Experience Tokyo
with Johnny & Iz Harris
Learn how to visit the most populous city on Earth
About This Course
Join filmmakers Johnny and Iz Harris as they guide you on your trip to Tokyo. Learn everything from the history of how the city has evolved, to how to get around using trains and other forms of transportation, to the cultural aspects of the city from religion to robots. We're your friends who've been there and can tell you how to make the most out of your trip to Tokyo. Join us!
What You'll Learn
Quick context and history of Tokyo
Overview of the city's neighborhoods
Navigation tips for Tokyo's public transit
Customs and etiquette to keep in mind
How to experience Tokyo's food, culture, and shrines
Tips for experiencing Tokyo with kids
How to see and experience Tokyo's robots.
Course Breakdown
Orientation
How Tokyo Came to Be
Dive into Tokyo's rich and complex history that shaped its current status as a vibrant and populous city.
Mapping Tokyo's Neighborhoods
Get your bearings in Tokyo by diving into the map. Learn about different neighborhoods, landmarks, and districts to decide where to stay and what to do.
Before You Go
Learn about the main international airports in Tokyo, Narita and Haneda, and get information on how to navigate through them to reach the city.
Getting Around
Understanding Tokyo's Trains
Learn how to navigate Tokyo's transportation system using your phone, understand the key concepts and symbols of the train lines, purchase and use a transportation card, and effectively plan your route from one location to another.
Other Forms of Transportation
Dive into the various transportation options in Tokyo other than trains, including buses, taxis, and bikes, along with practical tips and advice for using each mode of transportation effectively and efficiently.
Food & Drink
Dining in Tokyo
Learn how to use TableLog to find the best restaurants in Tokyo, the basics about Japanese dining customs and etiquette, and underground food halls.
Ramen: Explained
Dive into the origins of Ramen, the different types of broth, and the variations in noodles and toppings. Plus we'll show you the best ways to experience ramen for yourself while in Tokyo.
Sushi: Explained
Get an overview of sushi—its origins, different types, and the various ways to experience it in Tokyo.
Drinks in Japan
Learn about the various drinks Japan is known for, including their unique coffee culture, and dive into the details of sake, whiskey, and green tea.
Culture
Customs & Etiquette
Learn about customs, etiquette, and manners in Japan, including how to dress, guidelines around using phones, eating in restaurants, using chopsticks, bowing, saying thank you, and handling payments and business cards.
Religion in Japan
Learn the difference between Shinto and Buddhism, the significance of shrines and temples in Japanese culture, how to respectfully participate in rituals with being respectful of customs and traditions.
Automation Culture
Explore Tokyo's culture of robots and automated services in various aspects of daily life, such as restaurants, hotels, shopping, and vending machines.
Dive Deeper
How to do a Tea Ceremony
Learn about the Japanese tea ceremony, its historical origins, the cultural significance of matcha tea, and the meticulous attention to detail, spirituality, and artistry involved in the ceremony.
Tokyo with Kids
Get Johnny & Iz's best tips and tricks for traveling with kids in Tokyo—navigate the transportation system, find kid-friendly food options, and introduce your kids to Japanese cuisine.
Meet Your Instructors
Johnny & Iz Harris
Johnny & Iz are a husband and wife duo of travel journalists. Together, they travel the world, documenting, telling stories, and sharing them with their audiences. They also work as producers and hosts for Vox Media. Johnny has produced 5 seasons of his show Borders - a deep dive into and human perspective of the many Borders around the globe. Iz has produced two seasons of her series, Travel, Eat, Repeat where she takes on a location, showing it through the lens of the local cuisine. Now, as co-founders of Bright Trip, their mission is to take what they’ve learned and loved in traveling the world, and share that with others - creating a community of enlightened and curious travelers.
Experience Tokyo
with Johnny & Iz Harris