This week on Wander Every Day, I’m joined by my wonderful friend Maddie, who’s no stranger to Japan — she’s traveled there three times, spent over six weeks exploring the country, and just so happens to be married to someone who grew up there.

In this episode, Maddie takes us along on her most recent trip:

✨ Visiting her husband’s hometown of Misaki in Chiba
🌸 Exploring Nikko and sipping morning coffee by the river
🎤 Singing karaoke and missing the last train in Tokyo
🦌 Traveling solo to Nara with a peaceful day trip to Minoo waterfall
🚄 Experiencing her first bullet train ride
🍱 And of course — the food: tonkatsu, konbini snacks, and all-you-can-drink beer

She also reflects on highlights from previous visits to Kyoto, Okinawa, and Hakone, sharing tips, funny stories, and favourite off-the-beaten-path moments.

If Japan is on your list — or you just love hearing honest, thoughtful travel stories — this episode is packed with inspiration, laughs, and seriously great recs.

🎧 Press play and let’s wander.

00:00 Overview of Travel to Japan

4:00 Japan Working Holiday Visa

8:11 Overview of Maddie: Previous Trips to Japan, Solo Travel + Budget Style and Planning Approach

18:51 Chiba: Authentic Japan, Socializing Customs + Surfing

22:50: Nikko: Dewy Mountain Vibes, Hostel Coffee by the River + See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil

30:32 Tokyo: Overview of Tokyo Regions, Tonkatsu/Ramen + Missing the Last Train

38:27: Nara: Aggressive(ish) Deer, Japanese Customs + the Shinkansen

48:48 Osaka, Kyoto + Tokyo: General Overview of the Golden Route

54:46 Okinawa: Beaches, Mazemen + Zamami Island

57:17 Hakone: Onsens, Mount Fuji + Japanese Food Talk

1:03:55 Final Review of Japanese Activities and Reflection on Trip

1:06:42 This or That: Japan Edition

1:07:52 Listener Questions: Luggage Forwarding, Where to Revisit in Japan + Is Cherry Blossom Season Worth It?