• Trendy neighborhoods in western Tokyo
    Jul 13 2025

    Boldly head out from the busy and crowded tourist areas of Tokyo to find a much more intimate version of the city in western Tokyo! Find out where you can go on this episode of the show!


    Nakano (Nakano Broadway)

    Koenji

    Mitaka and Kichijoji (Inokashira Park, Ghibli Museum, Kichijoji Autumn Festival, Harmonica Yokocho)

    Shimokitazawa (Ichibangai and Suzuran-dori)

    Sangenjaya (Sangenjaya Fureai Square )

    Tokyo Ramen Festa (Komazawa Olympic Park)

    Fuchu (Suntory Musashino Brewery, Tokyo Racecourse)

    Mount Takao

    Tachikawa (Showa Kinen Park)

    Tama (Sanrio Puroland)

    Machida (Snoopy Museum)

    Higashi-Kurume (Spadium Japon)

    Okutama


    Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com


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    20 mins
  • We love Japanese hot springs and onsen culture!
    Jun 22 2025

    What options de we have at our disposal to experience onsen culture in Japan? How to properly use a shared bathing space without committing faux paux or creating embarrassment for yourself? Find out all about hot springs in Japan in this episode of JTS!


    -Onsen vs sento

    -Staying at ryokan

    -Onsen towns: Kusatsu Onsen, Kinosaki Onsen, Gero Onsen, Noboribetsu

    -Super sento

    -Ofuro, rotenburo, ashiyu

    -Yukata


    Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com


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    25 mins
  • Get to know the cities in Kyushu!
    Jun 1 2025

    Get to know Kyushu through its cities on this episode of Japan Travel Smart! We'll talk about what makes each of them unique and worth checking out on a visit to Kyushu.


    Fukuoka

    -Yatai food stalls

    -Tenjin shopping

    -Tonkotsu ramen

    -JR Hakata City Rooftop Garden


    Nagasaki

    -Peace Park Nagasaki

    -Atomic Bomb Museum

    -Castella cake


    Kumamoto

    -Kumamoto Castle

    -Kumamon Square


    Kagoshima

    -Senganen Garden

    -Reimeikan Museum

    -Sakurajima


    Miyazaki

    -Chicken Nanban

    -Miyazaki Beef

    -Aoshima Beach


    Beppu and Oita

    -Hot springs

    -Jigoku Hells


    Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com


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    24 mins
  • How to fly to Japan for cheap
    May 11 2025

    Flying to Japan is expensive, right? Right? Well, it certainly can be, but it doesn't have to be needlessly expensive on a budget. Find out more on this episode of Japan Travel Smart!


    Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com


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    26 mins
  • Japan Rail Master - All of Japan within reach with regional rail passes!
    Apr 20 2025

    Regional rail passes in Japan offer foreign visitors the chance to binge on exploration of a unique region in Japan, but what exactly is the trick to them? Can they hope to match the former glory of the JR Pass or is it truly over? In this episode we blow the lid off regional rail passes!


    Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com


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    28 mins
  • Smart to visit: A sampler escapade on the revitalized coast of Iwate
    Mar 30 2025

    Dare to head away from the well trodden path and go into coastal Iwate for a different Japan! Find out how we did it on this episode of Japan Travel Smart!


    Entry points by rail: Ichinoseki, Hanamaki, Morioka, Hachinohe

    JR East ‘Joyful Trains’ https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/joyful/

    Hinabi excursion train

    POKÉMON with YOU Train

    Tono City, Tono Furusato Village

    Kamaishi City

    Sanriku Railway Rias Line

    Miyako City

    Jodogahama Beach

    Miyako Umineko Maru Jodogahama Boat Cruise

    Kitayamazaki Cape

    Iwaizumi Town, Ryusendo Cave


    Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com


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    24 mins
  • The better Japanese for travel that I actually use
    Mar 9 2025

    What Japanese from the basic phrase book have we found to be actually useful when traveling in Japan? In this episode of Japan Travel Smart we bring up better Japanese for travel that we really use.


    Sumimasen vs Gomenasai

    Dozo

    Shitsureishimasu!

    Orimasu

    Hitori, Futari, Sannin, Yonin

    Osusume wa...

    Mou ikkai!

    Gochisousama!

    Okaikei onegaishimasu

    Ojamashimasu! Gomen kudasai!

    Domo. Kanshashimasu

    Kekkou desu

    Itekimasu! Tadaima


    Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com


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    20 mins
  • 9 questionable attractions in Japan that you’d do best to avoid
    Feb 16 2025

    There exist some popular places in Japan that are a bit dubious at best.


    In this episode we’ve come up with 9 examples of spots in Japan that you might want to reconsider visiting for reasons that may shock you!


    Business contact and listener feedback: japantravelsmart@gmail.com


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    25 mins