「Travel Smart, Explore More！」
Narita Airport has quite a few flights departing as early as 7 or 8 a.m. The fares and schedules can look pretty tempting, but once you actually book one, another question immediately comes to mind: How early do I need to leave Tokyo to catch my flight? If you’re staying…
Hi! I’m Tsubaki, a freelance contributing travel journalist who has lived in Japan since 2016! Located about 1,000 kilometers south of Tokyo, the Ogasawara Islands are home to Japan’s only Natural World Heritage Site that can only be reached by a 24-hour scheduled ferry journey. Before planning your trip, however,…
Hi! I’m Tsubaki, a freelance contributing travel journalist who has lived in Japan for 10 years! When it comes to family-friendly attractions and aquariums near Tokyo, many people immediately think of Shinagawa or Ikebukuro. But if you’re looking for a destination where you can easily spend an entire day, from…
Hi! I’m Tsubaki, a travel writer who has been living in Japan for over 10 years. Even after cherry blossom season comes to an end, spring in Japan doesn’t simply fade away. Instead, it changes into something far more vivid and colorful. One weekend in mid-April, my boyfriend and I…
Hi! I’m Tsubaki, a freelance contributing travel journalist who has lived in Japan for 10 years! One weekend in early April, Ugo and I spontaneously decided to head out for a cherry blossom walk along the Kanda River. It happened to be right at the tail end of the season, and…
Did you know that Tsuchiura is one of only two regions in Japan officially recognized as a National Cycle Route (NCR)? It’s also home to the country’s only full-circuit lakeside cycling path, the Kasumigaura Ring Ring Road (つくば霞ヶ浦りんりんロード). Thanks to this unique geographic advantage, Hoshino Resorts opened a bike-friendly hotel…
When it comes to Ōmuroyama Transportation on the Izu Peninsula, I remember the last time I drove there with friends from Tokyo. Unfortunately, we were met with bad weather, and the summit was completely covered in fog, we couldn’t see a thing. But this time, I was incredibly lucky. It…
A few years ago, I traveled to Atami for a solo trip. At the time, I only knew about the city’s hot springs, coastal views, and art museums, I had no idea there was a charming Showa-era style café called Momoyama-kan Retro View Café (展望レトロ喫茶 桃山館). It wasn’t until I…
Tokyo Mega Illumi 2026–2027 at Oi Racecourse: the final season before a break, with dates, ticket prices, access, horse encounters and light shows.
If you’re visiting Tokyo in mid-October, don’t miss the Kawagoe Festival (Kawagoe Matsuri) in Saitama Prefecture, an incredibly vibrant celebration that rivals Tokyo’s three major festivals in excitement and atmosphere. More than just a traditional festival, the Kawagoe Festival transforms the entire city into a “festival village”, filled with energy,…
When visiting Tokyo in autumn, most people think of chasing red maple leaves, but there’s another dazzling experience you shouldn’t miss: the Ikegami Honmonji Oeshiki Lantern Parade (お会式｜Oeshiki), a grand Buddhist festival held every October. The scale of this event is truly incredible. According to official records, more than 300,000…
When people think of Ueno, the first things that often come to mind are the Ueno Zoo, Ameyoko shopping street, or cherry blossom viewing in Ueno Park. But what many may not realize is that right inside Ueno Park stands a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site: The National Museum of…
My previous Hakone transportation guide has always been one of the most popular posts, and I later added another article analyzing whether the Hakone Free Pass is truly worth it. However, I realized I had never properly written a detailed post covering the most essential and practical information, how to…
Traveling from Tokyo to Hakone is one of the most popular side trips in Japan. But with so many transportation options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the choices. In this article, I have compiled a detailed comparison of all the major routes from Tokyo to Hakone, including key…
Hi! I’m Tsubaki, a freelance contributing travel journalist who has lived in Japan for 10 years! Hakone has long been one of the most popular destinations for a Tokyo getaway. Whether you’re here to soak in a hot spring, take a ride on the pirate ship cruise, stroll through the…
When people think of Owakudani, they usually picture its famous black eggs and steaming volcanic vents. But there’s also a lesser-known spot that offers a completely different perspective: the Owakudani Nature Research Trail. This trail isn’t open to the general public; you can only access it by joining an official…
No transfers, no confusion, just one smooth train ride straight to Hakone-Yumoto! The most convenient and comfortable way to travel from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo to Hakone-Yumoto is by hopping on the Romancecar, the direct limited express train operated by Odakyu Railway. Having taken the Romancecar more than five times…
Walking into The Hakone Open-Air Museum felt like stepping into an art paradise embraced by the forest. I’ve visited Hakone more than five times, and honestly, I always thought adding a museum stop felt a little rushed. But I finally checked this one off my Hakone travel list! Let me…
Hi! I’m Tsubaki, a freelance contributing travel journalist who has lived in Japan since 2016! If you’re planning a trip from Tokyo to Hakone, you’ve probably come across the Hakone Free Pass. But is it actually worth buying, or is it just convenient? The short answer: Even for a one-day trip,…
When it comes to Tokyo’s top-ranked tonkatsu spots, Mochi Buta Tonkatsu Taiyo (もち豚とんかつ たいよう) is practically a regular on every must-try list. Since opening in 2008, this humble tonkatsu shop has not only earned a place in Tabelog’s “Top 100 Tonkatsu Restaurants” year after year, but has also been recognized…
