About me

Hey, what’s going on guys? I’m Francesco, but you can call me Chesco. I also work as an English teacher in Japan so my students call me “Chesco-Sensei,” but you can call me anything as long as it’s nice. Welcome to Japangeneration.com, your go-to guide for all the best spots to travel, stay, and soak up the awesomeness that is Japan.

So, a little backstory: I first landed in Japan in 2015, and like many first-timers, I fell head over heels in LOVE. While anime isn’t really my thing, I was hooked on everything else—from the train stations to the cozy izakayas (Japanese bars), the mind-blowing food, the convenient shinkansen (bullet trains), charming ryokans (traditional inns), and the incredibly kind Japanese people who somehow tolerated my terrible Japanese.

After my trip, I went back home to Florida, and I couldn’t get Japan out of my head. I dove into learning Japanese like a college student cramming for finals and became OBSESSED with the idea of returning. I visited twice more, and finally, in 2019, I took the plunge and moved here. Fast forward to 2024, and here I am, living in Yokohama City, having explored many places but still with so much more to see!

Living in Japan isn’t always a walk in the park—more like a hike up Mount Fuji in flip-flops at first—but after a lot of twists and turns and my growing love for the culture, language, and history, it turned into an adventure worth writing a book about (or at least a long-winded blog post). Now, I’m all settled in but still can’t get enough of exploring new (and old favorite) spots around Japan.

The aim of this website is to share the treasure trove of tips and tricks I’ve gathered over the years. And guess what? There’s never been a better time to visit Japan than right now (2024)! With the yen at an all-time low and a new wave of visitors flocking in, Japan is more accessible than ever. We’re ushering in a “Japan Generation” where this once distant, expensive dreamland is now within reach for anyone eager to visit.

I’m here to help you have an unforgettable experience in Japan, connect with the locals, and dive deep into the culture. Plus, I’ll hook you up with the best hotels, trains, and experiences, just like the ones that have shaped my journey since I first set foot in Japan.

Thank you for visiting JapanGeneration.com!

All the best,

Chesco