If the Shoe Fits…
One of the most important pre-trip things you can do before visiting Japan is to make sure you have quality, comfortable shoes. This cannot be overstated. You will walk much further than you think you will, and those steps will punish you if your feet aren’t happy. Recently, I was thinking about how my choice […]
Bedtime Story
It’s no secret that I love Ryokans (traditional accommodations, usually with public bath). However, just what you sleep on in these will vary between Western Style Beds and Futons. This causes concerns for many travelers as on first sight, the futon may not look comfortable. A couple of years ago, we rented an apartment in […]
No Need to Shoulder the Burden!
My first trip to Japan was for work. I was scheduled to do deliver a three-day training program in Atsugi. I decided to extend my trip by a few days to do a little sightseeing in Tokyo and Osaka. However, I didn’t want to drag my large suitcase for the sightseeing segment as it was […]
Three Quick Money Tips for Traveling Japan
Despite my research, on my first trip to Japan one of the things I struggled with for the first few days was handling money. The following three tips will make your journey a bit smoother. You will find yourself with a ton of coins. In the U.S., we just don’t carry many coins. In […]
Cultural Literacy vs. Language Literacy
One of the reasons I hear for not traveling Japan, especially among Life-Experienced Adults, is that they fear the language barrier. I fully understand that. However, language literacy is not a reason to avoid experiencing all the country and people have to offer. My first trips to Japan were before I studied the language. I […]
How Travel Changed as I Age
In some ways, I feel I’ve been training for life as a Life-Experienced Adult my whole life. In my late teens, I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus. Now in the latter half of my 60’s, I’ve had four decades of managing my body and the disease. For those unfamiliar with the disease, Lupus triggers your […]