The bad news? Foreigners cannot buy SIM cards in Japan. The good news? There’s a workaround.
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You’ll Never Believe the Prices in Japan
With intelligent planning—and a little bit of restraint—you can travel in Japan without going broke.
Continue ReadingHow to Time Travel from Tokyo
Nikko is just a short trip away from Tokyo, geographically, but it feels like going back in time several centuries.
Continue ReadingMe, the Mountains and a Dozen Nude Japanese Men
My past three weeks in Japan have been extraordinary, no doubt, but they’ve also been extraordinarily exhausting. So naturally, I had to cap them off in a place known for extraordinary relaxation!
Continue ReadingMonkeying Around in the Japanese Alps
Seeing Japan’s snow monkeys reminded me of the time another traveler (the one who first informed me of their existence, no less) made a monkey out of me.
Continue ReadingAre Japan’s “Animal Islands” All They’re Cracked Up to Be?
I found both of Japan’s animal islands more disappointing than the majority of other bloggers.
Continue ReadingExploring the Land of Princess Mononoke
Yakushima differs profoundly from everywhere else I’ve seen in Japan, yet I can’t help but wonder if the spirits of its ancient forests transformed me in a deeper way.
Continue ReadingThe Saddest Thing About Hiroshima
Terrible events happened in Hiroshima, but the saddest thing about the city is how disappointing it is as a destination.
Continue ReadingYes, Japan Has a Desert—and Yes, It’s Amazing
Japan is the ultimate land of contrasts, so it should come as no surprise when an arid desert randomly appears out of nowhere along its heavily-wooded northern coast.
Continue ReadingMemoirs of a Gaysha
Kyoto is about carving your own path through the history, heritage and chaos, not following the established tourist trail.
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