Jeff Aasgaard's Advice List

Jeff Aasgaard United States 14 years in Japan

Japan is an amazing country and I have dedicated my life to showing travelers the real Japan. In 2000 I started Japanese Guest Houses which is a ryokan (Japanese inn) reservation service which has helped over 100,000 travelers discover ryokans. We represent 600 of the best ryokans in Japan. In 2006 I started Japan Roads which focuses on custom tours of Japan from simple tours to month long driving tours of Hokkaido. Japan is beautiful and I am very happy that more and more travelers are discovering that simple fact.

Free WiFi in Osaka for Travelers

Osaka has started to offer free WiFi to travelers to help them connect with the city. All you have to do is check WiFi connections on your device, registrar and then connect. Usage time is limited but should be enough to check maps, find restaurants and check email. For more information please see…(59 words)

Jeff Aasgaard

City Osaka Wi-Fi

Minshuku, the Best Way to Experience Japan

There are many different kinds of ryokan/minshuku in Japan and you can see definitions of them at http://JapaneseGuestHouses.com/ryokan-styles/Personally I like minshukus best as they small and more personable. The owners run the minshuku and cook the meals. They take great pride preparing meal…(141 words)

Jeff Aasgaard

Minshuku Tokyo Kyoto Osaka Japanese inn Trip

Robert Yellin is the person to talk to about Japanese Pottery

I have never met anyone who knows more about Japanese pottery than Robert Yellin. I visited his Kyoto gallery a few years ago as was deeply impressed with his selection of pottery and his love of Japan. He is also a super nice guy and very easy to talk to. You can learn more about Robert athttp:/…(73 words)

Jeff Aasgaard

Kyoto

New Years

New Years is a family event so there are not many tours or much excitement surrounding the new year like there is in the US. My family makes mochi and then we head to Kiyoshikojin Temple (http://www.kiyoshikojin.or.jp/en/) for hatsumode (first temple visit of the year) early in the morning. Som…(103 words)

Jeff Aasgaard

New year Event Tera (Temple) Mochi (Rice cake) Hatsumode

Making Mochi by Hand for New Years

My family always makes handmade mochi at the end of the year. It turns in to party that starts at about 6:00am when we start to steam the mochi-rice. My father-in-law always hands me a beer and all the men stand outside waiting for the rice to be ready for a pounding. My wife and mother-in-law wise…(383 words)

Jeff Aasgaard

Mochi (Rice cake) New year Event Beer Udon noodles Winter