The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast
The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast is where travel, food, and culture meet. Hosted by San Francisco–based travel writer, storyteller, and mom of two teens Shannon Gomes, the show features thoughtful conversations with experts in the food and wine world, avid travelers, creators, tastemakers, and locals who reveal what truly makes a destination memorable—and how to experience it like a local, with food always at the center of the journey.
From unforgettable meals and hidden neighborhoods to meaningful cultural experiences and practical travel insight, each episode is designed to inspire curious travelers—especially Gen X listeners who value depth, connection, and great food—to explore the world more intentionally and to bring a sense of discovery back home.
Shannon is also the writer behind The Gomes Guide (https://thegomesguide.substack.com), a weekly travel-focused Substack filled with stories, recommendations, and inspiration for meaningful travel. Listeners are invited to subscribe for fresh ideas, insider tips, and destination inspiration delivered each week.
Whether you’re planning your next trip or simply dreaming about one, The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast celebrates connection, community, and the joy of experiencing new places through food and travel.
The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast
A First-Timer’s Guide to Japan: Culture, Food & Travel Tips with Sylvia Klinger
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Thinking about a trip to Japan? This episode is the perfect place to start.
I’m joined by global traveler Sylvia Klinger, who has visited Japan multiple times and completely fallen in love with its culture, people, and way of life.
We talk about what makes Japan so unique, from the incredible cleanliness and efficiency to the deep sense of respect woven into everyday life. Sylvia shares what it feels like to land in Tokyo for the first time, and why so many travelers (herself included) keep going back.
We also get into the practical side of planning a trip, including how to navigate the train system, where to go beyond Tokyo (hello Kyoto and Hiroshima), and what to expect when it comes to food, language, and cultural norms.
You’ll learn simple but important tips, like when to visit (spring for cherry blossoms is hard to beat), how to pack light for train travel, and how small gestures, like bowing or using two hands, can go a long way.
And yes… we talk about everything from bullet trains and bento boxes to tea ceremonies and those famously high-tech toilets.
If Japan is on your list, this episode will give you the confidence (and inspiration) to start planning.
👉 For more travel inspiration, tips, and behind-the-scenes stories, subscribe to my Substack at The Gomes Guide.