My first trip to Japan (many years ago), was also my first trip overseas, so I really didn’t know what to expect on the 14 hour flight. The longest flight I had been on before was a couple of hours, and I had no idea what would–or wouldn’t–be available for me on such a long flight. Fortunately, it all worked out for me in the … Continue reading Essential Tips for Your First Flight to Japan
I recently put out a post about Cheap Travel to Kyoto, you can read it here: Affordable Travel Guide to Kyoto, Japan Well, now that you have arrived in Kyoto, its time to have some fun! But I’m sure your wallet is probably starting to get stretched a bit thin, so here are some options for some cheap things to do during your visit. Fushimi Inari Taisha … Continue reading Affordable Kyoto: Free and Cheap Things to Do
Recently, a friend of a friend decided that he wanted to go to Japan for a short vacation, but rather than going to Tokyo, he wanted to travel to Kyoto instead. So he asked if I had any advice about cheap travel to Kyoto. And I do! But I realized I hadn’t shared this great information with all of you, so here you go! This … Continue reading Affordable Travel Guide to Kyoto, Japan
A comfortable place to stay can become the second biggest cost on your trip if you are not careful. The great news is that there are plenty of affordable options in Japan, whether you want to sleep in a traditional ryokan like a samurai or surrounded by flashing lights in Shibuya or Akihabara. HOSTELS Let’s start with the super-cheap option—Hostels. There are many hostels in … Continue reading Affordable Accommodation Options in Japan
So you’ve made it to Japan, and now you need to get to all of the cool, fun places in your schedule. Well, there are several “cheap” options for transportation in Japan, but it all depends on where you want to go and how far you want to travel. SUICA/PASMO First, I would recommend staying in the Tokyo-area for your first trip. Trust me, there … Continue reading Affordable Transportation Options in Japan
So you’ve decided to live your anime, manga, and samurai dreams, and want to head to the Land of the Rising Sun—Japan! But what about the flight? Flights are usually the most expensive part of your trip, and frankly one of the toughest things to find cheaply. However, if you follow these tips, you can really save a lot of money. How much? Last year … Continue reading Cheap Flights to Japan: Tips for Budget Travelers
Looks like McDonald’s Japan and the Pokémon Trading Card Game are teaming up again! Mysterious posts featuring Pokemon shadows has fans convinced a new Pokémon Happy Meal promo is on the way, likely celebrating Pokémon’s 30th anniversary. Fans are already excited… and a little nervous. Last year’s promotion sold out fast, with long lines and scalpers causing enough chaos that McDonald’s had to limit purchases. … Continue reading Pokémon and McDonald’s Japan: Exciting Happy Meal Collaboration 2026
Fans visiting the Pokémon Center Shibuya got a surprise this week—the iconic Mewtwo statue has mysteriously vanished from its display tube! 👀🧪 The empty chamber sparked wild theories online, from “Mewtwo escaped!” to “Team Rocket stole it!” But the most likely explanation? A clever promotion for Pokémon GO, which is about to debut Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y during this summer’s big event. … Continue reading Mystery at Pokémon Center Shibuya: Where Did Mewtwo Go?
Den Den Town (Nipponbashi) is the go-to place in the Osaka downtown district during March, for its very popular annual Nipponbashi Street Festa–an otaku-matsuri extravaganza. Den Den Town is known for its electronic shops that are lined with a mix of old school, new school, hip trending fashion, anime, manga, movies and games–reminiscent of what you might see in Akihabara in Tokyo, Japan. The matsuri … Continue reading Den Den Town: Nipponbashi Street Festa
Mark your calendars! The 77th Inagawa Fireworks Festival returns to Kawanishi on November 7, ending a two-year wait with around 4,000 fireworks lighting up the night sky. In a first for the event, fans can score paid premium viewing seats through Japan’s hometown tax donation program, with just 170 spots available on a first-come, first-served basis. The festival has also moved from August to November … Continue reading 77th Inagawa Fireworks Festival: Everything You Need to Know
