Trixie Travels: Japan!

I absolutely and categorically LOVE Japan! It's incredibly easy to get around, the people are friendly and warm and obviously the food absolutely slaps. I cannot recommend it enough. 

I’ve just returned from two glorious weeks and obviously along the way I was taking copious notes to share with the Miss Trix community. I wanted to share four of my top travel tips if you are looking to head to Japan + access to my maps! I've saved heaps along the way and it feels right to share my favourite places with you - you'll find my notes on each place in my maps. 

Let's start with the tips....

1. Take the trains!
The trains in Japan are incredibly fast and punctual, they make the rest of the world, particularly Melbourne, look as though we legit travel backwards. They’re clean, quiet, and an absolute dream to navigate, even if you don’t speak the local language. You can buy your tickets at the stations or buy in advance - either way, it's a breeze. There are often foreign tourist officers at the stations to help you out. The only thing that is a pain (and it truly shocks me that this is still the way it's done in Japan) is that you will need cash to top up your IC card (your local metro card - much like a Myki!) so make sure you have cash on you at all times! 

2. Keep it clean.
Japan is spotless - like, “you could eat your sashimi off the footpath” spotless. There are very few public bins, so you will need to take your rubbish with you. Bring a little bag with you and ensure you keep it clean! 

3. NEVER underestimate a convenience store. And the food they sell.
The food at Japan’s train stations and convenience stores is chef’s kiss perfection. 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson - they’re iconic in their own right. Perfect fluffy egg sandwiches (IYKYK), onigiri, fried chicken for the late night walk home, and sweet treats and ice-creams that put our local milk bars to shame. I think I entered a convenience store or a 'combini' every day when I was there. 

4. Don't break the rules. Follow them. 
Japan runs on mutual respect and gentle order. It’s quiet on the trains, shoes are a no-go indoors, people queue beautifully, and it's peaceful on public transport. Go with the flow, follow the rules, and you’ll feel right at home. Or at the very least look like a respectful foreigner who’s done their homework.

5. Pack light. And buy a suitcase whilst you're there.
The shopping in Japan is next level so only take your essentials Thrift stores the size of Costco, incredible consignment shops and local boutiques - it is a shopping addict's HAVEN! Not to mention my favourite, Don Quijoto, the mega discount store that is arguably a trap, but one of my favourite destinations. It is sensory overload in the best possible way. Pick up a discounted suitcase from here and smugly show it off to your friends and family when you return (precisely what I did!). 

I hope my tips help you with your travels!! Now below, see my Google maps with all my saved pins! 

TOKYO
KYOTO
OSAKA
JAPAN - everywhere else (Hiroshima, Naroshima, Takayama region) 

Happy travels xx