Only got 24 Hours in Tokyo? Here’s what to do👇 🇯🇵
Here’s your time stamped, action-packed day around Tokyo:
8:00 AM – Sensoji Temple: Kick off the day at Tokyo’s oldest temple in Asakusa. Don’t miss the snacks and souvenirs on Nakamise Street!
10:00 AM – Tokyo Skytree: Head up for stunning city views and check out the shops and cafes at Solamachi below.
12:00 PM – Shabu Shabu Lunch: DIY hot pot with thinly sliced meats and fresh veggies—delicious and fun! 🥢
1:30 PM – Akihabara: Explore the anime, gaming, and tech hub of Tokyo—it’s a geek’s dream!
3:00 PM – Meiji Jingu Shrine: Take a peaceful walk through this iconic shrine’s lush forest.
4:30 PM – Shopping in Harajuku: Stroll Takesh*ta Street for funky fashion, accessories, and sweet treats.
6:00 PM – Shibuya Crossing: Experience the world’s busiest intersection—an absolute Tokyo must!
7:00 PM – Izakaya Dinner in Roppongi: Wrap up with yakitori, karaage, and sake at a lively izakaya. 🎉
📍 Where I Stayed: The Pokemon Room at Mitsui Garden Hotel in Ueno! Perfect for a cozy night’s rest before the adventure begins. ⚡️🐾
One day in Tokyo is definitely not enough, but this will give you a great preview of all the amazing things this city has to offer!
Let me know if you have any questions!👇
#discoverjapan #visitjapan #VisitJapanUS #usjapantourismyear2024
All my travel faves in one place + the book that changed my travel life👇
Comment TRIP and I’ll send you the full guide with links to everything for ease!
*Especially for the travel rewards card recs which I can’t fully mention here due to bank rules!*
💸Travel insurance: @safetywing 🫶🏻
🧳Luggage: @monostravel + @nomadlane
✈️Cheap flights: @thriftytraveler @dailydrop @hello_going
💳Travel cards: comment TRIP for my current picks!
🚙Group trip companies: @intrepidtravel @efultimatebreak (also I’m hosting a group trip to China this October! Let me know if you wanna join there’s a few spots left!)
🐈⬛ I hope you enjoyed the cameo of my cat, Moon!!
As always let me know what questions you have — I love sharing more specifics in the comments!
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travel planning, travel tips, cheap flights, points and miles
Yes… I’m scared before every flight I take. But I go anyway.
Can anyone else relate? 🥲
The other day, I was talking to a friend who has never traveled internationally. I asked, “What’s the biggest thing holding you back—money or time off?”
While those were factors, she admitted something else: she was simply intimidated.
She didn’t know where to start.
She thought it would be way too expensive.
She wasn’t sure who to travel with.
She was afraid of a long flight.
And honestly I totally get it!!!! I’ve felt (or still feel) all of these things too.
Spending your hard-earned money on a trip is scary. Saving up or finding ways to travel affordably or asking for time off or going solo can feel overwhelming…
But it IS possible.
My goal with this page has always been to show you how with practical, detailed tips that feel achievable 🥹 And that’s why I had to admit this!!
So if you’ve been holding yourself back or feel anxious about an upcoming trip…
Consider this your reminder: you can do it—even if you’re scared.
The most underrated place in Japan (& where to go!)👇
Have you ever heard of Tottori? 🌊✨
It’s one of Japan’s least-visited prefectures, and honestly, I hadn’t even heard of it until this year.
But it might be one of my favorite areas of Japan now!
From stunning natural landscapes to serene hot springs, Tottori is the perfect destination for anyone looking to escape the crowds and experience a quieter side of Japan.
Here are some highlights from my trip:
🌾 Tottori Sand Dunes: Picture golden dunes stretching endlessly into the ocean—it’s like a slice of the Sahara in Japan!
You can even try paragliding or sandboarding here for a unique adventure!
♨️ Misasa Onsen: This quaint onsen town is famous for its healing hot springs. Stroll through its charming streets, soak in radium-rich baths, and enjoy a slower pace of life.
🏮 Kurayoshi: A historic town with beautifully preserved white-walled storehouses and red-tiled roofs.
Walking through these streets feels like stepping back in time, and it’s perfect for a quiet afternoon of exploring and snapping photos.
If you’re planning a trip to Japan and want to discover something off the beaten path, Tottori is IT.
Add it to your bucket list—you won’t regret it! 🗾❤️
Stay tuned for more off-the-beaten-path destinations in Japan, I’ll be sharing a few more! & let me know if you have any questions! 👇
#discoverjapan #visitjapan #VisitJapanUS #usjapantourismyear2024
For those of us who can’t quit our job to travel
…there are other ways to travel the world more often and for less money!!!
I just got back from IMM in New York City, a yearly media event, where I met dozens of people who work in the travel industry —
— and many of them get to travel the world as a part of their job, OR as a perk of working remotely!
I know it’s not realistic for everyone to quit our full time jobs and travel or become travel creators…
BUT that doesn’t mean traveling a lot isn’t possible.
I thought it would be fun to share some of the ‘behind the scenes’ of work I do/have done for my full time job(s). These jobs are the reason why I’ve been able to afford more travel…and how I’ve learned all my smart travel tips!
👇 Let me know what questions you have, I always love talking about this side of things!
This strategy has yet to fail me! BUT I know it might not be realistic for everyone.
It’s not always possible to book a more expensive refundable faire or to be super flexible like this, but since I flew business class like 6+ times last year I figured I should share how!
This strategy helped me score these biz class flights👇
- 45k pts from Tokyo to LA with ANA
- 75k pts from Auckland to LA with Air NZ
- 65k pts from LA to Tokyo with United
- 75k pts from Tokyo to LA with United
- 70k pts from LA to Zurich with Swiss Air
- 80k pts from Athens to LA with Lufthansa
* all these routes I booked within 1-4 days of take off 😬
I also typically open up 2-3 new cards each year to get sign up bonuses of 80-200k points so that I have enough to fly business class many times.
💬Comment CARDS and I’ll send you my current list of favorites!
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Travel cards, travel rewards cards, points and miles
*NEW* travel updates + TSA rules for 2025 👀 Let me know if you have any questions on these!
✨I’ll be sharing the latest & specific details as we learn more about the ETIAS for Europe travel later this year!
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Travel news, travel rules, tsa, tsa rule, 2025 travel
I’d never heard of this destination before?! You NEED to take this European road-trip at least once in your life!!
This was one of my favorite destinations I visited in 2024 and I can’t wait to return. If you love road trips, beautiful landscapes, colorful towns and friendly locals — you need to plan this trip.
It’s also a GREAT off-season place to visit (which is my personal favorite time of year to travel!)
Have you been? Where are some other underrated places around Europe!?
#FillYourHeartWithIreland @tourismireland #sponsored
These places are too good to NOT re-visit… what do you think? ⬇️
Do you prefer to always visit somewhere new? ✨
Since I always have limited PTO, it can be hard for me to actively choose to re-visit destinations when I have so many other places on my bucket list…
BUT ultimately I’m not trying to check off a certain number of countries or even visit them all & I truly LOVE going back to a place I’ve already been.
👇Where are the places you love revisiting or want to revisit?!
Skiing abroad > skiing in 🇺🇸! & yes, you can find affordable flights to Japan too👇
FLIGHTS ✈️
I recently found $435 round trip tickets to Japan on United for Jan/Feb… which was the same price as flying to Colorado or Montana or Utah! I got alerted about the flight by an email from @thriftytraveler.
TRIP DETAILS 👇
📍 Where: Hakuba Valley — another great option in Japan is Niseko
📅 When: I went in February 2024 & best time to go is Dec-March
🏨 Accommodation: Rented a house with @airbnb + used Marriott points for a hotel. There are tons of affordable options!
🚆 Transport: We flew into Tokyo, then took a bullet train to Nagano for $50 + a quick bus to Hakuba for about $20
🎟️ Tickets: Hakuba allows you to use an @epicpass or if you purchase individual tickets online it’s about $60USD/day!
Depending on how you plan your 2025 ski trip, you CAN make it more affordable in Japan — and also some places in Europe!!! I love planning an international trip around a ski trip for this reason!
Let me know if you have any questions!!
I am SO glad I splurged on these this year!
If you are thinking about what might be worth spending on for your 2025 travel, I hope these can give you a little bit of practical inspiration ✨
What was your best travel splurge of the year??!
You should be following these 5 travel rules…
I live by these rules because they have helped me travel more comfortably, more often, and for less money overall.
I also think many of these help OTHER people travel better too — and I’m all about that 🥹
📌 Part 1 of this series is pinned to my profile!
Any questions on any of this? Let me know!!👇
I help you travel smart & work remote!
