The Japan Travel Pros Podcast

Episodet

• Part 2 - Staying Local in Japan at Rise's House 21.07.2026 34min

  In this episode, the second of a two-part series, we're joined by Rise-san, the founder of:⁠Rise's House in Nishio, Aichi Prefecture⁠If you haven't listened to part 1 yet, we encourage you to do so before listening to Part 2.In Part 2 of our conversation, Rise-san returns to talk about the people, places and ideas that have shaped Rise's House in Nishio, Aichi Prefecture.We explore how local neighborhoods, traditional homes and everyday encounters can become some of the most memorable parts of a trip to Japan. Rise-san also shares his thoughts on welcoming international visitors, building connections within the community and what he means by becoming a "forever local."Where to connect with Rise-san:⁠⁠https://riseshouse.com/en/⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/rise_s_house/⁠See Rise-san on YouTube with John Daub of Only in Japan:⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztObV24dT7c⁠Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way.Get started at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠__________Episode Chapters:(00:00) Opening(00:52) Intro & background(01:37) About the house & local neighborhood (09:07) Why many homes in Japan are vacant nowadays(13:10) Taking risk in Japan, as an entrepreneur & as a traveler(23:07) Interacting with local Japanese people on your trip(32:45) ClosingTheme Music:Intro: "Island Travel" by AnonymentOutro: "Investor Night" by Anonyment(both tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)
• Staying Local in Japan at Rise's House - Part 1 19.07.2026 32min

  In this episode, the first of a two-part series, Rise-san joins us for a conversation about hospitality, community and a different way of experiencing Japan. Rise-san is the founder of:Rise's House in Nishio, Aichi PrefectureInspired by a serendipitous journey abroad, Rise-san returned to Japan with a vision of creating a place where travelers could connect with local people, businesses and everyday life in his hometown.In Part 1 of our conversation, we talk about the experiences that shaped his journey, why Nishio has so much more to offer than many visitors realize and how meaningful travel often begins with simple human connections.Where to connect with Rise-san:⁠https://riseshouse.com/en/⁠https://www.instagram.com/rise_s_house/See Rise-san on YouTube with John Daub of Only in Japan:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztObV24dT7cBrought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way.Get started at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠⁠⁠⁠__________Episode Chapters:(00:00) Opening(00:52) Intro & background(03:05) About Rise-san & Rise's House (14:10) Rise's journey & inspiration(21:20) The guest experience at Rise's House(31:32) ClosingTheme Music:Intro: "Island Travel" by AnonymentOutro: "Investor Night" by Anonyment(both tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)
• Japan Travel Myths vs Reality 10.07.2026 26min

  Japan Rail Pass?Trains always on time?Japanese food is always healthy?Japan is living in the future?In this episode, we break down some common Japan travel myths and what first-time visitors should know before planning around them.Plus a listener question about luggage forwarding.-Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way.Get started at ⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠__________Episode Chapters:(00:00) Intro(01:23) Luggage forwarding (Listener Question)(07:59) Japan Rail Pass Myth(12:53) Trains are always on time Myth(17:57) All Japanese food is healthy Myth(22:42) Japan is living in the future Myth(25:34) Closing Remarks with Ari__________Theme Music:"Tokyo Nights" by Snoozy Beatslicensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License (free download available from the Snoozy Beats page on Free Music Archive)-----More Music:"旅ゆけば" by Tinymemory (Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)_________S1E5 episode page on the Japan Travel Pros website:https://www.japantravelpros.com/podcast/season-1-episode-japan-travel-myths-reality
• Japan Travel: You Don’t Have to Do Everything 04.07.2026 42min

  In this episode, Yuki joins us for a conversation about photography, Tokyo, local neighborhoods and the pressure travelers often feel to fit everything into one trip.Yuki grew up in the States with Japanese family, visited Japan throughout his life and eventually moved to Japan as an adult. The conversation starts with photography, but it quickly opens up into a broader discussion about how Japan has changed, what Tokyo feels like nowadays and why some of the best travel moments can happen outside of your checklist.If you’re planning a trip to Japan and wondering how to balance famous places with more local experiences, this episode is for you.Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way.Get started at ⁠⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠⁠__________Episode Chapters:(00:00) Intro(01:59) Yuki’s connection to Japan and photography(04:15) Japan’s tourism boom and what has changed(07:45) Kobe, Himeji and seeing Japan through photography(14:30) Shimoda, Kawazu and overlooked places beyond the usual route(18:50) Tokyo beyond the obvious neighborhoods(26:00) Akihabara, Nakano and the west side of Tokyo(38:30) Advice from Yuki for your Japan trip(41:22) ClosingTheme Music:Intro: "Island Travel" by AnonymentOutro: "Investor Night" by Anonyment(both tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)S1E4 episode page on the Japan Travel Pros podcast:https://www.japantravelpros.com/podcast/season-1-episode-4-japan-travel-you-dont-have-to-do-everything
• Kyoto, the Japan Travel Bubble & Planning with Intention 28.06.2026 52min

  Ari is joined by Brad for the first guest episode of Japan Travel Pros.Brad first visited Japan in the 1980s, lived here in the 1990s and recently returned with his family. In this conversation, Brad & Ari talk about how Japan has changed over the years, what still feels familiar and why the small moments often feel more meaningful than the big checklist items.They talk about Kyoto, bullet trains, food, taxis, Japan over the years, travel bubbles and the pressure people feel to “do Japan right.”Mostly, it’s a conversation about staying curious, getting a little uncomfortable and giving yourself permission to have the trip that actually works for you.Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way.Get started at ⁠⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan⁠__________Episode Chapters:(00:00) Intro(01:34) Japan Then & Now, In the Media & More(05:45) Living in Japan, Appreciating the Details(13:40) Perceptions & Reality in Japan(21:02) Cultural Awareness & Effort(28:30) Kyoto(42:46) Brad's Advice for Travelers to Japan(51:36) Closing Remarks with AriTheme Music:Intro: "Island Travel" by AnonymentOutro: "Investor Night" by Anonyment(both tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)S1E3 episode page on the Japan Travel Pros website:https://www.japantravelpros.com/podcast/season-1-episode-3-guest-episode-kyoto-japan-travel-bubble
• Listener Q&A: Rice, Cash, Underrated Japan & More 21.06.2026 34min

  In this episode, we answer a round of Japan travel questions submitted by our listeners, clients and alumni. We cover practical insights on local food, weather, logistics and much more.What we discuss:Rice in Japan, and Japanese food expectations inside versus outside JapanUnderrated destinations, foods & experiences in Japan (a few of our picks)Japan travel for vegetariansHow much cash you need to carry and when you will need itTraveling to Japan in the summer & whether it is right for youBrought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way.Get started at ⁠JapanTravelPros.com/plan__________Episode Chapters:(00:00) Cold Open(00:55) Intro(01:23) Rice in Japan & Outside Japan(06:35) Underrated Japan(15:28) Japan for Vegetarians(22:22) Cash in Japan(26:33) Summer Travel in Japan(33:16) Closing Remarks with Ari__________Theme Music"Tokyo Nights" by Snoozy Beatslicensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License (free download available from the Snoozy Beats page on Free Music Archive)S1E2 episode page on the Japan Travel Pros website:https://www.japantravelpros.com/podcast/season-1-episode-2-listener-questions-answers
• Japan: Travel & Food 15.06.2026 53min

  Food is one of the biggest reasons people visit Japan. It's also a topic that makes a lot of visitors anxious.In this first full episode of the Japan Travel Pros Podcast, Ari takes a look at convenience stores, ramen chains, famous food markets - and some of the alternatives that can make your trip feel more local & legit.Beyond food, this episode is about a travel philosophy. It's about eschewing travel FOMO & the pressure to "do Japan the right way."Most of all, it's about figuring out which priorities are actually yours.Brought to you by Japan Travel Pros. We make travel planning make sense. Clients from around the world trust our Japan-based local travel experts. We give you context and good judgment, and you get the confidence to travel to Japan your way.Get started at JapanTravelPros.com/plan***Topics in this episode include:• Why Japan feels different from many other travel destinations right now• Social media, AI & today's travel planning rabbit hole• Convenience stores (konbini): useful, overhyped or both?• Famous restaurants & the power of recommendations• Japan's popular (with tourists) markets• Local alternatives• Traveling with more confidence and less second-guessing__________Episode Chapters:(00:00) Cold Open(00:53) Intro Segment - Japan, Food & Hype(17:03) Konbini - Convenience Stores(25:33) Ichiran, Chain vs Local Ramen(31:34) Markets in Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka(41:05) Local & Legit Eats in Japan(51:43) Closing Remarks with AriTheme Music"Tokyo Nights" by Snoozy Beats licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International License (free download available from the Snoozy Beats page on Free Music Archive)S1E1 episode page on the Japan Travel Pros website:https://www.japantravelpros.com/podcast/season-1-episode-1-japan-travel-food
• Trailer 10.06.2026 2min

  A quick preview of The Japan Travel Pros Podcast.Ari introduces the show and what we’ll be talking about: Japan travel, food, cities, regions, seasons, crowds, tourist traps, baseball, sumo... did we mention food?!(learn more at www.japantravelpros.com)