The Japan Travel Pros Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

The Japan Travel Pros Podcast

Japan Travel Pros

Society & Culture

Frequency: 1 episode/5d. Total Eps: 15

A local perspective on Japan travel. Hosted by Ari from Japan Travel Pros, the pod gets into the questions, debates, myths, mistakes & choices that shape a Japan trip. Expect practical advice from seasoned veterans in the Japan travel industry. Strong opinions, occasional detours and a lot of talk about what really matters for planning & enjoying memorable trips to Japan - without getting overwhelmed.

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Apple Podcasts

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30/08/2026
#43
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29/08/2026
#83
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28/08/2026
#43
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27/08/2026
#54
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26/08/2026
#28
🇨🇦 Canada - placesAndTravel
25/08/2026
#45
🇨🇦 Canada - placesAndTravel
24/08/2026
#30
🇨🇦 Canada - placesAndTravel
23/08/2026
#73
🇨🇦 Canada - placesAndTravel
22/08/2026
#38

Spotify

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Shared links between episodes and podcasts

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https://JapanTravelPros.com/plan
8 shares
https://riseshouse.com/en/
6 shares
https://japantravelpros.com/plan
6 shares

https://www.instagram.com/rise_s_house
4 shares

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztObV24dT7c
4 shares

RSS feed quality and score

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RSS feed quality

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Score global : 37%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

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Japan: Travel & Food

Season 1 · Episode 1

Monday, June 15, 2026 • Duration 53:19

Food is one of the biggest reasons people visit Japan. It's also a topic that makes a lot of visitors anxious.

In this first full episode of the Japan Travel Pros Podcast, Ari takes a look at convenience stores, ramen chains, famous food markets - and some of the alternatives that can make your trip feel more local & legit.

Beyond food, this episode is about a travel philosophy. It's about eschewing travel FOMO & the pressure to "do Japan the right way."

Most of all, it's about figuring out which priorities are actually yours.

Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way.

Get started at JapanTravelPros.com/plan

***

Topics in this episode include:

• Why Japan feels different from many other travel destinations right now

• Social media, AI & today's travel planning rabbit hole

• Convenience stores (konbini): useful, overhyped or both?

• Famous restaurants & the power of recommendations

• Japan's popular (with tourists) markets

• Local alternatives

• Traveling with more confidence and less second-guessing

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Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Cold Open

(00:53) Intro Segment - Japan, Food & Hype

(17:03) Konbini - Convenience Stores

(25:33) Ichiran, Chain vs Local Ramen

(31:34) Markets in Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka

(41:05) Local & Legit Eats in Japan

(51:43) Closing Remarks with Ari

Theme Music

"Tokyo Nights" by Snoozy Beats

licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License (free download available from the Snoozy Beats page on Free Music Archive)

S1E1 episode page on the Japan Travel Pros website:

https://www.japantravelpros.com/podcast/season-1-episode-1-japan-travel-food

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Trailer

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 • Duration 02:20

A quick preview of The Japan Travel Pros Podcast.

Ari introduces the show and what we’ll be talking about: Japan travel, food, cities, regions, seasons, crowds, tourist traps, baseball, sumo... did we mention food?!

(learn more at www.japantravelpros.com)

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Listener Q&A: Rice, Cash, Underrated Japan & More

Season 1 · Episode 2

Sunday, June 21, 2026 • Duration 34:07

In this episode, we answer a round of Japan travel questions submitted by our listeners, clients and alumni. We cover practical insights on local food, weather, logistics and much more.

What we discuss:

Rice in Japan, and Japanese food expectations inside versus outside Japan
Underrated destinations, foods & experiences in Japan (a few of our picks)
Japan travel for vegetarians
How much cash you need to carry and when you will need it
Traveling to Japan in the summer & whether it is right for you

Get started at ⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan

__________

Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Cold Open

(00:55) Intro

(01:23) Rice in Japan & Outside Japan

(06:35) Underrated Japan

(15:28) Japan for Vegetarians

(22:22) Cash in Japan

(26:33) Summer Travel in Japan

(33:16) Closing Remarks with Ari

__________

Theme Music

"Tokyo Nights" by Snoozy Beats

licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License (free download available from the Snoozy Beats page on Free Music Archive)

Japan Travel: You Don’t Have to Do Everything

Season 1 · Episode 4

Saturday, July 4, 2026 • Duration 42:24

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.

Yuki grew up in the States with Japanese family, visited Japan throughout his life and eventually moved to Japan as an adult. The conversation starts with photography, but it quickly opens up into a broader discussion about how Japan has changed, what Tokyo feels like nowadays and why some of the best travel moments can happen outside of your checklist.

If you’re planning a trip to Japan and wondering how to balance famous places with more local experiences, this episode is for you.

Get started at ⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠⁠

__________

Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Intro
(01:59) Yuki’s connection to Japan and photography
(04:15) Japan’s tourism boom and what has changed
(07:45) Kobe, Himeji and seeing Japan through photography
(14:30) Shimoda, Kawazu and overlooked places beyond the usual route
(18:50) Tokyo beyond the obvious neighborhoods
(26:00) Akihabara, Nakano and the west side of Tokyo
(38:30) Advice from Yuki for your Japan trip

(41:22) Closing

Theme Music:

Intro: "Island Travel" by AnonymentOutro: "Investor Night" by Anonyment

(both tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)

Kyoto, the Japan Travel Bubble & Planning with Intention

Season 1 · Episode 3

Sunday, June 28, 2026 • Duration 52:49

Ari is joined by Brad for the first guest episode of Japan Travel Pros.

Brad first visited Japan in the 1980s, lived here in the 1990s and recently returned with his family. In this conversation, Brad & Ari talk about how Japan has changed over the years, what still feels familiar and why the small moments often feel more meaningful than the big checklist items.

They talk about Kyoto, bullet trains, food, taxis, Japan over the years, travel bubbles and the pressure people feel to “do Japan right.”

Mostly, it’s a conversation about staying curious, getting a little uncomfortable and giving yourself permission to have the trip that actually works for you.

Get started at ⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠

__________

Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(01:34) Japan Then & Now, In the Media & More

(05:45) Living in Japan, Appreciating the Details

(13:40) Perceptions & Reality in Japan

(21:02) Cultural Awareness & Effort

(28:30) Kyoto

(42:46) Brad's Advice for Travelers to Japan

(51:36) Closing Remarks with Ari

Theme Music:

Intro: "Island Travel" by AnonymentOutro: "Investor Night" by Anonyment

(both tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)

Japan Travel Myths vs Reality

Season 1 · Episode 5

Friday, July 10, 2026 • Duration 26:25

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 what first-time visitors should know before planning around them.

Plus a listener question about luggage forwarding.

Get started at ⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠

__________

Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(01:23) Luggage forwarding (Listener Question)

(07:59) Japan Rail Pass Myth

(12:53) Trains are always on time Myth

(17:57) All Japanese food is healthy Myth

(22:42) Japan is living in the future Myth

(25:34) Closing Remarks with Ari

__________

Theme Music:

"Tokyo Nights" by Snoozy Beats

licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License (free download available from the Snoozy Beats page on Free Music Archive)

-----More Music:

"旅ゆけば" by Tinymemory (Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)

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

Season 1 · Episode 6

Sunday, July 19, 2026 • Duration 32:23

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 the founder of:

Rise's House in Nishio, Aichi Prefecture

Inspired by a serendipitous journey abroad, Rise-san returned to Japan with a vision of creating a place where travelers could connect with local people, businesses and everyday life in his hometown.

In Part 1 of our conversation, we talk about the experiences that shaped his journey, why Nishio has so much more to offer than many visitors realize and how meaningful travel often begins with simple human connections.

Where to connect with Rise-san:

⁠https://riseshouse.com/en/⁠https://www.instagram.com/rise_s_house/

See Rise-san on YouTube with John Daub of Only in Japan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztObV24dT7c

Get started at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠⁠⁠⁠

__________

Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Opening

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

Season 1 · Episode 7

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 • Duration 34:49

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 yet, we encourage you to do so before listening to Part 2.

In Part 2 of our conversation, Rise-san returns to talk about the people, places and ideas that have shaped Rise's House in Nishio, Aichi Prefecture.

We explore how local neighborhoods, traditional homes and everyday encounters can become some of the most memorable parts of a trip to Japan. Rise-san also shares his thoughts on welcoming international visitors, building connections within the community and what he means by becoming a "forever local."

Where to connect with Rise-san:

⁠⁠https://riseshouse.com/en/⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/rise_s_house/⁠

See Rise-san on YouTube with John Daub of Only in Japan:

⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztObV24dT7c⁠

Get started at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

__________

Episode Chapters:

Kyoto Tour Guides with Laura & Javier

Season 1 · Episode 8

Saturday, July 25, 2026 • Duration 59:38

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 conversation goes far beyond temples and shrines. We discuss how Kyoto has changed over the years, why summer surprises so many visitors, how to avoid the biggest crowds and why flexibility often leads to the most memorable travel experiences.

Laura and Javier also share what happens behind the scenes on a private tour, how great guides "read the room," and why helping visitors understand Japanese culture can be just as valuable as showing them famous landmarks.

Plus we get into etiquette in Japan, and how you can enjoy a trip to Japan while picking up cultural habits and being a respectful traveller.

In this episode:

How Kyoto tourism has changed over the years
Visiting Kyoto during the summer
Avoiding crowds at popular sights
Why flexibility often creates better travel experiences
The moments between destinations that people remember most
Reading the room and adapting a tour
Temple fatigue (yes, it's real!)
Cultural etiquette and understanding Japan beyond the guidebook
How to get more from your time in Kyoto

__________

Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Opening

(01:47) Intro

(05:30) summer in Kyoto / Japan’s heat & humidity

(10:48) Expectations vs reality in Kyoto

(14:35) Benefits of an experienced guide in Kyoto

(24:30) Etiquette in Kyoto & around Japan

(33:57) Language, crowds, Kyoto size & scale, logistics

(37:05) Kyoto vs Osaka

Quick Tip: Timing Your Autumn Japan Trip

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 • Duration 06:36

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 picturing cool, crisp weather and fall colors, you may be surprised by what you actually find, especially in places like Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka.

In this Quick Tip, Ari talks about what we’ve been seeing in Japan in recent years, why long-term weather averages may not give you the full picture and why fall weather & autumn colors don’t necessarily arrive around the same time.

We’ll also look at how the timing changes depending on where you go, why November or even early-mid December may be a better fit if you’re hoping to experience autumn in much of Japan, and what to think about if your travel dates are already set.

__________

Get started at ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

__________

Music:

Investor Night - by Anonyment

(all tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)

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The Japan Travel Pros Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

The Japan Travel Pros Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other12

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Youtube1

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other12

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Youtube1

Apple Podcasts

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