Shows / The Japan Travel Pros Podcast
The Japan Travel Pros Podcast
A local perspective on Japan travel. Hosted by Ari from Japan Travel Pros, the pod gets into the questions, debates, myths, mistakes & choices that shape a Japan trip. Expect practical advice from seasoned veterans in the Japan travel industry. Strong opinions, occasional detours and a lot of talk about what really matters for planning & enjoying memorable trips to Japan - without getting overwhelmed.
Episodes
The Japan Travel Pros PodcastHow to Slow Down & Enjoy Your Japan Trip (guest: Misha)
Planning a trip to Japan? With so many places to visit and things to experience, it's easy to get caught up in trying to do it all. But what if doing a little…
The Japan Travel Pros PodcastStaying at a Ryokan in Japan
Thinking about staying at a ryokan in Japan? In this episode, Ari (a real human living in Japan) talks about the different types of ryokan, from small…
The Japan Travel Pros PodcastQuick Tip: Is Luggage Forwarding Right for Your Japan Trip?
Can you bring luggage on trains in Japan? Of course you can! So why does everyone seem to recommend luggage forwarding? In this Quick Tip, Ari talks about…
The Japan Travel Pros PodcastOther Side of the Mic: Ari & Japan
How does living in Japan change the way you see the country as a traveler? And what do you learn along the way that you won't find on social media or in a…
The Japan Travel Pros PodcastYour First 24 Hours in Japan
Pro Tips from Real People Who Live Here! You've landed in Japan. Now what? In this episode, Ari walks through what to expect during your first 24 hours in…
The Japan Travel Pros PodcastDon't Overthink Your Japan Trip - Plan Smarter
Have you found yourself researching your trip so much that you can't make a decision? With so many places to visit, hotels to choose from and opinions about…
The Japan Travel Pros PodcastHow to Avoid the Crowds in Japan… and Should You?
When is the best time to visit Japan if you want to avoid the crowds? Does Japan even have a low season anymore? And if Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka & some of Japan’s…
The Japan Travel Pros PodcastPart 2 with Frank aka 5AM Ramen
We're back with Frank from 5 AM Ramen for the second half of our conversation. If you haven't heard Part 1 yet, maybe give that episode a listen first. This…
The Japan Travel Pros Podcast5AM Ramen - Frank, Part 1
Frank knows ramen. You might even say that Frank eats, sleeps & breathes ramen. Through 5AM Ramen, Frank has eaten hundreds of bowls a year (many years…
- The Japan Travel Pros Podcast
Quick Tip: Restaurant Ratings & Reviews in Japan
Restaurant ratings in Japan can be confusing. Why does the same restaurant have a 4.6 on Google Maps and a 3.48 on Tabelog? In this Quick Tip, Ari (a real…
The Japan Travel Pros PodcastWine, Dining & Travel in Japan: Xander Soren Part 2
In Part 2 of our conversation with Xander Soren, we pick up where we left off: with a drink in hand. If you haven't heard the Part 1 episode, we recommend…
The Japan Travel Pros PodcastXander Soren: Apple, Wine & Japan - Part 1
What does working on the original iPod have to do with falling in love with Japan? Quite a bit, as it turns out. Xander Soren spent more than 20 years at…
The Japan Travel Pros PodcastFlights to Japan: How-Tos & New Routes
There are more ways to fly to Japan than ever, with new routes, new gateways and more flights being added. That’s good news! But more choices don’t necessarily…
The Japan Travel Pros PodcastUncharted Japan: YouTube Hosts Who Go Beyond the Algorithm
In this episode we sit down with John and Josephine, hosts of the YouTube channel "Uncharted Japan". Check out Uncharted Japan on YouTube John and Josephine…
- The Japan Travel Pros Podcast
Quick Tip: Timing Your Autumn Japan Trip
When does fall actually start in Japan? You’ll see plenty of information out there describing September and October as autumn travel time in Japan. But if…
The Japan Travel Pros PodcastOnsen Destination: How Ken Experiences Japan
What if the onsen isn't something you squeeze into a busy Japan itinerary, but a highlight of the trip itself? In this episode, Ari sits down with longtime…
- The Japan Travel Pros Podcast
Quick Tip: IC Cards in Japan
If you’re planning a trip to Japan, you’ve probably heard about IC cards, JR Passes, Shinkansen tickets, SmartEX and plenty of other ways to pay for…
The Japan Travel Pros PodcastWhat Keeps Bringing Adam Back to Japan?
Adam first visited Japan in the early 1980s, expecting to stay for about a week (ended up staying over a month). More than forty years later, he keeps coming…
The Japan Travel Pros PodcastSeeing Japan Differently: Junko & James
James is from Canada. Junko grew up in Osaka. Together they’ve now made three trips to Japan, and each one has been different. In this episode, we talk about…
The Japan Travel Pros Podcast“Hidden Gems” in Japan?
Many folks are seeking "hidden gems" for a trip to Japan. But what does “hidden” actually mean? In this episode, we look at why travelers ask for hidden gems…
The Japan Travel Pros PodcastKyoto Tour Guides with Laura & Javier
In this episode, we sit down with Laura and Javier from Kyoto Daily Tours to talk about what they've learned from years of guiding visitors through Kyoto. The…
The Japan Travel Pros PodcastPart 2 - Staying Local in Japan at Rise's House
In this episode, the second of a two-part series, we're joined by Rise-san, the founder of: Rise's House in Nishio, Aichi Prefecture If you haven't listened…
The Japan Travel Pros PodcastStaying Local in Japan at Rise's House - Part 1
In this episode, the first of a two-part series, Rise-san joins us for a conversation about hospitality, community and a different way of experiencing Japan…
The Japan Travel Pros PodcastJapan Travel Myths vs Reality
Japan Rail Pass? Trains always on time? Japanese food is always healthy? Japan is living in the future? In this episode, we break down some common Japan travel…
The Japan Travel Pros PodcastJapan Travel: You Don’t Have to Do Everything
In this episode, Yuki joins us for a conversation about photography, Tokyo, local neighborhoods and the pressure travelers often feel to fit everything into…
The Japan Travel Pros PodcastKyoto, the Japan Travel Bubble & Planning with Intention
Ari is joined by Brad for the first guest episode of Japan Travel Pros. Brad first visited Japan in the 1980s, lived here in the 1990s and recently returned…
The Japan Travel Pros PodcastListener Q&A: Rice, Cash, Underrated Japan & More
In this episode, we answer a round of Japan travel questions submitted by our listeners, clients and alumni. We cover practical insights on local food…
The Japan Travel Pros PodcastJapan: Travel & Food
Food is one of the biggest reasons people visit Japan. It's also a topic that makes a lot of visitors anxious. In this first full episode of the Japan Travel…
- The Japan Travel Pros Podcast
Trailer
A quick preview of The Japan Travel Pros Podcast. Ari introduces the show and what we’ll be talking about: Japan travel, food, cities, regions, seasons…