Dare to head away from the well trodden path and go into coastal Iwate for a different Japan! Find out how we did it on this episode of Japan Travel Smart!

Entry points by rail: Ichinoseki, Hanamaki, Morioka, Hachinohe

JR East ‘Joyful Trains’ https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/joyful/

Hinabi excursion train

POKÉMON with YOU Train

Tono City, Tono Furusato Village

Kamaishi City

Sanriku Railway Rias Line

Miyako City

Jodogahama Beach

Miyako Umineko Maru Jodogahama Boat Cruise

Kitayamazaki Cape

Iwaizumi Town, Ryusendo Cave

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What Japanese from the basic phrase book have we found to be actually useful when traveling in Japan? In this episode of Japan Travel Smart we bring up better Japanese for travel that we really use.

Sumimasen vs Gomenasai

Dozo

Shitsureishimasu!

Orimasu

Hitori, Futari, Sannin, Yonin

Osusume wa...

Mou ikkai!

Gochisousama!

Okaikei onegaishimasu

Ojamashimasu! Gomen kudasai!

Domo. Kanshashimasu

Kekkou desu

Itekimasu! Tadaima

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There exist some popular places in Japan that are a bit dubious at best.

In this episode we’ve come up with 9 examples of spots in Japan that you might want to reconsider visiting for reasons that may shock you!

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The best rail travel tips and advice for the best rail travel country! It all begins here on Japan Travel Smart!

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Get our unique takes on Osaka on this special “smart to visit” episode of Japan Travel Smart!

Airports

Kansai International Airport

Osaka International (Itami) Airport

Kobe Airport

City centers

Namba

Umeda

Locations

Dotonbori

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

Osaka Castle and Castle Park

Osaka Museum of History

Shin Sekai New World

Den Den Town

Takedao Abandoned Railway Hike

Food

Takoyaki

Okonomiyaki

Kushikatsu

Akashiyaki

Observation decks

Abeno Harukas

Umeda Sky Building

Osaka Dojimahama Tower

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What is some travel advice applicable to Japan that no one is really bringing up? Find out in this episode!

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So you’ve decided to do your own travel itinerary planning for your trip to Japan. But where should you start? Here are some websites that will make it easy.

Websites and resources mentioned on this episode:

japan-guide.com

https://www.japan-guide.com/

Trip Advisor

https://www.tripadvisor.com/

JNTO Travel Brochures

https://www.japan.travel/brochures/eng/index.php?sort=upd_date_desc

Tokyo Cheapo and Japan Cheapo

https://tokyocheapo.com/

https://japancheapo.com/

Time Out Tokyo

https://www.timeout.com/tokyo

Tokyo Gig Guide

https://www.tokyogigguide.com/en/

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Is it possible that things are completely different in Japan when it comes to proper etiquette? You have no idea how much it is, and for your sake we'll tell you on this episode.

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In this first entry to our "Smart to visit" episode series, we introduce the attractive Shin'etsu subregion of Japan and the main draws of Nagano and Niigata prefectures!

Locations named on this episode

-Togakushi Shrines in Mount Togakushi

-Matsumoto city and Matsumoto Castle

-Nagaoka city

-Sado Island

Errata: at 10:32 we meant to say Shin'etsu region rather than San'in region

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You've arrived at Narita Airport. Now what? We go in depth about your options to get into town, and we are pretty sure that your usual option isn't the best that you could be using.

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Transport service names mentioned in this episode:

JR Narita Express

Keisei Skyliner

Keisei Sky Access Express

JR Narita Line

Limousine Bus

LCB (Low Cost Bus)

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