Our 2025 Tokyo travel guide offers info & tips, things to do, transportation info, where to eat, best hotels, avoiding crowds, itineraries for the city, and more. Whether you’re visiting for cherry blossom, fall colors, or in between, we’ve got you covered. (Updated January 4, 2025.) Tokyo can be an intimidating place to visit. As […]
Is Japan Rail Pass Worth Buying? (2025 Prices & Review)
/30 Comments/in Tips & Tricks Japan /by Tom BrickerWondering whether the Japan Rail Pass is worth the money? This buying guide covers where you can use the JR Pass, how much value you’ll get on a normal trip to Tokyo and Kyoto, and answers to frequently asked questions about the unlimited train ticket. It also covers our many experiences purchasing the JR Pass […]
Ultimate 2025 Tokyo, Japan City Guide
/90 Comments/in Planning Guides Japan, Tokyo /by Tom BrickerOur 2025 Tokyo travel guide offers info & tips, things to do, transportation info, where to eat, best hotels, avoiding crowds, itineraries for the city, and more. Whether you’re visiting for cherry blossom, fall colors, or in between, we’ve got you covered. (Updated January 4, 2025.) Tokyo can be an intimidating place to visit. As […]
2025 Laguna Beach, California Planning Guide
/19 Comments/in Planning Guides California, Laguna Beach, SoCal /by Tom BrickerLaguna Beach is the perfect relaxing vacation destination in Southern California, and this planning guide offers tips for visiting, things to do in 2025, hotel & restaurant recommendations, and what to know before your trip to Orange County. (Updated January 4, 2025.) We love Laguna Beach. It’s our favorite of the beach cities, and one […]
Face Masks in Japan: Rules vs. Reality (2025)
/145 Comments/in Reports Japan /by Tom BrickerJapan was behind the world in reopening, and as COVID-19 is now endemic, Japanese continue to wear face masks more commonly than almost any other country. This covers Japan’s face mask rules, laws (or lack thereof), and expectations, as well as other health safety measures and our experiences with masking in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka & beyond. […]
FREE Travel Email Newsletter & Planning eBooks!
/in Tips & Tricks L.A., SoCal /by Tom BrickerOur free newsletter offers travel tips & tricks for Japan, California, U.S. National Parks, and other favorite destinations. Beyond that, we cover the latest news, vacation planning guides, step by step itineraries, and more. Get Our FREE Emails! Name: Email: Upon signing up, you’ll also receive our FREE Japan on a Budget eBook. After subscribing via the form […]
Where to Stay in Kyoto, Japan
/26 Comments/in Hotels Japan, Kyoto /by Tom BrickerThis guide covers where to stay in Kyoto, with recommendations for the best area of the city. We also weigh pros & cons of various styles of accommodations: Japanese lodging (machiya & ryokan), luxurious or budget-friendly hotel rooms, top Airbnbs, and more. No matter how long you’re staying in Kyoto, you won’t have enough time. […]
Guide to Christmas at Universal Studios Japan
/5 Comments/in Tips & Tricks Japan, Osaka, USJ /by Tom Bricker“NO LIMIT! Christmas” is a holiday event at Universal Studios Japan from mid-November 2025 through early January 2026. The holiday festivities include a stage show, record-setting tree, decorations in Super Nintendo World, and more. This guide shares our tips for USJ’s winter entertainment, plus our experience and photos. Dates have not yet been set for […]
2024 Japan Fall Colors Forecast & Autumn Foliage Viewing Guide
/9 Comments/in Planning Guides Japan, Kyoto /by Tom BrickerOur 2024 fall colors forecast for Japan offers peak viewing info & tips for popular autumn foliage spots, including Kyoto, Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Miyajima, Hiroshima, Himeji, and Nara. We’ll also share strategy for visiting the best temples, shrines, and evening illuminations. (Updated September 6, 2024.) Autumn is one of the most stunning times of the […]
Top 10 Things To Do In Glacier National Park
/29 Comments/in Tips & Tricks National Parks /by Tom BrickerHere are my tips for visiting Glacier National Park, and top 10 things to do–from hiking to eating. This guide covers my favorite things I’ve done on trips to Montana, and isn’t be viewed as comprehensive. You’d need a month or more to even approach doing everything in GNP, and even then you’d miss plenty. […]
Best Cherry Blossom Nighttime Illuminations in Kyoto
/0 Comments/in Things to Do Japan, Kyoto /by Tom BrickerEvening illuminations during sakura season are popular at temples, castles, and gardens in Kyoto, Japan. This list shares the best nighttime cherry blossom spots throughout the city, with 2024 dates & details, plus our recommended 1-night itinerary if you only have a single night to see all of the special lights. We’ve experienced sakura season […]