Local knowledge · Insider tips

The Real Japan Blog.

Written by a Japanese local. No generic advice — just honest, first-hand knowledge about travelling Japan the right way.

More from the blog.

Hidden gems
Top 10 hidden shrines in Kyoto locals actually love
Skip Fushimi Inari on weekends. Here are the shrines Kyoto residents actually visit — and how to find them.
Coming soon
Local tips
5 things only Japanese locals know about Tokyo
The neighbourhoods, the food spots, the unwritten rules. What guidebooks never tell you about Japan's capital.
Coming soon
Culture
Why most Japan travel guides get it wrong
The same 10 spots. The same "hidden gems" that aren't hidden anymore. Here's how to actually travel Japan differently.
Coming soon
Regional guide
Beyond Tokyo & Kyoto — the best of rural Japan
Tohoku, San'in, Shikoku. The regions most visitors never reach — and why they're worth it.
Coming soon

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