James is from Canada. Junko grew up in Osaka. Together they’ve now made three trips to Japan, and each one has been different.

In this episode, we talk about James’s first trip to Japan, what it was like experiencing the country with Junko and her family, and how their travels have changed as they keep coming back.

James shares some of those first-trip moments that stand out, from arriving in Japan and being overwhelmed by Osaka Station to discovering just how hot a Japanese summer can be. We also talk about their wedding in Nara and how returning to Japan has gradually given them more opportunities to travel beyond the familiar first-time destinations.

Their most recent trip included Hokkaido, Kochi and Kanazawa, along with driving in Japan, exploring the countryside and a day making a Japanese kitchen knife with local craftspeople in Kochi.

Junko also shares what it’s been like seeing her own country through James’s eyes, including places and details she might otherwise have taken for granted.

Along the way, we get into some practical lessons for anyone planning a trip: choosing what actually matters to you, dealing with crowds and lines, knowing when an early start is worth it, leaving room for alternatives and remembering that you don’t have to discover everything on your first trip.

Because there’s a pretty good chance you’ll want to come back.

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Get started at ⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠⁠⁠

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Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(01:36) Meet Junko & James

(03:20) 1st Japan Trip Together

(17:38) Food in Japan

(33:08) Repeat Visits to Japan

(41:55) Hokkaido & Driving

(44:44) Kochi Countryside

(47:15) Advice for Travelers

(53:58) Closing

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Music:

Island Travel - by Anonyment

旅ゆけば - by Tinymemory

Investor Night - by Anonyment

(all tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)

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