Shota Furuyama 10/11/26 Shota Furuyama 10/11/26

Why the New IHG Premier Select Card Deserves Attention for Japan Travel

Domestic flights, four-night stays, and a path to suites and lounges - why IHG’s newest card has my attention for Japan

Shota Furuyama 10/4/26 Shota Furuyama 10/4/26

What Points Don’t Cover: A Realistic Japan Budget for Two

Even with flights and hotels covered by points, a Japan trip still has a real cash cost. Here’s what we’re budgeting for 13 nights - from food and trains to matcha, luggage forwarding, and a few splurges

Shota Furuyama 9/27/26 Shota Furuyama 9/27/26

Citi Adds 1:1 Transfers to Japan Airlines - Why It Matters for Japan Trips

A 30% launch bonus makes the numbers especially tempting. Here’s how Citi compares with Capital One, and what I’d check before moving any points

Shota Furuyama 8/30/26 Shota Furuyama 8/30/26

Points-Rich, Strategy-Poor: Why 300k Miles Can Still Get You Nowhere

A friend’s 300k Capital One balance made me think about how transferable points actually become a JAL award flight to Japan - and why having enough miles still isn’t enough

Shota Furuyama 7/12/26 Shota Furuyama 7/12/26

The 3 Mileage Programs I Actually Use for Flights to Japan

Not sure which airline miles to collect? Here's how I choose between American, Alaska, and JAL

Shota Furuyama 7/5/26 Shota Furuyama 7/5/26

How to Book Andaz Tokyo With Points in 2026

Three ways to book the same hotel. Which one actually offers the best value?

Shota Furuyama 5/31/26 Shota Furuyama 5/31/26

The Beginner Strategy We Use for Booking Hotels in Japan With Points

How normal travelers use credit card points to save on great hotels in Japan - and occasionally splurge on once-in-a-lifetime stays

Shota Furuyama 5/24/26 Shota Furuyama 5/24/26

The Beginner Strategy We Use for Award Flights to Japan

How annual trips to Japan became a reality - and how we stopped paying full price for flights

Shota Furuyama 4/12/26 Shota Furuyama 4/12/26

What Are Transferable Points & Which Ones Work Best for Japan?

You don’t need to master every program to get started. A few good strategies and some flexible points can take you surprisingly far - especially in Japan