Japan Travel Stories: Real First-Hand Trip Guides
Real, first-hand journeys across Japan, sharing honest travel experiences and practical tips. From Hokkaido's aurora icebreaker cruises to Kyoto's hidden fishing villages, from Wakayama's Hashigui-iwa rocks to Okinawa's Churaumi Aquarium — 59 travel articles in all, each with useful travel Japanese plus transport and cost information.
Browse Travel Articles by Region
- Hokkaido: Abashiri Drift Ice & Aurora Icebreaker Cruise・Abashiri Prison Museum・Lake Mashu Hidden Gem
- Kyoto & Maizuru: Cherry Blossoms at Arashiyama & the Togetsukyo Bridge・Ine Funaya Fishing Village・Ginkakuji & the Philosopher's Path
- Hyogo: Himeji Castle & Koko-en Garden
- Wakayama: Hashigui-iwa Rocks・Nachi Falls・Cape Shionomisaki
- Okinawa: Churaumi Aquarium・Gyokusendo Cave
- Kanagawa: The Great Buddha of Kamakura・Tsurugaoka Hachimangu・Shonan Coast
- Shizuoka & Izu: iZoo・Toi Gold Mine
Find Travel Articles by Theme
- 🧊 Winter Experiences: Hokkaido drift ice, icebreaker cruises, and snowscapes
- 🌸 Spring Blossoms: Kyoto's Arashiyama and Chidorigafuchi
- 🏯 History & Culture: Himeji Castle, Abashiri Prison, and the Great Buddha of Kamakura
- 🐠 Ocean Views: Churaumi Aquarium and Wakayama's coastline
- 🛶 Off the Beaten Path: Ine's boat houses, Lake Mashu, and Okayama's Korakuen Garden
Quick Travel Japanese Guide
Before your trip to Japan, it helps to get comfortable with some basic Japanese to make the journey run more smoothly:
- Japanese for Restaurants: "すみません、注文お願いします" (Excuse me, I'd like to order)
- Japanese for Hotel Check-in: "チェックインをお願いします" (I'd like to check in, please)
- Japanese for Buying Train Tickets: "〜まで一枚ください" (One ticket to ~, please)
- Japanese for Shopping: "これをください・試着できますか" (I'll take this / Can I try it on?)
- Japanese for Drugstores: "免税できますか・どこにありますか" (Is this tax-free? / Where can I find it?)
- Japanese for Emergencies: "助けてください・救急車を呼んでください" (Please help me / Please call an ambulance)
Essential Phrases to Know for Your Trip
- すみません — the most versatile way to get someone's attention or say "excuse me"
- 〜はどこですか？ — "Where is ~?"
- 〜をひとつください — "One ~, please"
- いくらですか？ — "How much is it?"
- 写真を撮ってもいいですか？ — "May I take a photo?"
Resources to Level Up Your Travel Japanese
Free Self-Study Materials (128 lessons, from zero to N3)・JLPT N5 Question Bank (1,500 questions)・660 Grammar Explanations・Complete Travel Japanese Guide