by Julie | Feb 16, 2023 | Japan, Travel
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...
by Julie | Feb 8, 2023 | Japan, Travel
How to Find the PERFECT Place to Stay in Tokyo (Even on a Budget) Struggling with figuring out where to stay in Tokyo? I totally get it. There are so many neighborhoods to choose from, and each has its pros and cons. Ginza is central but expensive. Asakusa is cheap...
by Julie | Jan 19, 2023 | Itinerary, Japan
Kamikochi Hiking: The Perfect Day Trip from Takayama (2023) Looking for an easy and active day trip from Takayama? Want to get out in nature and do some hiking while in Japan? Hiking at Kamikochi is ideal for both inexperienced or physically challenged hikers like me...
by Julie | Jan 9, 2023 | Itinerary, Japan, Travel
Nara Itinerary: An Easy Day Trip from Kyoto (2023) The historic city of Nara makes for an easy, relaxing, and interesting addition to your Kyoto itinerary. It’s got a lot to see and do for history, culture, and food lovers: giant Buddhas, famous temples and shrines,...
by Julie | Dec 31, 2022 | Itinerary, Japan, Travel
Kanazawa Itinerary: 2 Days in the City of Samurais In this itinerary post, I’m going to show you how to spend 2 days in Kanazawa, a city famous for its stunningly restored samurai and geisha neighborhoods and its fresh seafood. If you’re looking to escape the...
by Julie | Dec 29, 2022 | Itinerary, Japan, Travel
The BEST Ever Guide to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route One of the most unique travel experiences for me in Japan was traveling from Kanazawa to Matsumoto via the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. I could have taken a boring old train between these two cities, but by...
by Julie | Oct 9, 2022 | Itinerary, Japan, Travel
Kyoto Itinerary 4 Days: A City of a Million Temples (2023) Does Kyoto really have a million temples? Actually, it only has 1,600 temples. But when I was in Kyoto, it sure felt like a million. Even before I set foot in the city, I was overwhelmed with how many temples,...
by Julie | Oct 7, 2022 | Itinerary, Japan, Travel
Takayama Itinerary: Travel Back in Time to Old Japan When you visit Takayama, it feels like you’re stepping back to a time when Japan was ruled by shoguns and samurai. Many of the beautifully-preserved wooden houses, shops, cafes, shrines, and temples were in fact...
by Julie | Oct 1, 2022 | Itinerary, Japan, Travel
Shirakawa-go Itinerary: Enter a Japanese Fairy Tale (2022) Shirakawa-go makes the perfect day trip from Takayama or the perfect day trip from Kanazawa. It also makes a great stopover when traveling from Takayama to Kanazawa or from Kanazawa to Takayama. Here is my...