Japan
FOR THE TRAVELERS | EPISODE 02
Presented by Matador
FOR THE TRAVELERS | EPISODE 02
Not your First-Timer’s Guide to Japan
Japan is the kind of place you could visit again and again and still feel like you’ve barely scratched the surface. Beyond the tourist spots and must-see cities, some of the best experiences are found in quieter neighborhoods, small towns, local traditions, and places you might not think to seek out on your first trip.
These travel moments will take you beyond the usual 10-day Japan travel itinerary sprint. Discover which popular landmarks are worth the stop, and when to dive deeper.
Welcome to For The Travelers
For The Travelers is a documentary series presented by Matador, following filmmaker and traveler Olessia Pliousnina as she spends a year chasing stories that make travel meaningful.
For the second episode, she lands somewhere she’s been before. This return trip to Japan brought unexpected experiences, a deepened respect for Japanese culture, and memories in the form of stories, hand-crafted souvenirs, and new perspectives.
Below you’ll find a mix of iconic Tokyo locations and off-the-beaten path experiences from the film. Olessia shares travel notes and reflections from her time in Japan.
What most travelers miss on their first trip to Japan
This is my third time back in Japan.
The first time in Japan, I had a 10 Day Itinerary. Every hour was planned, and I was collecting Japan.
Second time, same thing. Still running.
But this time, I didn’t come back with a list. I came back for the clean Japanese life. The walks, the coffee shops, and the slow mornings.
I’ve got a wild year ahead of me. Dozens of countries, things I can’t even plan for yet. So, before all that kicks in, I wanted the slowness.
And that’s when Japan actually broke my brain. Not on the first trip. Not on the second. But when I finally stopped performing tourism and just showed up.
Here’s where I went, what I learned, and what I recommend for traveling to Tokyo, Japan in the Spring.
7 Tips For Traveling in Japan:
- Slow down. It's tempting to "maximize your trip", running from city to city. Instead, my advice to you is to give each city the time it deserves and embrace the slowness. You'll see more that way.
- Pack light. Japan is notorious for small hotel rooms. You won’t have a lot of room to begin with. Don’t take up unnecessary space with oversize luggage.
- Keep some Japanese Yen on hand. You may need cash for temples (see Kamakura day trip below), hole-in-the wall restaurants, small, independently owned guesthouses, emergencies, etc.
- Japan uses 100V Type A outlets. U.S. two-prong plugs fit, while travelers from Europe and other regions will need an adapter; check voltage compatibility for high-powered devices and three-prong plugs.
- Be prepared to take your shoes off. Wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off. And maybe reconsider those embarrassing socks you should’ve thrown out months ago.
- Tattoos can be limiting. Some onsens, pools, gyms, and spas restrict access, so check policies ahead of time. You may want to look for tattoo-friendly onsens or book a ryokan with a private bath.
- Use public transit. Tokyo’s train and subway system is the easiest way to get around. Load a Suica or PASMO card on your phone for quick tap-and-go travel.
Places to visit on your trip to Japan
As seen in For The Travelers | Episode 2 Tokyo, Japan:
- Shibuya crossing
- Sumo wrestling (Tokyo Luxury Sumo Experience with Deluxe Japanese Cuisine)
- Coin Luck ring making
More Stops From My Japan Trip
- Tokyo Tower
- Yoyogi Train Crossing
- Senso-ji / Asakusa Area
- Omoide Yokocho (Dinner Alleyway)
- Shinjuku Area
Pro Travel Tip:
- Take a day trip to Kamakura surfer town
Kamakura is known as one of the best day trips from Tokyo. Just a 1-hour train ride from the capital, you can have a full day of adventures in this Japanese surf town.
How to have the best day trip to Kamakura, Japan
I heard that there’s a place in Japan that’s like a mini Hawaii. If you take a 4:30am train, you’re there before sunrise even hits, and you beat all the crowds.
It was also told that there’s a beach where people are already surfing before you even had coffee. The smoothie bowls hit different here. And on a clear day, you can see Fuji in the distance.
I heard the temples of Kamakura are stunning. However, they are cash only. Nobody told us. So we had to pivot our plans. Instead, we walked around the town and found a cute coffee shop. We enjoyed coffee and interactions with the locals.
If you explore the little towns and villages, you find a lot of train crossings. There’s even a train crossing that anime fans go crazy over.
That’s how you have the best day trip to Kamakura, Japan.
Where to go in Kamakura, Japan
- Kamakurakōkōmae Station
- Shichirigahama Beach
- The Sunrise Shack
- Inamuragasaki Station: loads of cool train crossings in the local villages
- Hase-dera Temple (cash only)
- The Pass Coffee Shop
Gear From The Road
This trip, I took the "less is more" approach. Less running. Less checked baggage. Less headaches. Slowing down and packing light, means choosing the right gear for the trip. From carry-on backpacks to day bags, here's what we brought to travel to Japan.
35L Global Travel Pack
The ultimate backpack for international travel. With a 35 liter capacity, it's designed for travelers crossing the continent.
30L Carry-on Travel Pack
The best option for a carry-on bag that goes with you throughout your daily adventures.
18L Personal item travel pack
Small and mighty, this backpack was made to fit the personal item requirements for most small and budget airlines.
24L Tote Pack
A fully-loaded tote bag that withstands weather and carries everything you need for a day out exploring.
30L Packable Duffel Bag
A stealthy choice for storing souvenirs or easily stashing your belongings. Packs down into its own pocket when not in use.
Takeaways From Japan
The thing you’re looking for is usually right there. You just have to stop running. I started a journal in Japan, and it’s still not full. All because I kept moving on. But I brought it back here and have been writing in it ever since.
Some countries deserve to be seen more than once. You have to return to them. Not because you missed something, but because you are different. You need to meet that place again as whoever you are now.
Don’t close the journal just because you moved on. Some stories need more than one trip to finish. And that’s why Japan broke my brain. And I mean that as the highest compliment a place can get. Because the ones that break you open—those are the ones that stay.
About Olessia
Olessia is a filmmaker, traveler, and host of For The Travelers. She travels to experience places as they are — not just as they’re recommended — and follows the moments that make a trip worth remembering.
About For The Travelers
For The Travelers is a documentary series presented by Matador. Each episode follows Olessia to a new destination, pairing real travel stories with practical guides for going there yourself.
Other Stories
