Rapym Blog
Stories and tips on traveling Japan, booking restaurants, and making local phone reservations.
Travel Guides
How to Eat Well in Tokyo on 20,000 Yen a Day
The budget that unlocks the restaurants most visitors come to Japan dreaming about
Travel Guides
How to Eat Well in Tokyo on 10,000 Yen a Day
*The mid-range budget that unlocks most of what makes Tokyo's food scene worth traveling for
Travel Guides
Eating in Japan in Winter: The Quietest Season and the Best Hot Pot
Winter is Japan's least crowded travel window and its most comforting food season
Travel Guides
Eating in Japan in Autumn: The Best Season for Food, and How to Plan Around It
Autumn brings Japan's most celebrated ingredients and its most competitive restaurant bookings outside of cherry blossom season
Travel Guides
Eating in Japan in Summer: The Heat, the Festivals, and What to Order
Summer in Japan runs hotter than most visitors expect, and the food culture responds to it in ways worth knowing before you go
Travel Guides
Eating in Japan in Spring: What Changes and What to Know Before You Go
Cherry blossom season is Japan's most crowded travel window, and the restaurant situation reflects that
Travel Guides
How to Eat Well in Tokyo on 5,000 Yen a Day
A realistic guide to serious food on a tight budget, from someone who has thought carefully about where the money goes
Travel Guides
The Difference Between a Michelin Star and a High Tabelog Score, and Why It Matters for How You Plan
Two rating systems, two different things, and knowing which one to trust for which purpose changes how you eat in Japan
Travel Guides
Google Translate Won't Save You at a Japanese Restaurant. Here's What Will.
Translation apps have real limits in Japanese dining situations, and knowing where they break down helps you plan around them
Travel Guides
Solo Dining in Japan: Where It's Brilliant and Where It Gets Complicated
Japan is one of the best countries in the world to eat alone, with some important exceptions
Travel Guides
What Happens If You Miss Your Restaurant Reservation in Japan
Japan takes no-shows seriously, and knowing what to do when plans change makes a significant difference
Travel Guides
How Far in Advance Do You Actually Need to Book a Restaurant in Japan
The answer depends entirely on what kind of restaurant you're trying to get into