Our 2024 Tokyo travel guide offers info & tips, things to do, transportation info, where to eat, best hotels, avoiding crowds, itineraries for the city, and more. Whether you’re visiting for cherry blossom, fall colors, or in between, we’ve got you covered. (Updated February 28, 2024.) Tokyo can be an intimidating place to visit. As […]
2024 Japan Fall Colors Forecast & Autumn Foliage Viewing Guide
/9 Comments/in Planning Guides Japan, Kyoto /by Tom BrickerOur 2024 fall colors forecast for Japan offers peak viewing info & tips for popular autumn foliage spots, including Kyoto, Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Miyajima, Hiroshima, Himeji, and Nara. We’ll also share strategy for visiting the best temples, shrines, and evening illuminations. (Updated March 11, 2024.) Autumn is one of the most stunning times of the […]
Guide to Christmas 2024 at Universal Studios Japan
/5 Comments/in Tips & Tricks Japan, Osaka, USJ /by Tom Bricker“NO LIMIT! Christmas” is a holiday event at Universal Studios Japan from mid-November 2024 through early January 2025. The holiday festivities include a stage show, record-setting tree, decorations in Super Nintendo World, and more. This guide shares our tips for USJ’s winter entertainment, plus our experience and photos. (Updated March 11, 2024.) Dates have not […]
Studio Ghibli Museum Review & Tips
/25 Comments/in Things to Do Japan, Tokyo /by Tom BrickerStudio Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Japan is a tribute to anime films, and the technical & creative process of animation. This review covers whether it’s worth the time, money & effort to visit, plus tips for buying tickets. (Updated March 7, 2024.) We won’t bury the lede: Ghibli Museum is one of the best things to […]
Ultimate 2024 Tokyo, Japan City Guide
/87 Comments/in Planning Guides Japan, Tokyo /by Tom BrickerOur 2024 Tokyo travel guide offers info & tips, things to do, transportation info, where to eat, best hotels, avoiding crowds, itineraries for the city, and more. Whether you’re visiting for cherry blossom, fall colors, or in between, we’ve got you covered. (Updated February 28, 2024.) Tokyo can be an intimidating place to visit. As […]
Is Japan Rail Pass Worth Buying? (2024 Prices & Review)
/29 Comments/in Tips & Tricks Japan /by Tom BrickerWondering whether the Japan Rail Pass is worth the money? This buying guide covers where you can use the JR Pass, how much value you’ll get on a normal trip to Tokyo and Kyoto, and answers to frequently asked questions about the unlimited train ticket. It also covers our many experiences purchasing the JR Pass […]
2024 Laguna Beach, California Planning Guide
/18 Comments/in Planning Guides California, Laguna Beach, SoCal /by Tom BrickerLaguna Beach is the perfect relaxing vacation destination in Southern California, and this planning guide offers tips for visiting, things to do in 2024, hotel & restaurant recommendations, and what to know before your trip to Orange County. (Updated February 28, 2024.) We love Laguna Beach. It’s our favorite of the beach cities, and one […]
Ultimate 2024 Paris, France City Guide
/46 Comments/in Planning Guides France, Paris /by Tom BrickerOur 2024 Paris travel guide offers info for making the most of your vacation, including things to do, transportation tips, hotel recommendations, where to eat, and more. It also covers how to efficiently see the city–where to stay and step-by-step itineraries. (Updated February 28, 2024.) Paris is a world capital of culture: everything from art to food […]
2025 Yosemite Firefall Viewing Guide: Best Dates, Reservations Info & Tips
/33 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. First, you can read about my last photography attempt in Firefall Snowy Weekend Photo Report from my visit to Yosemite National […]
Face Masks in Japan: Rules vs. Reality (2024)
/144 Comments/in Reports Japan /by Tom BrickerJapan was behind the world in reopening, and as COVID-19 is now endemic, Japanese continue to wear face masks more commonly than almost any other country. This covers Japan’s face mask rules, laws (or lack thereof), and expectations, as well as other health safety measures and our experiences with masking in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka & beyond. […]
Ultimate 2024 Los Angeles City Guide
/38 Comments/in Planning Guides California, L.A., SoCal /by Tom BrickerOur 2024 Los Angeles, California planning guide offers visit tips, including top things to do, best places to eat in L.A., hotel advice, and how to transportation hacks for SoCal’s notorious traffic. LA is one of our favorite cities in the world, and we’ll help you experience the touristy highlights and hidden gems. Maybe you […]