Welcome to Wander in Japan—a blog dedicated to sharing travel tips, local events, and transportation information in Japan, all in English.
This blog is mainly written for two groups of people: international travelers planning a trip to Japan, and foreigners already living in Japan who may not be fluent in Japanese.
The inspiration for starting this blog came from my own travel experience. While planning a trip from Japan to Portugal, I found it incredibly difficult to find useful information in Japanese—especially about local transportation, hidden restaurants, and off-the-beaten-path attractions that only locals seemed to know. As it turns out, there are only about 800 Japanese people living in Portugal, which likely explains why so little information was available in my native language.
That experience made me wonder—what about the other way around? For people coming to Japan from abroad, how accessible is the information they need? Japan welcomed over 25 million international visitors in 2023 alone, yet so much of the country’s travel information is still mainly available in Japanese. English-language resources are surprisingly limited.
Take, for example, places like Fukiya Furusato Village in Okayama Prefecture or Okuoikojo Station in Shizuoka. These are stunning spots rich in natural beauty and historical charm, well-known among locals but barely featured in English. Without proper information, especially in English, it’s almost impossible for non-Japanese speakers to discover or reach these destinations.
- Fukiya Furusato Village, Okayama
- Okuoikojo Station, Shizuoka
Even in urban areas, there are countless local gems—like the backstreet bar alleys of Tenma in Osaka—that rarely make it into mainstream guidebooks. These places are full of character and charm, but unless you already know what you’re looking for (and can search for it in Japanese), you might never find them.
- Tenma Bar Alley, Osaka:
I’ve spoken with long-term foreign residents in Japan who say, “I can manage everyday life here, but I still struggle to find out where to go for fun or adventure.” While many Japanese municipal websites offer rich information in Japanese, their English sections are often basic, outdated, or simply missing.
So, I created Wander in Japan with one goal in mind: to help bridge that language gap. The frustration I felt in Portugal motivated me to make it easier for others to explore Japan—even beyond the usual tourist spots.
I believe that sharing accurate, thoughtful, and well-written travel information in English is a small but meaningful way to make Japan feel more accessible. After all, it’s often the lesser-known places, far from the spotlight, that hold the most authentic charm. I hope this blog helps you discover those hidden corners and deepen your connection with this incredible country.
This blog is a great resource for anyone planning to visit Japan. It provides useful travel tips and insights into local events. The transportation information is especially helpful for navigating Japan’s complex transit system. I appreciate that it’s all in English, making it accessible for international travelers. How often is the blog updated with new content?
Thank you so much for your kind comment! I’m really glad to hear the blog has been helpful.
I’m currently aiming to update the blog at least once a week with new travel tips and event information.
I’ll keep sharing useful content, so please feel free to stop by again anytime!
This blog is a fantastic guide for anyone exploring Japan, especially for English speakers. The travel tips and local event information are very insightful and practical. The detailed transportation guides make navigating Japan so much easier. I’m curious about the personal experiences or anecdotes shared by the writers. How in-depth are the articles about cultural experiences?