Kai Tanaka - Japan Travel Expert How Should You Decide on an Itabashi vs Shinjuku Stay? Quick answer: Choose Itabashi if you want a quieter, better-value Tokyo residential Airbnb and can avoid commuting toward central Tokyo before 9:30 AM on weekdays. Choose Shinjuku if this is your first Tokyo trip, you have early day trips planned, or you want the easiest … Read more
What Should You Do First When Tokyo Station or Shinjuku Coin Lockers Are Full? If you are searching for Tokyo Station luggage storage because the Shinjuku coin lockers are full, do not spend too long walking around with a large suitcase. The fastest solution depends on where you are, how big your luggage is, and … Read more
Is Jimbocho Worth Visiting in 2025? Yes, Jimbocho is worth visiting in 2025 if you like old bookstores, retro cafés, curry, photography books, design magazines, and quieter Tokyo neighborhoods that still feel lived-in. It is less ideal if you want nightlife, vintage fashion shopping, or a district where every sign and menu is easy to … Read more
Where Should You Go for the Old Tokyo Vibe? If you are looking for narrow lanes, old wooden houses, small local shops, temples, and a pre-war Tokyo neighborhood feel, do not make Ginza your main destination. Go to Yanaka Ginza and the wider Yanesen area instead. The similar names confuse many first-time visitors, but Ginza … Read more
Planning gluten free Tokyo as a traveler with celiac disease takes more preparation than most Japan trips. Tokyo has rice, seafood, and a growing number of gluten-free restaurants, but hidden wheat is common in soy sauce, dashi, marinades, fried foods, and some packaged meals. This guide is written for celiac-level caution, not just a lifestyle … Read more
Did I Get Scammed by an Izakaya Hidden Fee? If you were charged for a small appetizer you did not order at an izakaya in Tokyo, you probably were not scammed. In many Japanese izakayas, this charge is called otoshi (お通し), and it works like a small table charge. As of 2026, a normal otoshi … Read more
Is Solo Dining in Tokyo Weird? If you are traveling alone and wondering whether it feels awkward to eat by yourself in Japan, the answer is simple: no, solo dining in Tokyo is widely accepted and very common. Tokyo is one of the easiest cities in the world for eating alone because many restaurants are … Read more
If you want a non-touristy onsen in Tokyo, Sayanoyudokoro in Itabashi is one of the most practical local choices inside the city. It is not a flashy tourist spa in a major sightseeing district. It is a neighborhood-style hot spring facility with natural onsen water, outdoor baths, a Japanese garden, and rules that feel closer … Read more
Quick Answer: Is Shinjuku Too Loud? Shinjuku is not too loud for everyone, but it can be a stressful hotel base if you are a light sleeper, traveling with children or senior family members, or trying to avoid crowds at the end of each day. The loudest and busiest hotel areas are usually around Kabukicho, … Read more
There is nothing more frustrating than having a suitcase wheel snap on a Tokyo sidewalk or realizing your luggage is too small after a shopping haul. But before you leave it in your hotel room, there is one important rule to know: in Tokyo, a suitcase is not regular trash. If you need to throw … Read more