How not to be lost in translation

Tips, travel insights, and itineraries from my two week trip to Japan

One of my most coveted travel destinations has always been Japan. Over the past four years, I had to cancel two separate trips to the country — one in 2019 because it coincided with a book tour and one in 2021 due to COVID restrictions. Each trip was timed to catch Japan’s amazing seasonal displays of spring cherry blossoms or brilliant fall foliage; and both times we cancelled, we were truly bummed to have to unravel our plans.

After COVID restrictions were lifted, we began planning yet another trip to Japan for this year. Because my husband’s work schedule only allowed us to travel in late September, we knew the only seasonal display we’d experience would be heat and humidity. I hadn’t dreamed of visiting Japan when it was nearly 100 degrees and intermittently rainy, but our recent two week trip to Tokyo, Kyoto and Hakone was amazing.

I’ve been asked to recap highlights, recommendations and destinations, so here they are in case you’re planning your own trip (or if you just want to live vicariously through me).

Some general recommendations: