[00:00:00] Ever dream of going to Japan, not just once, but every year. Me too. I'm John. And that dream became my mission, which is why I started rewarding routes. A podcast about making Japan travel possible. Year after year, I learned how to leverage credit cards to earn points and miles turning everyday spending into flights and hotel stays across Japan.

Each episode I'll share what I've learned from booking award travel to building meaningful itineraries and deep diving into regions, traditions, and experiences that make this country so special. Let's build your rewarding route one trip at a time. In life, we all have those moments where something just clicks where everything feels right, like we've found a place or like an experience that just fits who we are.

I've been lucky enough to visit a lot of countries and each one's given me [00:01:00] something memorable. An experience that will always stay with me, but nothing has ever really clicked with me like Japan has. This takes me back to 2020 when I was first really investing my time into learning about Japan because we were all kind of trapped in our homes during the time of the pandemic and.

I remember when I was on YouTube and researching and learning more about Japan to then finally visiting in 2023. There was something different about it, the energy, the calm, the little details. It just all connected with me like no other place has. Now, don't get me wrong, I do wanna visit the rest of the world and I will continue to visit other countries.

But I know no matter where I go, I'll always find my way back to Japan as often as I [00:02:00] can. And look, I know it's easy to romanticize Japan. It's something a lot of us do. We see the spotless streets. We, we see the bullet trains, the incredible food, and it feels like a fantasy land kind of portrayed in animes, in mangas.

But like anywhere else, Japan has its flaws to No place is perfect. I know about the demanding war culture and the social pressure of fitting in. A lot of towns are kind of disappearing because of the age population and younger people moving to the bigger cities, which kind of leaves these smaller communities.

That were once lively, kind of stuck in time and, and completely abandoned. And I just wanted to be transparent because I know about those other things. I know about the other side of Japan and I understand that. But even with that, no place is perfect. Uh, [00:03:00] just like the us no place is perfect and it's a place that there are so many things that.

Resonate with me that keep pulling me back and wanting to visit and to learn about this country. And in this episode, I'm gonna go over 25 reasons. I keep going back to Japan. So let's start off with number one, and this is my personal goal, uh, when it comes to Japan, and that is visiting all 47 prefectures.

I guess you can say. It's kind of like visiting all 50 states in the US but in Japan there are 47 prefectures, and this is something that. I would just like to experience for myself my bucket list number one goal. And to do that, I'm gonna have to keep visiting again and again, and it's my number one in this list after this number one, uh, is in no particular order, [00:04:00] but I wanted to make sure that I highlighted this one because , it's a reason for me to keep going back and it's a way for me to experience.

The identity of so many different places in Japan. There's just so many places to see and things to do in foods to experience. Something that I actually haven't done yet, which I plan on doing is renting a car.

And this will be such a freeing and exciting experience because, , not only will I be able to take my time and visit so many different prefectures in so many different cities and stop at, uh, different micki, which are like roadside stations, I think it's just an exciting way to, to really soak in the gaps between, , major cities and to be able to see smaller towns and , I think it'll be a great way to experience and [00:05:00] view Japan, , while renting a car, even though the public transportation and the trains are fantastic.

It's actually one of my reasons in this list. But I know renting a car will just add to the experience. So it's something I'm really looking forward to. And that is my number one goal is to visit all 47 prefectures. And for number two, it's the respectful culture and everyday manners and politeness is deeply ingrained in the Japanese culture.

. People treat other people with genuine respect. And you'll notice this when you visit and how calm and courteous people are, and you'll see this and experience this when you visit if you haven't already, how respectful they are of your space. A good example of this was a moment that really stuck with me, and that was while I was watching the World Cup back in 2018, and also [00:06:00] the most recent one back in 2022, and you'd see the Japanese supporters staying behind after matches to help clean up the stadium trash bags in hand.

They picked up the litter. That wasn't even there sometimes. Um, you just don't see this, and especially in the US you, you don't see this. And that's just something that's just a part of their culture. A sense of responsibility, a sense of respect for shared spaces. Uh, and that in those moments really stuck out to me as I'm a big soccer fan, football fan, uh, watching the World Cup and seeing that.

Was for me, really cool. Uh, it is just something we don't experience here in the us. Usually stadiums are filled with trash and I'm guilty of that. You know, whenever I go to a stadium, I'll leave a little popcorn bucket or something under my seat. So me seeing that now makes me [00:07:00] want to do better.

So I, I think that's really cool. And that's a moment that really stuck out to me. Of how the, um, how respectful the Japanese are. , Number three is quiet public spaces. So this kind of, um, goes back to that respectful culture of not being loud on trains. , Keeping more to yourself, being mindful of other people around you.

Everyone's mindful of other's space, and. It can leave a calm and peaceful, uh, effect. Even in such a busy city as Tokyo, you can feel so many quiet spaces throughout the city. Um, cars are not honking like it's New York. Um, people aren't speaking loudly. It's just a more calming, a more peaceful, and you can really feel it when you walk through the side streets [00:08:00] and.

And through different neighborhoods on how quiet public spaces can feel, and it's really calming. It's really cool to just be able to walk in areas and just kind of take in everything and. , You'll see what I mean in certain places. And of course there are places that are louder than others.

Um, but overall, you'll get a lot of quiet public spaces and it makes it really nice. For number four, and this is the really big one for me and something I truly enjoy , in places and countries that I visit, is the public transit. The public transit , in Japan, and especially in Tokyo and Osaka, is just top-notch.

, You even have the bullet trains that , she contends that are just phenomenal and all the little details. And the little jingles that they have throughout different stations, and even sometimes in certain areas, uh, especially in Tokyo, the [00:09:00] jingles will change to match the area. I believe there's one area on the Yamanote line where one of the stations has the jingle of Astro Boy, which because that area is known for that.

Which is really cool. It's small detail and probably not many people will ever notice. I know I wouldn't have if I didn't see it for a live stream that, uh, only in Japan. Go, John Dobb did. And I do follow a lot of walkthroughs and a lot of live streams because I don't live in Japan and I don't get to experience these things on a daily basis.

With these live streams, I get to experience those, , certain moments and, and learn those little details that I know I would've never learned. But the public transit is so good and it's so nice and it's something that I wish I had in my everyday life. I'm not gonna lie, I love driving my car. It, I like having the freedom to drive, but if I [00:10:00] could just commute everywhere by train and, and walking.

I think I would enjoy that life a a lot, definitely a lot, um, in the way that it's all set up in Tokyo especially, and some other cities. Just getting around by train is probably my favorite thing personally. , And being able to take the sheen either north or south. , I love that. I love that idea and that's something that really sticks out to me.

It's fast, it's efficient. They're always on time. They're clean. They're quiet. I mean, you can't ask for much more than that. So yeah, it's definitely a point that I had to make on this list. For number five, it's Onsens Hot Springs. I was lucky enough to experience this on our first trip back in 2023. Uh, I experienced an onsen over on Mima Island near Hiroshima, and it was [00:11:00] at aan, a traditional inn that we stayed at.

I do have a tattoo on my forearm and a lot of onsens aren't tattoo friendly, but some are. So you have to research and make sure if you do have tattoos, that that onsen is tattoo friendly. Uh, luckily the one that I booked I knew was tattoo friendly, but they required me to go at a certain time. So it was after 10:00 PM which I was completely fine with.

I didn't wanna. Disrespect, , their rules and Japan can't have a lot of rules, but just go by them. I, I'm the one visiting their country, so I'm gonna respect, , the rules that they put in place. And let me say that experience in Onsen was a very relaxing and a very great way for me to just reset my mind and, and to really.

Just go into this deep relaxation mode where [00:12:00] I was just sitting in this onsen and next to it, , because it was on there was kind of like a slope and you couldn't see it, but you can hear it. And it was a creek right next to the onsen so I can hear the water flow from the creek and I was in such a body and mind relaxation mode. I just felt so at peace and I felt so good to be in that moment. Um, so let me say, even though I know it can feel very awkward going in completely naked. , It is an experience that I think everyone should try , and it's a big part of Japan.

And Japan. There are certain places in Japan there are definitely known for Anson and I'm excited to visit those places and experience, um, more ons and towns. Number six is celebration of seasons. And one thing that makes Japan so special is how much attention they give to changing of the seasons. [00:13:00] Um, I know a lot of places around the world have seasons.

It gets hotter, it gets colder, uh, and trees change color. But in Japan. Every season really does feel like an event. It feels like it's celebrated in a way. And we will take an example here of spring. Spring is cherry blossom season. Personally, I haven't been able to experience cherry blossom season as it's a high demand season, but it's something that's very high on my list to experience, to experience the hanami, the, the flower viewing.

And I see so many videos of. People gathering around these, uh, beautiful trees to enjoy the short-lived beauty of these, uh, petals. 'cause cherry blossoms don't last very long, once they bloom and can really feel how it's celebrated because there are so many themed snacks and drinks and it's really, it really is [00:14:00] celebrated throughout Japan and.

It just makes it so special to be around and I can't wait to experience that for myself. Then come summer, which is full of festivals, full of matsui, um, festivals with tko drums and yuta and fireworks, uh, there's a matsui that I really want to visit in Amori. I believe it's called the Amori Matsu. They have these massive illuminated floats, parading the streets and it looks so awesome, and they look so grand and epic.

And that's a festival that's high on my list as well as the fireworks festival, over in Aita Prefecture. Uh, oh my Gotti. And I believe it's a, a big competition, but the fireworks look so grand and really Japan just kind of takes things to another level and they do such a great job of [00:15:00] really displaying these seasons and really just embracing , and celebrating these moments.

Then there's autumn, and this is the season I really want to experience as well. I mean, I want to experience all of 'em, um, because they're all special in their own ways. You have all the autumn foliage and all the seasonal foods, the sweet potato, even the vending machines will start selling.

Um, hot drinks or hot soups in 'em. There's like hot corn soup, uh, and hot teas. And it's cool because even the vending machines display. The changing of seasons, which is just so awesome. And, and the vending machines are also, uh, on this list, and I, I'll go over them later on, but it's just so cool to see vending machines with these limited time, flavors that, that pop up throughout the different season.

And then you have winter in Japan and there are a lot of great places to visit in [00:16:00] winter, uh, up north in Hokkaido. Especially, uh, in Sero where they have the Snow Festival. I feel like going in the winter, I haven't been yet. The, the only months I've been able to go are April, may, and June. Um, but I feel like having a nice bowl of ramen or maybe some hot pot, it just sounds so cozy, especially in the winter time and.

I, I hope to visit s Operas, soon so I can experience the Snow Festival up there and maybe have some hot sake and yeah, it just sounds so, , incredible. And I love how they celebrate the seasons up there. Just, it's just the details. It really is. And you also see the convenience, the convenience stores take a part of this, , changing of seasons and all the seasonal variations that they have in the convenience.

And the convenience itself is on this list as well. And we'll go over that soon. And we just touched on this topic, but number seven is vending [00:17:00] machines everywhere. There's literally vending machines around every corner throughout Japan, and I think there's estimated to be about one vending machine for every 25 people.

So that's just millions across the country. And what makes 'em really cool is just how reliable they are. , Here in the US you're run across so many vending machines that are out of order. In Japan, things just work. Vending machines just work. It just makes things so convenient and you have so many different types of vending machines.

You have vending machines with a variety of different drinks, and you have your teas, your waters. You even, like I, uh, spoke about during seasons, if it's cold outside, you'll have hot drinks, like hot coffees, hot soups, hot teas. It's just really cool to see the variety of vending machines. They even have vending machines that sell cans of cake in [00:18:00] them.

They have vending machines that have ramen. They have vending machines that make pizza. They, there's just so many different types and it's just so cool to see the variety of vending machines. I think it's cool and some of 'em have really cool designs on them as well.

I've seen Pokemon vending machines. I've seen, uh, vending machines with geishas on them. I've seen ani on vending machines. Japan just somehow found a way to make vending machines cool. And I have to say, once you experience them, they'll definitely be something that you miss, , when you leave.

Number eight, convenience stores. Convenience. Now, this is something that I'm sure everyone has heard about, either on social media or wherever, but. Convenience. There's three major ones, there's seven 11, there's Lawson and there's Family Mart. And they really do go beyond [00:19:00] convenient, uh, especially here in the US where we have gas stations, like we have seven 11 here and, and other convenience stores, but not to the quality and to the standards of Japan.

In Japan, the food quality is actually pretty, pretty good. . Of course the food is processed and has some kind of preservatives, so don't eat it every single day throughout the trip. Um, there are plenty of restaurants to go to and eat, but it makes it so convenient when you're on the go.

Maybe for breakfast, since a lot of places in Japan don't open till about 12 or 11. Uh, you can go in, grab a coffee, grab a egg sandwich, a tam, go sando. I love going to seven 11 for the smoothies. , They sell in the freezer, you'll see a bunch of different cups with the frozen fruit already in them.

There's uh, I think three or four different, , types of smoothies they have. I like the all green [00:20:00] one. I don't remember what's in it, but it's really good. And the SI one I really like also, so.

But yeah, you have the Riss, , the , tuna mayo. Can't go wrong with that. You have the fami chickies from Family Mart. , All the desserts and pastries. It, it's just, it's so good. It's, it's definitely something that, it's so convenient and it lives up to the name, right. Convenience store, Japan does it right, and I, I love it.

And the best part is you'll find so many. Or just around the corner, just like vending machines. You'll find them throughout Japan., They'll be there. And it, it just makes it so easy, , especially if it's late at night or early in the morning or you're on the go. Um, it just makes it so easy and, , really does add to your experience During your trip, I even bought family mart socks 'cause it's green and blue, just like the lines on the, the sign, the [00:21:00] logo.

, Yeah. You'll see in Lawson's and Family Mart, they'll have like their own brand of like, clothing inside of it too. Socks, shirts, underwear. Uh, it, it's just so fun. It, it's, it's really cool. And during seasons and during events, you'll see, , Koinis really take a part of those things, . You know, if there's like a Pokemon game coming out, you'll see Pokemon theme things, around, or Nintendo or, , different changings of the seasons, like we talked about before.

It's really cool and. You're gonna enjoy having convenience stores around every corner. So number nine is a big one, and it's safety in low crime. So Japan, Japan's safety really gives a unmatched sense of freedom to wander.

Anywhere you want. And of course I know it's not a hundred percent guaranteed, no place is a hundred percent guaranteed to be safe, but in [00:22:00] Japan, you really do get that sense of, , an ease at mind. Uh, when you're wandering the streets, it could be at midnight and you could feel really safe I love the idea of getting lost and having a point A and point B when I plan my trips and getting lost between those two points and discovering things, , side streets. It's really fun to explore and there's no country that I've been to , that has this safety of being able to explore so freely.

And being able to get lost. And that's something I absolutely love about Japan. You can explore different neighborhoods, you can explore different spots, , either day or at night. So enjoy that. Take that in. Um, definitely feel free to get lost. In Japan because it is such a fantastic place to just explore as much as you want and at a pace that you really feel [00:23:00] comfortable with.

Number 10 is the hospitality, the customer service, the um. In Japan and the staff, , you really feel this, that they go above and beyond to make you feel welcomed. Just in general. People in Japan are so welcoming. They're so nice and they're so willing to lend a hand when needed. There's a pride, uh, in doing a job very well, either if it's big or if it's small.

They take pride in what they do. They take pride in their craft. And I love this about Japan, and I love so far , all the experiences I've had in restaurants and hotels at train stations. The hospitality in Japan is unmatched. It's, it's a really wonderful experience and I'm sure if you've been already, you've experienced it.

And if you haven't, um, just know Yeah, the hospitality and, and the [00:24:00] customer service is, is really topnotch. Number 11 is the cleanliness. You'll see streets and stations and restrooms, um, really clean. And you'll even see, , not many trash cans around, , major cities and places. , Usually the trash is thrown out wherever you got it.

So if you. You're eating at a food stand you normally just kind of step to the side, eat there, throw your trash away. Same thing with Cini. Um, if you grab a drink or eat there, you can have it either in the cini or just outside of it, and then throw your trash away inside. There's a, there's a trash can inside the comi, um, or you take the trash with you back to your hotel or wherever you're staying.

But yeah, there's a cleanliness about Japan. , People take responsibility and they make sure that the public spaces stay clean. So the cleanliness is really nice. And of course there are places in Japan, [00:25:00] um, that can get a bit dirty. . Usually the more high traffic places like Shibuya or Kabuki Cho, um, yeah, you'll see some trash here and there, Osaka and Don Bodi.

Um, you'll see some trash, but, um, overall as a overall in Japan, , there's a high standard for cleanliness. So do your part and make sure you just throw away after yourself or take it back to your hotel. Number 12, I love this one and it's B days. Once you experience them, it's hard to go back. Lemme tell you that.

, You have seat warmers. They're usually , from my experience, they're in all the hotels that we've stayed at. They're even in restaurants, public restrooms. Not all public restrooms, but you'll find a lot of them throughout Japan. Man, it's just an upgrade. I wish this was here in the us. We installed.

One of our like, um, very simple one here where we live. , But it's nothing like the [00:26:00] bidets in Japan. I think maybe one day I'll upgrade to one of them and just like change the whole toilet out for a bidet. There's the ones that just open up when you walk into the bathroom, like they're welcoming you.

It's so cool. So yeah, I had to put down the list as number 12. Number 13 is the Japanese food and the high quality that they have, um, from sushi to ramen to okonomiyaki. I'm not big on seafood, but , I'll definitely give seafood, , a try. Especially in Japan, I, I try to experience as much, even if it's something that normally isn't my favorite kind of dish, I'm just open to trying things at least once, even though it sounds like a little bit far outta my reach.

But,, yeah, seriously, the Japanese food, , the quality, it's at a higher standard and. Even [00:27:00] the presentation and the care and , the craft, , you can really sense it when you're in Japan. So yeah, take advantage of the Japanese food, the good pricing, , and the high quality that it is. If it is a fancy or restaurant that you're going to make sure you book a reservation in advance if it requires one.

Um, but yeah, try to eat as much in Japan. Really now when I make my trips, I, um, I'll have a list of foods that I haven't tried yet and I'll make sure to experience those. And yeah, just enjoy all the meals stuff your face. Number 14 is the seasonal and regional specialties. So in , different prefectures specialize in certain foods.

Um, like in Hokkaido, their specialty is in dairy seafood. Misu Ramen, uh, Osaka has Taco Yaki okonomiyaki. [00:28:00] Uh, Kagawa has, uh, udon, Fuka has ko ramen. A Modi has apples and seafood. , So in different prefectures you'll have different specialties. Um, so whenever you're visiting different prefectures, find what that prefecture is proud in making and doing.

And this is another reason I want to visit all 47 Prefectures because each one really dedicates its craft to what they're proud in. And, , I just want to experience all of it. I love this idea and I really want to, , dive deep into this. Number 15 is no tipping.

No tipping. Wow, how great is that, right? Great service, but that's just simply part of the culture. Like we talked about in the hospitality, they take pride in their craft and you pay for what's there. ,, no worry about tipping because that's the job , and it's not like in the US where I was a [00:29:00] server and I was getting paid like $4 an hour in living off of tips.

It's not like that they get paid their normal wage and are expected to do their job and what's required of them and, as a server here in the us. You know, really working for those tips and , trying to make the experience the best. Because we have to work for those tips. But in Japan it's just ingrained that great service, just, it's a part of the price that you're paying.

And this is great. 'cause tipping here in the US has kind of gotten. Out of control where you're, , you're asked to tip at like fast food , and very quick transactions where there is really no experience that you're paying for. It kind of gets awkward and yeah, it's just, I feel like it's gotten a little bit outta control here.

So no tipping in Japan, if you tip. They'll run after you and give you your money back. So no tipping in Japan. [00:30:00] Uh, number 16, anime in Manga. I am a fan. I'm a fan. Um, I grew up watching Pokemon and Dragon Ball. Um, my wife is a big fan of Sailor Moon. Um, we just enjoy our animes. , Some of my favorites are Slam dunk, , jujitsu, Kaizen.

Attack on Titan iq. Hunter. Hunter, of course. Dragon Ball, like I mentioned before, free run Pokemon. Yeah, . I enjoy it. , All the , Ghibli movies, and when you're in Japan, it feels nostalgic. It feels. Fun. It feels like I'm stepping into childhood memories and I'm enjoying the anime that I'm watching currently, and you'll even find the popup cafes and you'll find really cool merch out there.

You can go to places like Knock on Broadway to find really cool stores [00:31:00] and really fun shopping. It makes me really happy and well, it makes both of us really happy to, uh, see these things and, , see all the popups that come up , and when we visited, come Acura this past, , visit.

This is where Slam Dunk was , inspired to be. And , there's a scene with, uh, the main characters, ura, where he's standing at a railroad crossing and you can see the, , ocean in the background and the trains about to pass by. And that's a spot you can actually visit. And it's really cool that, uh, animes can incorporate these, , areas throughout Japan and make 'em such iconic places to visit.

And you can experience other fans visiting these places. Like I saw a lot of, uh, Shaku jerseys, , front of anime people were wearing 'em. And I don't know, it just adds another, Fun experience and you can meet so many other people who are [00:32:00] also very interested in the same things that you are.

. Number 17 is the attention to detail. And one thing that constantly amazes me about Japan is really the attention to detail and everything.

We had done a matcha class in Tokyo this past trip and learning about how to make matcha and the attention to detail that it they go into and how. Dedicated they are to their craft, really is something to be inspired by. And, , you'll even see this in the smallest of things of like getting things from a store and how carefully they place things into bags for you.

, Yeah, you'll just see this throughout Japan and , you'll experience this for yourself if you haven't already. There's so much attention to detail that goes into so many things. The mindset of care shows up everywhere. The architecture, the food, the customer [00:33:00] service, everything tends to get some kind of attention to detail.

So I really love that. Number 18, and this is something that I've recently done on my last trip, and that is. Stamps, , especially eki stamps, train stamps and stamp rallies. Um, this is a fantastic souvenir to get for yourself. That literally costs you not much yen, maybe a few dollars. And all you need is a stamp book that you can find either at like a loft or, um, any, any store, any general store.

There's a lot of stationary stores. And you can go around train stations, , you'll find stamps for that station. Even at airports, you'll find stamps there and there's stamp rallies. Um, sometimes they'll have Pokemon themed ones. That's, I'm a Pokemon fan, so you I'll, I'll be mentioning that out a lot. But, um.

You can even find stamps at like shown in jump shops. Uh, I have some one piece stamps that [00:34:00] I got. I have a stamp from a bar that I went to. So I love, I love this idea in Japan of being able to collect stamps and being able to remember the places that you visited, um, by collecting these stamps and maybe the memories that will, um.

Come back to you when you look back at your stamp book. So something I definitely recommend, uh, if you want to have a souvenir that doesn't cost you a lot. It, it really doesn't, and it's really fun and rewarding when you find those stamps. So, yeah, I, I love that, , detail that Japan adds. Number 19, are the artistic manhole covers Yes.

The manhole covers something in the US that doesn't get any attention at all. But in Japan, make sure you look down because there are some amazing manhole covers from Sailor Moon Gundam. [00:35:00] They even have OK Noki ones and Hiroshima. You have Pokemon manhole covers all throughout Japan. And, uh, depending on the region that you're in.

One Pokemon will be highlighted, , throughout the, , manhole cover. So I believe they have a website called poke lids that you can go on and, and kind of hunt these manholes. But again, just like I explained in a previous, um, reason, the attention to detail and how cool it is to see these artistic manhole covers, it's just.

Just another thing that tells a story about a place or a region. Um, it's just one of those quirky things that you see and it's like a treasure hunt if you want to find them all. So yeah, definitely make sure you look down. You'll find some very unique manhole covers in Japan. Number 20 is the respect for personal property.

And this is something that, , I had a bit of culture shock with because in some [00:36:00] places where you eat. They'll actually have you put your stuff down at a table and then go order where? Here in the us. Putting your stuff down at a table that you can't see when you order kind of, makes you nervous.

Like, um, is my stuff gonna be there when I'm, when I get back to that table? And in Japan, there's just a respect for personal property. People won't touch your things. You can have a, I remember walking into, um, it was actually a kini and a person had their laptop, phone, everything laid out. And I saw them walk out and go around the corner and go down the street.

, Maybe they had some kind of task or errand to do, but they just left all their stuff there , and that's the culture. There's, there's a culture of,. Respecting personal property and people aren't going to take your things like that. And if you do lose your things, and there's a podcast I listen to, uh, abroad in Japan and by Chris Broad and Pete, [00:37:00] and they'll have people writing in stories of how they left their wallet behind or their bag behind.

And those items will either stay at the exact spot that they left them in or. They'll be turned in to the local authorities where they can pick 'em up. And that's so cool. And you hear so many stories like that. So I think that's such a, um, an amazing thing. It really speaks volume of trust and responsibility in Japan and, , the respect that goes into it.

Just like the reason that we talked about earlier, about respect and, uh, yeah. I love that. Number 21 is Japanese history. It's something that I've become more fascinated about and I feel like I'm only scratching the service with, uh, Japanese history. I don't know a lot of it, but I'm fascinated by it.

And I would love to learn more about the, um, the history about Japan. 'cause I know it has a very interesting history, um, going [00:38:00] back. So yeah, it's something that I would like to dive more deeply into, I would like to visit more museums and just learn more about the history.

So that's something that I'm going to, um, put more time into as, , I visit more often and I do more research about Japan. Number 22 are the public toilets, and I know I talked about bidets before, but you'll find them. Actually being very clean, very well equipped, and pretty easy to find. And , and I know here in the US like using a public restroom, it's not a great feeling sometimes.

Um, and you have to like, encounter very dirty restrooms or restrooms. It just feel just nasty and, and weird and yeah, I, it it's just not good. But in Japan, you, you, it's a funny topic, but yeah. They're actually clean. They're actually very nice. And they have B days again with the bide. Two reasons. Boom. [00:39:00] So, yeah, very good.

, And you'll find a lot of those. So I thought I just mentioned that number 23 I love these stores and it's hard off in book off. , They're basically like secondhand stores and there's, in Japan, there's a culture of taking care of your things and your belongings, and you can really see that in these secondhand stores because a lot of things are really well taken care of.

And as someone who's really into video games and finding those retro, , electronics. You can find really good deals at these stores, like hard off, which is mainly specific in electronics and book off is more books and, and some other, some other things. Some you'll find electronics there too sometimes.

Um, and records. But they even have super bizarres where all the, , hard off book off. Um, there's some other offs that are all combined, but yeah, these are really cool stores to, um, find [00:40:00] really amazing treasures and whatever you're into, if it's retro video games or collectibles or cameras or. Or anything like that?

, Definitely make sure to look up some of these, , stores because, uh, they're some of my favorite stores that I like to make sure I visit. And I just like to see if I can find any really good finds to bring back home, , little part of Japan to take back. So yeah. Number 23. Okay, number 24 is the Iconic Mount Fuji, and it's something that I've seen from the sheen, but uh, it's an absolute bucket list for me to hike up.

And honestly, just seeing it in person. It is just so iconic and, uh, I would love to plan a trip where we stay at Lake, uh, Kawa Chico and , maybe stay at a, that has an onsen, like a private onsen to it.

, But it really is like a, a massive symbol of Japan. [00:41:00] And it's an incredible site if you can see it, which I know it's really hard to see. , I think there's only, usually a route is 30% chance of seeing Mount Fuji, 'cause it's usually covered up with clouds. But, yeah, it's absolute bucket list for me to hike up it and maybe in the near future I can, uh, book a hotel or a Rio Con out there and wake up in the morning and have a beautiful view of Mount Fuji.

I had to put down the list number 24 and number 25 to end it. Are the temples, ens, shrines. Now Japan has some incredible. Temples and shrines, and these are such peaceful places to visit and some can be a lot busier than others I know in Kyoto, , they have a lot of busy, , temples and shrines that you can visit.

, But they're all throughout Japan and I just can't wait to explore as many of them as possible and. Each have their, , [00:42:00] unique charm, each have their tradition. Um, so it's definitely worth exploring. Definitely look ahead of time and research which ones you would like to visit, maybe find out the history behind it,. It's a, it's such a beautiful part of Japan and its culture.

You can even find these in the busiest of cities like Tokyo. , Where I've, I've come across one over in Eno in, , Amma Yokocho Market. If you go on one of the side streets, you'll find a, , a temple there. And yeah, there's some, some really incredible ones. Even Ji uh, I know it can be really crowded during the day in Asa, but if you go really late at night or really early in the morning, , you can just walk around.

It's, it's such an amazing place to experience where it's not super crowded and you can really take in the area. So yeah, definitely, make sure you, you check out different, , shrines and temples in Japan. So that's 25 [00:43:00] reasons I want to keep going back to Japan. And , it constantly reminds me of how much beauty there is in the little things, the respect, , in slowing down and noticing the details.

Every trip so far has left such an impression on me, and I can't wait to just keep going back and keep experiencing so many amazing things that resonate, , with me. And I'm sure that resonate with you. If you're listening and you made it this far. , Thank you for listening and. If you enjoyed this episode, feel free to follow and rate the podcast.

, Leave a review if you can. , Thank you for discovering rewarding routes and joining this community. And there's, if there's anything that sticks out to you, , on reasons, , that you want to keep going back to Japan, let me know. I'd love to hear about it. I really would. . I know everybody has their own reasoning, so I would love to hear yours.

, And you can send me a [00:44:00] message. You can, , send me a message over on Instagram. You can write to me in my email at Rewarding Routes podcast@gmail.com. And thank you again for listening, and I'll catch you on the next one. See ya.