Nomad in Japan
Your ultimate guide to experiential & mindful travel in Japan
Japan Travel Guides
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I’m Bri – Your Guide to Deep Travel in Japan
I always dreamed of visiting Japan—then, after my first solo trip, I knew I’d keep coming back. As a full-time digital nomad, I love slow, immersive travel and connecting with local communities. I created Nomad in Japan to help you go deeper than most guidebooks. Whether you’re looking for thoughtful itineraries, offbeat destinations, cultural insights, or practical travel tips, this is your resource for exploring Japan with curiosity, intention, and respect.
Explore Japan by Destination
A Day in Kagurazaka: Wandering Tokyo’s Geisha District & French Quarter
The first time I alighted from Kagurazaka Metro Station was in the peak heat and festivities of Tokyo summer. Awa Odori dancers, clad in flowy garments and wooden clogs, chattered away on street corners waiting for the drumbeats to signal their parade. On my most recent visit, I stepped out of Edogawabashi Station, just north…
Hotel Graphy Nezu Review: A Quiet, Work-Friendly Stay in Tokyo
Sometimes the best stays in Tokyo are tucked away in quieter neighborhoods. That’s what drew me to Hotel Graphy Nezu, a social-style hotel located in the Yanesen area, just a few stops from central Tokyo. As digital nomads, my partner and I chose to stay here for the hotel’s and neighborhood’s remote-work friendliness, and to…
Wandering Jimbōchō Book Town in Tokyo: Voted “World’s Coolest Neighborhood”
Jimbōchō, nicknamed Tokyo’s Book Town, is an underrated neighborhood tucked quietly in the heart of central Tokyo that has silently attracted Tokyoites and literary lovers for decades. 📚 But now, Jimbōchō (also known as Kanda Jimbocho, or Jinbōchō), with its 130+ second-hand bookstores, cozy curry restaurants, and quirky-cool spots — from cat-themed shops to underground…
Staying in Osaka vs Kyoto: Which One Is Better?
Ahh, the grand question for first-timers visiting Japan… Which iconic city should you stay in: Osaka or Kyoto? As a nomad and repeat visitor to both cities, I can truthfully offer my first-hand opinion that one is not better than the other, only more suitable depending on your travel style, interests, and preferences! Truthfully, both…
How to Reserve Kinopio’s (Toad’s) Café in Super Nintendo World Japan
Imagine… You finally make it inside Super Nintendo World at Univeral Studios Japan only to discover that reservations to eat at Kinopio’s Café (also known as the Toadstool Café) are sold out. That’s what happened to us the first time we visited! This wouldn’t be such a big deal if you didn’t intend to go…
Inside Donkey Kong Country at USJ: Ultimate Guide to Mine Cart Madness, Express Pass & More
If you’ve ever wanted to immerse yourself in the classic Donkey Kong games, now’s your chance! We just spent the weekend exploring Universal Studio Japan’s latest park expansion, Donkey Kong Country. This new area inside Super Nintendo World Japan brings lush jungle vibes, DK’s treehouse, barrels, bananas, Rambi the Rhinoceros, and even Donkey Kong himself…
Staying in Osaka vs Kyoto: Which One Is Better?
Ahh, the grand question for first-timers visiting Japan… Which iconic city should you stay in: Osaka or Kyoto? As a nomad and repeat visitor to both cities, I can truthfully offer my first-hand opinion that one is not better than the other, only more suitable depending on your travel style, interests, and preferences! Truthfully, both…
Where to Stay in Nozawa Onsen: Best Ryokans, Hotels & Ski Lodges
While some ski resorts in Japan are great for day trips, others, like Nozawa Onsen, are best experienced as overnight and multi-day stays. With walkable streets, free public onsen baths, and traditional-style ryokan, the village is just as much of the Nozawa experience as the ski slopes! The only catch? Everyone wants to come ski…
Nozawa Onsen Village Guide: What to Do, Where to Stay & Soak
In the northeasternmost reaches of Nagano Prefecture lies a small onsen village that’s grown into one of Japan’s best-known ski resorts and winter destinations. Of course, I’m talking about Nozawa Onsen. When I first heard of Nozawa, I felt curious to learn more. Is there really a cozy Japanese ski town that retained its nostalgic…
Nozawa Onsen Ski Guide: Trails, Passes, Rentals & Après-Ski
Whenever we talked to our Japanese and expat friends about skiing in Japan, Nozawa Onsen always came up. “Have you been to Nozawa? You guys gotta go!” they’d always say. So, during our winter trip to Nagano, we carved out two days and two nights of skiing in Nozawa Onsen. And while Nozawa lived up…
Latest on the Blog
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A Day in Kagurazaka: Wandering Tokyo’s Geisha District & French Quarter
The first time I alighted from Kagurazaka Metro Station was in the peak heat and festivities of Tokyo summer. Awa Odori dancers, clad in flowy…
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Ringo-ya Ryokan in Zao Onsen: A Rustic, Showa-Era Stay at a Hot-Spring Inn
Zao is a small, traditional onsen town in Yamagata with limited accommodation options. But, desperate as I was to stay here for our ski trip,…
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Where to Stay in Zao Onsen (Winter Guide to Ryokan, Hotels & Ski Access)
Zao Onsen is quickly gaining traction as a must-see, must-ski onsen town during Japan’s magical winter, with places to stay booking up months in advance.…
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Hotel Graphy Nezu Review: A Quiet, Work-Friendly Stay in Tokyo
Sometimes the best stays in Tokyo are tucked away in quieter neighborhoods. That’s what drew me to Hotel Graphy Nezu, a social-style hotel located in…
こんにちは, Briです! As a slow traveler, I've spent 9+ months in Japan, and I created this blog to share my insider tips and authentic experiences to help you plan your dream Japan trip.
