76: Japan - Love It There | Lyssna här

Your favorite sister duo chats with their guest Mia, who shares about her experience living in Japan. She discusses cultural nuances, travel tips, and hidden gems across the country outside of the top tourist destinations. Whether you're planning your first trip or dreaming of long-term stays, you’ll find valuable advice to enhance your journey.

Japan recommendations:

Activities:

Takayama (Japanese Alps)
Kanazawa (for art lovers)
Wakayama (beaches and Sandanbeki Caves)
Hokkaido (for nature lovers, skiing, Sapporo (beer), Otaru (music boxes, canals))
Kyoto (traditional temples and shrines, bamboo forest, matcha)
Osaka (comedy, great food scene)
Onsen (do your research)
Karaoke
Izakaya
Purikura (Photo booth)
Kaitenzushi (Conveyer belt sushi)
Festival food and researching interesting local festivals
Anything from the vending machine
Tea ceremony
Donki (Don Quijote, but most just say Donki): Japanese pharmacy for some great products
Get an omikuji (fortune)
Shinkansen (Bullet train)

Helpful Resources

Book, Learning to Bow
Klook: booking transport and activities
Tabelog: restaurants
Suica app: tap to pay for public transport and vending machines
Rail Pass: public transport

Music & Show Recs

Hana Yori Dango (Boys over flowers)
Any Miyazaki film (Spirited Away & Kiki’s Delivery Service, and My neighbor Totoro)
Music (My personal favorites): Radwimps, Mitsume, One Ok Rock, For Tracy Hyde
Terrace House is helpful when learning Japanese

Language Resources

Italki (good for continued practice)
Pimsleur - great for travelers
HelloTalk (Essentially a social media app for language exchange)
Genki books (grammar)
Jdramas/Movies

Helpful Phrases

Arigatou Gozaimasu (Thank You)
Sumimasen (Excuse me/ Sorry)
……. doko desu ka? (Where is….)
Betsu Betsu /Isho...Ishouni (Separate / Together) Used when paying bills.
Koko de / ommochikaeri (For here/ Takeaway) Often used in Starbucks or other fast food restaurants and coffee shops.
.....desu ka (phrases that end this way are always a question)
Eigo no menu ga arimasuka? (Is there an English menu?)
Onegaishimasu / Kudasai (Please)
Konnichiwa / Konbanwa (Good morning / Good evening )
Oishi / oishikatta desu (Delicious / That was delicious)