Explore every episode of the podcast Japan Travel Smart
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart to visit: Osaka city | 05 Jan 2025 | 00:22:12 | |
Get our unique takes on Osaka on this special “smart to visit” episode of Japan Travel Smart! Airports Kansai International Airport Osaka International (Itami) Airport Kobe Airport City centers Namba Umeda Locations Dotonbori Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan Osaka Castle and Castle Park Osaka Museum of History Shin Sekai New World Den Den Town Takedao Abandoned Railway Hike Food Takoyaki Okonomiyaki Kushikatsu Akashiyaki Observation decks Abeno Harukas Umeda Sky Building Osaka Dojimahama Tower Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| 9 counterintuitive good etiquette tips for travel in Japan | 27 Oct 2024 | 00:23:18 | |
Is it possible that things are completely different in Japan when it comes to proper etiquette? You have no idea how much it is, and for your sake we'll tell you on this episode. Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| Smart to visit: the Shin'etsu region - Nagano and Niigata prefectures | 13 Oct 2024 | 00:21:16 | |
In this first entry to our "Smart to visit" episode series, we introduce the attractive Shin'etsu subregion of Japan and the main draws of Nagano and Niigata prefectures! Locations named on this episode -Togakushi Shrines in Mount Togakushi -Matsumoto city and Matsumoto Castle -Nagaoka city -Sado Island Errata: at 10:32 we meant to say Shin'etsu region rather than San'in region Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| Tell me how you got to the city from Narita Airport and I’ll tell you everything about you | 29 Sep 2024 | 00:26:38 | |
You've arrived at Narita Airport. Now what? We go in depth about your options to get into town, and we are pretty sure that your usual option isn't the best that you could be using. Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Transport service names mentioned in this episode: JR Narita Express Keisei Skyliner Keisei Sky Access Express JR Narita Line Limousine Bus LCB (Low Cost Bus) Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| 9 weird tricks to save money on a Japan trip | 12 Sep 2024 | 00:37:38 | |
What's a better way to get around a Japanese city for cheap? And how do we even manage to always travel all over Japan on a reasonable budget? We share our best tips to save money during a Japan trip! Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| 9 myths about traveling in Japan | 28 Aug 2024 | 00:29:11 | |
How expensive is Tokyo? Do you need to speak the language to get around? We clear up some common misconceptions about Japan that people who visit are often caught off guard by. Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| Why do people keep going on holiday back to Japan? | 19 Aug 2024 | 00:21:16 | |
Why do people keep going on holiday back to Japan? That's me. I am people. We explain the reasons for the name of the podcast. We set some groundwork for what to expect content-wise and we give our best reasons for Japan to be a destination that you want to keep coming back to! Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| Japan rail master - Course 1 | 26 Jan 2025 | 00:24:08 | |
The best rail travel tips and advice for the best rail travel country! It all begins here on Japan Travel Smart! Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| 9 questionable attractions in Japan that you’d do best to avoid | 16 Feb 2025 | 00:24:53 | |
There exist some popular places in Japan that are a bit dubious at best. In this episode we’ve come up with 9 examples of spots in Japan that you might want to reconsider visiting for reasons that may shock you! Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| The better Japanese for travel that I actually use | 09 Mar 2025 | 00:19:42 | |
What Japanese from the basic phrase book have we found to be actually useful when traveling in Japan? In this episode of Japan Travel Smart we bring up better Japanese for travel that we really use. Sumimasen vs Gomenasai Dozo Shitsureishimasu! Orimasu Hitori, Futari, Sannin, Yonin Osusume wa... Mou ikkai! Gochisousama! Okaikei onegaishimasu Ojamashimasu! Gomen kudasai! Domo. Kanshashimasu Kekkou desu Itekimasu! Tadaima Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| Japan Rail Master - All of Japan within reach with regional rail passes! | 20 Apr 2025 | 00:28:05 | |
Regional rail passes in Japan offer foreign visitors the chance to binge on exploration of a unique region in Japan, but what exactly is the trick to them? Can they hope to match the former glory of the JR Pass or is it truly over? In this episode we blow the lid off regional rail passes! Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| How to fly to Japan for cheap | 11 May 2025 | 00:26:11 | |
Flying to Japan is expensive, right? Right? Well, it certainly can be, but it doesn't have to be needlessly expensive on a budget. Find out more on this episode of Japan Travel Smart! Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| Get to know the cities in Kyushu! | 01 Jun 2025 | 00:24:17 | |
Get to know Kyushu through its cities on this episode of Japan Travel Smart! We'll talk about what makes each of them unique and worth checking out on a visit to Kyushu. Fukuoka -Yatai food stalls -Tenjin shopping -Tonkotsu ramen -JR Hakata City Rooftop Garden Nagasaki -Peace Park Nagasaki -Atomic Bomb Museum -Castella cake Kumamoto -Kumamoto Castle -Kumamon Square Kagoshima -Senganen Garden -Reimeikan Museum -Sakurajima Miyazaki -Chicken Nanban -Miyazaki Beef -Aoshima Beach Beppu and Oita -Hot springs -Jigoku Hells Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| We love Japanese hot springs and onsen culture! | 22 Jun 2025 | 00:25:21 | |
What options de we have at our disposal to experience onsen culture in Japan? How to properly use a shared bathing space without committing faux paux or creating embarrassment for yourself? Find out all about hot springs in Japan in this episode of JTS! -Onsen vs sento -Staying at ryokan -Onsen towns: Kusatsu Onsen, Kinosaki Onsen, Gero Onsen, Noboribetsu -Super sento -Ofuro, rotenburo, ashiyu -Yukata Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| Trendy neighborhoods in western Tokyo | 13 Jul 2025 | 00:19:57 | |
Boldly head out from the busy and crowded tourist areas of Tokyo to find a much more intimate version of the city in western Tokyo! Find out where you can go on this episode of the show! Nakano (Nakano Broadway) Koenji Mitaka and Kichijoji (Inokashira Park, Ghibli Museum, Kichijoji Autumn Festival, Harmonica Yokocho) Shimokitazawa (Ichibangai and Suzuran-dori) Sangenjaya (Sangenjaya Fureai Square ) Tokyo Ramen Festa (Komazawa Olympic Park) Fuchu (Suntory Musashino Brewery, Tokyo Racecourse) Mount Takao Tachikawa (Showa Kinen Park) Tama (Sanrio Puroland) Machida (Snoopy Museum) Higashi-Kurume (Spadium Japon) Okutama Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| Bike sharing services: super convenient! | 03 Aug 2025 | 00:28:19 | |
Should you actually consider bike sharing services to get around for your Japan trip? What is important to know to get set up to use shared bicycles and what's some important riding advice to bike safely in Japan? Find out everything about bike sharing on this episode of Japan Travel Smart! https://docomo-cycle.jp/?lang=en https://luup.sc/en/ HELLO CYCLING Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| Learn from my most egregious mistakes traveling in Japan! | 14 Sep 2025 | 00:29:06 | |
Everyone screws up traveling in Japan. But especially me. Find out more on this episode. Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| The vast, lush frontier: national parks of Hokkaido | 24 Aug 2025 | 00:19:27 | |
There's an entire world to see just past Sapporo. Get to know about Hokkaido's incredible national park areas on this entry of Japan Travel Smart! New Chitose Airport, Asahikawa Airport , Memanbetsu Airport, Kushiro Airport Daisetsuzan National Park -Sounkyo Onsen -Mount Kurodake -Ohachidaira Caldera Shiretoko National Park -Utoro -Shiretoko Goko Lakes -Kamuiwakka Hot Falls Akan Mashu National Park -Lake Akan -Ainu Kotan village -Iozan (Sulfur Mountain) -Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| Smart to visit: Northern Tohoku - Aomori and Akita prefectures | 05 Oct 2025 | 00:23:22 | |
We continue our Smart to Visit series by returning to the Tohoku region on one of our most eclectic trip reports yet! It’s time to introduce Aomori and Akita prefectures! Hachinohe -Niida-maru cruise -Nanbu Senbei Aomori City -Nebuta Matsuri -Nebuta Warasse Osorezan Hirosaki -Hirosaki Castle -Apple pie Thrift and second hand stores of Tohoku -Yorozuya -Mansaido Resort Shirakami between Aomori and Akita City Akita City -Akita Inu -Namahage at Oga Omagari Fireworks Festival Kakunodate -Samurai Quarters Nyuto Onsen Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| 9 more tips for saving money on a Japan trip! | 26 Oct 2025 | 00:26:10 | |
Don’t waste your travel budget on simple mistakes that can be prevented by listening to JTS! We’ve got 9 more ways to stretch your yennies on this episode of the show! Lodging: Minshuku and shukubo Observation decks: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Bunkyo City Office Shinkansen discounts: SmartEX app, Platt Kodama, kinken shops Workshops: kominkan Omamori and omikuji Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| The well-trodden Nara and the hidden Nara | 16 Nov 2025 | 00:26:25 | |
Nara is not a "day trip". Here's why. Nara Park, Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Shrine Heijo Palace Site, Toshodaiji Temple, Yakushiji Temple Imaicho Town, Tanzan Shrine, Hasedera Temple Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| 9 insane tourist traps of Tokyo (and our perfectly sane alternatives) | 07 Dec 2025 | 00:39:33 | |
These Tokyo attractions and experiences are popular, but are they worth it in 2025 and beyond? Be sure to listen in before signing off on that Tokyo travel plan! Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| Japan forever changed: Thoughts on the state of tourism and travel in Japan | 28 Dec 2025 | 00:30:42 | |
Japan has changed so much ever since we first started visiting. Some of these changes really alter the travel situation for better or for worse! Find out what changes actually affect your visiting experience in order to be better prepared! Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| The easiest way to include Shikoku in ANY Japan Travel plan! | 18 Jan 2026 | 00:29:25 | |
Were you already thinking you'd need to skip Shikoku on a trip around Japan? Think again! I'll tell you how easy it is to include the island region of Shikoku on ANY Japan itinerary. Errata: At 11:08 we said that "Ehime" was our arrival point to Shikoku when we meant Kagawa Prefecture. Marugame is Kagawa's gateway into Shikoku! Support the podcast! Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi! Land bridge entry points: -Akasahi Kaikyo Bridge route -Central Route via the Great Seto Bridge -Onomichi-Imabari Route (Shimanami Kaido) "Rail Pass route" locations mentioned Marugame Kotohira & Kompirasan Niihama Taiko Festival Matsuyama Yawatahama Ferry Terminal Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| An update about upcoming episodes | 19 Jan 2026 | 00:06:59 | |
Support the podcast! Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi! Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| [RE-RECORDED] My 9 favorite online resources for where to visit and what to do in Japan! | 01 Feb 2026 | 00:24:29 | |
So you’ve decided to do your own travel itinerary planning for your trip to Japan. But where should you start? Here are some websites that will make it easy. Support the podcast! Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi! Websites and resources mentioned on this episode: japan-guide.com https://www.japan-guide.com/ JapanTravel https://en.japantravel.com/ Trip Advisor https://www.tripadvisor.com/ JNTO Travel Brochures https://www.japan.travel/brochures/eng/index.php?sort=upd_date_desc Tokyo Cheapo and Japan Cheapo https://tokyocheapo.com/ https://japancheapo.com/ GO TOKYO https://www.gotokyo.org/en/index.html Time Out Tokyo https://www.timeout.com/tokyo Tabelog https://tabelog.com/en/ Tokyo Gig Guide https://www.tokyogigguide.com/en/ Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| [RE-RECORDED] 9 understated Japan survival tips | 15 Feb 2026 | 00:23:38 | |
What is some travel advice applicable to Japan that no one is really bringing up? Find out in this episode! Support the podcast! Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi! Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| [RE-RECORDED] Smart to visit: A sampler escapade on the revitalized coast of Iwate | 01 Mar 2026 | 00:26:16 | |
Dare to head away from the well trodden path and go into coastal Iwate for a different Japan! Find out how we did it on this episode of Japan Travel Smart! Support the podcast! Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi! Entry points by rail: Ichinoseki, Hanamaki, Morioka, Hachinohe JR East ‘Joyful Trains’ https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/joyful/ Hinabi excursion train POKÉMON with YOU Train Tono City, Tono Furusato Village Kamaishi City Sanriku Railway Rias Line Miyako City Jodogahama Beach Miyako Umineko Maru Jodogahama Boat Cruise Kitayamazaki Cape Iwaizumi Town, Ryusendo Cave Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| The konbini AND Japanese supermarket geek-out episode! | 15 Mar 2026 | 00:40:33 | |
It's time to get you up to speed with the wonderful world of Japanese convenience stores, as well as the relatively low key supermarket offerings. What sets them apart? How do you ask the clerk for a fork or refuse a shopping bag? And why even care about supermarkets in the first place? Find out in this episode! Support the podcast! Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi! Supermarkets -Aeon Group supermarkets (Aeon MaxValu, My Basket) -Seiyu -Ito-Yokado -Life Supermarkets -Co-op Convenience stores -7-Eleven -Family Mart -Lawson -Ministop -Daily Yamazaki -New Days -Seicomart Common interactions -Fukuro ni oire shimasu ka? / Fukuro wa irimasu ka? / Fukuro o tsuke shimasu ka? -Pointo kādo wa omochi desu ka? -Obentō o atatamemasu ka? / O-atatame shimasu ka? -Ohashi o otsuke shimasu ka?/ Fōku/Supūn o otsuke shimasu ka? -Shīru de yoroshii deshou ka? -Fukuro o owake shimasu ka? -O-shiharai hōhō wa ikaga desu ka? -Reshīto wa yoroshii desu ka? -Otsugi no kata dōzo! / Otsugi no okyakusama dozo! Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| Around Japan with just a carry-on | 05 Apr 2026 | 00:21:21 | |
Traveling in Japan for weeks at a time while packing just a carry-on: Is it feasible or even possible? Find out on this episode of JTS! Support the podcast! Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi! Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| The underrated prefecture right beside Kyoto and Osaka | 26 Apr 2026 | 00:36:14 | |
Be inspired to visit more than one popular destination in Hyogo, a stone’s throw away from Kyoto and Osaka! Support the podcast! Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi! Kobe -Nada Sake District: Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum, Hamafukutsuru, Sakuramasamune Museum Sakuraen, Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, Kobe Shushinkan -Kitanocho: Weathercock House, Moegi House, Kitano Foreigner’s Association, Kitanocho Square, Kitano Tenman Shrine -Sannomiya -Harborland, Meriken Park Mount Rokko Area -Rokko Garden Terrace -Alpine Botanical Garden, Musical Box Museum Arima Onsen -Arima Cider -Taikou-no-Yu Hot Spring Himeji -Himeji Castle -Nada no Kenka Matsuri Takeda Castle Ruins Kinosaki Onsen Area -Public bathhouses -Toyooka Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| Ultimate pre-travel checklist for Japan! | 17 May 2026 | 00:29:42 | |
In the age of increasingly ambitious and complex independent travel itineraries, it becomes incredibly easy to mess up your best possible travel plans. Take every scenario into consideration by maintaining your own pre-travel checklist! We'll tell you everything to account for on this episode of JTS! Support the podcast! Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi! Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||
| Hacking the Japan travel experience | 09 Jun 2026 | 00:30:25 | |
Sit back and tune in to another carefully crafted episode of JTS with unconventional tricks and tips inspired from personal experience alone to vastly enhance anyone's independent discovery of Japan! Support the podcast! Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi! Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com Music by Reza Alvin from Pixabay | |||