I believe a vacation should be about immersion, not a race. I first fell in love with the country while studying here in 2018. Since then, my Japanese husband and I have made it our mission to explore every corner, spending the last few years uncovering Japan's coolest, most authentic spots.

This guide is built for travelers who want to skip the frantic "box-checking" and actually immerse themselves in the culture. Inside, I share our personal favorite places, crowd-avoidance tips for the must-sees, traditional shopping streets, and excellent food recommendations (including plenty of vegetarian and vegan options). Explore Japan deeper, entirely at your own pace.