Japan Like a Local

Japan Like a Local Our guide is your companion for stress-free travel planning in Japan: https://japanlikealocal.store/
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20/04/2026

Japan is one of the hardest trips to plan right. Too many options, too much information … and no clear way to put it all together.

We are changing that.

Want early access to what we are building? Comment “FIRST” to get on the list!

When most people think of Tokyo, they imagine skyscrapers, neon lights, and crowded streets.

But tucked away in quiet neighborhoods like Jiyugaoka, there’s a completely different side of the city that feels very calm.

This small tea house, set inside a former family home, is easy to miss if you don’t know it’s there. From the outside, it looks like a simple wooden house. Step inside, and you’ll find sliding shoji doors, tatami rooms, and a garden that transports you to pre-war Japan.

As is customary, guests remove their shoes at the entrance.

The menu is simple, just a selection of teas, desserts, and local specialties. The experience is about taking your time, being present, and appreciating each sip while overlooking the beautiful garden.

Want to know more hidden gems? Comment FIRST to get a first look at what we are building to help you plan your Japan trip with ease 🫶🏽

📍 Kosoan Tea House

18/04/2026

Japan is one of the hardest trips to plan right. Too many options, too much information … and no clear way to put it all together.

We are changing that.

Want early access to what we are building? Comment “FIRST” to get on the list!

So many women in Japan have incredibly sleek and shiny hair, and a lot of it comes down to their haircare 💇🏻‍♀️💆🏻‍♀️

ReFa is arguably Japan’s most popular beauty brand. Their tools are designed to improve your hair over time, not just style it.

The Ginza flagship has the full ReFa world: haircare tools, home products like their shower heads, and limited-edition colorways and brushes that have developed a viral following worldwide.

Staff will match you to the right product for your hair type, and you can try everything before committing. The Ginza store has English-speaking staff & some product lines come with dual voltage + are foldable = very travel-friendly ✈️

I went in planning to buy a more expensive dryer but, the saleswoman was so honest about what would actually work best for my hair that I walked out with the ReFa Beautech Dryer Smart W.

It uses a built-in sensor that automatically adjusts heat levels as you dry, keeping the scalp below 50°C and the hair ends below 60°C. This mimics the technique professional stylists use so your hair stays moisturized and frizz-free, not overdried.

Price: ¥40,000 (~$250 USD) and comes in different colors.

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or your lady, see the hype for yourself when you’re in Ginza - especially if you were planning on going to Dyson 😉

17/04/2026

Japan is one of the hardest trips to plan right. Too many options, too much information … and no clear way to put it all together.

We are changing that.

Want early access to what we are building? Comment “FIRST” to get on the list!

Many people don’t know that Japan’s bullet train actually has a first-class cabin 🚆
�It’s called Gran Class, and it’s one of the most premium ways to travel around the country.

Gran Class service is offered on Tohoku and Hokkaido Shinkansen (Series E5 and H5 ), Hokuriku Shinkansen (Series E7 and W7 ), Joetsu Shinkansen (Series E7).

The cabin usually has just 18 seats total, arranged in a 2–1 configuration with wide leather recliners, footrests, ample legroom, free WiFi and more!

Depending on the route, there may also be an attendant who welcomes you, offers drinks, food, and warm towels.

How to book
�➡️ Direct via the JR East Gran Class website OR via Klook (on Klook, use code JAPANLL for extra $$ off)
�➡️ Gran Class will typically appear as its own cabin class.
�➡️ JR Pass holders can book it too, but the Gran Class surcharge is paid separately

We paid about $70 per person for a one-and-a-half-hour ride from Tokyo to Karuizawa.

Who are you bringing on this ride? 👀

japantrain

17/04/2026

Japan is one of the hardest trips to plan right. Too many options, too much information … and no clear way to put it all together.

We are changing that.

Want early access to what we are building? Comment “FIRST” to get on the list!

SHIBUYA SKY with 🇯🇵😍

Shibuya Sky is an observatory located atop the Shibuya Scramble Square building in Tokyo, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of the city from 229 meters above ground. It opened in 2019 and it features an open-air observation deck, a rooftop park, and of course what we would describe as the best escalator in the world 🤩

Sunset slots are difficult to book so we recommend reserving an earlier time and hanging out / having drinks at the lounge. You can spend as much time as you want inside and it will be worth the wait!

Save this for your next Japan trip and use code JAPANLL on Klook for $$ off your first order! 🇯🇵✈️

16/04/2026

Japan is one of the hardest trips to plan right. Too many options, too much information … and no clear way to put it all together.

We are changing that.

Want early access to what we are building? Comment “FIRST” to get on the list!

Looking to revamp your wardrobe with an elevated Tokyo street brand without looking like you’re truing too hard? Go no further than 🇯🇵🧥

It’s a Japanese brand with an urban design born in the heart of Tokyo, clean and refined basics that can be worn everyday.

Save this post for your next visit to Japan 🇯🇵😁

You can also check out their sister brands and 👕

In Tokyo, they have stores in Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku, as well as in Osaka and Kyoto. Check it out if you’re passing by 😎

16/04/2026

Japan is one of the hardest trips to plan right. Too many options, too much information … and no clear way to put it all together.

We are changing that.

Want early access to what we are building? Comment “FIRST” to get on the list!

When you visit temples or shrines in Japan, you’ll often see people shaking special boxes, drawing a piece of paper, and sometimes tying it to a rack 👀
�That’s omikuji: Japan’s ancient fortune-telling tradition.

The earliest form of omikuji dates back to the Heian period (794–1185). At that time, it wasn’t used by ordinary people. Priests, monks and emperors used it to seek guidance from the gods on important decisions.
�Over time, it evolved into something anyone could do so don’t forget next time you’re in Japan! This one was in Sensō-ji, which is great beacause it’s very foreigner-friendly with translations and instructions. Not all temples and shrines have omikuji but most major ones do.

Here’s how it works:
�First, make a small offering, usually about a hundred yen.
�Then shake the box until one numbered stick falls out.
�Match the number to your fortune paper and read what it says.

It could be a great blessing, small blessing, or sometimes bad luck 🫣
�If it’s good, keep it with you. If it’s bad, tie it at the shrine to leave the misfortune behind 🤞🏼

Want to simplify your Japan travel planning & learn more things like this? Our guide is linked in bio ❤️ check it out!

sensoji

16/04/2026

Japan is one of the hardest trips to plan right. Too many options, too much information … and no clear way to put it all together.

We are changing that.

Want early access to what we are building? Comment “FIRST” to get on the list!

The cabin that raised the bar for transpacific travel: new A350-1000 business class 🫱🏽‍🫲🏾✈️

Sleek, minimal, techy and Japanese in its design, the cabin had many unique selling points:

✈️ Private Suites: Every seat comes with a fully closing door and serious space to stretch out.

📺 Massive 24-inch 4K Screen: One of the largest in the sky.

👗 Built-In Wardrobe: an actual closet in your suite. Plus lots of storage space all around.

🎧 Headrest Speakers: JAL is the first to offer these - watch movies and TV without putting on headphones.

😴 Unique Sleepwear: No pajamas here - JAL offers a nightgown and a cardigan rental (surprisingly useful in a chilly cabin).

🪫 Amenity Kit Highlights: USB-C charging cable + a phone stand = everything is in the small details.

Combine that with the ultra-quiet cabin of the A350 and “omotenashi” or Japanese hospitality, and it’s easy to forget you’re 35,000 feet in the air.

Have you flown JAL yet? 👀

frequentflyer a350 aviation_lovers avgeeks haneda JAL japanlikealocal

05/01/2026

The beloved Hello Kitty Shinkansen is scheduled to end service in the Spring of 2026 after eight years of operation 😢

You can still experience it if you’re coming to Japan in the next few months. The train runs from Osaka to Hakata (& back) 🚄

You can book the Hello Kitty Shinkansen via & use code “JAPANLL” for extra $$ off 🙌🏼

The train numbers for Hello Kitty are Kodama 840 (Hakata to Shin-Osaka) and Kodama 851 (Shin-Osaka to Hakata). Make sure to double check the train schedule because this Shinkansen operates once daily in each direction and may not run every day.

On its route, the train will stop in popular destinations like Kobe, Okayama, and Hiroshima. The shortest route is about 12 min from Shin-Osaka to Shin-Kobe and the longest is about 4.5 hours from Osaka to Hakata. This is a regular Shinkansen so there is no additional fee 🙌🏼

From Osaka to Hakata its about ~$100 for the ordinary cart. For JR Pass holders the ride is included at no extra cost.

🚃 Car 1: HELLO! PLAZA: a shop with local specialties, exclusive merch, photo opp location.

🚃Car 2: KAWAII! ROOM: Features Hello Kitty-themed interiors & non-reserved seating; arrive early to secure a spot.

Who are you taking on this final ride?

shinkansen 🇯🇵

30/12/2025

Part 1 of debunking influencers' lies about
Japan 🙅🏻‍♀️

There are too many reels out there from people who share misleading, incomplete and straight out false information about Japan rules and etiquette out there
& I'm here to give you a more accurate explanation with context.

Eating and drinking while walking in Japan is in general totally fine, we locals do it all the time. There are certain specific places you shouldn't eat while walking, and those places are all locations where it might disturb others, namely:

- Crowded places like Asakusa or Kiyomizudera where bumping into someone might dirty their clothes
- Any shops where spilling your drink will damage products
- If your food makes a mess
Again, general rule, if you're not disturbing anyone, nobody cares and people will mind their own business

Did you know this?

住所

Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

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