Welcome to Real Japan Guide
Real Japan Guide is a practical guide for travelers visiting Japan, with a
focus on first-time visitors and short-term Airbnb / minpaku guests in Tokyo.
We cover the gap that most guidebooks miss: the small everyday hurdles that
trip people up — buying a Suica, sorting trash, ordering at a konbini, finding
luggage storage at 10am, and reading the small print on a JR Pass.
Who Runs This Site
Real Japan Guide is operated by Yukihiro Hirano (pen name:
Basabasa), based in Tokyo, Japan. The site has been published since
April 2026.
Background:
-
Operator support for short-term lodging (minpaku / Airbnb) in Tokyo since
2017 - Tabelog reviewer with 12,000+ followers (Tokyo dining specialist)
- Google Maps Local Guide (Level 10)
- Sake Sommelier certification scheduled for 2026
Articles are based on first-hand experience: visited restaurants, ridden
trains, used apps, and tested products as either a Tokyo resident or as a host
welcoming international guests.
Editorial Standards
-
Prices, hours, and rules are verified at the time of writing. Japan changes
fast — we date our articles and update materially when we discover changes. -
Affiliate links are disclosed (see our
Disclaimer) and do
not influence recommendations. - Sponsored content, if any, will be clearly labeled.
Contact
For questions, corrections, or partnership inquiries, please use our
Contact form.