be one of the first places in Japan to see 2021's sakura bloom. But Hiroshima's cherry blossoms proved fickle.| Japan Starts Here
The harbor city of Onomichi is one of Hiroshima's—and Japan's—best-kept secrets. Here's how to plan your trip there.| Japan Starts Here
More than a decade after the Great East Japan Earthquake, many people are wondering if Fukushima is safe to visit. It is—and it's delightful.| Japan Starts Here
Planning a trip to Japan's Mie prefecture? Follow my Mie itinerary to eat Matsusaka beef and visit Mikimoto Pearl Island.| Japan Starts Here
Although it's close to both Osaka and Nagoya, many tourists skip Wakayama. But is Wakayama worth visiting?| Japan Starts Here
Planning a trip to Japan this year? These Japan trip ideas provide the perfect mix of information and inspiration.| Japan Starts Here
Should you visit Hachinohe? Read my travelogue to get an honest impression of the hub of Japan's Sanriku Coast.| Japan Starts Here
Akita's Kakunodate Samurai village is famous among Japanese, but relatively unknown among foreigners. Here's why you should visit.| Japan Starts Here
I've wanted to bathe at Tsuru no Yu for years, but did my experience at this legendary onsen live up to my expectations?| Japan Starts Here
With most of the world still locked out of Japan (ostensibly) due to Covid-19, I enjoyed the bloom of Tohoku's cherry blossoms basically unencumbered.| Japan Starts Here
On Awaji Island, Japan is both at its most authentic and its most atypical. Read about my experience on Awajishima, which links Honshu and Shikoku.| Japan Starts Here
Heading to Japan in summer 2025? Here's how to decide between the Akita Kanto Matsuri and Aomori Nebuta Matsuri festivals.| Japan Starts Here
Learn how to perfectly time your 2025 autumn trip to Japan with my comprehensive guide, which features the best Japan autumn leaves spots.| Japan Starts Here
Planning a trip to Hokkaido in autumn? Use my Hokkaido autumn itinerary to find all the information—and inspiration—you need.| Japan Starts Here
A small port on the Sea of Japan, Sakata is full of culture, cuisine and character, and devoid of tourists. Of course it's worth visiting!| Japan Starts Here
