The Japan Travel Pros Podcast

Can you bring luggage on trains in Japan? Of course you can! So why does everyone seem to recommend luggage forwarding?

In this Quick Tip, Ari talks about Yamato's luggage delivery service, why it's a great option for some travelers and itineraries, and why it can sometimes make things more complicated than necessary.

And yes, Ari is a real person living in Japan, speaking into a real microphone... no AI-generated voice here!

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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)

How does living in Japan change the way you see the country as a traveler? And what do you learn along the way that you won't find on social media or in a guidebook?

In this episode, Anthony Moretti - a journalist, journalism professor & podcaster - takes over the microphone and interviews Ari of Japan Travel Pros.

They talk about what first sparked Ari's interest in Japan, how a chance meeting at an airport changed his life, how he's experienced Japan over the years and how all of that eventually led to Japan Travel Pros.

Along the way, they get into what living here has taught Ari about Japan & its people, and what makes a great visit.

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Ari is the co-founder 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

(00:58) Meet Ari

(05:11) Japan Impressions

(07:28) Regrets & Mistakes?

(10:46) Has Japan Changed?

(14:26) Why Japan Travel Pros?

(22:49) Planning a Trip to Japan

(28:45) Success & Helping People

(33:11) Closing Thoughts

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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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Pro Tips from Real People Who Live Here!

You've landed in Japan. Now what?

In this episode, Ari walks through what to expect during your first 24 hours in Japan, from getting through the airport and reaching your hotel to making the most of your first full day.

We talk about airport transportation, jet lag, restaurant reservations, choosing the right hotel location and getting started in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto… or anywhere else.

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Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. Your collaboration partner based in Japan's Kansai Region. 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

(01:30) Day 0: Arrival Day

(02:40) Plan Ahead, Stay Flexible

(03:17) Arriving from N.America (afternoon/evening)

(04:15) Morning Arrivals

(05:57) Jet Lag, Adrenaline & Fatigue

(06:26) At the Airport

(09:31) Getting to Your Hotel

(09:57) Tokyo Airports to City

(10:59) Osaka & Kyoto from KIX Airport

(11:55) Reserve Transport Ahead of Time or Buy at Airport?

(12:40) Airport to Bullet Train Connection Time

(14:13) Leave Bags or Early Check-in?

(15:12) Food in Japan - First 24 Hours

(17:58) Getting Acclimated in Japan (Exercise, Sights, Jet Lag etc)

(20:40) First Day in Tokyo

(24:32) Should You Take a Tour on Day 1?

(25:27) Day 1 in Osaka

(27:22) Day 1 in Kyoto

(30:03) Local Transport Tips

(32:42) Closing Thoughts

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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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Have you found yourself researching your trip so much that you can't make a decision?

With so many places to visit, hotels to choose from and opinions about what you allegedly *gotta* see, it's easy to get stuck when planning a trip to Japan.

In this episode, Ari talks about analysis paralysis, FOMO and five questions to help you get unstuck and get your trip planned.

Plus, a pair of walking shoes, how to thank well-intentioned friends & colleagues while still managing to sidestep their Japan advice... and a little wisdom from Neil Peart.

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Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. Your collaboration partner based in Japan's Kansai Region. 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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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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When is the best time to visit Japan if you want to avoid the crowds?

Does Japan even have a low season anymore?

And if Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka & some of Japan’s most famous sights are crowded, does that mean Japan itself is crowded?

In this episode, Ari looks at how crowds and seasonality in Japan have changed, why weekdays aren't necessarily quieter at popular attractions and why where you go can make as much difference as when you go.

There may not be a magical time when the weather is perfect, prices are low and famous sites are empty. But that doesn't mean your entire trip has to feel crowded.

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Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. Your collaboration partner based in Japan's Kansai Region. 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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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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We're back with Frank from 5 AM Ramen for the second half of our conversation. If you haven't heard Part 1 yet, maybe give that episode a listen first.

This time we're talking about ramen's continuing evolution, the impact of YouTube & social media on small ramen shops, practical advice for first-time visitors and the people behind some of Japan's most memorable bowls.

We also get into ramen reviews, neighborhood discoveries and Frank's choice for his ultimate last bowl of ramen.

•
• Tokyo ramen tours
• Food Tours Tokyo
• 5 AM Ramen – YouTube channel⁠ — including Frank's completed Yamanote Line ramen series

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This episode is 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

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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Frank knows ramen. You might even say that Frank eats, sleeps & breathes ramen.

Through 5AM Ramen, Frank has eaten hundreds of bowls a year (many years ongoing), explored ramen shops across Japan & beyond and built a career around sharing what he's learned through YouTube, ramen tours and hands-on experiences in Tokyo.

In Part 1 of our conversation, Frank joins Ari to talk about growing up in Tokyo, his earliest ramen memories and how 5AM Ramen got started. We get into everything from instant ramen and late-night bowls to ramen tours, regional styles, tonkotsu, Jiro and the enormous variety that makes ramen such an interesting part of Japanese food culture.

We also talk about Frank's own multicultural background and why ramen, despite its roots outside Japan, has become such a distinctly Japanese food while continuing to evolve.

In this episode:

• Frank's earliest ramen memories growing up in Tokyo
• Where the name 5AM Ramen came from
• How Frank went from a ramen blog to running ramen tours and a popular YouTube channel
• What it's like eating 200~400 bowls of ramen a year
• How ramen tasting tours work
• Why there's no single “right” way to enjoy ramen
• Shio, miso, shoyu, tonkotsu & the incredible range of ramen styles

• Why ramen leaves so much room for experimentation

This is Part 1 of our conversation with Frank. Look for Part 2, where we get into how ramen is changing today, the influence of YouTube and social media, what happens when small local shops suddenly get international attention, and some practical advice for visiting ramen shops in Japan.

Learn more about Frank and 5 AM Ramen:

5 AM Ramen
https://www.5amramen.com/

Food Tour Tokyo
https://www.foodtourtokyo.com/

You can also find 5 AM Ramen on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/c/5AMRamen

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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

(03:05) Meet Frank

(05:00) 5AM Ramen Origins

(09:05) Ramen Tours in Tokyo

(22:47) Eating 200-400 Bowls a Year

(24:05) 5AM Ramen YouTube Channel

(27:28) Ramen & Multi-Culture

(31:30) Tonkotsu Ramen

(39:10) Closing Thoughts

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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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Restaurant ratings in Japan can be confusing. Why does the same restaurant have a 4.6 on Google Maps and a 3.48 on Tabelog?

In this Quick Tip, Ari breaks down how to make sense of restaurant ratings and reviews in Japan, including:

• Why Google and Tabelog ratings shouldn't be compared directly
• What a 3.4 or 3.5 on Tabelog actually means
• Why it helps to look at who's writing the reviews, not just the score

• When restaurant reservations make sense and why you don't need to plan every meal in advance

Ratings & reviews can be useful tools. The key is knowing how to use them without letting them plan your trip for you.

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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)

In Part 2 of our conversation with Xander Soren, we pick up where we left off: with a drink in hand.

If you haven't heard the Part 1 episode, we recommend listening to it here first.

This time, we move from sake to wine and the story behind Xander Soren Wines. Xander explains how a personal project making small batches of California wine grew into a second career, and why Japan and Japanese food have been central to it from the beginning.

We talk about what makes a wine work with Japanese food. Xander also shares how Japanese design influenced his branding, and how relationships with chefs and restaurants helped him establish the wines in Japan.

We also cover cocktail bars, dining in Japan, Google & Tabelog ratings and the value of leaving room in your itinerary for places you didn't plan in advance.

And to close out our conversation, Xander shares some practical advice for first-time visitors to Japan.

Learn more about Xander Soren Wines

https://xandersorenwines.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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Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Intro & Overview

(01:32) Sake to Wine

(06:00) Xander's Wine Story

(27:10) Pairing with Japanese Food

(30:50) Drinks in Japan Beyond Wine

(35:44) Dining in Japan

(44:34) Travel Tips

(47:41) Closing Thoughts

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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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What does working on the original iPod have to do with falling in love with Japan? Quite a bit, as it turns out.

Xander Soren spent more than 20 years at Apple, working on products including the iPod and GarageBand. These days, he's a California wine producer with a longtime connection to Japan, curating wines designed specifically with Japanese food in mind.

In Part 1 of our conversation, Xander takes us back to his years at Apple and working closely with Steve Jobs, including Jobs's own connection with Japan and the recommendations that helped shape Xander's early experiences in Kyoto. Xander has returned to Japan regularly since then and has watched international tourism here change dramatically along the way.

We also talk about getting beyond the usual "best of" lists, connecting with people in restaurants, learning enough Japanese to open a few doors and paying attention to the craft behind what you're eating. And we get into sushi, why the rice deserves a lot more attention than it usually gets and Xander's growing appreciation for sake around Japan.

Stay tuned for Part 2 with Xander, coming soon!

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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

(01:32) Meet Xander

(07:51) Steve Jobs & Japan

(16:25) Xander's Early Days in Japan

(24:01) Avoiding Overtourism & Other Tips

(29:45) Dining in Japan

(38:12) Sake 日本酒

(45:13) Closing Thoughts

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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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Xander Soren Wines:

https://xandersorenwines.com/

NHK Documentary on Steve Jobs & Japan:

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

There are more ways to fly to Japan than ever, with new routes, new gateways and more flights being added. That’s good news! But more choices don’t necessarily make choosing the right flight any easier.

In this episode, we talk about new routes and increased capacity for flights to Japan… flying into Tokyo and home from Osaka… what an open-jaw ticket is & why nonstop isn’t always better … and how new flights to places like Sapporo and Okinawa can change the way you put a trip together.

We also get into domestic flights that may be available as part of an international ticket, turning a connection elsewhere in Asia into a stopover and some of the less obvious things to think about before you hit the Buy button.

Because the best flight isn’t necessarily the cheapest flight, the shortest flight or even the nonstop flight. It’s the one that works best with the Japan trip you want to take.

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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 at⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan

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Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(00:52) Overview of routes & strategies

(05:08) Flight Factors

(10:27) New Routes & Added Capacity

(14:33) Tips for Booking Flights

(19:30) 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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In this episode we sit down with John and Josephine, hosts of the YouTube channel "Uncharted Japan".

Check out Uncharted Japan on YouTube

John and Josephine have spent years traveling around Japan, often finding some of their favorite experiences well beyond the places that dominate most Japan itineraries.

Josephine also has an extraordinary connection to the country. Her family's history in Japan stretches back to 1861, and she grew up in Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe.

Together, John and Josephine created Uncharted Japan, a YouTube channel focused on the places, people, history and experiences they've discovered during their travels.

In this episode, we talk about how they choose where to go, why they don't feel the need to cram every famous destination into a trip and what they've found by exploring more of regional Japan.

We also get into castles, onsen and ryokan stays, renting a car in Japan, some memorable wrong turns and the remarkable encounter in a small rural community that helped inspire Uncharted Japan.

And we talk about something that can have a surprisingly big influence on your own trip: the travel algorithm. When YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and even AI keep showing travelers the same places and experiences, it's easy to start building a trip around what keeps appearing on your screen rather than what you're actually interested in.

There's nothing wrong with visiting Japan's famous destinations. We certainly aren't suggesting you skip Tokyo or Kyoto just to be different. But there's a lot more Japan out there, and sometimes the places you weren't originally looking for become the ones you remember most.

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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

(02:05) Meet John & Josephine

(08:47) Planning Advice

(13:00) Castles & Other Gems

(21:50) Onsen Hot Springs

(25:55) Local Japan vs What Visitors Tend to See

(30:58) YouTube - Uncharted Japan

(55:12) Takeaway Advice & Thoughts

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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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The Uncharted Japan YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@UnchartedJapanTravel

... and their travel blog & photos etc:

https://unchartedjapan.net/

(Cover Art for this episode by Uncharted Japan)

When does fall actually start in Japan?

You’ll see plenty of information out there describing September and October as autumn travel time in Japan. But if you’re picturing cool, crisp weather and fall colors, you may be surprised by what you actually find, especially in places like Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka.

In this Quick Tip, Ari talks about what we’ve been seeing in Japan in recent years, why long-term weather averages may not give you the full picture and why fall weather & autumn colors don’t necessarily arrive around the same time.

We’ll also look at how the timing changes depending on where you go, why November or even early-mid December may be a better fit if you’re hoping to experience autumn in much of Japan, and what to think about if your travel dates are already set.

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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)

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 at⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.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:

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How Kyoto tourism has changed over the years

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Visiting Kyoto during the summer

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Avoiding crowds at popular sights

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Why flexibility often creates better travel experiences

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The moments between destinations that people remember most

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Reading the room and adapting a tour

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Temple fatigue (yes, it's real!)

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Cultural etiquette and understanding Japan beyond the guidebook

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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:

http://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 at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.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)