Our Kyoto, Japan planning guide offers tips & tricks, recommendations for hotels and other accommodations, best temples & shrines, transportation hacks, where to eat, crowd info, what it’s like to visit post-reopening, why we love the city, and more. (Updated January 4, 2025.) If you’re already in Kyoto and are scrambling to figure out what to […]
Osaka, Japan City Guide
/12 Comments/in Planning Guides Japan, Osaka /by Tom BrickerThis Osaka city guide provides travel tips including things to do, where to stay, transportation info, and more about Japan’s third-largest city. We’ve spent months in the Kansai region and spent extensive time in the former imperial capital, and have advice and trip planning info based on those firsthand experiences. (Updated February 6, 2025.) If […]
Park Hyatt Tokyo Review
/7 Comments/in Hotels Japan, Tokyo /by Tom BrickerThe Park Hyatt Tokyo is located in the Shinjuku district of the city. This hotel review shares photos of our room, common areas, and dining. We’ll also offer thoughts on our stay here, value for money, location, and how this compares to other accommodations in Japan. (Updated January 29, 2025.) Park Hyatt Tokyo is one […]
Our Experience Doing 6 Weeks in Japan with a Baby
/2 Comments/in Planning Guides Japan /by Tom BrickerFor the last decade, we assumed that traveling to Japan with small kids would be a nightmare. In fact, we made a concerted effort to visit as much as possible before having a baby–including multi-month “bucket list” type trips–because we feared that would be impossible with an infant or toddler. After spending well over a […]
Robot Restaurant in Tokyo, Japan: Review, Reopening & Replacement
/34 Comments/in Dining, Things to Do Japan, Tokyo /by Tom BrickerRobot Restaurant is a crazy dinner show in the neon district of Shinjuku in Tokyo with samurai, dancers, monsters, etc. This review shares whether it’s worth the money, photos from our experiences, and info about its replacement and reopening. (Updated January 21, 2025.) The bad news: Robot Restaurant has now been temporarily closed for the […]
2025 Yosemite Firefall Viewing Guide: Best Dates, Reservations Info & Tips
/35 Comments/in Photo, Tips & Tricks California, Yosemite /by Tom BrickerYosemite National Park’s Firefall at Horsetail Fall is a natural phenomenon visible in winter. This viewing guide offers info & tips from my experiences, best dates & locations, reservation requirements, parking restrictions, California snowfall & more. (Updated January 21, 2025.) First, you can read about my last photography attempt in Firefall Snowy Weekend Photo Report from […]
Japan 2025 Cherry Blossom Forecast & Kyoto Sakura Season Viewing Guide
/2 Comments/in Tips & Tricks Japan, Kyoto /by Tom BrickerThis guide to sakura season in Japan and cherry blossom forecast for 2025 covers our favorite spots, best temples & shrines in Kyoto, tips & tricks for avoiding crowds. We also take a deeper dive into the topic, highlighting hidden gems where you’ll find fewer people and no busloads of tour groups. (Updated January 21, […]
Shibuya Sky Review: Tokyo’s Best Observation Deck
/2 Comments/in Things to Do Japan, Tokyo /by Tom BrickerShibuya Sky is the highest open-air rooftop observation deck in Japan. Located on the 47th floor of the Shibuya Scramble Square building, the top deck is at about 230m or 751 feet high. This review offers info, tips & tricks, and recommendations for getting the most out of your experience at Shibuya Sky. Review might […]
Review: Is Tokyo Skytree Worth Doing?
/16 Comments/in Things to Do Japan, Tokyo /by Tom BrickerTokyo Skytree is the tallest building in Japan, with an observatory & restaurant at its higher levels overlooking the city, and a shopping center at lower levels. This guide provides info, tips, and a review of whether the Skytree is worth the time and money, plus a comparison to alternative viewing spots. (Updated January 20, […]
Ultimate 2025 Kyoto, Japan Planning Guide
/99 Comments/in Planning Guides Japan, Kyoto /by Tom BrickerOur Kyoto, Japan planning guide offers tips & tricks, recommendations for hotels and other accommodations, best temples & shrines, transportation hacks, where to eat, crowd info, what it’s like to visit post-reopening, why we love the city, and more. (Updated January 4, 2025.) If you’re already in Kyoto and are scrambling to figure out what to […]
2025 Universal Studios Japan Guide & Tips
/107 Comments/in Planning Guides Japan, Osaka, Universal Studios, USJ /by Tom BrickerThis guide to Universal Studios Japan offers tips & tricks for visiting Osaka’s popular theme park, which is home to Super Nintendo World, Harry Potter, Jaws, and more! This includes USJ strategy & info about where to eat, what to do, how to avoid crowds, minimize wait times, and more! (Updated January 3, 2025.) After being […]