This dispatch is part of From the Window Seat, a series of immersive, long-form personal trip reflections, in-depth destination pieces, and sharp hospitality evaluations grounded in firsthand reporting and personal experience.
In October 2023, I checked a big one off my travel bucket list: seeing Japan. My husband and I spent 10 days exploring Tokyo & Kyoto for our honeymoon, where we spent 14+ hours relaxing in one of the best business class seats in the sky, stayed exclusively in 5-star hotels, and attempted to eat our bodyweight in yakiniku nearly every day (the latter was a dream come true on its own, TBH). We also drank a lot of great coffee, enjoyed many a listening bar, and attempted to shop at every video game store on offer. With these being among our most cherished interests, you can understand why Japan was such an enticing destination for us.
Grilled meats and Pokémon tchotchkes aside, there’s really nothing quite like being on the other side of the world, immersed in a totally different culture, especially one you’ve long appreciated. Being able to experience it firsthand as a celebration of our marriage was really special. So today, I’m finally sharing a long-awaited, much-asked-about resource: my Japan guide & itinerary! Here’s what you can expect:
Exactly what to pack, how to beat jet lag, and the airport mistake most travelers make flying home
Full reviews of every 5-star hotel we stayed in (and how we booked most of them on points)
Our can’t-miss Tokyo + Kyoto experiences—including the dinners we still talk about
The full 10-day itinerary I wish I’d had before planning this trip
Flight, train, and planning tips that saved us time, stress, and serious money