What if the onsen isn't something you squeeze into a busy Japan itinerary, but a highlight of the trip itself?

In this episode, Ari sits down with longtime friend Ken, who has spent much of his life traveling around Japan – often by car or motorcycle. After a long career in tech, Ken now has more time to explore the country and continue an ongoing search for his favorite onsen.

Ken shares what he enjoys about staying at onsen ryokan, why winter is one of his favorite times to visit and why he often spends most of his stay doing little more than soaking, eating, relaxing and doing it all over again.

Ari and Ken also talk about when driving makes sense in Japan, some of the challenges visitors should be prepared for on Japanese roads and how having a car can open up rural areas that aren't nearly as convenient to reach by train.

Plus, we cover onsen etiquette, what first-time visitors should know about public bathing and one particularly memorable lesson Ari learned at an onsen in Hakodate.

Sometimes sightseeing can wait until before check-in or after check-out. Once you're at the ryokan, the onsen might be all you need.

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Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way.

Get started at ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Intro & Overview

(02:28) Meet Ken

(04:20) Driving in Japan

(12:03) Onsen Overview

(21:00) Onsen Styles & Etiquette

(29:55) Ari's Embarrassing Onsen Story

(32:34) Advice for Travelers

(38:56) Closing

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Music:

Island Travel - by Anonyment

旅ゆけば - by Tinymemory

Investor Night - by Anonyment

(all tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp) 

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If you’re planning a trip to Japan, you’ve probably heard about IC cards, JR Passes, Shinkansen tickets, SmartEX and plenty of other ways to pay for transportation.

Sound complicated? It can seem that way at first, but we're here to help.

In this Quick Tip, Ari breaks down the basics: what an IC card is, what it’s useful for, when you’ll still need a separate ticket and why most travelers probably don’t need a nationwide JR Pass.

We also cover mobile IC cards, physical cards and whether you really need to link everything together before your trip.

In this episode:

• What IC cards such as Suica and ICOCA are actually for
• Mobile IC cards vs. physical cards
• Why overseas Android users will generally need a physical IC card
• When an IC card isn’t enough
• Buying point-to-point Shinkansen tickets
• SmartEX and whether you need to link your IC card
• Why the nationwide JR Pass usually isn’t the answer

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Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way.

Get started at ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Music:

Investor Night - by Anonyment

(all tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp) 

Adam first visited Japan in the early 1980s, expecting to stay for about a week (ended up staying over a month). More than forty years later, he keeps coming back again & again.

In this episode, Ari sits down with Adam, an alumni client and friend of Japan Travel Pros, to talk about the places, experiences and moments that have made impressions over the years. Our conversation covers historic towns, onsen hot spring baths, Japanese service, department stores, great food, the Nakasendo Trail, Takayama and why Japan continues to inspire curiosity, even after many visits.

Whether you're planning your first trip or thinking about returning, there's plenty here to help shape your own journey.

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Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way.

Get started at ⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(01:42) Adam's Japan Origin Story

(03:55) Japan Then & Now

(09:00) Respect in Japanese Culture

(13:37) Japan's Smaller Towns & Regions

(33:29) Seeking Out Experiences

(39:25) Advice for Travelers

(45:38) Closing

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Music:

Island Travel - by Anonyment

旅ゆけば - by Tinymemory

Investor Night - by Anonyment

(all tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp) 

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James is from Canada. Junko grew up in Osaka. Together they’ve now made three trips to Japan, and each one has been different.

In this episode, we talk about James’s first trip to Japan, what it was like experiencing the country with Junko and her family, and how their travels have changed as they keep coming back.

James shares some of those first-trip moments that stand out, from arriving in Japan and being overwhelmed by Osaka Station to discovering just how hot a Japanese summer can be. We also talk about their wedding in Nara and how returning to Japan has gradually given them more opportunities to travel beyond the familiar first-time destinations.

Their most recent trip included Hokkaido, Kochi and Kanazawa, along with driving in Japan, exploring the countryside and a day making a Japanese kitchen knife with local craftspeople in Kochi.

Junko also shares what it’s been like seeing her own country through James’s eyes, including places and details she might otherwise have taken for granted.

Along the way, we get into some practical lessons for anyone planning a trip: choosing what actually matters to you, dealing with crowds and lines, knowing when an early start is worth it, leaving room for alternatives and remembering that you don’t have to discover everything on your first trip.

Because there’s a pretty good chance you’ll want to come back.

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Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way.

Get started at ⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠⁠⁠

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Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(01:36) Meet Junko & James

(03:20) 1st Japan Trip Together

(17:38) Food in Japan

(33:08) Repeat Visits to Japan

(41:55) Hokkaido & Driving

(44:44) Kochi Countryside

(47:15) Advice for Travelers

(53:58) Closing

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Music:

Island Travel - by Anonyment

旅ゆけば - by Tinymemory

Investor Night - by Anonyment

(all tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp) 

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Many folks are seeking "hidden gems" for a trip to Japan. But what does “hidden” actually mean?

In this episode, we look at why travelers ask for hidden gems, why those places often stop being hidden once they appear in the public domain, and why popular places can still be well worth visiting.

We talk about Uji, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa, Naoshima, Koyasan, Ginzan Onsen, the Nakasendo, Kyoto, Miyajima and Himeji. Some are crowded. Some require extra time and effort. None of that necessarily makes them less special.

Highlights:
• What travelers are really looking for when they use that phrase
• Why travel information has a short shelf life
• Why famous and special are not opposites
• How to define your own version of a hidden gem
• The tradeoffs involved in getting away from the usual tourist route
• How to find places that fit your trip instead of following somebody else’s list

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Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way.

Get started at ⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠⁠

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Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(00:52) Apology & Confession

(02:30) What's the Real Question?

(05:57) What Do Travelers Seek in Japan?

(08:02) No-Longer-Hidden Gem List

(15:37) Special, Memorable & Different

(20:22) Finding Your Gems in Japan

(24:01) Closing Remarks with Ari

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Theme Music:

"Tokyo Nights" by Snoozy Beats

licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License (free download available from the Snoozy Beats page on Free Music Archive)

-----More Music:

"旅ゆけば" by Tinymemory (Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)

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Read about this episode on the Japan Travel Pros website:

https://www.japantravelpros.com/podcast/season-1-episode-so-called-hidden-gems-in-japan

In this episode, we sit down with Laura and Javier from Kyoto Daily Tours to talk about what they've learned from years of guiding visitors through Kyoto.

The conversation goes far beyond temples and shrines. We discuss how Kyoto has changed over the years, why summer surprises so many visitors, how to avoid the biggest crowds and why flexibility often leads to the most memorable travel experiences.

Laura and Javier also share what happens behind the scenes on a private tour, how great guides "read the room," and why helping visitors understand Japanese culture can be just as valuable as showing them famous landmarks.

Plus we get into etiquette in Japan, and how you can enjoy a trip to Japan while picking up cultural habits and being a respectful traveller. 

In this episode:

• How Kyoto tourism has changed over the years

• Visiting Kyoto during the summer

• Avoiding crowds at popular sights

• Why flexibility often creates better travel experiences

• The moments between destinations that people remember most

• Reading the room and adapting a tour

• Temple fatigue (yes, it's real!)

• Cultural etiquette and understanding Japan beyond the guidebook

• How to get more from your time in Kyoto

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Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Opening

(01:47) Intro

(05:30) summer in Kyoto / Japan’s heat & humidity

(10:48) Expectations vs reality in Kyoto

(14:35) Benefits of an experienced guide in Kyoto

(24:30) Etiquette in Kyoto & around Japan

(33:57) Language, crowds, Kyoto size & scale, logistics

(37:05) Kyoto vs Osaka

(39:10) Life as a Kyoto local

(48:10) How to turbo-charge your trip with a guide

(52:30) Japan travel growing pains

(56:00) Advice from Laura & Javier

(58:05) Closing thoughts

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Where to connect with Javier & Laura at Kyoto Daily Tours:

www.kyotodailytours.com

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Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way.

Get started at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan

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Music:

Island Travel - by Anonyment

夜桜ひらり朧月 - by こーち

旅ゆけば - by Tinymemory

Taiko Soul - by ゆうり(Yuli Audio Craft)

Investor Night - by Anonyment

(all tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp) 

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This episode is not a paid promotion. We reached out to Laura and Javier to have a conversation about Kyoto and Japan travel as a whole. While we are happy to introduce clients and listeners to Kyoto Daily Tours, Japan Travel Pros does not make commissions nor have any financial interest in bookings with Kyoto Daily Tours. Japan Travel Pros acts as an independent travel consultant and collaboration partner.

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This episode's page on the Japan Travel Pros website:

https://www.japantravelpros.com/podcast/season-1-episode-kyoto-tour-guides-local-insights

In this episode, the second of a two-part series, we're joined by Rise-san, the founder of:

⁠Rise's House in Nishio, Aichi Prefecture⁠

If you haven't listened to part 1 yet, we encourage you to do so before listening to Part 2.

In Part 2 of our conversation, Rise-san returns to talk about the people, places and ideas that have shaped Rise's House in Nishio, Aichi Prefecture.

We explore how local neighborhoods, traditional homes and everyday encounters can become some of the most memorable parts of a trip to Japan. Rise-san also shares his thoughts on welcoming international visitors, building connections within the community and what he means by becoming a "forever local."

Where to connect with Rise-san:

⁠⁠https://riseshouse.com/en/⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/rise_s_house/⁠

See Rise-san on YouTube with John Daub of Only in Japan:

⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztObV24dT7c⁠

Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way.

Get started at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Opening

(00:52) Intro & background

(01:37) About the house & local neighborhood

(09:07) Why many homes in Japan are vacant nowadays

(13:10) Taking risk in Japan, as an entrepreneur & as a traveler

(23:07) Interacting with local Japanese people on your trip

(32:45) Closing

Theme Music:

Intro: "Island Travel" by Anonyment

Outro: "Investor Night" by Anonyment

(both tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)

In this episode, the first of a two-part series, Rise-san joins us for a conversation about hospitality, community and a different way of experiencing Japan. Rise-san is the founder of:

Rise's House in Nishio, Aichi Prefecture

Inspired by a serendipitous journey abroad, Rise-san returned to Japan with a vision of creating a place where travelers could connect with local people, businesses and everyday life in his hometown.

In Part 1 of our conversation, we talk about the experiences that shaped his journey, why Nishio has so much more to offer than many visitors realize and how meaningful travel often begins with simple human connections.

Where to connect with Rise-san:

⁠https://riseshouse.com/en/⁠https://www.instagram.com/rise_s_house/

See Rise-san on YouTube with John Daub of Only in Japan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztObV24dT7c

Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way.

Get started at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Opening

(00:52) Intro & background

(03:05) About Rise-san & Rise's House

(14:10) Rise's journey & inspiration

(21:20) The guest experience at Rise's House

(31:32) Closing

Theme Music:

Intro: "Island Travel" by Anonyment

Outro: "Investor Night" by Anonyment

(both tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)

Episode page on the Japan Travel Pros website:

https://www.japantravelpros.com/podcast/season-1-episode-rises-house-stay-local-in-japan

• Japan Rail Pass?

• Trains always on time?

• Japanese food is always healthy?
• Japan is living in the future?

In this episode, we break down some common Japan travel myths and what first-time visitors should know before planning around them.

Plus a listener question about luggage forwarding.

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Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way.

Get started at ⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠

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Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(01:23) Luggage forwarding (Listener Question)

(07:59) Japan Rail Pass Myth

(12:53) Trains are always on time Myth

(17:57) All Japanese food is healthy Myth

(22:42) Japan is living in the future Myth

(25:34) Closing Remarks with Ari

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Theme Music:

"Tokyo Nights" by Snoozy Beats

licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License (free download available from the Snoozy Beats page on Free Music Archive)

-----More Music:

"旅ゆけば" by Tinymemory (Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)

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S1E5 episode page on the Japan Travel Pros website:

https://www.japantravelpros.com/podcast/season-1-episode-japan-travel-myths-reality

In this episode, Yuki joins us for a conversation about photography, Tokyo, local neighborhoods and the pressure travelers often feel to fit everything into one trip.

Yuki grew up in the States with Japanese family, visited Japan throughout his life and eventually moved to Japan as an adult. The conversation starts with photography, but it quickly opens up into a broader discussion about how Japan has changed, what Tokyo feels like nowadays and why some of the best travel moments can happen outside of your checklist.

If you’re planning a trip to Japan and wondering how to balance famous places with more local experiences, this episode is for you.

Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way.

Get started at ⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠⁠

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Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Intro
(01:59) Yuki’s connection to Japan and photography
(04:15) Japan’s tourism boom and what has changed
(07:45) Kobe, Himeji and seeing Japan through photography
(14:30) Shimoda, Kawazu and overlooked places beyond the usual route
(18:50) Tokyo beyond the obvious neighborhoods
(26:00) Akihabara, Nakano and the west side of Tokyo
(38:30) Advice from Yuki for your Japan trip

(41:22) Closing

Theme Music:

Intro: "Island Travel" by AnonymentOutro: "Investor Night" by Anonyment

(both tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)

S1E4 episode page on the Japan Travel Pros podcast:

https://www.japantravelpros.com/podcast/season-1-episode-4-japan-travel-you-dont-have-to-do-everything