Studio Ghibli Museum

December 15, 2013

by Devon Sponheimer

Looking to check out one of the most whimsical museums in Japan? In June, the Japlanning team headed to the Studio Ghibli Museum in Mitaka for an animated adventure.

The first thing you’ll need to know is how to get tickets to the museum. With limited entry each day, here’s how.

Taming the train maze - The Tokyo rail network

December 9, 2013

by Bryce Marley

Today Japlanning are giving you the bible on understanding the maze of train lines and companies that cover every inch of the worlds largest city, Tokyo. It's a network that is used by millions a day without issue, which can, at first glance, look confusing and intimidating, however read our guide below and you will step off the plane a pro on all things trains in Tokyo!

When you first start planning a trip to Tokyo, one of the first things you will see is the daunting map of the rail network (above). This scares most people who have never been to Japan, and can even make some reconsider their journey! Don't stress, its a breeze to understand and use while you're in Tokyo.

What I love about Japan - Devons Top 10

November 19, 2013

by Devon Sponheimer

When writing this post, I limited myself to 10, since I could very well go on FOREVER about everything that’s great about Japan. So without further ado……here’s my Top 10!

Japlanning the Menu - Tokyo Disney Resort, POPCORN

November 9, 2013

Today on the menu we’re looking at one of the most happiest places on earth, and one specific food they have in wide variety: It's the popcorn at Tokyo Disney Resort! Now, this isn't your ordinary movie popcorn, read on to find out why Tokyo Disney Resort has the best (and craziest) popcorn around!

When visiting Disneyland parks across the world, it's all about the attractions, fireworks, parades, characters, and also, the food! These magical places are everyone’s "day off" from diets, and your chance to try some amazing and unique food, that we’ll all pretend is healthy. Well today we are showing you the food that the two Japanese Disney Parks, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, are filled with, in many varieties and that Japanese visitors are crazy in love with, popcorn.

Japlanning Tips - Getting connected in Japan

October 28, 2013

It's time to start helping you with the questions that usually don't come up till it's too late. You land in Japan, and want to post it on Facebook. Perhaps you need directions? Japan is the most technological place on earth, however as an outsider, getting online can be challenging. Don’t stress, Japlanning has all the tips on how to make your vacation an e-cation, and get you back on your tweeting way.

Now, to get online in Japan, you could just activate global roaming on your phone, but be careful as this could result in you racking up thousands of dollars of phone bills for data, when you’re just looking up a map to get to the Imperial Palace.

Japlanning 101 - 100 ¥en Stores

October 22, 2013

While Japan can be considered an expensive place to visit, there are many ways to cut costs and save Yen while traveling. One of the big things you save for is shopping while in Japan, and the souvenirs you want to bring back. Today Japlanning is letting you in on a great secret to shop big and spend small on great souvenirs in Japan. It's time to look at the 100 Yen Stores.

Japan is one of the shopping meccas in the world, but sometimes you don't want to spend too much, especially on all those trinkets and typical gifts you bring home from another country for your work colleges, friends and family. Japan has thousands of 100 Yen stores where you can buy a huge range of items, and especially things that are perfect to take home for gifts; all just 100 Yen per item! The stores range in size from small corner shops to large multi-story department stores.