#29 This week on Rewarding Routes, we're diving deep into trip planning for Japan.

In this episode, we're talking about what to book in advance for your Japan trip. We'll break down the most popular experiences that require early reservations, discuss how far ahead you actually need to book each one, and share the exact activities I'm planning to book for my 2027 Kyoto and Osaka trip including the Nintendo Museum lottery, TeamLab Kyoto, and the Pokémon Cafe.

Tune in to learn how to plan your Japan itinerary with confidence, avoid missing out on bucket-list experiences, and build a booking timeline that sets your trip up for success before you ever board the plane.

What You'll Learn from This Episode

• Why booking local tours and cultural experiences early sets the tone for your entire trip
• The exact booking windows for Japan's most competitive attractions
• How I'm building out my 2027 Kyoto and Osaka itinerary
• Theme parks, baseball games, and Shibuya Sky — what actually needs advance booking and what doesn't
• Pro tips for practice runs, JST time conversions, and using apps like Klook

Featured on the Show

• Klook App — Third-party booking platform for activities, theme park tickets, and transportation across Japan: klook.com
• Airbnb Experiences — Great source for local guides, photo shoots, cooking classes, and cultural workshops: airbnb.com/experiences
• Fly Photographer — Photographers available in 350+ cities worldwide including Japan: flyphotographer.com
• TDR Explorer (YouTube) — Chris's channel is my go-to resource for Tokyo Disney Resort and Universal Studios Japan guides, express passes, and app tips: youtube.com/@tdrexplorer
• Buy Sumo Tickets — Official source for Grand Sumo Tournament tickets: buysumotickets.com
• Pokémon Cafe Reservations — Official site for Osaka and Tokyo locations: https://www.pokemon-cafe.jp/en/cafe/reservation.html
• Nintendo Museum Lottery — Check the official Nintendo Museum site starting 3 months in advance on the 1st of the month https://museum.nintendo.com/en/index.html

Rewarding Routes Stan Store
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Instagram
→ https://www.instagram.com/rewardingroutes/

Email
→ RewardingRoutesPodcast@gmail.com

#28 This week on Rewarding Routes, we're diving into everything you need to know about visiting Japan in spring.

In this episode, we're talking about spring travel in Japan. We'll break down cherry blossom season and how to chase the bloom, discuss Golden Week and what to expect from crowds and costs and share personal insights from my two spring trips to Japan.

Tune in to learn how to plan a spring Japan trip with realistic expectations so you can make the most of the season without the stress.

What You'll Learn from This Episode

• What cherry blossom season actually looks like — crowds, timing, and how to track the bloom forecast
• How to still see sakura even if you miss peak bloom in the major cities
• What Golden Week is and why it matters for your itinerary, bookings, and budget
• What the weather feels like across March, April, and May — and how to pack for it
• How spring affects points availability and pricing for flights and hotels

Featured on the Show

• Episodes on flights to Japan — Episode 7
• Tokyo neighborhoods and where to stay — Episode 15
• Hyatt hotels in Tokyo and across Japan — Episode 16
• Reach out to John: rewardingroutespodcast@gmail.com
• Instagram: @itsjohndiaz

Rewarding Routes Stan Store
→ https://stan.store/rewardingroutes

Instagram
→ https://www.instagram.com/rewardingroutes/

Email
→ RewardingRoutesPodcast@gmail.com

#27 This week on Rewarding Routes, we're keeping it close to home...literally.

In this episode, we're talking about starting small with points and miles. We'll break down how I booked a Chicago weekend trip for my family using two cards most beginners can actually get, discuss how Companion Pass works and why it's one of the best deals in travel, and share why a $22.40 domestic trip might be the most important booking I make all year.

Tune in to learn how to build real confidence with points and miles so when Japan is finally on the calendar, you're ready.

What You'll Learn from This Episode

• How to earn and use Southwest Companion Pass to fly your partner for free
• Why signup bonuses are the fastest way to accumulate points and miles
• How to book hotel nights through Chase Ultimate Rewards and transfer to Hyatt
• What to know about flying with a lap infant before your first family trip
• Why starting with a simple domestic trip is the smartest first step toward Japan

Featured on the Show

• Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card
• Chase Sapphire Preferred
• Follow John on Instagram — @itsjohndiaz
• Email the show — rewardingroutespodcast@gmail.com

Rewarding Routes Stan Store
→ https://stan.store/rewardingroutes

Instagram
→ https://www.instagram.com/rewardingroutes/

Email
→ RewardingRoutesPodcast@gmail.com