Lauren Shannon has been living in Japan for over 25 years and is a partner at Arigato Tours. Lauren shares Kyoto’s unique take on sushi, creative Matcha dishes, and the massive Nishiki market. Plus, a deep dive into sake. [Ep 378]
Show Notes:
Destination Eat Drink food and travel guides
Destinati…Lauren Shannon has been living in Japan for over 25 years and is a partner at Arigato Tours. Lauren shares Kyoto’s unique take on sushi, creative Matcha dishes, and the massive Nishiki market. Plus, a deep dive into sake. [Ep 378]
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What happens when your brother calls and says, "Want to meet me in Japan?" If you're Adventurer Cosette, you don't think twice. In this episode, hosts Joe Saul-Sehy and Crystal Hammond sit down with Cosette to unpack a spontaneous, unforgettable journey that crisscrossed South Korea and Japan.
Fr…What happens when your brother calls and says, "Want to meet me in Japan?" If you're Adventurer Cosette, you don't think twice. In this episode, hosts Joe Saul-Sehy and Crystal Hammond sit down with Cosette to unpack a spontaneous, unforgettable journey that crisscrossed South Korea and Japan.
From wandering Seoul's vibrant night markets and exploring the DMZ, to immersing herself in the peaceful reflection of Hiroshima and hiking snowy trails to spy on wild snow monkeys, Cosette's story is packed with cultural depth, scenic beauty, and a little chaos (including a rough flight home!). Along the way, she dressed up for Ninja class, tackled Japan's legendary Nine Bath Challenge in Shibu Onsen, and uncovered hidden gems across Kyoto and Kanazawa.
If you've ever dreamed of diving into a new country on short notice, this episode is for you. The crew also shares practical travel hacks—like how to find last-minute flight deals, why power banks are non-negotiable, and what you should really expect from Mount Fuji.
Highlights include:
• What it's like to travel internationally on a whim
• How Korean and Japanese culture differ—and surprise you
• Packing tips and tech gear that saved the day
• Memorable stops: Hiroshima Peace Memorial, Kyoto's Bamboo Forest, and Tokyo's massive crowds
• Bonus challenge: Did Cosette complete all nine hot spring baths?
Whether you're planning your first overseas trip or just dreaming of adventure from your couch, this episode reminds you: the best stories happen when you say "yes."more
Today, we take you halfway around the world and delve into Crystal's exhilarating journey to Japan. From the bustling streets of Tokyo and the serene temples of Kyoto to the breathtaking heights of Mount Fuji, you'll be taken on a tour of Japan's top destinations. The episode highlights the intricac…Today, we take you halfway around the world and delve into Crystal's exhilarating journey to Japan. From the bustling streets of Tokyo and the serene temples of Kyoto to the breathtaking heights of Mount Fuji, you'll be taken on a tour of Japan's top destinations. The episode highlights the intricacies of traveling with a friend, navigating public transportation, using Groupon for travel deals, and maximizing sightseeing experiences. Additionally, we address Crystal's challenges, such as broken luggage, and provide actionable travel tips like using packing cubes and leveraging technology for translations. Can you guess the gear of the week? Joe couldn't!
On this episode:
• Introduction and TWA Nostalgia
• Revealing the Destination: Japan
• Travel Companions and Planning
• Booking and Using Groupon for Travel
• Flight Experience with Singapore Airlines
• Exploring Tokyo and Mount Fuji
• Pit Stop and Gear of the Day
• Exploring Tokyo's Must-See Sites
• The Sensory Overload of Tokyo's Fish Market
• Shopping Adventures: Takita Street and the Hundred Yen Store
• Luggage Troubles and Souvenir Overload
• Dining Experiences in Tokyo
• Kyoto: Ancient Temples and Modern Delights
• Mount Fuji and the Awe-Inspiring Cable Car Ride
• Japan's Cleanliness and the Bullet Train Experience
• Final Thoughts and Future Adventures Head to StackingAdventures.com for our show notes!
Have you traveled to Japan? Share your story for our follow-up episode! http://stackingadventures.com/voicemailmore
Hello, and welcome to episode 154! This week, I am joined by Tony R. Vega, a legally blind content creator who shares his journey of walking the Tokaido Road between Kyoto and Tokyo and his life living in Hawaii, USA.
In this conversation, Tony discusses his experiences living in Hawaii and his lov…Hello, and welcome to episode 154! This week, I am joined by Tony R. Vega, a legally blind content creator who shares his journey of walking the Tokaido Road between Kyoto and Tokyo and his life living in Hawaii, USA.
In this conversation, Tony discusses his experiences living in Hawaii and his love for Japan. He shares his journey of learning Japanese and his passion for the country's culture. Tony also talks about his walks across Japan, including the historic Takaido road from Kyoto to Tokyo. He provides insights into life in Japan, his challenges as a visually impaired person, and the importance of accessibility. The conversation highlights the unique aspects of different cities in Japan and offers recommendations for those interested in experiencing Japanese culture. The main themes include exploring different cities, the historical significance of the Tokaido Road, the challenges faced during the walk, and the food experiences along the way.
Key Takeaways
• Living in Hawaii offers a unique connection to Japan due to the large Japanese population and the availability of Japanese food and culture.
• The walks across Japan, such as the Takaido road, provide opportunities for exploration and immersion in Japanese history and culture.
• Tony's experiences as a visually impaired person shed light on the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in society.
Tony is a creator on YouTube; please check out his links below + give him a subscription and a follow!
Thanks, Tony, for coming on!
You can also watch this episode on Spotify and YouTube.
Host/Producer/Creator/Writer/Composer/Editor - James Hammond
Podcast Art Design - Swamp Soup Company - Harry Utton
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I can't tell you how excited I have been for this trip and to be recording our first "On Location" episode of Luxury Travel Insider.
While I love all my trips, this one is really special because Japan is brand new for me! Yep - I've been to over 100 countries and all 7 continents twice or more, bu…I can't tell you how excited I have been for this trip and to be recording our first "On Location" episode of Luxury Travel Insider.
While I love all my trips, this one is really special because Japan is brand new for me! Yep - I've been to over 100 countries and all 7 continents twice or more, but this is my first time here.
I was supposed to visit in 2020 but of course the Pandemic had other plans. Now all of a sudden, Japan is one of our top destinations this year at Bell & Bly Travel, so I just needed to see it for myself!
This week I'll be recording some of my impressions of the country, my favorite experiences, and answering some of your questions too.
Pour a glass of your favorite Japanese whisky and join me on this adventure to Tokyo & Kyoto!
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This week on the podcast we're talking about Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara. We based ourselves in Osaka for nearly 2 weeks and took that opportunity to explore the city of Osaka, including the Osaka Castle, Dotonburi, Universal Studios Japan, as well as some of the amazing restaurants and arcades that…This week on the podcast we're talking about Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara. We based ourselves in Osaka for nearly 2 weeks and took that opportunity to explore the city of Osaka, including the Osaka Castle, Dotonburi, Universal Studios Japan, as well as some of the amazing restaurants and arcades that Osaka has to offer. We also took a number of day trips from Osaka and explored Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara. In this episode, we share why we chose Osaka, what the city is like, as well as what we did on each of our day trips, and much more. Enjoy! In this episode:
• An overhead view of how we planned out this part of our Japan trip
• Why we chose Osaka in particular
• How we split up our days working while traveling around Osaka
• Our day trips to Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara
• Travelling by train in Japan and planning out your routes in advance
• Spending 5 days in central Osaka, and our highlights from visiting restaurants and arcades in the city
• Visiting Universal Studios Japan, the Osaka Castle, Dotonburi, and moremore
