The Japan Travel Pros Podcast

Japan Travel Pros
  • 4.0 (1)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

A local perspective on Japan travel. Hosted by Ari from Japan Travel Pros, the pod gets into the questions, debates, myths, mistakes & choices that shape a Japan trip. Expect practical advice from seasoned veterans in the Japan travel industry. Strong opinions, occasional detours and a lot of talk about what really matters for planning & enjoying memorable trips to Japan - without getting overwhelmed.

  1. 2d ago

    Wine, Dining & Travel in Japan: Xander Soren Part 2

    In Part 2 of our conversation with Xander Soren, we pick up where we left off: with a drink in hand. If you haven't heard the Part 1 episode, we recommend listening to it here first. This time, we move from sake to wine and the story behind Xander Soren Wines. Xander explains how a personal project making small batches of California wine grew into a second career, and why Japan and Japanese food have been central to it from the beginning. We talk about what makes a wine work with Japanese food. Xander also shares how Japanese design influenced his branding, and how relationships with chefs and restaurants helped him establish the wines in Japan. We also cover cocktail bars, dining in Japan, Google & Tabelog ratings and the value of leaving room in your itinerary for places you didn't plan in advance. And to close out our conversation, Xander shares some practical advice for first-time visitors to Japan. Learn more about Xander Soren Wines https://xandersorenwines.com/ __________ Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way. Get started at ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ __________ Episode Chapters: (00:00) Intro & Overview (01:32) Sake to Wine (06:00) Xander's Wine Story (27:10) Pairing with Japanese Food (30:50) Drinks in Japan Beyond Wine (35:44) Dining in Japan (44:34) Travel Tips (47:41) Closing Thoughts __________ Music: Island Travel - by Anonyment 旅ゆけば - by Tinymemory Investor Night - by Anonyment (all tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)  __________

    Wine, Dining & Travel in Japan: Xander Soren Part 2

  2. 6d ago

    Xander Soren: Apple, Wine & Japan - Part 1

    What does working on the original iPod have to do with falling in love with Japan? Quite a bit, as it turns out. Xander Soren spent more than 20 years at Apple, working on products including the iPod and GarageBand. These days, he's a California wine producer with a longtime connection to Japan, curating wines designed specifically with Japanese food in mind. In Part 1 of our conversation, Xander takes us back to his years at Apple and working closely with Steve Jobs, including Jobs's own connection with Japan and the recommendations that helped shape Xander's early experiences in Kyoto. Xander has returned to Japan regularly since then and has watched international tourism here change dramatically along the way. We also talk about getting beyond the usual "best of" lists, connecting with people in restaurants, learning enough Japanese to open a few doors and paying attention to the craft behind what you're eating. And we get into sushi, why the rice deserves a lot more attention than it usually gets and Xander's growing appreciation for sake around Japan. Stay tuned for Part 2 with Xander, coming soon! __________ Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way. Get started at ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ __________ Episode Chapters: (00:00) Intro & Overview (01:32) Meet Xander (07:51) Steve Jobs & Japan (16:25) Xander's Early Days in Japan (24:01) Avoiding Overtourism & Other Tips (29:45) Dining in Japan (38:12) Sake 日本酒 (45:13) Closing Thoughts __________ Music: Island Travel - by Anonyment 旅ゆけば - by Tinymemory Investor Night - by Anonyment (all tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)  __________ Xander Soren Wines: https://xandersorenwines.com/ NHK Documentary on Steve Jobs & Japan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDerjbyqYMs

    Xander Soren: Apple, Wine & Japan - Part 1

  3. Sep 7

    Flights to Japan: How-Tos & New Routes

    There are more ways to fly to Japan than ever, with new routes, new gateways and more flights being added. That’s good news! But more choices don’t necessarily make choosing the right flight any easier. In this episode, we talk about new routes and increased capacity for flights to Japan… flying into Tokyo and home from Osaka… what an open-jaw ticket is & why nonstop isn’t always better … and how new flights to places like Sapporo and Okinawa can change the way you put a trip together. We also get into domestic flights that may be available as part of an international ticket, turning a connection elsewhere in Asia into a stopover and some of the less obvious things to think about before you hit the Buy button.  Because the best flight isn’t necessarily the cheapest flight, the shortest flight or even the nonstop flight. It’s the one that works best with the Japan trip you want to take. __________ Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way. Get started at ⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan __________ Episode Chapters: (00:00) Intro (00:52) Overview of routes & strategies (05:08) Flight Factors (10:27) New Routes & Added Capacity (14:33) Tips for Booking Flights (19:30) Closing Remarks with Ari __________ Theme Music: "Tokyo Nights" by Snoozy Beats licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License (free download available from the Snoozy Beats page on Free Music Archive) -----More Music: "旅ゆけば" by Tinymemory (Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp) _________

    Flights to Japan: How-Tos & New Routes

  4. Aug 31

    Uncharted Japan: YouTube Hosts Who Go Beyond the Algorithm

    In this episode we sit down with John and Josephine, hosts of the YouTube channel "Uncharted Japan". Check out Uncharted Japan on YouTube John and Josephine have spent years traveling around Japan, often finding some of their favorite experiences well beyond the places that dominate most Japan itineraries. Josephine also has an extraordinary connection to the country. Her family's history in Japan stretches back to 1861, and she grew up in Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. Together, John and Josephine created Uncharted Japan, a YouTube channel focused on the places, people, history and experiences they've discovered during their travels. In this episode, we talk about how they choose where to go, why they don't feel the need to cram every famous destination into a trip and what they've found by exploring more of regional Japan. We also get into castles, onsen and ryokan stays, renting a car in Japan, some memorable wrong turns and the remarkable encounter in a small rural community that helped inspire Uncharted Japan. And we talk about something that can have a surprisingly big influence on your own trip: the travel algorithm. When YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and even AI keep showing travelers the same places and experiences, it's easy to start building a trip around what keeps appearing on your screen rather than what you're actually interested in. There's nothing wrong with visiting Japan's famous destinations. We certainly aren't suggesting you skip Tokyo or Kyoto just to be different. But there's a lot more Japan out there, and sometimes the places you weren't originally looking for become the ones you remember most. __________ Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way. Get started at ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ __________ Episode Chapters: (00:00) Intro & Overview (02:05) Meet John & Josephine (08:47) Planning Advice (13:00) Castles & Other Gems (21:50) Onsen Hot Springs (25:55) Local Japan vs What Visitors Tend to See (30:58) YouTube - Uncharted Japan (55:12) Takeaway Advice & Thoughts __________ Music: Island Travel - by Anonyment 旅ゆけば - by Tinymemory Investor Night - by Anonyment (all tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)  __________ The Uncharted Japan YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UnchartedJapanTravel ... and their travel blog & photos etc: https://unchartedjapan.net/ (Cover Art for this episode by Uncharted Japan)

    Uncharted Japan: YouTube Hosts Who Go Beyond the Algorithm

  5. Aug 25

    Quick Tip: Timing Your Autumn Japan Trip

    When does fall actually start in Japan? You’ll see plenty of information out there describing September and October as autumn travel time in Japan. But if you’re picturing cool, crisp weather and fall colors, you may be surprised by what you actually find, especially in places like Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka. In this Quick Tip, Ari talks about what we’ve been seeing in Japan in recent years, why long-term weather averages may not give you the full picture and why fall weather & autumn colors don’t necessarily arrive around the same time. We’ll also look at how the timing changes depending on where you go, why November or even early-mid December may be a better fit if you’re hoping to experience autumn in much of Japan, and what to think about if your travel dates are already set. __________ Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way. Get started at ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ __________ Music: Investor Night - by Anonyment (all tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)

  6. Aug 22

    Onsen Destination: How Ken Experiences Japan

    What if the onsen isn't something you squeeze into a busy Japan itinerary, but a highlight of the trip itself? In this episode, Ari sits down with longtime friend Ken, who has spent much of his life traveling around Japan – often by car or motorcycle. After a long career in tech, Ken now has more time to explore the country and continue an ongoing search for his favorite onsen. Ken shares what he enjoys about staying at onsen ryokan, why winter is one of his favorite times to visit and why he often spends most of his stay doing little more than soaking, eating, relaxing and doing it all over again. Ari and Ken also talk about when driving makes sense in Japan, some of the challenges visitors should be prepared for on Japanese roads and how having a car can open up rural areas that aren't nearly as convenient to reach by train. Plus, we cover onsen etiquette, what first-time visitors should know about public bathing and one particularly memorable lesson Ari learned at an onsen in Hakodate. Sometimes sightseeing can wait until before check-in or after check-out. Once you're at the ryokan, the onsen might be all you need. __________ Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way. Get started at ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ __________ Episode Chapters: (00:00) Intro & Overview (02:28) Meet Ken (04:20) Driving in Japan (12:03) Onsen Overview (21:00) Onsen Styles & Etiquette (29:55) Ari's Embarrassing Onsen Story (32:34) Advice for Travelers (38:56) Closing __________ Music: Island Travel - by Anonyment 旅ゆけば - by Tinymemory Investor Night - by Anonyment (all tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)  __________

    Onsen Destination: How Ken Experiences Japan

  7. Aug 18

    Quick Tip: IC Cards in Japan

    If you’re planning a trip to Japan, you’ve probably heard about IC cards, JR Passes, Shinkansen tickets, SmartEX and plenty of other ways to pay for transportation. Sound complicated? It can seem that way at first, but we're here to help. In this Quick Tip, Ari breaks down the basics: what an IC card is, what it’s useful for, when you’ll still need a separate ticket and why most travelers probably don’t need a nationwide JR Pass. We also cover mobile IC cards, physical cards and whether you really need to link everything together before your trip. In this episode: What IC cards such as Suica and ICOCA are actually forMobile IC cards vs. physical cardsWhy overseas Android users will generally need a physical IC cardWhen an IC card isn’t enoughBuying point-to-point Shinkansen ticketsSmartEX and whether you need to link your IC cardWhy the nationwide JR Pass usually isn’t the answer __________ Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way. Get started at ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ __________ Music: Investor Night - by Anonyment (all tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)

  8. Aug 15

    What Keeps Bringing Adam Back to Japan?

    Adam first visited Japan in the early 1980s, expecting to stay for about a week (ended up staying over a month). More than forty years later, he keeps coming back again & again. In this episode, Ari sits down with Adam, an alumni client and friend of Japan Travel Pros, to talk about the places, experiences and moments that have made impressions over the years. Our conversation covers historic towns, onsen hot spring baths, Japanese service, department stores, great food, the Nakasendo Trail, Takayama and why Japan continues to inspire curiosity, even after many visits. Whether you're planning your first trip or thinking about returning, there's plenty here to help shape your own journey. __________ Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way. Get started at ⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠⁠⁠⁠ __________ Episode Chapters: (00:00) Intro (01:42) Adam's Japan Origin Story (03:55) Japan Then & Now (09:00) Respect in Japanese Culture (13:37) Japan's Smaller Towns & Regions (33:29) Seeking Out Experiences (39:25) Advice for Travelers (45:38) Closing __________ Music: Island Travel - by Anonyment 旅ゆけば - by Tinymemory Investor Night - by Anonyment (all tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)  __________

    What Keeps Bringing Adam Back to Japan?
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A local perspective on Japan travel. Hosted by Ari from Japan Travel Pros, the pod gets into the questions, debates, myths, mistakes & choices that shape a Japan trip. Expect practical advice from seasoned veterans in the Japan travel industry. Strong opinions, occasional detours and a lot of talk about what really matters for planning & enjoying memorable trips to Japan - without getting overwhelmed.

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