Japan Insider
Local Japan Travel Writer
I moved to Japan in 2015 and have lived here ever since — through cherry blossom seasons, typhoon summers, and quiet winters in Kyoto. I write Japan Insider Guide to share what I've learned from daily life here: the transit systems, the local restaurants, the unwritten rules, and the moments that make Japan unlike anywhere else. I'm not a tour operator and I don't earn money from hotels putting me up — I earn small commissions if you book through my links, which I always disclose.
Areas of Expertise
- ✓Tokyo transit & Suica/PASMO
- ✓Budget and mid-range travel
- ✓Japanese language basics
- ✓Tokyo neighbourhood guides
- ✓Seasonal travel planning
Editorial Commitment
All recommendations are based on personal experience or thorough research. See our Editorial Policy.
Articles by Japan Insider
The Phrases That Make Japanese People Smile
A tiny amount of Japanese goes an enormous distance. These 10 phrases and gestures will change how locals treat you — I've watched it happen hundreds of times.
GuideWhat Nobody Tells You About Traveling Japan
The real talk: when tourist spots are brutally overcrowded, which 'must-do' experiences are genuinely overrated, and the practical stuff guidebooks leave out.
Guide50 Survival Japanese Phrases (With Pronunciation)
The exact phrases you need at restaurants, train stations, convenience stores, and when you're completely lost. Romaji pronunciation included — no Japanese reading required.
GuideWelcome Suica Mobile: The Complete 2026 Guide
The IC card that replaced every other Japan transit card. Works on trains, buses, vending machines, and konbini. Here's exactly how to set it up on iPhone and Android before you land.
Itinerary2 Weeks in Japan: The Complete Itinerary
The gold-standard Japan route. Fourteen days covering Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka — connected station to station with zero wasted transit time.