Hi – I’m Helen Foster, a full-time travel and lifestyle journalist, blogger and author, and Japlanease is the website I’ve wanted to start for a very long time.
I love Japan, it’s one of my favorite countries in the world. I have traveled there six times (so far) and am planning trip number seven right now. I’ve visited solo, with my partner, and with friends.
The big cities I’ve visited include the ones you’ve heard of like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Sendai. But I’ve also visited smaller destinations such as Naoshima, Okunoshima (Bunny Island), Nara, Matsue, and Kokura.
I’ve sat in onsens, I’ve eaten fabulous Japanese food, I’ve drunk a lot of Japanese beer and met some fantastic people – and I’ve racked up tens of thousands of steps wandering around Tokyo Disney Resort and Universal Studios Japan! I’m even now learning Japanese so I can involve myself more deeply in this amazing place.
I first started visiting Japan regularly because I love anything strange and unusual and so when I started my first travel blog – Differentville – Japan was kind of like the mothership.
But, while every trip found cool things to write about on Differentville, there were also more things I couldn’t include because they didn’t fit the Differentville remit – and so, I decided I needed to start a second blog.
A site that attempted to help people love Japan as much as I do. And this is it.
Who Am I?
I’m Helen Foster, a Sydney-based journalist, author, and content creator.
I write about health and travel (sometimes together). I’m guessing you’re interested in the travel ones though and my articles on Japan have appeared in print publications including Reader’s Digest (Asia Pacific), RAC Horizons, and Jetstar Magazine. I have also worked for the Japan National Tourism Organisation website.
I’ve also written travel articles on other destinations for The Australian, Sainsbury’s Magazine – and many years back even The Times of London! You’ll find links to some of my travel work here.
I am a Digital Publisher member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers and a member of Australian Travel Content Creators.
And I’ve had 17 books published in the lifestyle space – and, at some point, a Japan book is coming (when I knuckle down and do it!).
I love research, I love analyzing things and I love planning my trips to Japan as much as I love taking them so all the advice on this page is things I’ve used myself to make trips that bit better. I hope it helps you plan yours too.
What Will You Find on Japlanease?
The remit here is simple. I aim to make traveling to Japan that little bit easier.
Now, that might be through helping explain how to do the really practical stuff like plan your itinerary, or negotiate your way around Tokyo asking questions like do you really need to stay near the Yamanote Line, or is the buzzy nightlife filled area of Kabukicho really an okay place to stay.
But, I’ll also try and explain a few things that might confuse you about the country; like what exactly to do if you visit an onsen and why people rave about the KitKats.
And, because I can’t deviate too far from my love of finding things other people might not tell you about, I’ll also point you in the direction of some of the smaller or less well-known sights you might not find on your own (did you know there was a street full of monsters in Kyoto for example?)
If this sounds like something you want to see, then definitely check out our One Perfect Day section which is full of tips from people who live in Japan (like hotel manager Jigami Yoshiyuki san from Nikko), or spend even more time there than I do!
So, that’s why we’re here. I hope you enjoy exploring the site.
Where Else to Find Us
Whether you’re at the very first stages – what we call Japlanning around here; or have booked most of your trip and just want some extra advice on things you don’t quite understand, or, some top tips about where to go, we aim to help.
If you can’t find the answer to your question here, there are a few other places you’ll find us.
Follow Us on Social Media
Follow our Facebook page where you’ll find some extra tips, tricks, and fun ideas.
Or, if you want to ask your own questions, join our Facebook group where I, and lots of other helpful people, will do our best to help.
You’ll also find us on the other socials
Follow Japlanease on Instagram
Follow us on Pinterest
And we’re also on Tik Tok
Check Out Our Products
We’ve also started making some Japan-themed notepads that you can use to plan your trip, record your Japan memories, or, just because!
You’ll find those on our Amazon store – there’s lots of other designs to choose from as we got a bit carried away making them!
We also sell Japanese-themed planners with lots of sightseeing tips and advice on Etsy – find the Japlanease shop here
See we told you we liked Japan!!! In fact, it’s now our full-time job!
