Blog Posts From Worth Your Wallet

Osaka was one of the stops on our Japan trip that changed the most once we arrived. We had ideas about what we wanted to see, but the weather forced us to be more flexible than expected. Instead of trying to rush between every famous landmark, we spent more time exploring covered shopping streets, stopping for food, wandering through department stores, and building one slower day around Katsuō-ji Temple. The result was not the typical Osaka itinerary filled with back-to-back

The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is easily one of the most iconic and popular tourist destinations in Kyoto, but there is so much more to Arashiyama than just the Bamboo Forest! From lush temples nestled in the mountains, to a beautiful winding river, and even a wildlife park where you can visit wild Japanese macaques, Arashiyama offers an immersive outdoor retreat just outside of the city. We packed our Arashiyama day full of sightseeing; visiting the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest a

Kyoto is rich in history, and often regarded as the hub for Japanese cultural and historical sites, with dozens of ancient temples, shrines, castles, and preserved historic streets. On a map, Kyoto looks easy to visit, but in reality, attractions are spread across several parts of the city, and many routes involve more walking than expected. Even a short journey can include crowded buses, long train transfers or an uphill climb. Since the city is so spread out, we recommend t

Japan is one of the most exciting destinations for first-time international travelers, offering a mix of historic temples, modern cities, efficient transportation, incredible food, and unique cultural experiences. From the busy streets of Tokyo to the traditional neighborhoods of Kyoto and the food-focused energy of Osaka, each stop on a Japan itinerary can feel very different. This guide brings together our firsthand Japan travel experiences, including planning tips, transpo

There are two types of travelers: those who arrive in Japan with an empty suitcase ready to shop, and those who bring a bag packed with an outfit for every possible occasion. Deciding what to bring can be challenging when visiting any foreign country, but packing for Japan can be especially tricky. The weather varies dramatically by season, from summer rainstorms and intense humidity to freezing temperatures and heavy winter snow. This Japan packing list breaks down everythin

From themed cafes with the cutest drinks, hotels with unbelievable skyline views, and one of the best shopping districts in the world, a trip to Japan can add up quick. It can become overwhelming to plan a budget for your trip, especially when you are trying to figure out just how much money you'll actually need. When planning our first trip to Japan we did a lot of research into pricing, but saw mixed information online. Some people claim Japan is an amazing budget travel de

Japan can be intimidating on your first trip; from navigating bustling city streets and crowded train stations, figuring out how to say, "arigato gozaimasu," and trying to buy Shinkansen tickets, things can get overwhelming fast. On our first trip we spent our fair share of time lost in train stations, fumbling over our words in broken Japanese, and trying to translate menus. But luckily for you, we made plenty of mistakes on our first trip to Japan so you don't have to! In t

Japan during April can be a dream, with lush spring colors, and warm sunny days, but crowded streets, sold out tickets, and missing the peak cherry blossom bloom can quickly put a damper on your trip. In this post we are going to break down if visiting Japan in April is worth fighting the crowds, and share everything we took into account before booking our trip. This way you can make an informed decision if April in Japan is the right season for you! Disclaimer: this post con

Japan is famous for its high tech society and amazing public transportation, that seems to always be on time. The country is incredibly well connected by trains, buses, and metro systems, which made getting around Japan much easier than we expected. Luckily, Japan also has several easy payment systems that work similarly to a subway card you might find in other countries. For our trip, we went with the Suica card. It was easy to use, simple to reload, and accepted in most of