Travel Tips

Remote work used to be an elusive working style before the start of the pandemic. I’ve been one of the lucky minorities where remote and hybrid work has been my norm. I happen to be a part of the group that embraces it, even if I enjoy socializing with people in the office.

One of the biggest challenges, when you start working from home, is the issue of productivity.

The big question recently is how do we give ourselves that creative boost and extra motivator while working from home? Here are five tips for finding balance and increasing productivity.

1. Designate spaces at home
Photo: iStock/ Yagi-StudioCreate that space for you to work by designating spaces.
For most of us living in Japan, space is in high demand. It might seem impossible to separate the work section from your private space, but there are ways to play around. Separating different spaces through designating furniture for different uses will help you to unwind without physical reminders of work.

In my case, my works..

Among Tokyo's many famous areas, Ginza is definitely a must-see. Along with gathering the latest trends in fashion and culture from all over the world, Ginza is also home to high-quality gourmet food and the taste and atmosphere of the restaurants are part of Japan's unique appeal.
Not surprisingly, in Ginza sushi is especially popular. At Itamae Sushi Ginza Corridor Store, you can enjoy the atmosphere of Ginza and the taste of Japan at a reasonable price.
A famous shop in the hot Ginza Corridor
Although it's one of Japan's most historical areas, Ginza has always been a place of continuous development, incorporating the latest trends. The cityscape is full of charm and pairs modern buildings that make full use of the newest technology with those that have stood since ancient times to create a unique atmosphere.
The main streets are lined with malls, department stores, and boutiques showcasing high-end brands in a distinctly urban setting. Beyond the major thoroughfa..

Today’s day trip showcases the scenic coastal city of Odawara in Kanagawa!
Odawara is very accessible, connected to Tokyo Station via Shinkansen and Shinjuku Station via the Odakyu Limited Express Romancecar. 2018 marked the city’s 500th anniversary, while 2019 marked the 500th year of Samurai Hojo Soun’s death, making it one of the city’s anniversaries.
First on the agenda is meeting up with Morita at Odawara itself. For this trip, we took the Odakyu Limited Express Romancecar.
Timothy, with our editorial team, was to be Morita’s trekking partner for today, and coincidentally he managed to get a seat on the new Romancecar model, the Romancecar GSE Type 70000 with all its sleek and stylish exterior.
Timothy: “So actually, I’m a huge fan of Odawara – and the Romancecar is a perfect way to get there. I love these chances to get out of the city for a spell and enjoy some new sights. Morita-san always finds the unique spots. I’m looking forward to seeing a different Odawara from what I’ve..

If you’re looking to work in Japan, check back here each week as we look through our database of top jobs in Japan posted to GaijinPot and showcase some of the most interesting ones.

You can apply directly to these companies by creating a profile on GaijinPot Jobs!

Sales consultant Company: JPC TRADE CO.,LTD. (株式会社JPC)Salary: ¥230,000 / Month NegotiableLocation: Tokyo, JapanEnglish: FluentJapanese: Business levelApplication: Must currently reside in JapanJPC Trade, a Japanese used cars, motorcycles, trucks, heavy machinery and used car parts supplier, is looking for motivated people interested in joining its sales team.
You must be fluent in English with business-level Japanese. Any additional language abilities will be a strong advantage.
Share this Job Apply Here
Real Estate AgentCompany: RE/MAX VIP OkinawaSalary: ¥1.0M ~ ¥10M/ Project (Commission Based)Location: Okinawa, JapanEnglish: ConversationalJapanese: ConversationalApplication: Overseas applications OKRe/Max, a real estat..

Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, is a vast sightseeing paradise popular with both Japanese and international travelers.
From spring to summer, an incredible array of colorful flowers bloom, while autumn sees stunning fall foliage and winter with luscious, white snow, making each season a completely different encounter.
Hokkaido is also renowned as a foodie destination, with a tapestry of distinctive dishes changing between region and season.
In this complete guide to Hokkaido, we will introduce essential information and tips to ensure a successful trip, including the island’s most famous spots, seasonal sightseeing, must-eat dishes, and how to get around. Read on to make sure your Hokkaido itinerary is up to scratch!
Why visit Hokkaido?
Hokkaido has become one of Japan’s premier sightseeing destinations, receiving more attention from international travelers in recent years. One reason behind this explosion of popularity is the abundance of untouched, pristine nature.
Withi..

You should definitely not miss the autumn leaves in Fukushima Prefecture. Fukushima boasts many great places for fall foliage that you can enjoy on scenic drives, plus charming historical spots.
Here we’ll look at 10 of the most popular areas in Fukushima for autumn colors. Albeit for a short time, there will also be illuminations that make the landscape look even more fantastic.
Save on transportation! Browse rail passes here
1. Azuma Sports Park: Beautifully lit up Ginko trees in autumn
Azuma Sports Park is easily accessible by bus from the center of Fukushima City. From JR Fukushima Station, take the Fukushima Kotsu bus #7 at the East Exit Bus Pool, bound for Sawara; get off at Shimobayashi, and walk 10 minutes.
By mid-October, you will be able to see golden splendor of the 116 ginkgo trees that stretch for 520 meters to the center of the park like a beautiful yellow tunnel.
The trees are lit at night from mid-October to mid-November, making them emerge in the dark, creating a mag..

The nights are getting colder and the days are getting shorter, which means autumn is coming. It’s that time of year when we do away with our shorts and swimsuits and make room for sweaters, scarves and all things cozy. While spring in Japan is undoubtedly famous among international tourists due to sakura (cherry blossom) painting the sky pink, something about fall makes it just as unique.

In Japan, autumn means clear evening skies, crimson red foliage, beautiful seasonal blooms and tasty sweets and sake. And if there’s one thing Japan does well, it’s celebrating the seasons, so let’s look at how to make the most of the fall.

1. Go to an autumn leaf illumination
Photo: iStock/ koji_0508Warm reds light up the night at Kiyomizudera, Kyoto.
We all know that the autumn leaves in Japan are beautiful. There are tons of different species that create different shades of red, yellow and orange. And while the sun softly shining through the leaves in autumn is a soothing sight, seeing the leave..

Enjoy traveling to local cafes! Allow us to introduce Atelier Morihiko, one of Sapporo's cafes that is very popular in the area.
In addition, right beside you can find an original soap store “Siesta Labo” that uses natural Hokkaido materials in their products. This location offers two unique experiences in a single visit – right after enjoying your latte!
The calm atmosphere of Atelier Morihiko
Atelier Morihiko is a cafe on the first floor of a building facing Taden Street. Access is about 3 minutes on foot from the Sapporo Municipal Subway Tozai Line / West 11th Sta. Access is also an option from Sapporo TV Tower. Head west toward Odori Park for approximately 15-20 minutes. This route will allow you to enjoy both the park and the cafe, and this path is recommended on a fine weather day.
▲The Atelier Morihiko building
The interior is a decorative white wood design creating a calm atmosphere that flows. Tables, chairs, and other items on display are collected by the owner, Mr. Kusu..

Hokkaido has some of the most beautiful scenes in autumn! Hokkaido's autumn foliage season begins from around mid-September.
Let’s take a look at the beautifully colored mountains and streets lined with colorful trees! Here we'll share exactly when you can catch the fall leaves in Hokkaido in all their glory.
When can you see autumn leaves in Hokkaido?
According to the Japan Meteorological Corporation, the forecast for red leaves in 2021 for Hokkaido is in early November.
Fall colors in Hokkaido start from Mount Asahi in the Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group and move south. A unique feature of the mountains in Hokkaido is various broadleaf trees, and conifers are mixed, such as maple (kaede), Japanese rowan (nanakamado), black locust (niseakashia), Ezo spruce (Ezo matsu, and Sakhalin fir (todo matsu).
For this reason, there are three colors of red, yellow, and green which come together and create something special.
Also, you don’t have to go to the mountains or forest to enjoy the..