Free 5-day email series

Plan your Japan trip like someone who lives here

Five emails, five days. Everything you need to know before you fly, from what to pack to how to get around. Written by Jay, who lives in Tokyo and runs Unseen Japan.

Hi, I'm Jay.

I founded Unseen Japan as a news outlet in 2018 and I live in Tokyo full-time. I wrote this 5-day series myself. It's the same prep our tours manager, Noah, and I give travelers on our small-group tours, refined over 100+ trips since we started tours in 2023. Tips on what actually works from people who live here.

What you'll get, day by day

Day 1 What to Bring The packing calls that actually matter for Japan, and the ones you can skip.
Day 2 Payment & Transportation Cash vs. card, IC cards, and getting around without getting lost.
Day 3 Cultural Dos & Don'ts From riding the train to using chopsticks, we cover the manners that matter, note the ones that are outdated, and dismiss the ones some viral TikToker just made up.
Day 4 Where to Stay Picking neighborhoods and lodging that fit how you actually want to travel and see Japan.
Day 5 Escape the Airport The fastest, least stressful route from landing, followed by an in-depth guide on what to eat (and how to find the best places).

Start the series free

Enter your email and Day 1 lands in your inbox now.