Marthe

Renting a car in Japan opens up an entirely new side of the country that train passengers completely miss, especially in rural regions like Kyushu! However, navigating Japanese driving laws, toll booths, and navigation systems as a foreigner can feel a bit overwhelming. This guide covers the exact logistics you need to know to hit the open road smoothly, safely, and without unnecessary stress. 🏢 Choosing the Right Rental Company While there are many brands across Japan, three major national...

Although I now live in Kyoto, Osaka was my absolute favorite place to visit during my exchange student days. The Namba district in particular really appealed to me, partly because it's packed with shops brimming with anime and manga merchandise! Osaka is cozy, much more relaxed than other Japanese cities, and the people are incredibly friendly. On the map below, I've highlighted the most important areas with colors to help you choose where to stay. Of course, you can also stay outside these...

Introduction Even though I live in Kyoto, I've been to Tokyo so many times I can barely count them on my hands. I go there often, both as a tourist and for work. Although I've stayed in a huge variety of places, I still haven't seen everything; the city is incredibly vast! On the map below, I've highlighted the most important areas with colored squares. Of course, you can also stay in the areas that aren't colored. Tokyo is truly enormous, so if you have a hotel in mind that falls just...