About This Blog

Hi, I'm the person behind Japan by a Local — a native Japanese who wants to help you travel Japan the way locals actually experience it.

Most Japan travel content online is written by visitors who spent a few weeks here. That's fine, but it tends to cover the same spots, make the same assumptions, and miss the unwritten rules that locals take for granted.

This blog is different. Every article is written from the inside out: what it feels like to grow up eating at izakayas, how to actually navigate a temple visit without accidentally offending anyone, which dishes locals order (and which are just for tourists), and which neighborhoods are worth your limited time.

The goal is simple: help you feel at home in Japan, not just pass through it.

What you'll find here

• Itineraries — realistic, day-by-day routes built around how Japanese people actually use their cities
• Food guides — how to order, what to expect, and what's genuinely worth your time
• Culture & manners — the do's and don'ts that will make your trip smoother and more respectful