30 years of geography expertise. A lifetime of curiosity. One mission: to help you travel Japan with confidence.
🗾 My Expertise
For nearly 30 years, I worked as a geography specialist at junior and senior high schools in Japan — teaching students to read landscapes, understand regional infrastructure, and think critically about how place shapes daily life.
That professional foundation is what makes this site different. When I write about cycling routes, transportation rules, or regional geography, I draw on decades of verified, specialist knowledge — not just personal experience.
In parallel, I spent over 10 years coordinating international education programs — homestay exchanges and study tours to the United States 🇺🇸, the Philippines 🇵🇭, Taiwan 🇹🇼, and New Zealand 🇳🇿. This gave me a clear understanding of what foreign visitors find confusing, surprising, or genuinely difficult when navigating Japan — and that perspective shapes every article I write.
🌎 Hello — I’m Lupinus
Now in my early 60s and entering a new chapter, I launched +81geo English to share what I know with international travelers who want to go beyond the surface of Japan.
I’ve always loved traveling and cycling. But what I bring to this blog is more than enthusiasm — it’s a specialist’s eye for the stories, terrain, and systems that shape every journey through this country.
“Today is the youngest you’ll ever be.”
That’s why I keep exploring — and sharing — one step at a time.
🚲 What You’ll Find Here
This site focuses on practical, expert-backed information for international visitors to Japan:
- Japan’s cycling rules and infrastructure — including the new Blue Ticket system (2026)
- Scenic cycling routes like the Shimanami Kaido, with real-world logistics
- Geography and landscape guides that go beyond standard tourist information
- Japan Travel tips grounded in 30 years of regional knowledge
Why the name “+81geo”?
“+81” is Japan’s international calling code — representing my desire to connect you directly to the real Japan. “geo” stands for Geography: as a former geography specialist, I don’t just show you the sights — I explain the landscapes, infrastructure, and regional stories behind them.
💐 Why “Lupinus”?
My pen name comes from a children’s book I read while raising my kids: Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney. The main character plants lupines everywhere she goes, making the world more beautiful.
Inspired by her, I dreamed of visiting Lake Tekapo in New Zealand, famous for its wild lupines. In 2017, I finally went — but when I arrived, the flowers had already faded. Just when I was losing hope, our guide led me to a quiet field where a few lupines were still in bloom. I was told it might have been the last season, as the caretaker had passed away. It felt like a small miracle.
Since then, “Lupinus” has been my name — a reminder to live like Miss Rumphius, and to spread a little beauty wherever I go. 🌸
📋 Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you book accommodation or services through these links, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. This helps keep the site running. All recommendations are based on quality and relevance alone, and my editorial judgment is never influenced by commission rates.
This site participates in affiliate programs with Expedia, Hotels.com, Jalan (ValueCommerce), and others.
Thank you for visiting. If something here helps make your journey through Japan safer, smoother, or more meaningful — that’s everything. Happy travels! 🌿
— Lupinus, +81geo English