First Cabin Hotel Hakata - Review for Japan Hotel

In November 2015, I traveled to Japan using the Japan Rail Pass. While I was traveling in Fukuoka/Hakata area in Kyushu, I stayed at First Cabin Hotel (hostel) in the most bustling area in Fukuoka/Hakata city. I am posting my hotel review on my Tokyo travel blog since First Cabin hotel chain offers same setting for each of their locations throughout Japan: Akihabara, Tsukiji and Haneda terminal in Tokyo, Namba in Osaka, and Karasuma in Kyoto. All locations are highly convenient and popular.

First Cabin Hotel Hakata, new concept of accommodation in Japan

Hotel Princess Garden - Review for Tokyo Hotel

In November 2015, I traveled to Japan using the JR pass. While I was traveling in the Tokyo area, I stayed at Hotel Princess Garden off the JR Meguro station on the JR Yamanote loop line. Aside from being an inexpensive and convenient hotel, here is my latest in-depth hotel review:

Hotel Princess Garden, great value Tokyo hotel.

Useful Travel Japanese Phrases

While language barrier has never been an issue for me during my trips to Japan in the past 15 years, I found it fun to be able to speak a few phrases to test out my foreign language skills during my travel. Having some survival Japanese phrases handy could make your trip more pleasant when people around you can not or unwilling to speak English (or any other foreign language) I also felt that Tokyo has become more English speaking friendly along with the foreign tourism surge in the past ten years.

Just point and order when you see plastic food models in front of the restaurants

I have listed phrases that are useful and essential for new travelers to Japan.

Tokyo Transportation - Getting around in Tokyo

Getting around in Tokyo could be both adventurous and challenging for first time travelers. With one of the most developed public transportation system in the world, learning about the basics before hand could make your trip much more pleasant. I am focusing on public transportation in major train and subway systems in this blog post, as they are the most popular methods of getting around in Tokyo.

Famous Tokyo Yamanote loop line train

Best Food in Tokyo Japan

Updated on January-09-2016

Besides your typical sushi and ramen, there are plenty of other variety of delicious food in Japan for travelers to explore. I have come up with a list of my recommendations for delicious of food in Japan for adventurous eaters, foodies and connoisseurs.

Dobin Mushi Teapot Soup

Tokyo Meiji Jingu Shrine - Time Travel in Tokyo

Aside from the hustle and bustle in Tokyo, a visit to the Meiji Jingu shrine offers a more relaxing and spiritual experience while in Japan. This Shinto shrine was originally dedicated for the Meiji Emperor, it has recently become one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo for both Japanese people and foreign travelers.

Time travel in Tokyo, a visit to Meiji Jingu shrine.

WiFi Internet Mobile Phone Access in Tokyo, Japan

WiFi will make traveling in Japan easy. You will need WiFi to check map/location, direction, train schedule, and restaurant reviews. WiFi will also enable you to check in on Facebook and stay in touch with your family and friends back home. 

Staying connected to the internet while traveling in Japan could be challenging. I have listed some of the best options for WiFi internet connection in this blog post. With the intention of attracting more international travelers to Japan, there had been campaign to provide free and affordable WiFi to foreign visitors. 

Rental pocket wifi hotspot in Japan

Night Out in Tokyo: Tokyo Nightlife

After a typical day in Tokyo with sightseeing or a side trip to Hakone for hot spring.
The nightlife could start around 5pm to 6pm or later depending on your day plan.

My typical night out would be:

- 5pm to 6pm (time of sunset): Tokyo City View Observatory for the beautiful night scenery;
- 8pm: Sushi dinner at Midori Sushi in Akasaka.
- 10pm to 11pm: Second stop for quick bite at Miroku Standing Yakitori bar in Akasaka.

Exciting Tokyo nightlife could start in Shibuya

For some travelers, they could stop there but remember Tokyo is a city that runs 24 hours a day. I would recommend adventurous and energetic travelers to maximize their Tokyo experiences by going further:

Tokyo Shinjuku

Updated on February-06-2016

Shinjuku will always be my favorite area in Tokyo. I often recommend travelers to visit Shinjuku as it is one of the representation of metropolis in Asia. Many 24-hour restaurants, lots of neon lights, and bars/pubs are all within short walking distances from the Shinjuku Station. If you have limited time in Tokyo/Japan, I recommend visiting Shinjuku or staying in Shinjuku.

Most bustling area of Tokyo, Shinjuku Kabukicho

Japan Rail Pass Journey - Introduction to my JR pass Experience and Itinerary

In May 2010, I traveled to Japan using the 14-day Japan Rail Pass. I traveled solo. I visited as south as Kumamoto in Kyushu to as north as Asahikawa/Furano in Hokkaido, passed by many cities and walked through many local streets. I would like to start blogging about The Journey Series to share my travel itinerary and experiences with travelers who are thinking about using the JR rail pass to see more of Japan.

Japan Rail Pass Route

Planning for your trip to Tokyo

Updated on February-28-2016


Featured article in issue 40 of MyM: The official magazine of MCM Expo Group 

Why should you plan your own trip to Tokyo or Japan instead of joining a guided tour? because it is more adventurous, flexible, and fun!

Moderate to large size guided tours are unlikely to take the entire group to the best sushi or ramen restaurants simply because of the long wait in line and lack of profit for the tour company.

Majority of the all-inclusive guided tours are likely to put you on a tour bus and take you to very touristy places instead of showing you the real Tokyo/Japan when you can only experience on foot or when taking the city's public transportation.

View from Odaiba, Tokyo Bay.

Japan Budget Hotel Breakfast

Many of the hotels in Japan offer high cost/performance value hotel breakfast set or buffet at reasonable prices. With huge variety of traditional Japanese family cuisine and Euro/American selections to accommodate international guests, hotel breakfast is one of the best way to start your day while traveling in Japan.

Travelers often plan having sushi, ramen, and tempura as part of their must-eat items on their trip itinerary. However, family style Japanese breakfast is also a good way to enrich food experiences in Japan. Budget hotel breakfast usually costs an additional $8 to $15 per person at the time of hotel reservation. I recommend booking the hotel room along with the breakfast option for better package discount.

Many budget hotel in Tokyo Japan offer great breakfast buffet

Money Exchange ATM Credit Card issues in Tokyo Japan

Cash is still the preferred travel expense payment method in Tokyo and most parts of Japan even though major hotels and department stores and some fancy restaurants do accept big bank international credit cards for payments. There are many ways to get your home country's currency exchanged into Japanese yen after arriving in Japan. I have listed some of the most convenient methods in this blog post. Very few stores will accept foreign cash money, therefore, carrying Japanese yen on you is critical when vacationing in Japan.

Most convenient way to get Japanese yen is to use the ATM cash machine inside of Seven-11 Convenience Store.