Navigating the Zen Path: A Guide to Avoiding Travel Burn-out in Japan

Some common reasons we get burned out and how to avoid them to have the best trip to Japan.

Photo by Nik on Unsplash

Japan is such an amazing place to travel and with all the glitz and neon, it’s easy to underestimate what goes into actually visiting. There’s all the hype about Mario Kart, the robot cafe, Godzilla, anime, ancient history, temples, festivals, kimonos (oh my)! You may already be starting to feel the rush of dopamine and adrenaline as you imagine yourself capturing those unforgettable moments, and, and …!

It’s easy to lose sight of what goes into traveling when all you’re looking at is the good stuff, but now is a great chance to take a breath, read about some common causes of travel burnout and some practical tips to avoid it, so it doesn’t catch you off-guard.

Common Stressors that Cause Travel Burnout in Japan

1. The Language Barrier: tackling loads of information and navigating in a sea of unfamiliarity can leave you feeling lost or ignored. What the influencers aren’t showing you (unless you can speak or read Japanese) is that it can be fun at first, but it’ll eventually hit you that you are stuck in the “gaijin bubble,” and missing out on some of the real Japan.
2. The Trains: Japan has one of the world’s best train systems, with literally the world’s busiest station, so obviously, they can be a bit confusing. The train system here is run by different companies, with different rules and quite a range (express, semi-express, rapid-express, local... you get the picture). Just getting from one place to another is a lot.
3. Cultural Differences: yes, visiting another country and experiencing cultural differences is one of the best parts of travel. But, when it comes to the little things, manners, customs, and following the rules, especially the unspoken ones here in Japan, can be discouraging, to say the least. You don’t want to stand out, and the stress of fitting into a new culture can be subconsciously exhausting.
4. Your Body: physical demands like walking and food differences are often worse than we expect. We think we are “going to see everything!” But if you don’t walk 13,000+ steps a day, you’ve got a bad surprise coming for you. And if you’re new to Japanese food, you either get bored (or constipated) eating the same thing all the time, or your stomach tells you after you take a risk.
5. Overly High Expectations: this is possibly the biggest factor. And if you’re not prepared, it’s going to get you. Before we travel, we dream and plan and wish away, starry-eyed, thinking about our perfect trip (hello FOMO). Personal expectations, both of yourself and Japan can sometimes be a stumbling block, so let’s bring them down to Earth.

So, that’s all a lot, right? So, here are some practical tips that can help you avoid travel burnout and enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime trip!

5 Tips to Counteract Travel Burnout

Language Barrier Tips:

• Learn some basic Japanese — locals love it and it’s your ticket to making friends, really experiencing the culture, and helping with navigation. Knowing some basic Japanese means you get to talk to real Japanese. people, maybe even joke and laugh with them. And, of course, use Google Translate! It has writing, typing, and speaking features as well as Google Lens which can scan signs or menus and translate them for you.

Train Tips:

• Plan your routes on Google Maps and understand the basics of the train systems (at least know the station numbers if you can’t follow the Japanese names). Don’t spend a day getting lost on a train only to miss the only day you booked to see something.

Cultural Differences Tips:

• Read up, observe, and embrace the chance to immerse yourself in a new culture. I promise if you copy the Japanese people’s manners around you, you will be fine. And hey, be ok with making mistakes. That’s also part of the adventure.

Physical Tips:

• Keep it flexible! Take breaks, embrace naps, soak in an onsen, and eat well. Remember your daily routines back home and don’t stray too far from them, so you don’t shock your system. Treat this a bit like a marathon. Bring comfortable clothes and shoes and pack light so you can get around more freely.

Expectations Tips:

• The hardest point, but the most crucial: keep those expectations in check. This is about enjoying the journey, not meeting unrealistic standards. And I promise, it’s in those little moments where you really make the memories.

What to do if you reach burnout?

Ever found yourself shedding a few tears in a super-tiny McDonald’s bathroom? Just me? It’s ok. Take a minute, laugh it off, relax, and know that Japan will be just fine waiting for you— and you’ll love the rest of your trip anyway.

Mental-wellbeing and mindfulness go hand in hand and are especially important when you’re traveling. It’s so easy to get caught up in the hype and FOMO and rush around until we crash. Knowing your limits and what helps you decompress will make your travel that much more exciting, I promise.

CONCLUSION

So, there you have it — these tips are your secret weapons against travel burnout in Japan! It’s your adventure, so why not own it? Savor the moment, enjoy the journey, and let Japan work its magic. Japan’s the perfect place to try out a bit of Zen anyway.

Leave a comment below to share your travel burnout stories! I’d love to learn from you too!

Bonus Reading: A Few More Practical tips (other than the above), or for more travel inspiration and mindfulness, follow me here, or you can check out my Instagram for more daily life updates. Happy travels!