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.

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Websites and resources mentioned on this episode:

japan-guide.com

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

JapanTravel

https://en.japantravel.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/

GO TOKYO

https://www.gotokyo.org/en/index.html

Time Out Tokyo

https://www.timeout.com/tokyo

Tabelog

https://tabelog.com/en/

Tokyo Gig Guide

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

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Were you already thinking you'd need to skip Shikoku on a trip around Japan? Think again! I'll tell you how easy it is to include the island region of Shikoku on ANY Japan itinerary.

Errata: At 11:08 we said that "Ehime" was our arrival point to Shikoku when we meant Kagawa Prefecture. Marugame is Kagawa's gateway into Shikoku!

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Land bridge entry points:

-Akasahi Kaikyo Bridge route

-Central Route via the Great Seto Bridge

-Onomichi-Imabari Route (Shimanami Kaido)

"Rail Pass route" locations mentioned

Marugame

Kotohira & Kompirasan

Niihama Taiko Festival

Matsuyama

Yawatahama Ferry Terminal

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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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