Notes from Japan

Hi everyone! I’m so excited to finally share my Japan trip with you.

Let’s start with a few key takeaways—things you should know before you go:

- Have an eSIM or international phone plan. You’ll need your phone constantly, especially for navigating trains. Google Maps became our best friend—not just for directions, but for train timetables, which exits to take, and even which platform to stand on.

- Pack light. Seriously. I learned this the hard way. Lugging heavy bags on and off trains, up and down stairs, through tight stations... not fun. My back still hasn’t forgiven me. There are services that ship your luggage between cities for around $20–$40 USD. A great option if you want to travel light without giving up outfit changes.

- If you’re a germ-conscious traveler like me, bring masks and hand sanitizer. Japan is very clean, but it’s densely populated, and train stations can get chaotic. Not everyone covers their sneezes or coughs.

- Carry a small hand towel. Many public bathrooms don’t have paper towels or hand dryers, and some don’t have soap. I picked up a cute little one while I was there—they sell them everywhere.

- 7-Eleven, Family Mart, and Lawson will become your go-to spots for cash and snacks. I had better luck withdrawing money at Family Mart than at 7-Eleven, but both work.

- Don’t build your itinerary solely off of Instagram and TikTok. The “viral” spots are often packed and sometimes underwhelming. The best moments of our trip were the ones we didn’t plan.

We started in Tokyo and stayed in Shibuya. I know some people avoid it because it’s busy and has a reputation for pickpocketing, but I felt safe and loved the energy. The crowds weren’t overwhelming except on the weekends. Our hotel had a cozy Italian restaurant, clean (if tiny) rooms, friendly staff, and a laundry room—lifesaver.

Navigating the trains was confusing at first, but I figured it out after a couple of days. I’d never used a train system before this, and I was surprised how fast I adapted. From Shibuya, most places were 15–20 minutes away by train. Getting to Disney took around 45 minutes to an hour.

Speaking of Disney…

We went to DisneySea first. I’d never been to a Disney park before, so I had no idea what to expect—and I was blown away. Tickets were only $60 USD for the entire day. We managed to get a standby pass for Fantasy Springs and rode the Rapunzel ride (Peter Pan was closed). The animatronics were mind-blowing. My friend, who’s a big Disney fan, said they were better than anything she’s seen in the U.S. parks. Everything was in Japanese, which made it feel even more magical.

Food was delicious and cheap—we didn’t spend more than $15 per meal. The merch? Adorable. Dangerous. I spent about $250 total and have zero regrets. The ears alone were only $12–$15, and they had so many unique styles you can’t find anywhere else.

Lines were long but moved surprisingly fast. We got on 4–6 rides at DisneySea and stayed from 10 AM to 9 PM. We loved it so much that we did a half-day at Disneyland for only $35. That’s a popular thing for locals—kids go after school, people swing by after work. The rides felt more intense than expected. The tea cups? I’m pretty sure they’d be illegal in the U.S.—they spun that fast. We got on 6–8 rides in just four hours and even caught the parade. We missed the fireworks because we were on a ride, but no regrets.

We visited DisneySea on a Thursday and Disneyland on a Monday. Both days were busy, but manageable.

Next stop: Fujikawaguchiko.

Getting there was an adventure. We tried to take the highway bus, got confused, gave up, and ended up splurging on a taxi. It wasn’t cheap, but it was worth every yen. The drive was peaceful, and our driver was so kind—he even stopped for a bathroom break without us asking.

We stayed in a traditional ryokan with a hot spring and a balcony view of Mt. Fuji. The first day, the mountain was out in full glory—majestic, quiet, powerful. I just stood there on the balcony, completely still, soaking it in. It’s a moment I’ll never forget. The next day it rained, so we explored town. I visited a crystal museum and spent a while at the Mt. Fuji World Heritage Center, which taught me about the spiritual and cultural significance of the mountain.

Then came Kyoto, one of my favorite stops.

Kyoto felt like the Japan I’d dreamed of—temples, shrines, narrow alleys, and timeless beauty. It was more touristy than Tokyo in some ways, but full of charm. Our hotel was cozy and modern with a spa, great restaurants, and a tiny grocery store downstairs.

We wandered through Pontocho Alley at night, a narrow street glowing with lanterns, where you might catch a glimpse of a geisha slipping into a teahouse. We explored Higashiyama, crowded but lined with amazing shops and traditional sweets.

One highlight was getting custom rings made at a shop called Glänta. They fit us on the spot and engraved them—it felt so personal. I also found a beautiful pair of chopsticks in a little shop run by the sweetest elderly couple, and later I made my own chopsticks at a textile shop in a quiet corner of the city.

My favorite temple was Kuramadera Temple It’s nestled in the mountains north of Kyoto, and it’s known as the birthplace of Reiki. The hike up was serene, surrounded by towering trees and fresh air. The temple was peaceful and uncrowded, with a reverent stillness that made it feel sacred. Even the small museum nearby, full of ancient statues labeled only in Japanese, left an impression.

Kyoto’s nightlife surprised me. We met travelers from all over the world—Paris, California, even someone from my hometown. We drank craft cocktails, wandered into tiny dive bars, and spent one unforgettable night supporting a one-person bar tucked into a quiet alley.

But the most hilarious night? Macho Bar. Yes, it’s a bar run by bodybuilders. They lift you. They flex. They chant your name. They serve drinks while doing bicep curls and crack peanuts with their muscles. It was pure, chaotic joy—a must if you’re in Kyoto and want a night out that’s totally ridiculous and so much fun.

Finally, we ended in Osaka for one night. We stayed in the most interesting place: a ryokan-style capsule hotel attached to a cat café. Yes. Capsule hotel. Ryokan. Cat café. Peak Japan.

Osaka was loud, fast, and fun. It had a totally different energy than Kyoto, and even though our time there was short, I loved the contrast.

These are just a few of my notes from Japan—things I saw, felt, and want to remember. It was an unforgettable trip, and I already can’t wait to go back.

Blog Post Title Two

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Three

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Four

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.