“A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness. 

by Albert Einstein
Imperial Hotel note paper, Tokyo Japan, 1922”

Thank you and welcome to my blog! 🙂

Hello! This is to show you the real beauty about Japan navigated by Tokyo-based Japanese blogger. I hope you enjoy what we love about our country and be able to come around to see what it is like in person some day.
I decided to start writing since many friends from other countries are interested in Japan but knew barely about it or even had a bit of misunderstanding. For example, Japan is located in east-most area in Asia, spans more than 3,000 kilometers (1,900 mi) along the coast of the continent from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Philippine Sea in the south.I understand that remembering all countries locations in world global map is not common but I want to make sure that Japan is not next to Indonesia or Australia, which one of my friend from Europe country expected!

I had been to London to study last summer and discovered how different my country is from any other places, as I talked to friends from UK, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Turkey, Poland, Denmark, Russia, UAE, Brazil, Thailand, Korea, China, US, France, Australia and more. I found similarities or something in common sometimes but thought each place had each beauty that people who have been living there only understand. I also had been to a book store in London to see what was written in guide book about Japan, and was surprised at how different it was from what I think is beautiful about it. Maybe it is just about preference or standpoints, but as I talked about what my country is like to my friends, I saw them enjoy discovering Japan from new perspective. So, why not I show them from the basic to very focused topics?

I came back to Japan with this theme that maybe there is something I could do for people from all over the world to better understand my country. As I see some people who must be staying here for a while for sightseeing, I witnessed them struggling in transportations, luggage services, payment and other very common procedures you always go through during your trip. I know, I wish if Uber or Grab was available in Tokyo too, but trains and subways are super convenient so all you need to know is how to get “Suica” or “Pasmo” card, which makes your access to everywhere totally easier. Some tips like that.

So I decided to show some travel hacks first. I was pretty confident that I am a good navigator since I am not only a Tokyo resident for over 20 years, but I also love traveling abroad and understand what kinds of information you need briefly before you leave. I have traveled most countries in Asia (I think I am going to Taiwan this year too), US, Canada, lots of places in Europe (I was actually born in London, lived in Germany and Switzerland). Half of the trip was accompanied by my family or friends, and the rest half was on my own. I think when you travel alone, you need twice as much preparation in advance to make your trip safe and fulfilled. The hotel booking tends to be more expensive for just one guest at a time, so how you can save money in any areas would be important. You should be aware of saftiness, and maybe there is no choice but to take the most expensive transportations —another reason to search for tips to save money.

Therefore this blog would help you having the best trip to Japan, in terms of the beauty about the country and some useful tips when you are here.

What is the best beauty about Japan?

So, what is the best beauty about Japan? I would say it is a balance. We have big cities such as Tokyo or Osaka, where you can find anything you want to buy or eat and have fun. Shoppings, sports, music, arts, entertainments, foods, services, from the cheapest to the most exclusive, anything you want. On the other hand, we have hidden vast nature. Mountains, rivers, lakes, ocean, forests, we have way more than just Mt. Fuji and all show different scenery in every single season. As a whole country, I love that balance, but as a citizen in Tokyo, nature is quite distant, so I would like to note the quote at the top of the post that always brings me back to the other side whenever I am at the far end.