“It’s really a myth that Japan is overly expensive.” – Interview with Josh Shulman, author of ‘All-You-Can Japan’

Josh Shulman is a Japan expert and enthusiast who has lived, worked, and traveled in Japan for over a decade. Born and raised in Tokyo before moving with his family to Israel and then coming to the US for college, Josh has recently published All-You-Can Japan: Getting the Most Bang For Your Yen, a travel guide about Japan. In this interview he talks about his love for travelling and Japan, his book and his future projects.

Voicu Mihnea Simandan: Travelling, especially throughout Japan, is your passion. How did it all start?

Josh Shulman: You definitely got that right. I’ve seen six continents and more countries and cities than I can keep track of. One of my longest trips was a 4-month backpacking experience in Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Just a few months ago I drove all the way from New Jersey to California. I think it all started simply from growing up in Japan as a red-haired blue-eyed foreigner. I would speak Russian at home with my parents, English at school, and Japanese with my neighborhood friends. Sounds hectic, but that probably sparked my curiosity for culture and exploration of the world. Haven’t been able to stop since.

VMS: You claim that your book All-You-Can Japan helps travelers “get an authentic experience” in Japan. What does that mean?

JS: I’d like tourists to experience Japan as locals. I know this sounds cliché, but Japan is a unique case. The Japanese know how to have a good time, and know how to be financially smart about it. It makes sense for tourists to follow their lead. As someone who has lived, worked, and traveled in Japan for over a decade, I know all their secrets and share them in my book!

VMS: Some people say that compared to its Asian neighbours, Japan is “too expensive.” How do you counter that?

JS: Admittedly, it’s not Thailand, but if you know your way around, traveling in Japan can be very affordable. It’s really a myth that Japan is overly expensive. Their economy has been pretty stagnant for the past decade or so and prices have gone down for a lot of things including consumer goods and leisure. The only thing that’s really expensive in Japan is real estate (more so in big cities like Tokyo), but that doesn’t affect tourists, especially those who know where to find good value accommodation that local businesspeople regularly use. Also, the Japanese government is heavily invested in attracting tourists and providing incentives that make it easier and cheaper for them.

VMS: So, what are the three main attractions in Tokyo?

JS: 1. Odaiba – A futuristic, manmade section of Tokyo that is mind blowing. You get there with a driverless train.
2. Shimokitazawa – A much cooler version of New York’s Williamsburg.
3. Yanaka – A quiet, slow-paced oasis within the huge metropolis.

Photography by Adi Marhaim

VMS: How about outside the Japanese capital? What three places are a must for a first timer?

JS: My personal favorites: Miyajima (an island off the coast of Hiroshima), Aomori (the most northern point of the main Honshu island), and Kusatsu (an entire town that is one big natural hot spring). Remember though, Japan is not as small of a place it may seem on the map. It’s also quite expensive to travel between cities (especially if you’re in a hurry). There’s a whole section in my book that explains how to optimize your travels outside the big cities.

VMS: What ONE advice would you give to people planning a trip to Japan?

JS: Read my book, of course, seriously though, the most important advice I would give is to plan your trip around the transportation. Trains and buses are a big part of traveling in Japan. Going back and forth between cities (or even between attractions within cities) could prove to be very expensive if you don’t plan ahead. There are numerous types of train and other public transportation passes, and you need to figure out where and when you want to be in a way that minimizes costs.

VMS: You also have a Japan related website. There are so many travel websites out there that it has become quite difficult for new projects to last. What makes yours special?

JS: My website is a blog that complements my travel guide with information about Japanese culture and food. I think my unique perspective helps people understand and appreciate Japan in a way that makes their trip so much more meaningful. The blog also has specific destination tips, like what to do in Kyoto or which hot springs I recommend.

VMS: Your Japanese friends tell you that you are “more Japanese than they are.” How has Japan influenced your life?

JS: Even though I attended an international elementary school, I was completely assimilated into Japanese culture. All my friends were Japanese, both at school and in the neighborhood where I grew up. I even attended Japanese public schools when the international school was out on break.

The most influential experience in Japan was when at the age of 22 I went back to work for a local technology firm and lived the real “salary-man” lifestyle. That’s when I completely immersed myself in the culture and learned the ways of local businesspeople, which happen to be applicable and very helpful for tourists.

VMS: What plans do you have for the future? Are you going to write other travel guide about Japan or other countries in Asia?

JS: I’m working on a collection of ten short fictional stories that share a Japan theme. It’s going to be really weird but really cool – these stories mix between Japanese history and folklore with modern Japanese culture and with futuristic sci-fi stuff.

I also help people build detailed daily itineraries for their trips to Japan, and would like to extend that to take semi-organized, flexible tour groups to Japan. To be honest, a lot of it is because I just want an excuse to go back as much as possible. I can’t get enough.