Honest Tokyo guides, written from inside the city
I’m Ayako, a female entrepreneur running two beauty salons in Ginza. Here I share what I actually know first-hand — where to stay, what’s worth booking, and how beauty & wellness in Japan really works.
Latest guides
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Narita or Haneda to Tokyo: Which Airport Transport to Take (2026 Prices)
Haneda: 310 yen and 13 minutes. Narita: Skyliner from 2,310 or N’EX at 3,070. A local compares every option, and warns about the 20,000 yen late-night taxi trap.
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How Far Apart Are Tokyo’s Neighborhoods? Travel Times Between Ginza, Shinjuku, Shibuya & More
Is Ginza far from Shibuya? Most Tokyo areas are 5-20 minutes apart with no transfer. A local’s full travel-time matrix, plus the hidden cost inside stations.
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Mt Fuji Day Trip from Tokyo (2026): Bus, Train or Tour — and When You’ll Actually See It
Mt Fuji is invisible most summer days. When you’ll actually see it, why Kawaguchiko beats Hakone, and the 2,200 yen bus versus the 10,000 yen tour, from a local.
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teamLab Planets Tokyo: Tickets, Best Time Slots and What to Wear (2026)
Book 3-4 weeks ahead, pick a weekday evening, and never wear a skirt: several rooms have mirrored floors. A local’s practical guide to teamLab Planets tickets.
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Getting Gel Nails in Tokyo: Prices, Quality & What to Expect — By a Ginza Salon Owner
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See our full Affiliate Disclosure. I run nail salons in Ginza, so I’ll admit my bias upfront: I think Japanese gel nails are the best in the world. But I also talk…
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Hakone vs Nikko vs Kamakura: Which Day Trip from Tokyo Is Right for You? (2026)
Hakone for Mt Fuji and onsen, Nikko for shrines, Kamakura for an effortless day. A local compares all three with 2026 costs and the timing that beats the crowds.
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One Perfect Day in Ginza: An Hour-by-Hour Itinerary by a Local Business Owner
Tsukiji breakfast at 7:30 to depachika dinner at 20:00: a Ginza business owner’s exact itinerary, including the 2,000 yen lunch loophole at 20,000 yen restaurants.
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Best Tokyo Hotels for Families with Kids — What Actually Works (2026)
Why does every Tokyo hotel say max 2 people? The co-sleeping rules, why family rooms sell out months ahead, and the apartment-hotel cheat code locals use.
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Where to Stay in Tokyo as a Solo Female Traveler — Honest Advice from a Woman Who Lives Here
Yes, Tokyo is genuinely safe for solo women, says a woman who lives there. Four rules for choosing your hotel, plus the areas and chains that make it effortless.
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Kakigori in Ginza: 5 Japanese Shaved Ice Shops Worth the Queue (2026)
Japanese shaved ice is closer to patisserie than a snow cone. Five Ginza shops worth the queue, from a local who ordered every bowl pictured in this guide herself.