"Is a Japan Rail Pass worth it?"This might be the most important question you are asking yourself right now as you prepare for your trip to Japan in 2023.In this post, I'm going to show you whether a Japan Rail Pass is worth buying. Using the itinerary from my first trip to Japan and current prices, I'll compare how much my 3-week trip to Japan costs with a JR Pass and how much it would cost without a pass.Unfortunately, the price of JR Passes will increase by 70% in October 2023. To get the old price purchase your pass before October 1. Passes are good for 3 months prior to activation.In...…"Is a Japan Rail Pass worth it?"This might be the most important question you are asking yourself right now as you prepare for your trip to Japan in 2023.In this post, I'm going to show you whether a Japan Rail Pass is worth buying. Using the itinerary from my first trip to Japan and current prices, I'll compare how much my 3-week trip to Japan costs with a JR Pass and how much it would cost without a pass.Unfortunately, the price of JR Passes will increase by 70% in October 2023. To get the old price purchase your pass before October 1. Passes are good for 3 months prior to activation.In...WW…

Does Kyoto really have a million temples?Actually, it only has 1,600 temples.But when I was in Kyoto, it sure felt like a million.Even before I set foot in the city, I was overwhelmed with how many temples, shrines, gardens, and museums there were to see in the city that I went crazy trying to plan my trip.And like Tokyo, Kyoto’s attractions are spread out all over the city, so it was tricky figuring out how to see everything I wanted to see in 4 days.So I’ve developed this 4-day Kyoto itinerary. Hopefully, you’ll avoid going crazy trying to plan your trip and it’ll make your first...…Does Kyoto really have a million temples?Actually, it only has 1,600 temples.But when I was in Kyoto, it sure felt like a million.Even before I set foot in the city, I was overwhelmed with how many temples, shrines, gardens, and museums there were to see in the city that I went crazy trying to plan my trip.And like Tokyo, Kyoto’s attractions are spread out all over the city, so it was tricky figuring out how to see everything I wanted to see in 4 days.So I’ve developed this 4-day Kyoto itinerary. Hopefully, you’ll avoid going crazy trying to plan your trip and it’ll make your first...WW…

Looking to take one or more day trips from Tokyo, but don’t know where to go?It can be confusing. Lots of blogs list 10 to even 25 cities to visit from Tokyo.But let’s be honest.They’re not all equally worthwhile, especially if you’re visiting Japan for the first time or even the second time. These long lists just confuse travelers and make planning for your trip to Japan even more challenging.So, in this guide, I’m going to share with you the ONLY 4 day trips you should consider doing from Tokyo.All of them can be reached in 1 or 2 hours by bus or train. And all will reward you with tons...…Looking to take one or more day trips from Tokyo, but don’t know where to go?It can be confusing. Lots of blogs list 10 to even 25 cities to visit from Tokyo.But let’s be honest.They’re not all equally worthwhile, especially if you’re visiting Japan for the first time or even the second time. These long lists just confuse travelers and make planning for your trip to Japan even more challenging.So, in this guide, I’m going to share with you the ONLY 4 day trips you should consider doing from Tokyo.All of them can be reached in 1 or 2 hours by bus or train. And all will reward you with tons...WW…

Struggling with figuring out where to stay in Tokyo?I totally get it.There are so many neighborhoods to choose from, and each has its pros and cons. Ginza is central but expensive. Asakusa is cheap but far away. There seems to be no place that checks all the boxes.When planning my first trip to Tokyo, I was so overwhelmed by all the different places to stay (Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza, Asakusa) that I stopped looking. I procrastinated until almost all the best hotels had filled up.Don’t put off this very important decision!I’m going to help you make sense of all the different...…Struggling with figuring out where to stay in Tokyo?I totally get it.There are so many neighborhoods to choose from, and each has its pros and cons. Ginza is central but expensive. Asakusa is cheap but far away. There seems to be no place that checks all the boxes.When planning my first trip to Tokyo, I was so overwhelmed by all the different places to stay (Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza, Asakusa) that I stopped looking. I procrastinated until almost all the best hotels had filled up.Don’t put off this very important decision!I’m going to help you make sense of all the different...WW…

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars“It’s not a crime to want to have everything—love, money, success.”Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate and Bookshop.org Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  Please see this website’s Disclosure for more info.With the right director and some changes to the romantic subplot, Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune would make a damn good movie!All the elements of a good movie are here—a sweet and magical story about the importance of community, the power of food, the stigma of mental illness, and...…My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars“It’s not a crime to want to have everything—love, money, success.”Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate and Bookshop.org Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  Please see this website’s Disclosure for more info.With the right director and some changes to the romantic subplot, Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune would make a damn good movie!All the elements of a good movie are here—a sweet and magical story about the importance of community, the power of food, the stigma of mental illness, and...WW…