Send us a text

Today I’m sharing a bit about how I ended up in Japan, plus some curated travel tips for those of you who are thinking about visiting.

My Journey to Japan

I didn’t move to Japan decades ago specifically for the culture, though I definitely found it fascinating. But I find just about every culture fascinating, including my own. What brought me here was something a bit different—I came to continue managing a band called Pizzicato 5 (lots of links below), part of the Shibuya-kei genre of music, art, and film.

I came with someone who I still consider my Japanese brother to this day. We worked really hard to introduce the band to North America and Europe, and eventually expanded that work here in Japan as well. So, with my 13 boxes of belongings and my bicycle, I left New York City and made my way to Tokyo.

Fortunately I gained new family here. These folks are serious travelers and storytellers, and they helped shape my Japan experience whenever they could get me to leave the house.

Travel Tips for Japan

In a recent Good Trouble TikTok Live, there were lots of folks eager to explore Japan.

I should note: I’m a kind of non-religious hermit. So I’ve never been a good tour guide. That was true even when I lived in New York City, my hometown. But, what I am good at is curating resources. So, if you’re planning a trip to Japan, here’s my short curated list of go-to recommendations.

Food & Culture Tours

If you’re into food and cultural experiences, I have to shout out my sis over at Arigato Japan Travel. They’re not just a food tour company—they do full travel planning; pretty much everything for your trip. Definitely check their blog and sidebar for travel tips and connections to cool local folks.

General Travel Tips

For figuring out what’s happening in Tokyo, I recommend Tokyo Cheapo. Yeah, I know, the name’s a little funny, but it's super useful. They have detailed articles on all sorts of things; lots of people who actually live here use them for recommendations. Great way to enjoy Tokyo on a budget.

Another long-time favorite of mine is Metropolis Japan. It’s a magazine that’s been around for ages and is mostly digital now. They cover a wide range of topics, and you can find them online for insights into entertainment and more.

Embassies

If you’re a U.S. citizen, I recommend checking out the official Japan travel info from the US Embassy. It’s a good resource for travel tips and general information about visiting Jap

Link up with me here:
https://tokyoterri.com/tokyoterris-rebellion/