Business Insider's reporter was surprised Japan's subway pushers don't exist and unique vending machines aren't as popular as she had heard.
From reclining seats to three-course meals, Business Insider's author spotted dozens of differences between cabin classes on long-haul flights.
Insider's reporter spent a night in one of Japan's capsule hotels. It was affordable, but next time, she'd pay a bit more for a hotel room.
Insider's author has been a pescatarian for seven years, but the moment she crosses country lines, she's eating meat.
Cramping legs, tired eyes, and exhaustion could've been avoided if Insider's author remembered to pack items like compression socks and a book.
A heated toilet seat was an immediate turnoff, but by the end of her trip, Insider's reporter welcomed the warmth and technology of Japan's bathrooms.
From Japan to New Zealand, Insider's reporter has spent months of her life traveling by herself. To combat bad days, she always has a packed schedule.
Perks like lounge access and bedding were amenities I discovered in business class. Meanwhile, in economy, the amenities were much more basic.
Insider's reporter realized too late that she should've shopped for a neck pillow in person instead of online.
Insider's reporter traveled between Tokyo and Kyoto on Japan's bullet trains, which reach speeds of nearly 200 miles per hour.
Two people living in Tokyo welcomed Insider's reporter into their small apartments. She discovered homes that were surprisingly affordable.
Thanks to fresh sushi and cheap snacks, Insider's reporter quickly understood why 7-Eleven is so popular in Japan.
You'll never catch Insider's travel reporter flying without a toothbrush and toothpaste to hand. It helps her avoid red wine stains and bad breath.
Insider's author found nearly every part of the meal service was different on an Air New Zealand business-class flight and a United economy flight.
It wasn't a lousy travel pillow or poor snack choices that Insider's reporter regretted about her long-haul flight to Japan. It was the time she flew.
Ryan Crouse spent a year in a Tokyo micro-apartment that had a lofted bed, single burner stove, and bathroom small enough he could touch both walls.
Insider's reporter visited David Hulme, a wasabi grower in Japan. There, she found lush plants with a stem that had a sharp, earthy flavor.
On a trip to Tokyo and Kyoto, Insider's reporter found a flashlight in every hotel room. She learned they're there for emergencies like earthquakes.
Insider ate at Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku in Tokyo, which has a Michelin Bib Gourmand Award. The three-course meal cost less than $10.
Insider's author took a public water bus in Tokyo, Japan. It was cheaper than a cruise, more scenic than a train, and gave the best views of the city.