28/04/2024
It's officially cherry blossom season in Japan!
This year's blooming is the latest in the capital since 2012, when they were declared to have blossomed on March 31.
Savor and Soak
- Home
- Savor and Soak
- Custom Japan Travel
- Specializing in cultural, nature, family, and sustainable trips
- Let your Japan experts plan so you can relax and enjoy your holiday!
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19/04/2024
Amazing client review over on TrustPilot. I'm so grateful to be able to work with so many amazing people on their trips to Japan!
16/04/2024
Thermal baths in Japan and other places around the world! I collaborated with a few other travel planners on this blog post:
One of my favorite things to do in Japan is to soak in the hot springs, or onsen. For me, nothing beats the relaxation I feel soaking in an outdoor onsen under the stars. Luckily f
13/04/2024
3 differences between driving in Japan and driving in the US (and a few extras too!)
You must stop at all rail crossings. Even if there isn’t a stop sign and it’s a small rail crossing in the countryside, you’re expected to come to a full stop.
There is no free parking. All parking lots in Japanese cities are charged, and there is never any street parking. In the countryside, parking lots are usually free, but again, if a lot is full you cannot park on the road.
No turn on red. You can never turn left on red in Japan.
Bonus: You won’t get pulled over for speeding in Japan, but speed limits are enforced by camera, and you will get sent a speeding ticket even if you’re not speeding a lot. Tickets are quite expensive in Japan, starting at around ¥40,000.
Likewise, penalties for drunk driving are very severe in Japan. You cannot drive in Japan after having any amount of alcohol, and if someone is caught drunk driving, this almost always includes jail time. Luckily, there are taxi services in Japan where 2 drivers will pick you up - one to drive you in the taxi, and the other to drive your car home for you! These are usually no more expensive than taking a regular taxi.
While in the US you cannot have an open container of alcohol in the car, in Japan it's absolutely fine for your passengers to be drinking while you drive!
Are there any differences I missed?
10/04/2024
From self-driving personal vehicles to sensory rooms and heartbeat scans, the airport experience is due for some big changes.
10/04/2024
5 Ways to Save on Cellphone Costs Internationally
*with a couple of quotes from yours truly*
Don't let these surprise fees attack.
09/04/2024
https://www.travelandleisure.com/window-shades-takeoff-landing-8623982
Former flight attendants share the real reason why window shades on an airplane have to be up during takeoff and landing.
09/04/2024
Our Japan Trip Planning Process
Before we start to design your perfect itinerary, we’ll get to know your travel style, any must-see spots, and your budget. Based on your preferences, we will craft an itinerary specifically for you and your travel party, with as much or as little input from you on specific accommodations, tours, and trains as you’d like. Based on our expertise, we can guide you on the best time of year to visit different locations, and local experiences you wouldn’t otherwise have access to.
Click the link in bio for more information, or send me a DM!
08/04/2024
https://www.travelandleisure.com/global-entry-application-fee-cost-increase-8623619
The federal government will raise the cost of the popular Global Entry program this fall for the first time in more than 15 years.
07/04/2024
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2024/04/06/art/inconvenient-art-japan-naoshima-triennale/
Japan has a unique movement of public art projects and festivals that are a slog to get to — by design. A writer examines the country's “inconvenient art.'
06/04/2024
Our Japan Trip Planning Services
We believe in transparent pricing, with no markups, so that we can deliver the best recommendations and best trip for your budget and preferences. To do this, we charge a fee per trip day, which allows us to focus on finding the best experiences and accommodations for you, rather than relying on more touristy options which offer commissions.
Click the link in bio for more information, or send me a DM!
02/04/2024
Do you use TSA Pre-Check or Clear?
This little-known shortcut offered at 20 airports lets you book an appointment with TSA. (Did we mention it's free?)
31/03/2024
A glowing review from one of my clients who just returned from Japan! 😄
30/03/2024
Hanami, or cherry blossom viewing, has been popular in Japan for centuries. Historically, it was a time for contemplating the fragility and cyclical nature of life. In modern times, hanami is a time for celebrating the coming of spring with friends and family.
Hanami is most often done in the evening, with a bento box dinner and a few drinks. Popular parks across Japan will be lit up in the evenings so that revelers can spread a blanket on the ground and enjoy the cherry blossoms after work!
17/03/2024
🎉 EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT: Win Free Trip Planning to Japan 🎉
I am so excited to announce that to celebrate joining the Travel Expert Network with my Silver Certification, I am doing a free giveaway of a Custom Japan Itinerary. This is a handcrafted Japan itinerary including booking and reservation support valued at $1,500 for a 10 day trip.
I am so grateful that I’ve been able to send my clients to Japan on stress-free vacations with my help and I can’t wait to use my knowledge of Japan and Japanese culture to help more people have a once in a lifetime trip to such an amazing country!
This offer includes a custom Japan itinerary, accommodation & logistics recommendation and booking, 1 activity or tour per day, restaurant recommendations, unlimited travel advice by email, and up to 6 travelers.
Click here to learn more and complete the application >> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4jzcKHdS8RoRsQ8h_grf46geDQnIKengZmRfqq1sNqNhbIQ/viewform All applications must be submitted by April 1st.
Drop me a direct message if you have any Qs + it would mean the world to me if you’d share this post to your social feed! ❤️
14/03/2024
I'm officially certified through the Travel Expert Network! So excited to be part of this amazing group of travel professionals.
Work with Certified Travel Expert Cassie Tetro, Montage Travel, to plan your next trip to Rome, Paris, or London
13/03/2024
I recently talked with Amateur Traveler host Chris Christensen about hot springs, hiking, and food in Kyushu!
An itinerary for visiting the island of Kuyushu: onsens, temples, hikes, pottery, tea plantations, and ryokan stays.
23/02/2024
Pros and Cons of using a Travel Agent
And a quote from us as well ;)
Yes, you might still need a travel agent in 2024. Find out which trips require a travel agent’s expertise and where you can use a credit card concierge instead.
14/02/2024
Jobs fill your pockets, but adventures fill your soul.
- Jaime Lyn Beatty
📍Lake Motosu
There is arguably no sight more iconically Japanese than the view of Mt Fuji from across Lake Motosu, the image printed on the 1,000 yen note.
The Fuji 5 lakes area is surprisingly off the beaten path, especially in the colder months when climbing the mountain is not possible, but views to the top are the clearest.
One unique way to view the mountain is to run the Fuji-san Marathon in November, covering a 42 kilometer route around the 5 lakes region, with stunning views of Fuji around each turn. Autumn leaves are also at their peak at this time!
Would you run a marathon on vacation? I have to say, running the Fuji-san Marathon (and the Great Wall Marathon too) were absolutely worth the hype!
03/02/2024
Everything passes. Both soaring joys and crushing sorrows fade away like a dream. However, the knowledge of having lived one’s life to the fullest never disappears.
- Daisaku Ikeda
01/02/2024
February 2nd is Setsubun in Japan!
https://www.savorandsoak.com/blog/japanese-festivals-setsubun
30/01/2024
https://www.foratravel.com/guides/8UMZMN/5-unique-things-to-do-in-tokyo-adeline-kuroki
Traveling to Tokyo? Get inspired with this advisor-curated guide: 5 Unique Things to do in Tokyo
27/01/2024
Oh, how can I put into words the joys of a walk over country such as this;
the scenes that delight the eyes, the blessed peace of mind, the sheer exuberance which fills your soul as you tread the firm turf?
This is something to be lived, not read about.
- Alfred Wainwright
26/01/2024
We use a 4-step Trip Planning Process to make sure your next trip to Japan is absolutely amazing! Click through to learn more, and as always, register below if you'd like a free 20 minute consultation with our founder, Adeline:
https://www.savorandsoak.com/ -with-us
26/01/2024
Ready to start planning your next getaway to Japan? Sign up for our mailing list to unlock a complementary 20 minute call with Adeline!
Bespoke Japan Travel. Want to visit Japan but don't know where to start? Let us craft a bespoke adventure in Japan for you, so you can spend your time daydreaming of the temples you'll visit, hot springs you'll relax in after a day of exploring, and foaming cups of matcha you'll sip while enjoying v...
25/01/2024
Passing through the shrine’s torii gate into the sacred world, everything becomes calm. Man made structures blend so seamlessly with the surrounding forest that they look as though they have the same creator.
24/01/2024
I first travelled to Japan in 2013, lived there from 2014 to 2018, and travelled back in 2019, 2020, and 2023.
I love talking all things Japan and travel, and I would LOVE to plan your next adventure in Japan!
24/01/2024
5 foods you have to try in Fukuoka, Japan! My personal favorite is motsunabe. Which would you try?
savorandsoak.com/blog/5-foods-to-try-in-fukuoka
24/01/2024
Don’t need a full itinerary and booking service?We offer hour-long consulting calls where we can discuss your travel plans, possible itineraries, and recommend everything from hotels to restaurants. We will also use our deep knowledge of Japan and Japanese culture to advise on everything from what to pack to when it’s appropriate to bow.
Book a call: https://www.savorandsoak.com/ -started
23/01/2024
You never climb the same mountain twice, not even in memory.
Memory rebuilds the mountain, changes the weather, retells the jokes, remakes all the moves.
- Lito Tejada-Flores
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Videos
Daruma Dolls Daruma dolls and statues are said to have originated from legends of Bodhidarma, a monk who is said to have founded Zen Buddhism in Japan. The story goes that Bodhidarma meditated for 9 years. During this time, his limbs atrophied, which is why Daruma are depicted without arms or legs. In Japan, Daruma Dolls are a popular way to set and stick to your goals. When you buy a Daruma, both eyes are blank. When you set your goal, paint only the left eye. Once you have achieved your goal, the right eye can then be painted in. The Daruma is helping you to remind you of your goals, and the stern face helps to keep up your determined spirit. Daruma are generally made of paper mache, with flat, weighted bottoms. This helps them to always stay upright even when knocked over. This reminds those who have set goals to keep persevering even after setbacks. Some Daruma are sold with both eyes already painted in. These Daruma are to watch over and protect the household. Some temples in Japan famously hold Daruma burning festivals at the start of the new year, such as the Hatsuichi Matsuri, where Daruma whose goals have been achieved are thanked before being thrown into the fire. #daruma #darumadoll #visitjapan
What I’m packing for a week in Japan at the end of February: I’m packing light, and planning to do laundry once during my stay. Nearly every hotel in Japan has a laundry room and/or laundry service! - 2 pairs of water resistant shoes that are comfortable to walk around in and are easy to slip on and off when entering temples and traditional restaurants - Cute socks which will be seen at the temples and restaurants 😉 - 3 wool sweaters for warmth without the weight - 1 dress, 1 long skirt, and 1 pair of wide-leg trousers - Comfortable airplane outfit - Long wool coat - Scarf (doubles as a blanket on the plane!) - Umbrella - Tote bag as a purse so that I don’t need to carry an extra bag when I buy snacks or souvenirs In Japan, I dress more conservatively and less casually than I would in the US!
My favorite thing to shop for in Japan is vintage and secondhand porcelain. I stop at every antiques store I see when I’m in Japan, and I’ve built up quite a collection of pottery, plates, and mugs over the years! Some of my places to find secondhand and antique porcelain: 📍Kouraku Kiln Treasure Hunt Arita, Saga Prefecture Arita is famous for its porcelain, Arita-yaki. Pay just ¥5,500 to fill a whole shopping basket with vintage and antique porcelain that was never sold in this huge warehouse! 📍Recycle Mart This chain of secondhand stores in Japan sells everything from refrigerators to bicycles, and usually has a pretty large selection of porcelain. It takes some digging, but I’ve found great pieces here! What is your favorite thing to shop for?
I love making tea at home! I’m currently drinking green tea from an area in southern Japan called Yame. How to brew green tea at home: - Use roughly 1 teaspoon per 6 oz cup you’d like to brew. - Water should be hot but not boiling. The perfect temperature for Japanese green teas is 165 degrees F. Hotter water can scald your leaves, leaving them tasting bitter. - Steep for 1-2 minutes based on your preference. Green tea has a very short steeping time compared with other teas. -Enjoy!
I trudge up the path, feet squelching into the mud with each step. Water seeps under my collar and I shiver. But the world smells fresh and new, and everything glistens green and full of life.
There is something so magical to me about exploring the Japanese countryside. I love the narrow, winding roads completely covered by overhanging emerald branches. I love stumbling upon a new hiking route, or discovering a new cafe, or rounding a corner to see steam rising from nearby hot springs. Each discovery is all the sweeter knowing you chanced upon it.
Clear view of Mt Fuji from the window of the shinkansen! #mtfujijapan #bullettrainjapan
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