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Savvy Tokyo •

12 Natural Japanese Skincare Ingredients For Radiant Skin - Savvy Tokyo

What To Look For When Shopping For Natural J-Beauty ProductsExploring uniquely Japanese skincare ingredients that can be used to brighten your complexion, strengthen your skin barrier and moisturize your body.

Japan’s scenic landscape is more than just a treat for the eyes. It’s also the source of natural Japanese skincare ingredients—a rich variety of botanicals that give J-beauty its uniquely effective and gentle touch. These natural ingredients are used in products fo...
FLIP Japan Guide •

How To Plan An Incredible Japan Solo Trip: The 10 Step Guide

In our opinion, it’s almost impossible not to have an amazing time on a Japan solo trip, regardless of what you do or where you go. With its ultra-safe cities, world-class transportation, and historic culture of quiet reflection, Japan is an ideal destination for any solo traveller.Whether you’re wandering through serene temples in Kyoto, savouring a bowl of ramen at a solo-friendly counter, or getting lost (in the best way) down yokocho in Tokyo, this guide will help you plan a Japan solo trip...
FLIP Japan Guide •

What Is A Ryokan? How To Plan A Magical Ryokan Experience

When beginning to plan your dream Japan trip, one question is bound to come up sooner or later: What is a ryokan? From forums to word of mouth, any who has had the pleasure of experiencing a ryokan stay is likely recommending them to you…but what is a ryokan, and how can you actually book one?As a boutique travel agency, we know a thing or two about these stunning traditional Japanese inns. Keep reading to learn the complete answer to the question ‘what is a ryokan’, including ryokan etiquette,...
Savvy Tokyo •

Japanese Tinted Sunscreen: Formulas, Coverage & Protection - Savvy Tokyo

SPF Beauty Products At Every Price PointHere's how to navigate J-beauty’s SPF and makeup hybrid products to protect your skin from the sun—and look good while doing it.

Staying cool during the hot and sticky summer months in Japan is difficult enough without the added complexity of trying to look good while doing it. Luckily, J-beauty has you covered with a huge selection of facial SPF products designed to keep your skin not just protected from harmful UV rays, but also...
six-two by Contiki •

12 best places to enjoy Japan's hydrangea season

Jessica is a writer from the UK currently living in Tokyo and can usually be found hiking, drinking coffee, or on a plane to somewhere new.The hydrangea (or ajisai) season is the silver lining to the dark clouds of rainy season in Japan. It begins in late May in the southern prefectures of Okinawa and Kyushu, peaks in June throughout the main island of Honshu, and lasts until late July in Hokkaido.


The warmer weather and longer days spark the ajisai to bloom, with Japan being home to hundreds...
Freaking Nomads •

NOMADS.Insure Travel Insurance Review

We know a thing or two about nomad insurance…but even we get a little overwhelmed when we see our policy end date on the horizon. The world of nomad health and travel insurance is changing literally all the time, and keeping track of where to find the best deal, coverage, and add-ons is by no means an easy feat.But NOMADS.insure is not just another nomad insurance provider; they’re an insurance broker created for digital nomads by digital nomads. They promise to help solve the problem of finding...
Savvy Tokyo •

Find The Right Japanese Sunscreen For Your Skin Type - Savvy Tokyo

How to navigate the world of Japanese sun protection and find your perfect SPF, whether you have dry, oily or acne-prone skin.

Japanese sunscreens are considered to be some of the best in the world, thanks to their innovative UV-A and UV-B filter technology. These sun protection products are known for standardizing much higher SPF and PA protection ratings without ever compromising on texture or experience. Japanese su...
Freaking Nomads •

Best International eSIMs With Unlimited Data

eSIMs provide no-hassle connectivity, with plans that you can buy and activate from your phone for instant internet access.What’s better than that? An unlimited plan that lets you scroll, work, and stream without data caps. There’s a growing need for these types of eSIM options, particularly for remote workers who need to be able to work while traveling across the world.The most popular international eSIM with unlimited data is certainly Holafly. But it's not the only one that offers this limitl...
Freaking Nomads •

Roost vs Nextstand: Which Portable Laptop Stand is Best?

The Roost and Nexstand K2 have been in hot contention for the title of best portable laptop stand for travel for some time. Both have similar designs, promises, and target markets, with minimal differences on the surface beyond the Roost’s way steeper price point.But does a higher price automatically equal a better product, and how does the newer Nexstand K2 hold up against the OG? We’ve put the two travel-friendly laptop stands to the test and reviewed them both to see which comes out ahead and...
Freaking Nomads •

The Best Communities for Digital Nomads To Join Right Now

One of the biggest misconceptions about a digital nomad lifestyle is that we live, travel, and work alone. The reality couldn’t be more different. By opting into a digital nomad lifestyle, you’re joining a vibrant community of global remote workers who go out of their way to connect with, support, and uplift those around them.What's more, finding a community as a digital nomad is easier than ever: there are so many nomad travel programs, online groups, and coliving spaces, all designed to build...
Freaking Nomads •

Wireless Laptop Chargers: Real Options & Alternatives

Wireless charging technology is absolutely a thing of the present, but with its ongoing energy efficiency issues and struggle to create universally compatible laptop chargers, finding truly wireless options isn’t a reality…for now.We’re here to explain why true wireless laptop charging doesn’t exist yet, and the alternative charging options you need to know about in the meantime.Here are the best current workarounds and a peek at the not-so-distant future of wireless tech for digital nomads.The...
Metropolis Japan •

Finding Central Tokyo - Metropolis Japan

Finding central Tokyo sounds easy, right? At first glance, finding a city’s center seems simple. London calls its center “central,” New York claims Manhattan, and Sydney points to Circular Quay. Most cities designate a central hub for business, commerce, and culture—often called the downtown or CBD. In Tokyo, however, the picture gets murkier.


Locals, expats, and tourists can’t agree on a single ward that defines Tokyo’s center. Still, many argue over where it should be. The debate draws on l...
Freaking Nomads •

Best Dummy Ticket Websites for Visa Purposes

Dummy tickers are a legitimate way to show your travel intention, without actually paying full price or committing to a fixed plan.They are incredibly useful for digital nomads and frequent travelers like us who make flight decisions on a whim and have the freedom to change location whenever they please.But our location-independent lifestyle, as we all know, can clash with visa requirements. Many embassies ask for proof you'll leave the country within your visa period, which often looks like an...
Savvy Tokyo •

10 Cruelty-Free Japanese Beauty Brands - Savvy Tokyo

Makeup, skincare & haircare products that aren’t tested on animalsHere are 10 ethical Japanese cosmetic brands to complete your vegan and cruelty-free beauty routine.

While the demand for ethically focused cosmetics has been steadily growing in the West, finding cruelty-free and vegan Japanese beauty brands can be a challenge. Not only is the cruelty-free beauty industry much smaller than in places like the US or Europe, but without clear product labelling and regulation...
Freaking Nomads •

Nexstand K1 Carbon Fiber Laptop Stand Review

The Nexstand K1 carbon fiber is a travel-friendly laptop stand that’s collapsible, lightweight, and universally compatible…but after having used the slightly bulkier but way cheaper Nexstand K2 model for some time, we wanted to see whether the K1 is worth the higher price point. Spoiler alert, we think it is.With so many portable laptop stands claiming to be digital nomad-friendly, we’ve been putting the Nexstand K1 to the test for the past few months. Based on our hands-on experience, we’re bri...
Freaking Nomads •

Best eSIM Providers for Japan Travel

eSIMs have been taking the world by storm over the past few years. They're easy to install, convenient to purchase and top-up remotely, and let you choose exactly how much data you need and for how long.In Japan, they're often the only option for travelers, as most providers will only sell SIM cards with monthly plans to Japanese citizens or people with a residence card.We’ve tested a bunch of different eSIM providers for Japan, and although our favorite is eSIM Japan, we’re comparing all the to...
Freaking Nomads •

Air Doctor Review: Best Way to Find a Doctor When Traveling?

Air Doctor is a digital health platform that connects travelers to trusted local doctors for in-person and video consultations. According to the app, they’re all about doing the hard work of finding and scheduling appointments with multi-lingual doctors so that digital nomads like us don’t have to.But is Air Doctor all it’s cracked up to be?At the end of the day, there is nothing more important than health. But, as remote workers with a long-term travel lifestyle, finding genuinely trustworthy p...
Freaking Nomads •

Best Tax Services for Digital Nomads

No matter where you’re from (or where you’re going), you’re probably going to have to deal with the confusion of multiple tax jurisdictions, tax treaties, and foreign income exclusions.As digital nomads, we’ve spent years coming to terms with the unfortunate complexities of digital nomad taxes. But, at some point, we learned the hard way that the best way to approach this is to ask for professional help. There are actually specialized services which are designed to take on the burden of cross-bo...
Savvy Tokyo •

15 Japanese Skincare Products For Sensitive Skin - Savvy Tokyo

Cleansers, Moisturizers & SPF to Soothe and ProtectHere are 15 Japanese skincare products designed to protect and nourish your sensitive skin all year round.

Trying new Japanese skincare products as a sensitive skin sufferer can be intimidating. In fact, many people may prefer to stick with the same products for years instead of trying something new and risking an itchy rash, painful breakout or unflattering redness. After moving abroad, however, getting hold of those ol...
Freaking Nomads •

PayDo Review: A Good Banking Solution for Digital Nomads?

We’ll be the first to tell you all of the amazing things about a digital nomad lifestyle, but one thing that’s not so great? Dealing with multiple currencies and banking across a lot of different countries. If we’re honest, it can easily become just one big headache.That’s where PayDo promises to solve this issue. They’re a banking solution for remote workers that provides multi-currency accounts, virtual and physical debit cards, and a ton of merchant tools for digital nomad entrepreneurs.Using...
GaijinPot Travel •

Tochigi’s Unmissable Adventure Destinations - GaijinPot Travel

Pottery painting, canyoning and camping in a bamboo forest: go beyond the Tochigi tourist trail with these destinations for adventurers.Every fall, visitors flock to Tochigi Prefecture to experience the stunning koyo (autumn foliage) in Nikko. Located less than two hours from Asakusa on the Spacia X, many people opt for a day trip to Nikko to visit main attractions like the Shinkyo Bridge and Toshogu Shrine. However, the prefecture offers so much more than these popular spots. From historic site...
Freaking Nomads •

INIU B64 Review: The Best Portable Power Bank for Laptops?

The INIU B64 is recognized among the best portable laptop power banks out there. But is it digital nomad and remote work approved? We’re here to put it to the test and, more importantly, see if it’s worth your cash investment.Digital nomads are a community of location-independent workers who live life on the road. They work from all over the world with a lifestyle focused on continuous travel.For us to recommend a power bank to our digital nomad community, it needs to be high-capacity, multi-dev...
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