Journal

  1. How to Find the Best Vintage Clothing Shops in Tokyo’s ShimokitazawaShimokitazawa is one of Tokyo’s most rewarding neighborhoods for secondhand fashion. Its narrow streets are filled with vintage boutiques, used clothing…
  2. The Etiquette of Eating Sushi in JapanEating sushi in Japan is a meal, a craft, and a social experience. Whether you are visiting a small neighborhood restaurant, a conveyor-belt sushi chain, or an…
  3. What to do in Fukuoka: Canal City and yatai stallsFukuoka is one of Japan’s easiest cities to explore in a single day. The main attractions are close together, the subway is simple to use, and the city’s food…
  4. A Foodie’s Guide to Japanese Curry From Tokyo to OsakaJapanese curry is one of the country’s most comforting everyday foods. It is usually thicker, sweeter, and milder than many South Asian curries, with a glossy…
  5. The Most Underrated Shrines in Kamakura You Should KnowKamakura is famous for the grand scale of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, the Buddhist temples of Kita-Kamakura, and the coastal atmosphere around Yuigahama. Yet some…
  6. How to navigate Tokyo’s metro system with confidenceTokyo’s rail network can seem overwhelming at first, with multiple operators, color-coded lines, large stations, and signs in Japanese and English. In…
  7. Why Naoshima Belongs on Every Art Lover’s Japan ItineraryNaoshima is a small island in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea where contemporary art, architecture, and coastal scenery exist in close conversation. Once known mainly…
  8. A Beginner’s Guide to Using Japan’s Coin Lockers for LuggageJapan’s coin lockers are one of the easiest ways to travel with less baggage. You can find them at major train stations, airports, shopping centers,…
  9. The Best Places to See Autumn Leaves in Kyoto Without the CrowdsKyoto’s autumn colors are famous for good reason, yet the most popular temples can become extremely busy from late November through early December. A quieter…
  10. How to experience a Japanese hot spring resort on a budgetA stay at a Japanese hot spring resort, or onsen ryokan, can seem expensive when you look at luxury inns with private baths, elaborate dinners, and rooms…