Blog
Local guides, honest reviews, and the spots I actually send friends to — organized by area below.
Where I Eat in Yokohama Chinatown: Shanghai Yakisoba at Banraitei
Yokohama Chinatown has hundreds of restaurants, and that's the problem. One I keep going back to is Banraitei, a family-run Shanghai restaurant with its own noodle factory across the road.
How to Order Iekei Ramen in Yokohama
Iekei was born in Yokohama, and I've been eating it my whole life. Here's how I order it, and what I'd tell a first-timer walking into Yoshimuraya.
Heiwajima Onsen: A Real Natural Hot Spring Near Haneda Airport
A natural hot spring pulled from 2,000 metres underground, a few minutes from Haneda Airport — plus a late-night stay plan built for anyone flying in or out on an early or late flight.
Onsen vs Sento: What's Actually the Difference?
An Onsen Sommelier breaks down what actually separates an onsen from a sento — the legal definition, how locals really use each one, and why the tattoo question isn't as simple as people think.
A Hakone Day Trip: Soba at Akatsukian and Onsen at Tenzan
A day trip to Hakone with a friend, built around just two stops — bamboo charcoal soba at Akatsukian and a deep dive into Tenzan Onsen's two hot spring sources, from an Onsen Sommelier's perspective.
Noge Izakaya Hopping: Round Two
Three more stops in Noge — a tachinomi with a ticket system, a charcoal grill and sake spot, and a sushi counter where you write your own order on paper.
Can a Hot Spring Really Make Your Skin Softer? My Search for Japan's Beauty Water
I'd heard the phrase bijin no yu — beauty water — my whole life without knowing what it actually meant. So I went looking for it, starting with Tokyo's black-water onsen and my home onsen in Yokohama.
Irodori Yukashiki Hana to Hana: A Ryokan Review from an Onsen Sommelier
A ryokan review of Hana to Hana in Yunishigawa Onsen, Tochigi — covering the alkaline hot springs, irori hearth dinner, sake tasting, and what makes this mountain retreat worth the trip.
My Go-To Yokohama Day Trip — And Why I Turned It Into a PDF
I've taken more people around Yokohama than I can count. Eventually it made more sense to just write it down.
Best Ramen in Yokohama: A Local's Guide to Three Styles Worth Knowing
Yokohama has a strong ramen identity — iekei was born here. But the city's scene is broader than that. Three shops I keep coming back to, each a different style.
Nagominoyado Hanagokoro Review: A Private Onsen Ryokan in Hakone's Gora
A small adults-only ryokan in Gora with 8 rooms, each with its own private outdoor bath. Here's what the onsen water is actually like — and why August in Hakone makes more sense than you'd expect.
How to Use an Onsen in Japan: A First-Timer's Guide
A certified Onsen Sommelier's guide to using a Japanese hot spring properly — including the five bathing principles.
Yokohama Nightlife: A Local Guide to Noge
Noge is where Yokohama locals actually drink — narrow streets, cheap highballs, and izakayas that haven't changed in decades. Here's how to do it right.
Custom Guide vs. Guidebook vs. Guided Tour: How to Plan a Day Trip in Japan
Guidebook, guided tour, or custom itinerary? An honest breakdown to help you figure out which one fits your day trip in Kanagawa.
What's Inside a Japan with Takuma Itinerary?
A look at exactly what you get when you order a personalized Kanagawa day trip — and why it's built differently from anything you'd find on Google.
Yokohama Day Trip from Tokyo: What to See, Eat, and Do
From Chinatown to the waterfront, here's how to spend a perfect day in Yokohama — Tokyo's stylish neighbor just 30 minutes away.