Society & Culture

The Japan Travel Pros Podcast

by Japan Travel Pros

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Latest episodes

Your First 24 Hours in Japan

October 18, 2026 · 34 min

Pro Tips from Real People Who Live Here! You've landed in Japan. Now what? In this episode, Ari walks through what to expect during your first 24 hours in Japan, from getting through the airport and reaching your hotel to making the most…
Don't Overthink Your Japan Trip - Plan Smarter

October 10, 2026 · 15 min

Have you found yourself researching your trip so much that you can't make a decision? With so many places to visit, hotels to choose from and opinions about what you allegedly *gotta* see, it's easy to get stuck when planning a trip to…
How to Avoid the Crowds in Japan… and Should You?

October 4, 2026 · 19 min

When is the best time to visit Japan if you want to avoid the crowds? Does Japan even have a low season anymore? And if Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka & some of Japan’s most famous sights are crowded, does that mean Japan itself is crowded? In this…
Part 2 with Frank aka 5AM Ramen

September 30, 2026 · 40 min

We're back with Frank from 5 AM Ramen for the second half of our conversation. If you haven't heard Part 1 yet, maybe give that episode a listen first. This time we're talking about ramen's continuing evolution, the impact of YouTube &…
5AM Ramen - Frank, Part 1

September 27, 2026 · 41 min

Frank knows ramen. You might even say that Frank eats, sleeps & breathes ramen. Through 5AM Ramen, Frank has eaten hundreds of bowls a year (many years ongoing), explored ramen shops across Japan & beyond and built a career around sharing…

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Quick Tip: Restaurant Ratings & Reviews in Japan

September 19, 2026 · 7 min

Restaurant ratings in Japan can be confusing. Why does the same restaurant have a 4.6 on Google Maps and a 3.48 on Tabelog? In this Quick Tip, Ari breaks down how to make sense of restaurant ratings and reviews in Japan, including: Why…
Wine, Dining & Travel in Japan: Xander Soren Part 2

September 17, 2026 · 49 min

In Part 2 of our conversation with Xander Soren, we pick up where we left off: with a drink in hand. If you haven't heard the Part 1 episode, we recommend listening to it here first. This time, we move from sake to wine and the story…
Xander Soren: Apple, Wine & Japan - Part 1

September 12, 2026 · 47 min

What does working on the original iPod have to do with falling in love with Japan? Quite a bit, as it turns out. Xander Soren spent more than 20 years at Apple, working on products including the iPod and GarageBand. These days, he's a…
Flights to Japan: How-Tos & New Routes

September 7, 2026 · 20 min

There are more ways to fly to Japan than ever, with new routes, new gateways and more flights being added. That’s good news! But more choices don’t necessarily make choosing the right flight any easier. In this episode, we talk about new…
Uncharted Japan: YouTube Hosts Who Go Beyond the Algorithm

August 31, 2026 · 58 min

In this episode we sit down with John and Josephine, hosts of the YouTube channel "Uncharted Japan". Check out Uncharted Japan on YouTube John and Josephine have spent years traveling around Japan, often finding some of their favorite…
Quick Tip: Timing Your Autumn Japan Trip

August 25, 2026 · 7 min

When does fall actually start in Japan? You’ll see plenty of information out there describing September and October as autumn travel time in Japan. But if you’re picturing cool, crisp weather and fall colors, you may be surprised by what…
Onsen Destination: How Ken Experiences Japan

August 22, 2026 · 40 min

What if the onsen isn't something you squeeze into a busy Japan itinerary, but a highlight of the trip itself? In this episode, Ari sits down with longtime friend Ken, who has spent much of his life traveling around Japan – often by car or…

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About the show

A local perspective on Japan travel. Hosted by Ari from Japan Travel Pros, the pod gets into the questions, debates, myths, mistakes & choices that shape a Japan trip. Expect practical advice from seasoned veterans in the Japan travel industry. Strong opinions, occasional detours and a lot of talk about what really matters for planning & enjoying memorable trips to Japan - without getting overwhelmed.