Your favorite sister duo chats with their guest Mia, who shares about her experience living in Japan. She discusses cultural nuances, travel tips, and hidden gems across the country outside of the top tourist destinations. Whether you're planning your first trip or dreaming of long-term stays, you’ll find valuable advice to enhance your journey.

Japan recommendations:

Activities:

• Takayama (Japanese Alps)
• Kanazawa (for art lovers)
• Wakayama (beaches and Sandanbeki Caves)
• Hokkaido (for nature lovers, skiing, Sapporo (beer), Otaru (music boxes, canals))
• Kyoto (traditional temples and shrines, bamboo forest, matcha)
• Osaka (comedy, great food scene)
• Onsen (do your research) 
• Karaoke 
• Izakaya 
• Purikura (Photo booth) 
• Kaitenzushi (Conveyer belt sushi) 
• Festival food and researching interesting local festivals
• Anything from the vending machine 
• Tea ceremony 
• Donki (Don Quijote, but most just say Donki): Japanese pharmacy for some great products
• Get an omikuji (fortune) 
• Shinkansen (Bullet train)

Helpful Resources

• Book, Learning to Bow 
• Klook: booking transport and activities 
• Tabelog: restaurants
• Suica app: tap to pay for public transport and vending machines
• Rail Pass: public transport

Music & Show Recs

• Hana Yori Dango (Boys over flowers) 
• Any Miyazaki film (Spirited Away & Kiki’s Delivery Service, and My neighbor Totoro) 
• Music (My personal favorites): Radwimps, Mitsume, One Ok Rock, For Tracy Hyde
• Terrace House is helpful when learning Japanese

Language Resources 

• Italki (good for continued practice)
• Pimsleur - great for travelers
• HelloTalk (Essentially a social media app for language exchange) 
• Genki books (grammar) 
• Jdramas/Movies

Helpful Phrases

• Arigatou Gozaimasu (Thank You)
• Sumimasen (Excuse me/ Sorry)
• ……. doko desu ka? (Where is….)
• Betsu Betsu /Isho...Ishouni (Separate / Together) Used when paying bills. 
• Koko de / ommochikaeri (For here/ Takeaway) Often used in Starbucks or other fast food restaurants and coffee shops. 
• .....desu ka (phrases that end this way are always a question) 
• Eigo no menu ga arimasuka? (Is there an English menu?)
• Onegaishimasu / Kudasai (Please)
• Konnichiwa / Konbanwa (Good morning / Good evening )
• Oishi / oishikatta desu (Delicious / That was delicious) 

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