Enjoying Japan Without FOMO
Are you, by chance, feeling a gnawing anxiety about your upcoming Japan trip?
You know, that creeping fear that you'll somehow miss out on the "best" experiences Japan has to offer.
Here's a thought: maybe the best experience Japan has to offer is actually enjoying yourself without stressing about what you might be missing.
When it comes to Japan travel, the FOMO factor is real. It's human nature to feel like we're missing out on something: and that's doubled down when content creators and influencers are fueling the fire.
But as a Japan travel insider, I'm here to tell you that you don't have to feel that FOMO dread. On the contrary, you're going to be traveling to one of the best destinations in the world: Japan. You can't go wrong here!
FOMO Fomentors: The Social Media Trap
Every day, countless so-called influencers & content creators post their "must-visit" spots in Japan.
Their highly filtered & photoshopped images and gushing captions would have you believe that unless you visit their exact list of places, eat at their recommended restaurants & follow their precise itinerary, you're doing Japan wrong.
Spoiler alert: They're selling you a fantasy, not reality.
These content creators often visit the same handful of photogenic spots, creating an echo chamber of "essential" experiences that, frankly, aren't essential at all. Some of their ‘must-see’ spots in Japan are actually tourist traps!
That famous ramen shop might look amazing on Instagram, but is waiting hours in line really the best use of your limited time in Tokyo, Kyoto or really anywhere else in Japan?
Like a lot of other aspects of Japan travel, what ends up happening in this echo chamber is that everyone's going to the same places at the same time. It's true for restaurants, attractions, shops & more.
Japan's Restaurant Dilemma: Is "Best" Always "Better"?
Japan has amazing food, really. Some of the best in the world (name us a better cuisine, no really go ahead, we'll wait).
As a foodie, I'll defend this every time.
But for some folks, it's become not just enough to eat in the country with the best food in the world... now they want to have the best food in that country, too.
But the obsession with finding the "best" of everything has created some truly ridiculous situations. People queue for hours at restaurants deemed slightly better than their competitors by review sites like Tabelog, Google, TripAdvisor etc.
Here's some perspective: A restaurant rated 3.4 on Tabelog might be marginally better than one rated 3.25, but is that difference worth an hour or more of your vacation time?
That hour could be spent walking through a local neighborhood, chatting with shop owners or simply relaxing in a park watching daily life unfold.
So why don't we instead say that the "best" food in Japan isn't just one restaurant, but a whole 'basket' of them.
The best ramen in Tokyo, after all, isn't found at one single ramen shop and one only. No way, we couldn't even get ramen aficionados to agree on that.
A "Tokyo Top 100 Ramen Shops" list (like the ones on Tabelog) barely begins to cover it. So if the wait at #4 on that list is an hour long, but #27 (down the block) is available for walk-ins right now, I'm choosing #27 pretty much every time.
And I live here!
Running a business, I have to see the equation as "time is money." That hour waiting time could be better spent, for me, helping clients experience Japan in better ways (that's our mission here at Japan Travel Pros).
As a traveler, you can see a similar equation. What’s the best use of your time in Japan?
The Mathematics of Time: Why Queue Up in Japan
Most visitors spend about 10 days in Japan. That's 240 hours total.
Subtract 80 hours for sleep (you do need rest), and you're down to 160 hours. Factor in time for transportation between locations, checking in & out of hotels & basic human needs, and suddenly those precious hours start looking pretty limited.
Now imagine spending two hours daily (one each for lunch & dinner) waiting in lines for meals. That's 20 hours of your trip spent staring at the back of someone's head. Those are hours you'll never get back, all in pursuit of what someone on TikTok called "the best ramen in Tokyo" (they proclaimed that right before they told you to like and follow, didn't they).
Twenty hours might be hyperbole, assuming some of your meals could be reserved online. But still, you get the point.
The same goes for finances. You have to ask yourself what's most important: to you. Then set your budget and itinerary accordingly.
Some of our clients, for example, will enjoy meals across a variety of ranges, from hole-in-the-wall eateries to mid-range restaurants to some meals in Michelin-starred kaiseki, omakase or other fine dining establishments.
Others prefer to go all comfort food, all the time: or with the occasional splurge here or there.
And really, you can't go wrong with any of these strategies.
So long as they’ve got more than a score of 3 on Tabelog, those are going to be good restaurants. Some very good. Some great. Some so memorable you’ll swear you’re moving to Japan, or at least coming back to visit again real soon.
Quality vs Accessibility: Choose Wisely
Here's a secret about Japan that influencers won't tell you: The general quality level of food, services & experiences is remarkably high.
As a friend says, "pretty much everything here is gonna be a banger!"
English sausages notwithstanding, it's hard to argue with that.
That neighborhood ramen restaurant with no social media presence? It's probably fantastic.
A yakitori grill with a full counter but little to no line? The owner likely has been working at it for years to perfect their craft.
The difference between "best" and "so damn good!" in Japan is often minimal. But the difference in accessibility can be massive.
Those viral spots might have slightly better food (debatable) or prettier presentations, but they're often not worth the extra effort required to experience them.
Well, that’s my opinion, anyhow. You can (and should) form your own.
The Hidden Cost of Travel FOMO
FOMO-driven travel creates a checklist mentality that can ruin your ability to actually experience Japan.
When you're constantly rushing to the next "must-see" spot, you miss the small moments that often become favorite memories of one’s Japan trip.
Stumbling upon a tiny Shinto shrine between buildings.
Finding a local coffee shop where the owner wants to practice English.
Or catching a sunset from a random park.
That’s how people end up finding their hidden gems of Japan travel.
Alternative Approaches: FOMO-Free Japan Travel
Instead of chasing social media highlights, try incorporating these strategies:
Have one "anchor" activity per day, leaving room for spontaneity
Choose restaurants based on convenience & current hunger levels rather than rankings
Embrace the random: some of Japan's best experiences happen when you least expect them
Accept that you can't see/do everything in one trip (that's actually good news; it gives you reasons to return)
The Local Perspective: Japan at Ground Level
Japanese people don't typically spend hours in line for ramen (okay, a few hardcore types will do this, but the majority of folks not so much) or rush between tourist spots taking selfies.
They find their own favorite places, often chosen for convenience & consistency rather than social media fame.
There's wisdom in this approach.
Planning Without Paranoia: The Right Balance to Prepare for Japan
This isn't an argument against planning.
No, in fact, quite the opposite.
I'm a big proponent of planning. Planning helps you make the most of your time in Japan. "Prior Planning Prevents..." whatever the saying is that you're trying not to do.
But good planning for travel, especially for a Japan trip, means leaving room for flexibility & random discovery. It means accepting that some "famous" spots might not fit into your schedule, and that's perfectly fine.
Plan to get lost.
Plan to go local, exploring backstreets & tucked away places.
Plan in "down" time and time for less/no structure.
Pick a few types of food that you really want to try, and then identify a number of restaurants in each category. That's not a checklist that means you have to hit 'em all! Just aim for one of each, depending on location, timing, wait times, etc.
JOMO, not FOMO: The Joy of Missing Out
Perhaps it's time to embrace JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) instead of FOMO.
Live in the moment.
Embrace the slow travel approach. Accept that you can't do everything, and that's okay.
Focus on enjoying what you actually experience rather than worrying about what you might be missing.
Most travelers who employ this JOMO strategy end up enjoying their Japan trip considerably more than the ones who are overcome with FOMO.
Want to know more about enjoying Japan travel with freedom and without FOMO? Book a FREE Japan travel consultation, using the scheduling tool below:
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions About Japan Travel Sans the FOMO
How do I know which famous spots are worth visiting? Choose based on your genuine interests, not social media hype. If something truly excites you, go for it. If you're only considering it because "everyone" says you should, maybe skip it.
What if I regret missing something? That's what future trips are for. Japan isn't going anywhere. We'll be here when you're ready to come back!
How do I find good restaurants without waiting in line? Look for places with a steady stream of local customers but no massive queues. Ask hotel staff (or drivers, or other locals whom you encounter) for nearby recommendations.
Should I completely ignore social media recommendations? No, but use them as loose suggestions rather than must-do commandments.
How can I balance planning with spontaneity? Plan your basic structure (accommodations & major activities) but leave some time (maybe up to half your time?) unscheduled.
What if I'm traveling with someone who has FOMO? Have an honest discussion about priorities & the real cost of chasing every "must-see" spot.
How do I know if a less famous spot is worth visiting? Trust your instincts. If it interests you, it's worth your time.
What's a good alternative to waiting in long restaurant lines? Try lunch at popular dinner spots or dinner at popular lunch spots. Or simply find a similar restaurant nearby.
How important are review site ratings really? They're helpful guidelines but shouldn't be treated as gospel. The difference between 3.2 & 3.4 rarely justifies a long wait.
What's the best way to discover non-touristy spots? Walk around residential neighborhoods, follow your curiosity & don't be afraid to enter places that interest you.