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

Flights, Hotels, and the First 48 Hours: When the Plan Meets Reality (Part 3 of 5)

This is Part 3 of 5 in our 14-night Japan trip on points

In this part: We explore how we booked everything perfectly - and how the first 48 hours taught us otherwise

Shota Furuyama 4/19/26 Shota Furuyama 4/19/26

Bones Before Meat: How I Plan Japan Trips That Actually Work (Part 2 of 5)

This is Part 2 of 5 in our 14-night Japan trip on points

In this part: How I approached planning a first trip to Japan for friends - balancing points, expectations, and leaving space for the unexpected

Shota Furuyama 4/5/26 Shota Furuyama 4/5/26

This is Part 1 of 5 in our 14-night Japan trip on points

In this part: $14,000 for flights and hotels. $945 out of pocket. Here’s how we used points and miles to plan a bougie 14-night Japan itinerary

Shota Furuyama 3/29/26 Shota Furuyama 3/29/26

We booked a Deluxe Tokyo Tower view room. The Sky Suite waiting for us cost nearly $15,000 more per night - and it almost ruined future hotel stays

Shota Furuyama 3/22/26 Shota Furuyama 3/22/26

It was our first luxury stay on points. Its genuine, consistent hospitality became the benchmark for every hotel that followed

Shota Furuyama 3/15/26 Shota Furuyama 3/15/26

We thought we were booking a beautiful hotel in Kyoto. We didn’t expect a breakfast that would bring us back again and again

Shota Furuyama 3/8/26 Shota Furuyama 3/8/26

Luxury means different things to different travelers. For us, it came down to food, hospitality, and unforgettable moments

Shota Furuyama 3/8/26 Shota Furuyama 3/8/26

Set along Kyoto’s Kamo River, this was more than a hotel for us - it was the beginning of our honeymoon and a tradition we’ve returned to ever since