It has been 12 years since I have last been to Japan. The last time I went to Japan, I went with my mother. We traveled to honor the 2nd year passing of my grandmother. She was her mother. This time, I will be taking this journey in honor of my mother. I dedicate it to her memory, as she passed away in 2023.

Japan has always held a very special place in my heart. I have very fond childhood memories of Long hot summers visiting family and staying with my grandmother. As a child and teen, I would become very depressed when returning home to Hawaii. I had just filled up my cup with all that beautiful Japan goodness. The Culture, the Cuisine and definitely the people.

My beautiful mother was born in the year of the Water Rooster in a little city called Beppu in the Oita Prefecture on the beautiful southern island of Kyushu. She left this realm in the year of the Water Rabbit. I suppose she flowed like water in and out of human consciousness.

My heart continues to ache for her. I will journey to The Land of the Rising Sun. It is the place of her birth. I want to pay homage to her and celebrate what would have been her 91st birthday. I wish to visit my relatives. I haven’t seen them in years. I want to see Japan from a whole new perspective.

Not everything is gloomy. As sad as I may have been, this trip would be one of profound healing for me.

On my journey I will be visiting many cities and towns. Each I will write about separately. I will spend exactly 4 weeks visiting this beautiful country

I will be visiting :

Fukuoka : Fukuoka, the elegant capital city of Kyushu

Yufuin : Yufuin: Ryokan living and Hot springs Vibing

Beppu : Beppu: Mama I’m home

Hiroshima: Hiroshima, where there is Peace, there will be light.

Kyoto : Kyoto, The Thousand Year capital of Japan

Ise : Ise, Home of the Most Sacred Shrine in Japan

Tokyo: Tokyo. Thank you!

Kanazawa: Kanazawa an Unexpected 3 days of Beauty

Sendai: Sendai , The Green city by the Sea

Yokohama: Yokohama: The city by the Bay where it all began.

It’s been nearly 12 years since I’ve visited Japan. A lot has changed. Some things have stayed the same. Japan has always been so cutting edge. And while planning this trip I discovered that they have moved into the 21st century beautifully …Here are some tips if you decide to visit Japan.

Planning your stay :

However long you plan to stay in Japan, be prepared for your visit. Wherever you decide to visit, preparation will help you have a very smooth and enjoyable time.

My first bit of advice would be to visit and read the Visit Japan Website. Then, enroll in it. It will make your life so much easier. You can complete all your immigration and customs forms online. You will receive a QR code to scan once you land. No more filling out paperwork, waiting in long lines etc. It was so absolutely stress free and easy to do. As an example, when I landed in Fukuoka, I fired up the website. I also took a picture of my code just in case. I scanned it at immigration when I handed off my passport to the agent. After I retrieved my luggage, I quickly scanned it at customs. There were no agents at customs. So easy! Also, you can use this code at stores to get VAT back. You can also use it upon your return when leaving the country. It really is simple.

Next I would suggest downloading SUICA into your digital wallet. Do not download the SUICA app if you’re on an iPhone. It for some reason makes it really difficult. But instead just added it to your wallet. There is another type of card you can get. It’s called Passmo. However, I found the SUICA card to match all my needs. It makes taking the subways and bus lines so easy especially in Tokyo. No more waiting in line and trying to figure out your fare to get a paper ticket. Instead, you just tap your phone and you’re on your way. I also used it at Convinie’s ( convenience stores ) like 7-11 and Lawson , and many other stores. Just ask or say ” suica?” and if they say yes, just tap your phone. It is soooooo easy to use.

Money: Here it is …. Do I or don’t I exchange money prior to traveling to Japan? I typically NEVER exchange money before traveling and even when in said country, I try not to ever exchange cash. Instead, I use my ATM card from Capital One 360 , which holds no foreign transaction fees. I do tend to always carry and emergency $1000 in cash just incase. I found that taking out money from 7 & Holdings (7-11 parent company) worked best for me. The ATMs in their stores let me withdraw at least 100,000 Yen. There are zero fees from my bank or the ATM.

Japan is also a pretty electronic country and using your credit card, suica cards or phone taps work fine. However, be aware that many smaller mom and pop stores and small dining establishments prefer cash. Artisanal shops and small towns may also only take cash or Japan-only credit cards. So it’s always good to carry some cash with you.

Travel within Japan:

There are of course so many ways to travel throughout Japan. To keep this brief, I’ll focus on the methods I used to travel through Japan…. TRAINS!

Japan has a diverse rail system with several distinct types of trains and operators. The primary categories include the high-speed Shinkansen (bullet trains), limited express trains, and various local and rapid trains. Additionally, Japan has a network of regional and private railways operated by companies like JR (Japan Railways) and others. 

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

1. Shinkansen (Bullet Trains):

  • The most iconic and high-speed trains in Japan, running on dedicated, elevated tracks. 
  • Operated by JR, connecting major cities across the country. 
  • Known for their speed and efficiency, reaching speeds of over 320 km/h. 

2. JR (Japan Railways) System: 

  • The national railway system, divided into regional companies like JR East, JR Central, and JR West.
  • Operates a variety of trains, including Shinkansen, limited express, and other regional services.
  • JR also includes a freight service, JR Freight.

3. Limited Express Trains: 

  • Fast trains that travel on conventional lines, not as fast as Shinkansen but offering wider coverage.
  • There are intercity and commuter types.

4. Private Railway Companies: 

  • Besides JR, numerous private railway companies operate in Japan, particularly in and around major cities.
  • Examples include companies like Kintetsu and Odakyu.
  • These companies often serve commuter lines and connect cities within specific regions.

5. Local and Rapid Trains: 

  • These trains operate within specific regions and make more stops than express or limited express trains.
  • Local trains stop at every station, while rapid trains skip some.

Are you confused yet? Well I sort of was. I wish Japan had just 1 or 2 main train companies to make it easier but …. I guess I also enjoyed solving the puzzles of which train to take. Is it the East? Is it the West? Or is it the Central? I also downloaded all the appropriate apps for train travel as well. Some areas I visited could only be reached by either limited express trains or local extremely slow regional trains. Once you’ve decided upon your destinations it is easy to find what train will take you where. Please be cautious of “companies” attempting to sell you tickets. Always use the official website or apps for the train line you wish to travel on.

AIRPORTS: I guess I should add this as well. Most first-time visitors to Japan will more than likely fly into Tokyo. It is often their first place to visit. But which airport? While both are great, one is larger. Narita has more international options but is over an hour away from the city. The other is smaller. Haneda has some international options but is much closer to the city. I always prefer Haneda Airport

SPECIALTY SERVICES:

One of my most favorite things about Japan is how service oriented they are. They make things so absolutely easy and simple. And my most favorite service for traveling while in Japan has to be Takuhai or luggage transfer services. There are companies like YAMATO TRANSPORT with their yellow signs and black cat (Kuro Neko) logo. They will take your luggage from your hotel. They will transfer it to your next location. Typically it takes 1 day to do and I’ve used them extensively this last trip to Japan. It is extremely inexpensive. This service is absolutely god sent if you’re a shopaholic like me. It’s perfect if you travel with a Rimowa Trunk. I sent my luggage to my next city the day before. I filled it with all my goodies and items I won’t need for 2 days. When I arrive at my hotel, it’s usually already there waiting for me. Sometimes, it is already in the room assigned to me. Other companies offer the same service. Generally, it’s whatever your hotel provides as that service. Please check with your hotel upon arrival. Inquire during check-in to see what times they provide this service. Also, check how long it will actually take. If you’re crossing islands, it could take up to 2 days. If you are sending your luggage to the airport from, say, Sendai, it could also take up to 2 days. But it is truly the Best.

Please Stay Tuned and check back again to see my posts on all the beautiful cities I’ve visited in 2024… They will be hyper linked…

Arigato….