#19 This episode is a little different.

Instead of focusing on points, miles, or Japan, I’m sharing where my mind is right now one month before becoming a dad. As our family grows from two to three, I wanted to pause and record what this moment feels like before everything changes.

In this episode, I talk openly about the excitement, nerves, fears, and mindset shifts that come with preparing to travel as a family for the first time. Travel has always been a huge part of our lives, and rather than letting it disappear, we’re learning how it might evolve.

I share my thoughts on slowing down, adjusting expectations, traveling at a different pace, and why mindset, teamwork, and flexibility matter more than ever. This is also an episode I hope to look back on in the future to see what I got right, what I didn’t expect, and how we’ve grown along the way.

If you’re a new parent, an expecting parent, or someone wondering if travel is “over” once kids enter the picture, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Recording this moment before becoming a parent
• How travel will likely change with a child
• Slowing down and traveling with intention
• Fears around exhaustion, uncertainty, and the unknown
• Responding to the idea that “travel is over” after kids
• Why mindset and teamwork matter more than perfect plans
• How points and miles can still make yearly travel possible
• What future family travel might look like
• Why documenting this journey matters to me

This episode isn’t about having all the answers it’s about being honest, staying curious, and choosing to move forward with a positive mindset.

Thanks for being here and allowing me to share this chapter with you.

As always, keep building your rewarding route.

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#18 In this episode, I misspoke about the Lapras Pokémon Park. I was referring to the second Lapras park opening in 2026. The first Lapras park was built in Miyagi Prefecture that’s my mistake.

Japan is heading into a big year in 2026, and if you’re planning a trip, there are some important changes (and exciting openings) you’ll want to know about.

In this episode, I break down what’s coming for Japan travel in 2026, including money, taxes, arrival updates, transportation tips, new attractions, and how to think about crowds without letting social media scare you off.

Whether it’s your first trip or a return visit, this episode is about planning smarter and enjoying Japan for what it is.

Money & Taxes

• The yen exchange rate and why it’s still favorable
• Kyoto’s accommodation tax increase (who it applies to)
• Tokyo’s proposed accommodation tax (2027)
• Visa fee changes
• Japan’s departure tax increase

Arrival & Shopping Updates

• How Visit Japan Web works and why to use it
• Why you shouldn’t wait until the last minute
• Tax-free shopping changes starting Nov 1, 2026

Getting Around Japan

• Why the JR Rail Pass no longer makes sense for many trips
• Regional rail passes as an alternative
• Suica cards: physical vs digital
• Why 2026 may be your last chance to get the Suica penguin card

New & Returning Attractions

• Edo-Tokyo Museum reopening
• Pokémon Children’s Parks (including the second Lapras park)
• PokéPark Kanto at Yomiuriland
• Shuri Castle reopening
• Sailor Moon’s permanent Tokyo show
• Yoyogi Park renovations

Crowds, Rural Travel & Safety

• Overtourism reality vs social media exaggeration
• Tips for enjoying the Golden Route
• Why adding one off-route destination helps
• Hiking safety and earthquakes in Japan

2026 is shaping up to be an incredible year to visit Japan, and with the right mindset, it can be one of your most rewarding trips yet.

📩 rewardingroutespodcast@gmail.com

📸 @RewardingRoutes

🔗 Helpful Links

• Kyoto Accommodation Tax Explained
  https://thepointsguy.com/news/kyoto-accommodation-tax-change/
  
  
• Visit Japan Web (Official Site)
  www.vjw.digital.go.jp
  
  
• Visit Japan Web Walkthrough
  https://youtu.be/RP2K9OQQKQs?si=UzXojPvokWVS1O5t
  
  by Kensho Quest
• Suica Penguin Retirement News
  https://tokyocheapo.com/editorial/suica-penguin-to-retire-from-tokyo-transport-role/
  
  
• Theme Park Crowds Explained
  https://youtu.be/hrA2qsYGy7A?si=9QbxiJTGSwX5g2cj
  
  by TDR Explorer
• Official Pokémon Children’s Parks Announcement
  https://corporate.pokemon.co.jp/en/topics/detail/144.html

Rewarding Routes Stan Store
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Email
→ RewardingRoutesPodcast@gmail.com

#17 We tackle one of the most common and confusing decisions when planning a points and miles trip to Japan:

Should you book your flights first, or your hotels?

The honest answer? It depends.
And in this episode, I break down how to decide based on what you personally value most.

What we cover in this episode:

• Why I usually book flights first and when that mindset is starting to shift
• The role flexibility plays in getting great value with points and miles
• When it makes sense to prioritize business class flights
• When specific hotels (like the Park Hyatt Kyoto) should come first
• How peak seasons like cherry blossom season can change your strategy
• Why booking one way flights instead of round trips gives you more control
• How positioning flights (flying through nearby countries) can unlock better redemptions
• Real examples of economy vs. business class tradeoffs especially when traveling with a child

I also walk through the award search tools I personally use (and wish I found sooner) to make planning less overwhelming and way more visual whether you’re searching for flights, hotels, or both.

This episode isn’t about chasing perfection or luxury for the sake of it. It’s about building a strategy that fits your travel style whether that means better flights, better hotels, or simply more trips to Japan over time.

If you stay flexible and plan ahead, points and miles give you options and that’s where the real value lives.

Tools & Resources Mentioned in This Episode

These are the exact tools discussed in the episode to help you find award availability and plan smarter:

• PointsYeah – Flight award search tool
  https://www.pointsyeah.com/
  
  
• MaxMyPoint – Hotel award availability & calendars
  https://maxmypoint.com/
  
  
• Rooms.aero – Hotel award alerts (great for high-demand stays)
  https://rooms.aero/
  
  
• Seats.aero – Advanced award flight search (especially business class)
  https://seats.aero/
  
  
• Thrifty Traveler – Award & deal alerts from major airports
  https://thriftytraveler.com/
  
  
• Google Flights – Route discovery & price comparison
  https://www.google.com/travel/flights?gl=US&hl=en-US
  
  
• FlightConnections – Visual route maps for positioning flights
  https://www.flightconnections.com/
  
  

Rewarding Routes Stan Store
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Instagram
→ https://www.instagram.com/rewardingroutes/

Email
→ RewardingRoutesPodcast@gmail.com