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Soul Wanderer
26. Matcha Crisis: Inside Japan's Matcha Shortage
"Japan doesn't use ceremonial grade"
In this episode, I address the worldwide matcha shortage.
• What is matcha?
• Defining the crisis in terms of demand and supply
• Where did "ceremonial" grade match come from?
• What qualifies matcha as matcha
• How you can be more discerning as a buyer
• Tea regions, production and types in Japan including sencha, gyokuro, and hojicha
Relevant episodes:
Episode 5 Recommendations for First-Time Travelers to Japan
Episode 4 Female Solo Travel in Japan
Episode 18 Top Tips for High-Season Travel in Japan
Resouces:
Hojicha Co where I buy hojicha powder
Want to be carry-on only, grab this complimentary guide
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1. 1. What Does Conscious Travel Mean?
08:11||Ep. 1If you're a female traveler, especially a woman of color, who wants to travel with more intention this is the show for you!In this first episode, I break down what conscious travel is so that you can understand what it is, who it's for, and why it's important. This biweekly show is for the women who don't see themselves represented in the travel podcast space. This is also for women who want to or enjoy traveling solo and who like to hear travel lessons, stories, and tangible tips from other womenWork with Sequoia:JapanMexicoLearn more about Sequoia https://pueblayorkinc.com/aboutWebsite https://www.pueblayorkinc.com/Find out more about the women's dinner series https://www.pueblayorkinc.com/womens-dinner-seriesSay hello on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pueblayorkinc/
2. 2. How Women Impact the Travel Industry
16:10||Ep. 2This episode gives context to the travel industry and the impact of women in it. I also share more of my travel experience and having a mom who worked in hospitality. The economic power women have in travel Women working in the travel industrySolo travel statistics about women including the biggest reason for solo female travel and the biggest concernWhat's changing in the industry Learn more from Emily Anne Brant Articles referenced: https://www.unwto.org/gender-and-tourismhttps://www.solofemaletravelers.club/solo-female-travel-stats/Episode mentioned Episode 1 Defining Conscious Travel Work with Sequoia:JapanMexicoLearn more about Sequoia https://pueblayorkinc.com/aboutWebsite https://www.pueblayorkinc.com/Say hello on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pueblayorkinc/
3. 3. Why You Should Travel Solo
26:24||Ep. 3In this episode, I share some reasons to travel solo and what that can bring for you. I also reflect on my solo travels.What to do if you've never traveled solo before to get comfortable with a solo tripThis report found that Americans are especially vacation-deprivedWhy you're the one to define solo travel A solo trip in college that almost escaped my memory How your mindset and attitude impact your travel experiencesWork with Sequoia:JapanMexicoLearn more about Sequoia https://pueblayorkinc.com/aboutWebsite https://www.pueblayorkinc.com/Say hello on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pueblayorkinc/
4. 4. Female Solo Travel in Japan
38:23||Ep. 4In this episode, I share why Japan is a great choice for female solo travel- whether it's your first time or you're an experienced solo traveler. I cover: SafetyTransportation is efficient and clean Solo dining is common Tipping isn't customary With a weaker yen, this means that foreign currencies like the US dollar, Euro, and the British pound are strong and it makes traveling in Japan more affordableEpisodes referenced:Episode 1 Defining Conscious Travel Episode 2 Women in Travel The language app that I recommend is Drops https://languagedrops.com/Expo 2025 Osaka https://www.expo2025.or.jp/en/Work with Sequoia:JapanMexicoLearn more about Sequoia https://pueblayorkinc.com/aboutSay hello on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pueblayorkinc/
5. 5. Recommendations for First-time Travelers to Japan
27:18||Ep. 5In this episode, I share tips if it's your first time traveling to Japan:FootwearHow to behave on public transportationUse of cash and contactless paymentsSolo diningWhy I recommend staying at a ryokan (Japanese Inn)Tipping culture -when and howKnowing the Japanese languageDo I need a visa?I also talk about my client's experience working with me on her first time trip to JapanEpisode that I reference:Episode 4 Female Solo Travel in JapanThe language app that I recommend is Drops https://languagedrops.com/Pack Lighter GuideIf you find it challenging to pack or tend to be an overpacker. I've created a free How to Pack Lighter guide and checklistGet your guide here https://www.pueblayorkinc.com/packing-list-downloadWork with Sequoia:JapanMexicoLearn more about Sequoia https://pueblayorkinc.com/aboutWebsite https://www.pueblayorkinc.com/Find out more about the women's dinner series https://www.pueblayorkinc.com/womens-dinner-seriesSay hello on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pueblayorkinc/
6. 6. The Trip That Changed My Way of Travel
37:22||Ep. 6In this episode, I share about a birthday trip with friends that began the shift of how I travel.-A 30th birthday trip to Mexico and Cuba and why we decided on these two places-What went into organizing this trip-How it differed from a previous trip I did with these same friends-Why I moved to Mexico after one visitWhat I refer to in this episode:Third Placeshttps://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/third-place-community-spaces/My travel bloghttps://www.sequoiaarmstrong.com/blogTrinidad Postshttps://www.sequoiaarmstrong.com/blog/trinidadpt1https://www.sequoiaarmstrong.com/blog/trinidadpt2Cienfuegos Posthttps://www.sequoiaarmstrong.com/blog/cienfuegosHavana Posthttps://www.sequoiaarmstrong.com/blog/havanaWork with Sequoia:JapanMexicoLearn more about Sequoia https://pueblayorkinc.com/aboutWebsite https://www.pueblayorkinc.com/Find out more about the women's dinner series https://www.pueblayorkinc.com/womens-dinner-seriesSay hello on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pueblayorkinc/
7. 7. Choose Quality Over Quantity
19:37||Ep. 7In this episode, I share why I recommend choosing quality over quality when traveling.-How to choose quality over quantity-What questions to ask yourself-Environmental benefits-How this has guided me in other areas of my life-Cultural contrast around friendship-Heritage travelEpisodes and resources referencedEpisode 1 What Does Conscious Travel Mean?Episode 6 The Trip That Changed The Way I TravelThe size of US homes grew by more than 300% in 50 yearsPodcast I mentionYulia Denisyuk's podcastGoing Places Season Finale: What Europe Gets About Rest (and the US Doesn't) Work with SequoiaMexico Japan Have an idea or question?DM me on Instagram
8. 8. How I Began Traveling
31:55||Ep. 8In this episode, I share how I became a lifelong traveler, my upbringing, education, visiting grandparents, and what I wanted to become as a child.-How Human Design has helped me-My first flight-The closeness I had to my Japanese grandparents, particularly my grandfather-Growing up bilingualEpisodes referenced:Episode 7 Choose Quality Over QuantityEpisode 2 How Women Impact The Travel IndustryResources:Find your Human Design chartErin Claire Jones InstagramFind out your Love Language Sustainable Aviation Fuel https://www.iata.org/en/programs/sustainability/sustainable-aviation-fuels/Work with SequoiaMexico Japan Have an idea or question?DM me on Instagram
9. 9. How to Avoid Adding to Overtourism
21:11||Ep. 9In this episode, I lay out ways to avoid contributing to overtourism in an area/city/country that is experiencing overtourism. As conscious travelers, we want to be mindful of overtourism and how we can help avoid it, instead of contributing to it. I go into:-When to visit-The importance of working with local experts or guides-Get off the beaten path and out into nature -How to know where to stay What I mentioned:Liz On Leave ExperiencesBlog post about why this year's fall foliage in Japan will be delayed Work with SequoiaMexico Japan Have an idea or question?DM me on Instagram