Lying off the coast of Niigata prefecture is one of Japan's largest islands: Sado Island. This secluded island in the Sea of Japan is home to rich tradition/culture and incredible scenery! If you're interested in a true cultural Japanese experience, make a visit this quaint island. Traveling from Tokyo? To Niigata: Taking the JR Joestsu … Continue reading Japan’s Hidden Treasure – Sado Island →

Interested in hiking Mt.Fuji? Below are some notes/tips to consider before your breathtaking hike... PLEASE NOTE BEFORE READING ANY FURTHER the season of your travel. There are restrictions toward the public for when you can climb the mountain (http://www.fujisan-climb.jp/en/). First things first, what should you bring? Be sure to have proper clothing and footwear. DON’T … Continue reading Sunset and Sunrise on Mt. Fuji →

Due to the dramatic time change/jetlag, you may be waking up a bit earlier than you may anticipate. So, you will want to jump start your day… but keep in mind that many of the cafes/shops won’t open until around 8 am. For our one day of exploration, we went to the local train station … Continue reading One Day in Tokyo →

First things first, understand WHERE in Tokyo you’re flying into. Similar to other large cities (i.e. New York), there is one airport, Haneda, closer to the main area of Tokyo (typically more expensive flights) and another airport, Narita, that’s about an hour bus drive away. We chose to fly into Narita (I’ll give details on … Continue reading Getting to Tokyo →

Do: Purchase a Pocket WIFI to use Google Translate/Google Maps -> Trust me you will be thankful for how much this will ease your trip experience. Outside of Tokyo, there are minimal people who speak English. Buy a JR pass if you are planning on traveling around a specific region of Japan within a certain … Continue reading Do’s and Don’ts of Japan →

What to do about WIFI/Phone Coverage? “What should I do about my phone charges – data rates/calls?” One major problem people tend to run into is international phone coverage. Luckily, Japan has a system where you can purchase a portable WIFI called a Pocket WIFI. This wireless, bluetooth device helps bridge the gap between language … Continue reading Japan Travel Tips →

Konnichiwa! So, you may be wondering why I chose/how a Florida girl ended up living in Japan for 5 full weeks. Long story short, at Florida State University we have an amazing assistant soccer coach from Japan. Through his connections, we were linked with a professional team, Albirex Niigata Ladies, to train with for the … Continue reading Why Japan? →