The Bamboo Traveler

Exploring the history and culture of the world's most fascinating places
Free Japan Travel Guide

Welcome to the Bamboo Traveler

Welcome to The Bamboo Traveler, a travel blog dedicated to helping you dig deeply into the history, heritage, and culture of a place. Whether it’s through the pages of your passport or the pages of a book, I’ll help you travel the world and uncover the history, culture, food, architecture, and natural beauty of some of the world’s most fascinating places.

Explore Recent Travel Posts

Is a Japan Rail Pass Worth It in 2023?

Is a Japan Rail Pass Worth It in 2023?

"Is a Japan Rail Pass worth it?" This might be the most important question you are asking yourself right now as you prepare for your trip to Japan in 2023. In this post, I'm going to show you whether a Japan Rail Pass is worth it. Using the itinerary from my first trip to Japan and current prices, I'll compare how much my 3-week trip to Japan costs with a JR Pass and how much it would cost without a pass. You'll also learn how to buy and activate the pass and how to use the pass once you get to Japan. Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.  As an Amazon...

read more
What to Pack for Guatemala (2023)

What to Pack for Guatemala (2023)

Wondering what to pack for your trip to Guatemala? Struggling to figure out what clothes to wear? In this post, I’m going to share with you my packing list for Guatemala. This list is ideal for 1, 2, or 3 weeks of traveling, going on a yoga retreat, or studying in the...

read more

Explore Recent Book Challenge Posts

48 Must-Read Books on Hong Kong

48 Must-Read Books on Hong Kong

"This is what I fear the most: The skyscrapers remain intact, the countryside hikes still beautiful, and our harbor rippling with night lights; you can still go to work and tweet dumb shit and outwardly you can’t tell that anything is wrong, but the only ones left are those who believe this is the best version of Hong Kong there could ever be.” Karen Cheung, The Impossible City: A Hong Kong Memoir (2022) Hong Kong has gone through a lot in the past eight years as its citizens have fought for freedom, democracy, and the rule of law only to see them all be taken away by the...

read more
13 Books on Russia: Why Did Russia Invade Ukraine?

13 Books on Russia: Why Did Russia Invade Ukraine?

Are you obsessed as I am right now about all things Russia and Ukraine? This list of books on Russia is made for those of you who are trying to make sense of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Like me, you want to know who Putin is, what's driving him, how Russia got...

read more

Get Your FREE Japan Itinerary Guide Here!

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive the latest travel tips for Asia and get a free 4-page PDF version of my 3-Week Japan Itinerary.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Pin It on Pinterest