Packing for a trip to Japan requires some strategic thinking. Japan's transportation system, including the famous bullet trains, weren't designed with large luggage in mind. Whether you’re traveling by train, bus and/or air within Japan, managing your luggage is an important factor in planning your trip. We’ve got some tips to make it easier for you.

Traveling to Japan & using Google or similar review sites to plan meals & attractions? How do you know what’s the real number? We’ll break it all down for you, so that you’ll be able to sort it all out and decipher what’s worth the wait and where to avoid.

The line snakes around the block, tourists clutching their phones, eagerly awaiting their chance to experience what YouTube & Instagram have hyped up as a must-eat ramen in Japan. Among the hundreds of Michelin-starred restaurants in Japan, many specialize in ramen. Ichiran is not one of those restaurants.

“Meiwaku” broadly translates to causing trouble, annoyance or burden to others. This concept shapes social interactions throughout Japan. For international visitors, understanding meiwaku helps navigate social situations and shows respect for local customs.

Sukiyaki and shabu-shabu let you cook food right at your table, combining great ingredients, simplicity and a communal dining experience. But while they might look similar at a glance – thinly sliced beef, veggies, a hot pot of broth – the flavors, preparation & mood of the meals are quite different.

Social media, movies & television often paint an incomplete or inaccurate picture of what visitors actually experience in Japan. We examine ten common misconceptions that frequently surprise first-time visitors to this fascinating country.

For many visitors to Japan, breakfast presents one’s first real encounter with local cuisine. While international hotels reliably serve familiar Western options, experiencing a traditional Japanese breakfast offers unique insights into the country's food culture and daily life.

Getting ready to dine out in Japan? The restaurant scene here offers incredible food experiences. Still, ordering can sometimes be confusing for international visitors. Let’s look at the various types of restaurants and their ordering systems.

While ski destinations worldwide offer their own unique appeals, Japan's combination of exceptional snow quality, reliable conditions & distinctive cultural elements creates an unmatched winter sports environment. Find out how!

Away from the tourist zones, Tokyo neighborhoods have tons of local charm & character. Walking through these neighborhoods gives you good insights into how Tokyo residents live, work and spend their lives day to day. We’ll give you some local Tokyo neighborhood gems.

Visitors arriving in Japan might be surprised to find the "Japanese" foods they knew are either completely absent in Japan, or dramatically different from what they're used to back home. In this edition of the Japan Travel Pros blog, we’ll explore what you can expect from Japanese food in Japan.

In much of Japan, time seems to stand still. An aging society with a nostalgia for a “Showa” era of years gone by, the reality of day-to-day life in Japan reflects rather little of what content creators & influencers would lead us to believe. This duality makes Japan an ideal destination for those seeking to embrace the art of slow travel and digital detox.

Want to see and learn how Japanese people live their lives on the daily? What a local market street looks, feels, smells and sounds like? Why Japan is known to be so clean, safe & orderly? Find out in our article about Japan’s underrated destinations.

Learn the differences between shrines and temples. Why? Because it will help make your Japan travel experience more authentic and better aligned with the “real Japan" that savvy travelers are looking for.

Kyoto works well as a base for discovering the surrounding Kansai region. From historically significant cities to natural wonders, there's plenty to experience just a short train ride away. Broaden your travel experience while still returning to your Kyoto hotel, ryokan or home-away-from-home each night.

In Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost main island, nature is a main attraction and the frontier spirit lives on in its culture and cuisine. A trip to Hokkaido on your Japan itinerary lets you explore an unspoiled wilderness, savor some of the best food in Japan.

For travelers seeking an authentic cultural experience, Japan's festival scene offers a fun year-round calendar of celebration, community and artistic endeavor. Immerse yourself in Japan’s heritage and contemporary culture!

You've seen images of tourists riding through Tokyo in colorful go-karts, dressed as familiar video game characters. This activity, often referred to as "Mario Kart" or "street karting," has gained significant popularity on social media in recent years. But why? And what’s it really all about?

Anime and manga are some of the biggest reasons why people travel to Japan. For both the casual anime/manga fan and die-hard otaku alike, this guide will help you experience these highly popular art forms when traveling in Japan.

Should you think about skipping Osaka on your Japan trip? Or skip Kyoto or Tokyo? Find out whether these Japan cities deserve a spot on your itinerary.