About

Hi, I'm the one behind Tabi Notes.

Late twenties, based in Germany, and hooked on Japan.

It started like it does for most people: two weeks, Tokyo and Kyoto, a JR Pass and far too many photos of vending machines. I came back. And again. Each trip got a little longer and went a little further from the Golden Route: a rental car through the mountains of Tohoku, a ferry to the art islands, a quiet onsen town in Kyushu.

Over the years that added up to a lot of time in Japan, and it taught me the country away from the highlights reel. How to book a ryokan that has no English website. Why you arrive by five for dinner. Which mountain roads are worth the white knuckles. How a business hotel on night two pays for the splurge on night one. I travelled across Asia too, but Japan is the one I keep writing about.

Between trips I'm at home in Germany, and that's where most of this blog happens: comparing train times, checking ryokan prices and sketching the next loop. I know what it's like to plan Japan from the other side of the world, with limited holiday days and a budget to watch. These notes are written for exactly that.

What you can expect

• Japan only. One country, done properly.
• Beyond the Golden Route. Tokyo appears, but mostly as the start or the finale.
• Prices you can plan with. Value, middle and splurge options, switchable between yen, US dollars and euros, with what's not included spelled out.
• For travellers from anywhere. Every itinerary starts on the ground in Japan, wherever you fly in from.

Questions about a route, or a ryokan you think I need to try? I'd love to hear from you: hello@tabi-notes.com

— Schoeneberg Tabi Notes · a Schoeneberg Travels project