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Newsletter

Japan Travel Q&A

Japan Travel Q&A + Useful Tips

Japan is a fascinating country with a unique culture, food, and language like no other but often confusing to travelers. Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions and useful tips that will help you navigate through the process of planning and so you will have the best experience while in japan. 

noodle with chopsticks
Making splurging noise while eating noodles in Japan is considered a good manner.

What is the best time of the year to travel?

Japan is a country with four distinct seasons, which are defined by a long tradition of holidays and celebrations: in the spring, there are the cherry blossoms (sakura) and the start of the new year at school and work; festivals in the summer; autumn colors and “leaf peeping” in the fall; and in the winter, celebrations centered around the end of the old year and the beginning of the new year (spring). 

In terms of climate and weather, spring and autumn are the best times of the year for traveling in Japan.  However, many travelers, both domestic and international, visit tourist attractions while the sakura are in bloom in the spring and it can get extremely crowded.  The same can be said about the fall, especially October and November. 

If you are planning to visit Japan during a peak season, you must make reservations ahead of time, be ready to pay a bit extra for accommodations, and not be bothered by large numbers of tourists.

It is worth mentioning that sakura blossoms and red maple leaves can be seen outside such well-known places as Kyoto and Nara.  Be adventurous, and visit small towns and villages to avoid large crowds and over-tourism.

Times not recommended for traveling in Japan:

“Golden Week” (from April 29 into early May) contains a number of Japanese holidays and is considered one of Japan’s three busiest travel seasons. 

Tsuyu/Rainy season-is the rainy season or monsoon. It’s no fun traveling during the rainy season.  In Japan, the rainy season can last for up to a month, starting in mid-June to July, and it can result in delays and other problems for travelers.

Obon Festival– called the lantern festival, is in mid-August, and everyone travels, to be together with family.  However, this is a good time to catch amazing local summer festivals, if you do not have to actually travel during this time and can avoid the rush. 

New Year-Before and after the new year are the busiest times of the year for Japanese travelers. (Think Thanksgiving!) Avoid visiting the countryside from January 1–7, as most businesses will be closed.

The best advice is to plan and make reservations ahead, do your research, and have alternative plans (for example, coming up with places you can still visit during bad weather, or visiting rural areas to avoid crowds).  

Do I need a VISA to enter Japan?

Japan allows “visa-free” entry for up to 90 days to tourists of 67 countries, including the United States. Make sure your passport is valid, and be advised that immigration and customs will deny your entry if your passport expires during the duration of your stay. (Note: You may need to confirm this, because of the ongoing effects of COVID-19.)

What is a JR Pass, and how does it work?

A JR Pass is a cost-effective way to travel if you are a foreign visitor planning to travel around Japan. There are 7-day and 14-day passes, and there are local passes for some regions of Japan. These passes must be purchased and obtained before your arrival in Japan, and exchanged for actual tickets after your arrival. It is worth knowing that these passes can be used on most Shinkansen trains (except Nozomi) between larger cities as well as on local trains; however, they can only be used on Japan National Railway lines (and some JR ferries), but cannot be used on private railway lines. If you are taking a private railway, expect to pay the full fare. Private railways include many subways, and trains in some regions, including Kyoto, Osaka, and some rural areas served only by private railways. https://japanrailpass.net/en/https://japanrailpass.net/en/

Cash vs. Credit Card?

Although most hotels and larger restaurants and shops accept major credit cards, Japan is still mostly a cash society, so carrying some cash is highly recommended. Try to pay for large purchases using a credit card, and bring cash for food, beverages, and souvenirs. Consider carrying a coin purse for quick and easy payment for small purchases, especially when using vending machines, at convenience stores, and paying for a taxi. There are coins for roughly $1 (100 yen) and $5 (500 yen), so it’s useful to carry them.

Recommendation

Bring one or two credit cards, a debit card, and some cash that you can exchange for Japanese yen at the airport upon arrival (or you can withdraw yen directly from an ATM [See below]).  Currency exchange can be done at the airport and at large banks, and you may find currency exchange machines located at major train stations. 

ATMs

There are over 26,000 post offices, and all 7-Eleven convenience stores across Japan have ATM machines, where you can withdraw money using a debit card. Make sure to contact your bank or credit card company in advance and let them know that you will be withdrawing money from ATMs in Japan, in order to avoid unnecessary suspicion and denial of withdrawals by the bank. It’s also a good idea to find a card that doesn’t charge fees for foreign transactions. 

To tip or not to tip?

Tipping is not customary in Japan. If you decide to leave a tip anyway, chances are that they will chase after you and give back your tip. Read more about tipping in Japan here.

Tax-Free shopping for the international traveler

Many international travelers overlook the fact that numerous stores across Japan offer duty-free pricing. If you are spending more than 5,000 yen on clothing, electronics, art pieces, and other gift items, consider asking for duty-free pricing. You must present a valid passport to qualify. 

To see a full list of tax-free items and read more on how this works, click here.

Can I use my phone and the internet in Japan?

This depends on your phone carrier. Before departure, contact your phone carrier to see if you will be able to use your phone in Japan, and ask about any additional fees for phone calls, texting, data, and wifi. Some carriers may not charge roaming fees. 

Other options include renting a phone, purchasing a SIM card, and using a “pocket wifi” (personal hotspot). Kiosks selling these services can be found at international airports and in major towns. A SIM card providing wifi and phone for up to 2 weeks can be purchased for about $50-$75.00

If you do not want to pay for wifi services, take advantage of free wifi at airports and hotels, on Shinkansen bullet trains, and in restaurants and cafes.  

Luggage

Pack light!

Japan is a country where one travels on public transportation, walks up and down stairs, and in some instances walks on a gravel or stepping-stone type of walkway. We recommend you leave your large four-wheeled suitcase behind and travel with a smaller suitcase, a bag, and a purse. If you choose to travel with a backpack, make sure to carry it in front of you on busy trains and in stations.  

Use the “luggage forward” system

If you are traveling with multiple suitcases, or more luggage than you can easily handle, take advantage of a parcel courier service for your luggage. The luggage forward system is a reliable and affordable way to ship your luggage between your hotels: It only takes a day or two for your luggage to get to your destination for a small fee of around $20.00 (depending on the size of your luggage). You can find many such services, including Kuroneko Yamato, Sagawa Express, and Nittsu Express, at airports, hotels, train stations, and even convenience stores.  

Manners and Etiquette

People in Japan take manners and etiquette seriously, and it only helps if you know some significant cultural differences in advance to avoid embarrassment, unnecessary (and unintentional) confrontations, and avoidable trouble.   

Take off your shoes

The basic rule is that if it is an entrance with a step (or steps) up and if you can see tatami mats, take your shoes off. Look for a no-shoes sign or ask if you are not sure.   

Respect people and things

It seems obvious to respect people, but based on Shinto beliefs, Japanese people believe that there are spirits in every object, including those in nature (such as mountains, rivers, and trees). Therefore, it is customary in Japanese culture to show respect towards things and nature. As a basic rule of thumb, do not litter, spit, or take souvenirs from parks and public places. 

Be polite

Japanese people are very polite. If people bow to you, it is a silent greeting and shows respect, so go ahead and bow back.

Be on time

Everything is dead-on time, so if you are meeting someone, make sure you arrive on time. Likewise, if you are planning to stay at a Ryokan or a small inn, let them know your arrival time. Dinner is usually served at a specific time to ensure the quality of the meal.  

Rules are meant to be followed and may be enforced

Although people in Japan are kind and polite, they do not bend when it comes to rules and enforcement. Let’s respect cultural differences, rules, and regulations to stay out of trouble. 

For example: 

  • Keep your voice down in trains and other public transportation. Don’t talk on your cell phone on the train! 
  • Eating while walking is taboo. 
  • Take home your trash, mostly because there are no trash cans. 
  • Sort your trash and recycling.  
  • There are useful directional signs at your feet in busy train stations; follow the signs so as not to run head-on into crowds.  

Hot Spring Etiquettes

When entering a public bath or hot spring, make sure to wash and clean yourself before entering the tub. No bathing suits are allowed in hot springs and public baths, birthday suits only. 

Tattoos?

Tattoos are associated with the yakuza gangs in Japan, and most hot springs, hotels, and ryokan ban yakuza members from using their facilities. However, if you are a foreign traveler and have a small tattoo, most places will allow you to cover it when entering a hot spring. Also, you might be able to take advantage of an uchiyu, a private bath. In any case, it is a good idea to check with the Ryokan before you make your reservations.  Read more here: https://tanpopojourneys.com/visiting-an-onsen-ryokan/

Be a sustainable traveler

When traveling, be mindful of how your journey can affect the environment and the local economy.  Here are some small ways in which you can become a sustainable traveler. 

  • Carry a reusable water bottle: water is safe to drink in Japan
  • Carry a bag when shopping to reduce the use of plastic bags
  • Carry tissues and a handkerchief or a small hand towel
  • Use public transportation
  • Use hotel room cleaning services only when needed.  Some hotels offer free drinks, snacks, or points if you do not use cleaning services.  
  • Visit rural areas and the country-side to help offset over-tourism. Join Edible Japan to experience the mountainous area of the Shinshu region.

Consider joining WWOOF Japan. Read more on WWOOF Japan here.

Holiday Gift Ideas for the Travler

Gift Ideas for Traveler Friends and Family (mostly under $30)

The holiday season is almost here, and even though many of us cannot travel during this season, why stop giving travel gifts to the people who love to jet around the world.

Here are some of the ideas. I have used many of these items myself traveling to Japan and found them quite useful (Note, we do not get commissions or sales from these recommendations).

Portable Luggage Scale $25.00>

Many of our clients who travel to Japan take advantage of “duty-free shopping” (this is available throughout Japan for non-Japanese citizens with a valid passport) and purchase multiple souvenirs to take home. Use this scale to see how much your luggage weighs before heading to the airport saves hassle and time.

Electric Accessories Organizer $7.00

The good news is, if you are traveling from the US to Japan, you do not need an international socket adapter for your computer, etc. But let’s face it, we all need to carry many cords and cables, and this electric accessories organizer helps you keep things in order. Make sure you place the organizer in your carry-on luggage, so when your luggage goes missing, you will still have your charger for your gadgets.

Gorilla Pod Mobile Phone Tripod $29.95

Say good-bye to your old tripod. This not only works as a tripod for phone and a small camera on flat surfaces, but it also sticks to all metal surfaces and hard to reach areas.

Premium Compression Socks $27.00-$50.00

This is also a must-have for long international flights, and aren’t they stylish. Help your feet from the swelling from those long flights and keep warm and comfortable too.

Alpha Keeper Money Belt $24.00

You have peace of mind knowing where passports and money are kept safe when traveling. As a traveler in Japan, we recommend carrying your passport with you at all times.

Klean Kanteen Water Bottle $29.95

One step towards becoming an ecotourist is to carry a water bottle with you and safe on. You probably already have your favorite water bottle, but this wide-mouth and the insulated bottle double-duty as a water bottle and a coffee/tea bottle. Wide-mouth makes it easy to drink out of. You can cover the bottle with favorite travel stickers to make it yours. Here are two book recommendations from our recent read:

Japanese Home Cooking by Sonoko Sakai

Recently featured in New York Times for one of the inspirational women. Her book is artistic, beautiful, and best of all filled with delicious recipes.

Autumn Light: Season of Fire and Farewel by Pico Iyer

Internationally acclaimed writer and a long-time resident of Nara, Japan, Pico Iyer walks you through the landscape, history, and culture of Japan.

TanpopoStudio is now Tanpopo Journeys!

TanpopoStudio was established in late 2017 after closing Tanpopo Noodle Shop, which my husband and I owned for almost two decades and decided it was time to move on to new challenges and opportunities. Our vision for TanpopoStudio was to create a platform to showcase our years of culinary experiences, cooking classes, Japanese culture, arts and crafts, and international travel.

Today, we are pleased to announce we have done just that and are now looking to optimize our services to better assist our clients. To further this goal, we are first changing our company name and then separating our travel services from our culinary business such as cooking classes and private events.

Tanpopo Journeys

Tanpopo Journeys is the place you can find everything about our travel services:

  • Tailor-made trips to Japan
  • Small-Group Journeys
  • Japan Travel Tips and Destinations
  • Our Travel Partners

The Japanese Kitchen

Our food recipes and culinary-related services will now be moved to the food blog, The Japanese Kitchen.
The Japanese Kitchen is where you can find:

  • Recipes, Photos, and Videos
  • Private Cooking Lessons and Events
  • Public Cooking Classes
  • Stories Behind

Social Media

Our social media sites remain the same to provide everyone with the latest updates and events:

  • Facebook -> TanpopoStudio
  • Instagram -> Koshiki Smith
  • Newsletter-> TanpopoStudio
  • Tanpopo Studio Channel on Youtube
  • Twitter -> Tanpopomn

To see the latest on cooking classes, please go to our Facebook page. To peek at what we eat and do on a daily basis and tours in progress, check out our Instagram.
In the last three years, we have touched by many who joined tours, classes, pop-ups, and simply giving us cheers along the way. We would love to see you all in the next phase of our journey. Thank you.

Koshiki and Ben Smith
Proprietors

October 2019 Newsletter

Hello Friends,

I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful fall days. I have just returned from the much anticipated Textile and Traditional Arts Tour to Japan with Textile Center and can not tell you how much fun we had together. Please read the recap to learn more about this trip.

We also have an exciting announcement about our upcoming Spirits of Japan, Southern Alps & Kyoto Tour. This trip is a collaboration with Sam Haislet from Alexias Vineyard, the oldest and most award-winning winery in Minnesota. An avid Japanese sake and whisky fan, Sam is currently an acting consultant at Kowalski’s Wine Shop in St. Paul.

Lastly, our hearts go out to those who were hit by the recent typhoon in Japan. We wish them a safe and swift recovery.

Spirits of Japan Tour | Tanpopo Studio

Spirits of Japan, Southern Alps & Kyoto

Registration Now Open!

Registration is now open for the Spirits of Japan, Southern Alps & Kyoto Tour this spring. We are planning on hosting an informational meetup for those interested in joining us. Please email koshiki@tanpopojourneys.com for event details.

Trip Highlights

  • Welcome Dinner
  • Tour of the Tsukiji Fish Market and have sushi for lunch
  • Visit Yebisu Brewery
  • Experience Zen Culture at the historic Zenkoji Temple in Nagano
  • Tour Matsumoto Castle, Ishii Miso Brewery and the Museum of Art
  • Visit Shichikan Sake in Yamanashi
  • Suntory Hakushu Whisky Distillery Tour
  • Soba Making Workshop
  • Farm stay in Yamashi
  • Visit Komagadake National Park
  • Tour of the famous Gekkeikan Brewery in Kyoto
  • Kyoto Sightseeing
  • Kaiseki Dinner and Maiko Performance

2019 Tanpopo Studio Textile Tour

2019 Textile and Traditional Arts Tour Recap


After over a year of planning and coordination with Textile Center, this fiber arts focused trip kicked off on September 29th with 13 travelers!

This group of humble and talented people made this tour extremely special and memorable. We traveled to big cities and countryside towns alike, and visited many small studios and shopped tons!

We had many unscheduled events that surprised us throughout the trip including the Antique Flea Market, Allan West Studio, SAORI Weaving workshop and the Little Indigo Museum.

I have more pictures and details from the trip on my Instagram feed. Check it ou!

If you are interested in joining us next year, please contact smulhhollam@textilecentermn.org

What’s Cooking

Salmon Nanbanzuke
This month over at our food blog we have a recipe for Nanbanzuke using king salmon from Sitka Salmon Shares and it is delicious. Nanbanzuke is often made with fried fish (sardines and mackerel) with sliced onions and marinated in a sweet vinaigrette with chili pepper. The word Zuke means to marinate.

Nanbanzuke Style Salmon with Celery and Onion


小岩井紬工房での昼食
先日から日本の台風のニュースがこちらでも流れていますが、皆さんのいらっしゃる地域は大丈夫でしたでしょうか?幸いにも私たちのグループは台風の2日前に無事帰国しました。しかし日本の真夏日和とは打って変わり着陸したミネソタ空港の空には雪が舞っていました。いくら寒いミネソタでもこれは異常ですね。

今回はミネソタ州とフロリダ州から集まった13名の女性グループとの旅でした。皆様日本の染物、織物その他テキスタイルアートに興味のある方々の集まりで、観光はもちろん、織工房なども訪れました。ほとんどの方が日本は初めてでしたが、いく先々で丁寧にもてなされとても感激されていました。購入した反物や布は帰国後ご自分たちで洋服や小物に仕立て直されるとのこと。新幹線の中でも刺し子や編み物をされていたのが印象に残っています。来年は違うメンバーでまた日本を訪れたいと思っています。その時はまたどうぞよろしくお願いします。

Kowai Weaving Studio, Textile Tour
さてさて、今回も盛りだくさんです。お料理はアラスカ産天然シャケを使った南蛮漬け、料理クラスも満員となりました。プライベートでも出張いたしますので必要の際はお声をかけてくださいね。
では、皆様がお元気でありますように、そして、この実りの秋、収穫の秋、天災の被害が最小限でありますように。

古紫季

September 2019 Newsletter

Happy September,

I cannot believe it is September already. The end of summer means starting of the harvest season, and I have been keeping busy at the Frogtown Farm harvesting vegetables and preparing samples for the market on Saturdays.

I’ll be booking my tickets for spring tours soon as IACE travel is having their fall Mega Sale on Saturday Sep. 29th from 9-4 pm only. Give them a call as I have purchased many affordable tickets to Japan from IACE.

Japan Art + Culture Tour, April 2019

This is a 7 day tour from Tokyo to Matsumoto with an additional extension to Kyoto. Matsumoto is a hotbed of arts, is also the birthplace of several well known Japanese artists including Yayoi Kusama. It’s also home to one of Japan’s finest feudal era castles.. Read more about Matsumoto and this tour on our blog.

Culinary Guide to Japan Tour, June 2019

I’ve been fortunate to lead several Culinary Tours this year, and have received some kind words from travelers. Thank you! We start in Ginza, Tokyo with a fish market tour and sushi class and make our way to Nagano for a temple stay and introduction to vegetarian cooking. After a morning visit to the Zensoji Temple, we tour a wasabi farm in near the Japan Alps, and stay at a traditional hot spring Ryokan for a kaiseki style dinner. The next day we learn how to make hand-made soba noodles and tour the scenic Suntory Hakushi distillery. The last night we stay at Shuji Tanka’s historic inn and community garden in the quaint mountain town of Yamanshi.

Chicken Kara-age

What’s Cooking in September

Fried chicken known as Kara-age is a popular dish in Japan. Deep fried but not greasy because the word Kara comes from a word empty, meaning there is no batter, just a simple combination of garlic, ginger, soy, sake, sesame oil and cornstarch.


Amish Buggy on Road

ニュースレター9月号

早いもので9月に入りました。皆様いかがお過ごしでしょうか。
アメリカではほとんどの学校が9月に始まります。3ヶ月の長い夏休みを終えた9月は入学、新学時期でもあるため子供から大人まで何かとそわそわ、ワクワクしてしまいます。

私はというとこの夏すっかりアーミッシュに取り憑かれてしまい、この夏2回目、アーミッシュ・カントリーを訪れて来ました。もちろん自宅でもせっせとアーミッシュのレシピを使ったパン作りも欠かしていませんよ。
今回訪ねたのはミネソタ州に隣接する酪農やチーズ作りで知られるウィスコンシン州にあるウェスビーという地域です。私の住んでいる町、セイントポールから車で約三時間、オーガニック・ファーミングで知られるこの地域に集落で暮らしているオールド・オーダー”というアーミッシュを訪ねる旅でした。”オールド・オーダー” とはアーミッシュの中でも特に昔からの規律や伝統を重んじている保守的なアーミッシュです。もちろん電気製品や電気の使用は厳しく制限されているので各家庭の敷地内には風車やバキーがあり馬が飼われています。彼らは自然の多いこの地域で昔ながらの伝統を守り、農業、クラフト、チーズやメープルシロップ作りなどで生計を立てています。もちろん彼らの作るキルトや果物のビン詰めを購入することもできますよ。朝バギーの音で目がさめる、そんな開拓時代にタイムスリップしたかのような2日間した。

私と一緒に、アーミッシュ・カントリーとミネソタの大地を旅したい方、興味のある方は是非メールでお問い合わせください。ツアーは2名様より決行いたします。少人数でミネソタの大地を思う存分満喫してはいかがでしょうか。

米村古紫季

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