Japan: Love it, Hate it, and Why I Wanted to Leave

Hey all!

Today, I don’t want to post about work — I want to share my thoughts on traveling in Japan. It’s a GREAT place to visit, but definitely not somewhere I’d stay for longer.

Japan was the hardest place for me to maintain my remote routine. Since going to the gym 4–5 times a week is the foundation of my schedule, I ran into unexpected challenges:

• 😩 Many gyms didn’t allow me in because of my tattoos, unless I completely covered them up.

• 🈲 In one shocking moment, I wasn’t even allowed to enter a gym because I didn’t speak Japanese.

For those curious, here are some of my tattoos.

There’s much more to Japan than its quirks, though.
I loved the food, culture, and incredible innovations.

🎥 Watch my new YouTube video for the full story (10 minutes):

From surprisingly affordable living to strict cultural norms, I'm sharing my experiences across 7 major Japanese cities.

🔍 Beside the tattoo situation, in this video I also share:

• The truth about living costs in Tokyo

• Mind-blowing food scene

• Unique innovations (rotating parking towers & subway work booths!)

• Onsen adventures in bamboo forests

• Healthcare system test-drive

• Cultural insights that will change your perspective

Also, here I want to add links to my favorite places to eat!
If you’re visiting, save these spots across the country:

🍵 Matcha pancakes in NOOICE, Fukuoka
🥩 Kobe beef at 神戸焼肉かんてき 春吉店, Fukuoka
🍰 Mont Blanc dessert in KICHIRI, Akihabara, Tokyo
🍜 Ramen at Fukunoken, Akihabara, Tokyo
🍛 Indian curry at Dipmahal, Aoyama, Tokyo
🐟 Fresh fish at Kuroshio, Imabari

I have many more to share! Ping me if you are interested!

Also, let’s connect on LinkedIn — I share there my thoughts on brand building and work life.

Next stop — South Korea,
Alex