Why rent a car in Japan? The freedom to roam. The ability to pull off the road when you see something beautiful. The chance to reach quiet, rural places. But driving in Japan isn’t for everyone. For many travelers, it won’t even be necessary. Find out whether it’s right for you.

You're not just looking to tick off a checklist of tourist attractions. You want more than that. You want the kind of trip that stirs your soul a little. Something that leaves you telling stories years later. The kind of journey that inspires you to see the world a little differently. 

Heading to Japan? Want to eat like the locals do? What’s considered “good” food here isn’t necessarily expensive or rare. It’s often about balance, care and consistency. We’ll uncover where to go & what to look for.

One of the first things many visitors to Japan notice is the near-total absence of public trash cans. And yet, somehow, the streets are immaculate. Curious? Find out why!

You’re not just here for the Instagram highlight reel, right?. You want to experience Japan. The real Japan. But those two things, the highlights and the hidden? They get tangled up fast.

Japan’s summers are HOT! This doesn’t mean cancel your trip. But plan smart & travel mindfully. We’ll let you know what Japan’s summer is really like, what to pack, how to pace yourself, and how to keep cool.

Japan's true culinary underworld is hiding in plain sight, if you know where to look.No hype. Just food that makes you stop mid-bite thinking: ‘Yup, this is the real deal.’

If you've been scrolling through social media and seeing the same array photos of torii gates, sushi & cherry blossoms, you might start wondering:  Could Japan be starting to turn a bit... overrated? Find out the answer as we take this controversial topic.

What exactly is Tokyo? Is it a city? A cluster of neighborhoods? A patchwork of smaller cities? Knowing Tokyo's layout will help you plan your trip, get around more easily and know where you are when you're here.

What’s it like to travel during Golden Week, Obon or New Year's — the three biggest holiday periods in Japan? Should traveling during a Japanese holiday be a deal-breaker? Click through to find out…

“There’s one lesson I wish I’d truly understood before I ever set foot in Japan. It’s not about taking your shoes off at the genkan or navigating the train system (though, yes, do those things too). It’s…”

Forget the mass-produced trinkets you can find anywhere. We're here to guide you to the real gems – the Osaka souvenirs that truly capture the flavor & spirit of this fantastic city.

Here’s a starter pack about what you need to know when it comes to entering Japan, including how to save time at the airport by using a free tool called Visit Japan Web — and why we recommend it.

The standard itinerary of Japan’s iconic highlights skips a lot of what makes this country so endlessly fascinating. Find out why you should mix it up and slow things down.

In Japan – where respect, privacy, trust and harmony mean a lot – photographing people without their consent can seriously ruffle feathers and even lead to legal problems. Find out how & why.

Planning a trip to Japan can feel like standing at a sushi conveyor belt — everything looks good, and you want to grab it all. But trying to do too much in too little time? This sets up pitfalls that you don’t deserve.

With the global markets in a state of turbulence, it's natural to wonder what these shifts might mean for your upcoming travels. Will Japan become more expensive? Will your plans need to change?

This guide isn’t a "Top 10 Places to Visit in Japan." It’s designed to help you actually do the trip — without the overwhelm, the second-guessing or the common pitfalls that first-time travelers run into.

Planning a trip to Japan can feel overwhelming. Find out how working with a a Japan travel specialist makes your trip smoother, richer & more personalized.

Among the hundreds of Michelin-starred restaurants in Japan, many specialize in ramen. Ichiran is not one of those restaurants. How does Ichiran stack up to local ramen shops in Japan? Find out!