The Japan Travel Pros Podcast

Don't Overthink Your Japan Trip - Plan Smarter

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 all

How to Avoid the Crowds in Japan… and Should You?

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 famou

Part 2 with Frank aka 5AM Ramen

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 t

5AM Ramen - Frank, Part 1

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), explore

Quick Tip: Restaurant Ratings & Reviews in Japan

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 mak

Wine, Dining & Travel in Japan: Xander Soren Part 2

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 i

Xander Soren: Apple, Wine & Japan - Part 1

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

Flights to Japan: How-Tos & New Routes

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 choos

Uncharted Japan: YouTube Hosts Who Go Beyond the Algorithm

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

Quick Tip: Timing Your Autumn Japan Trip

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 picturi

Onsen Destination: How Ken Experiences Japan

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, w

Quick Tip: IC Cards in Japan

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. Soun

What Keeps Bringing Adam Back to Japan?

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 &

Seeing Japan Differently: Junko & James

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 fir

“Hidden Gems” in Japan?

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

Kyoto Tour Guides with Laura & Javier

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 conversati

Part 2 - Staying Local in Japan at Rise's House

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

Staying Local in Japan at Rise's House - Part 1

In this episode, the first of a two-part series, Rise-san joins us for a conversation about hospitality, community and a different way of experiencing Japan. Rise-san is

Japan Travel Myths vs Reality

Japan Rail Pass?Trains always on time?Japanese food is always healthy?Japan is living in the future? In this episode, we break down some common Japan travel myths and wh

Japan Travel: You Don’t Have to Do Everything

In this episode, Yuki joins us for a conversation about photography, Tokyo, local neighborhoods and the pressure travelers often feel to fit everything into one trip. Yu