Todd Fong - Tokyo Based Freelance Writer Photographer

Get Outta Town! 5 Japan Destinations for Cherry Blossoms Better than Kyoto and Tokyo

With cherry blossom season the most popular for tourism to Japan, here are some alternative spots to enjoy hanami outside of crowded Tokyo and Kyoto.

How To Pack for a Spring Trip to Japan

Spring is one of the most popular times to visit Japan, but what are the essential items to bring with you and what can you buy where you arrive? Here are some tips how to best pack a suitcase for Japan in the spring.

Kanazawa – A Vibrant City 98% of Japan Visitors Neglect

Relatively popular with domestic tourists but still criminally neglected by visitors to Japan, Kanazawa is a compact feast for the senses, especially those who value the arts and crafts of Japan.

A Guide to the Eclectic World of Tokyo’s Museums and Parks

Whether you are a museum and park lover or just need something to different to do in Tokyo, this guide to Tokyo’s museums and parks has you covered.

Tokyo’s Grutto Pass – A Bargain for Museum Lovers With Many Caveats

No doubt that Tokyo’s Grutto Pass looks like a bargain for museum and park lovers. But is it really? It depends on your travel style.

We, Like Ants

In thousands of years and the absence of social media, our descendants will be left wondering why we travel like we do.

The Long Walk – Discover the Real Tokyo Without the Crowds

Walking in Tokyo gives you a true sense of the city’s scale and how it has evolved through time. You’ll get a better understanding of Tokyo’s culture on a two hour stroll through its streets than a week riding around in trains and taxis.

Stories About Japan With a Human Touch

My name is Todd Fong and I am a Japan-based travel writer and photographer. Many websites about Japan simply regurgitate facts and information found on other websites about Japan. Some are even being written primarily by AI. But you didn’t come here for that.

I tell stories about Japan, mainly based on my own experiences working in the Japanese tourism industry for nearly a decade. My work has be used by Lonely Planet, BBC StoryWorks, DK Eyewitness, and many other media. I’ll take you off the beaten path to places unknown, away from the crowds and social media fanatics, to authentic Japanese locations and experiences. I’ll also tell you about my city, Tokyo, where new hidden delights appear daily, while others have been sitting in plain sight for over a century.

I’m not a tour guide, but I hope you’ll be inspired to be your own guide and explore Japan in a deeper, more personal way through my stories and images.

FEATURED ARTICLES

These Jeans from a Recycled Clothing Shop in Japan are Just Peachy

My wife uncovered a treasure in our neighborhood thrift shop: a perfect fit pair of Momotaro Jeans made in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture.

Get Outta Town! 5 Japan Destinations for Cherry Blossoms Better than Kyoto and Tokyo

With cherry blossom season the most popular for tourism to Japan, here are some alternative spots to enjoy hanami outside of crowded Tokyo and Kyoto.

Ginza Sony Park – An Architecture Driven Community and Art Space

While many companies in Japan give lip service to community space and sustainability, Sony delivers it in one of the most expensive real estate areas in the world.

Tokyo Museum and Park Guide – Northern Tokyo

Northern Tokyo, often overlooked by tourists, offers unique attractions like Rikugien and Kyu-Furukawa Gardens. Its charm lies in walkable areas, peaceful surroundings, and hidden cultural gems.

Tokyo Museum and Park Guide – The Edogawa Area

The area east of the Sumida River offers an eclectic mix of history, traditional and modern art museums and one of Tokyo’s best Japanese gardens.

HOW CAN I HELP YOUR BUSINESS?

I work with media, agencies, and companies to create unique content: compelling stories using words and images written from an experiential perspective. If you represent a brand wishing to project a deeper, more intellectual image than run-of-the-mill listicles or clickbait articles, please get in touch, and let’s explore the possibilities.