Japan has changed so much ever since we first started visiting. Some of these changes really alter the travel situation for better or for worse! Find out what changes actually affect your visiting experience in order to be better prepared!

Tabelog international version

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These Tokyo attractions and experiences are popular, but are they worth it in 2025 and beyond? Be sure to listen in before signing off on that Tokyo travel plan!

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Nara is not a "day trip". Here's why.

Nara Park, Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Shrine

Heijo Palace Site, Toshodaiji Temple, Yakushiji Temple

Imaicho Town, Tanzan Shrine, Hasedera Temple

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Don’t waste your travel budget on simple mistakes that can be prevented by listening to JTS! We’ve got 9 more ways to stretch your yennies on this episode of the show! 

Lodging: Minshuku and shukubo

Observation decks: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Bunkyo City Office

Shinkansen discounts: SmartEX app, Platt Kodama, kinken shops

Workshops: kominkan

Omamori and omikuji

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We continue our Smart to Visit series by returning to the Tohoku region on one of our most eclectic trip reports yet! It’s time to introduce Aomori and Akita prefectures!

Hachinohe

-Niida-maru cruise

-Nanbu Senbei

Aomori City

-Nebuta Matsuri

-Nebuta Warasse 

Osorezan

Hirosaki

-Hirosaki Castle

-Apple pie

Thrift and second hand stores of Tohoku

-Yorozuya

-Mansaido

Resort Shirakami between Aomori and Akita City

Akita City

-Akita Inu

-Namahage at Oga

Omagari Fireworks Festival

Kakunodate

-Samurai Quarters

Nyuto Onsen

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Everyone screws up traveling in Japan. But especially me. Find out more on this episode.

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There's an entire world to see just past Sapporo. Get to know about Hokkaido's incredible national park areas on this entry of Japan Travel Smart!

New Chitose Airport, Asahikawa Airport , Memanbetsu Airport, Kushiro Airport

Daisetsuzan National Park

-Sounkyo Onsen

-Mount Kurodake

-Ohachidaira Caldera

Shiretoko National Park  

-Utoro

-Shiretoko Goko Lakes

-Kamuiwakka Hot Falls 

Akan Mashu National Park 

-Lake Akan 

-Ainu Kotan village 

-Iozan (Sulfur Mountain)

-Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo

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Should you actually consider bike sharing services to get around for your Japan trip? What is important to know to get set up to use shared bicycles and what's some important riding advice to bike safely in Japan? Find out everything about bike sharing on this episode of Japan Travel Smart!

Bike share service (docomo)

https://docomo-cycle.jp/?lang=en

LUUP

https://luup.sc/en/

HELLO CYCLING

Google Play Store

Apple Store

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Boldly head out from the busy and crowded tourist areas of Tokyo to find a much more intimate version of the city in western Tokyo! Find out where you can go on this episode of the show!

Nakano (Nakano Broadway)

Koenji

Mitaka and Kichijoji (Inokashira Park, Ghibli Museum, Kichijoji Autumn Festival, Harmonica Yokocho)

Shimokitazawa (Ichibangai and Suzuran-dori)

Sangenjaya (Sangenjaya Fureai Square )

Tokyo Ramen Festa (Komazawa Olympic Park)

Fuchu (Suntory Musashino Brewery, Tokyo Racecourse)

Mount Takao

Tachikawa (Showa Kinen Park)

Tama (Sanrio Puroland)

Machida (Snoopy Museum)

Higashi-Kurume  (Spadium Japon)

Okutama

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What options de we have at our disposal to experience onsen culture in Japan? How to properly use a shared bathing space without committing faux paux or creating embarrassment for yourself? Find out all about hot springs in Japan in this episode of JTS!

-Onsen vs sento

-Staying at ryokan

-Onsen towns: Kusatsu Onsen, Kinosaki Onsen, Gero Onsen, Noboribetsu

-Super sento

-Ofuro, rotenburo, ashiyu

-Yukata

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