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Japan is a country like no other. Tokyo is a fast paced city that’s ahead of the times, while the monuments of ancient Kyoto bring you back 100s of years. If you were to ask any traveller, I’m sure Japan would be on their must see list, yet many have yet to make the journey to the land of the rising sun.

It’s sad, many travellers are still avoiding Japan due to unfounded fears. The tsunami of 2011 and the resulting radiation leak was scary, but it really should have no affect on your travel plans. There’s no glowing fish, and you won’t become a walking battery. It’s time to realize your dreams and see Japan for all its glory.

Speak to any traveller who’s visited Japan and you’ll hear the real story. The people of Japan are incredibly friendly and even when there’s a language barrier, they’re still happy to help you in any way. I could keep writing about how great the country is, but I think it’s best to let the pictures speak for themselves so scroll down for my Japan travel blog through pictures.

The Japan basics

Accommodations – Unless you’re on a strict budget, I recommend using a mix of different accommodations. Using Airbnb will give you a good feel how the locals live, it doesn’t get more traditional than staying at ryokan with an onsen, while staying at Buddhist temple offers a surreal experience.

Transportation – Japan easily has the best public transportation in the world. Major cities of an extensive local rail network, while the shinkansen (bullet train) will get you to any other city in just a few hours. There’s English signs at every train station so you don’t need to worry about getting lost, but if you do need help, station staff speak passable English.

Eat and drink – Food in Japan can be cheap or expensive, it really depends what kind of dining experience you’re looking for. Trying Japanese food is a must, but since Japan has so many expats, it’s not hard to find really authentic international cuisine. Beer, coffee, and soft drinks can be purchased right from a vending machine which is pretty convenient.

Attractions – Temples and shrines are the obvious major attractions in Japan, but there’s so many that’s after a while they all look the same so don’t over do it. Japan also also has major international attractions including Tokyo Disney, Universal studios and aquariums. If you’re interested in watching sumo wrestling be sure to plan your trip around the tournament schedule.

If you’re looking for more information on how to prepare for your trip to Japan, check out my post: How much does it cost to go to Japan? Also readers of Money We Have get 50% off the KnowRoaming Global SIM Sticker + $5 credit

Here’s my Japan travel blog as told through pictures: Shot with a Sony a6000 / 16-50mm lens