In short
Marketer in Vancouver, bringing content, community and campaigns to life, and keeping every moving part on track.
Marketer in Vancouver, bringing content, community and campaigns to life, and keeping every moving part on track.
I like the side of marketing where ideas turn into things people actually see: the post, the campaign, the event.
My roots are in content and community. At Moola I built social strategies, wrote blog posts, web pages and emails, scheduled content and supported merchant campaigns, then reported monthly on what the numbers said. At FortisBC I drafted communications and media materials and helped plan events.
Since then I've run the operational side: coordinating events for 250+ attendees and engaging 1,300+ program participants, with the timelines, logistics and communications kept on track.
A women's lookbook I made as a Client Advisor at Maison Kitsuné, to walk my clients through the Spring–Summer 2022 collection.
Try-on looks, in-store product shots and editorial layouts, organised into five edits: summer favourites, accessories, tees, pullovers, and sweatshirts and hoodies.
A pre-trip guide I wrote for a Canadian travel insurance company's blog, for Canadians planning a trip to Japan.
Five practical sections, from apps and mobile data to yen, rail passes and travel cover, written to be skimmed before a trip and kept handy during it.
Travel guide · Blog article
Five things you need to know before visiting Japan.
Candice LamSeptember 30, 2026
September 30, 2026
When you scroll through Instagram, it seems like everyone is travelling to Japan – and it’s easy to see why.
A favourite destination for Canadians, Japan offers something for every type of traveller: from endless food options and matcha cafes to Pokémon Centres, ancient temples, and neon-lit city streets. A little planning before you go can make your trip smoother, safer, and more enjoyable.
Keep reading to discover five things you need to know before visiting Japan.
Visiting Japan02
1
Japan’s public transit system is clean, reliable, and extensive, but navigating major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka can feel intimidating at first. You may have heard stories of visitors boarding the wrong train and getting lost for hours while trying to navigate the public transit system.
Prepare before you leave by saving your must-see spots to a list in Google Maps for easy access to walking directions, train routes, platform details, and estimated fares. Japan Travel by NAVITIME is another useful option for planning rail travel.
English signage is common in tourist areas and on major transit lines, but it’s still helpful to learn a few basic phrases such as konnichiwa (hello), arigatō gozaimasu (thank you) and sumimasen (excuse me). Additionally, it’s helpful to use Google Translate for its camera feature to read menus, product labels, and signs.
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2
You don’t have to wait until you arrive at the airport to arrange your mobile data. Save time with an eSIM or pocket Wi-Fi before leaving Canada.
Some travel insurance policies include complimentary mobile data that works in Japan, so check whether yours does before you buy a separate plan.
Get an eSIM: eSIMs are handy for travel as you’ll have cellular data for Google Maps and translation apps as soon as you arrive.
Get pocket Wi-Fi: Perfect if you’re travelling as a family or a group and need to connect multiple devices, pocket Wi-Fi is a handy way to connect to the same network while travelling together.
Tip: Save your hotel address in both English and Japanese. This is especially helpful when taking a taxi, Uber, or asking for directions.
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3
Credit cards are widely accepted in major cities, hotels, and department stores across Japan. However, some small restaurants, market stalls, temples, and traditional shops may be cash-only, so it’s ideal to carry some Japanese yen.
If you need more while you’re there, 7‑Eleven ATMs are a convenient option to withdraw cash. Also, before you leave, check that your debit or credit card is enabled for international withdrawals. Another option is to pre-load a Wise card (acts like a digital debit card) with some Japanese yen, if need be.
Tip: Japan has a strict no-tipping culture. Offering extra money can cause confusion or, in some settings, be considered impolite.
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4
Planning to visit more than one city? The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) can be a convenient and cost-efficient option to cover long distances by train. It provides access to many JR Group rail lines, including most shinkansen (bullet train) services, and is available for various travel durations.
Before purchasing, compare its cost with the price of individual train tickets for your planned itinerary. For the best chance of a Mount Fuji view, choose the right side of the train when travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto and left side if coming from the opposite direction.
Another option is to buy and load a rechargeable IC card. These cards make it easy to pay for local trains, buses, vending machines, and convenience stores.
Tip: It’s important to respect Japan’s quiet train culture by keeping your phone on silent, avoiding loud conversations, and refraining from taking phone calls.
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5
Canadians can generally visit Japan visa-free for short tourist stays, but entry rules can change. Before departure, confirm passport validity, entry requirements, and any health guidance through official Government of Canada and Japanese government websites.
You’ve planned the route and the itinerary; the last thing you want is an unexpected medical emergency or travel disruption to throw your Japan trip off course. That’s where travel insurance can help. Look for travel insurance that includes emergency medical coverage, trip interruption, and cancellation protection. An unexpected illness, injury, or travel disruption can be costly — especially when you are far from home. The right travel insurance can help you prepare for the unexpected, so you can focus on enjoying everything Japan has to offer.
Sayonara,
Candice
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As chair of the Yearbook & Prospectus Committee, I led the team that made UBC Sauder's 2021–22 student agenda.
An eight-person committee across design and external relations. The agenda pairs a help book of campus resources with a full-year planner, and its theme borrows from bullet journals and scrapbooks: room to record, reflect and plan, while still feeling professional.
A competitive analysis I put together at M2M Tech, comparing the company with AltaML, an applied-AI firm, on positioning and social media.
It audits AltaML's offer and channels, scores what they do well and where they fall short, and turns the gaps into a four-part content plan for M2M Tech.
M2M Tech
M2M Tech and AltaML: how each is positioned, how each shows up on social, and what M2M Tech should do next.
Candice Lam, Marketing2025
AI built into day-to-day operations, for immediate impact and fewer disruptions.
AI solutions that deliver immediate impact and prevent operational disruptions.
Automates complex workflows and removes manual processes.
Catches equipment failures before they happen, with split-second decisions in critical environments.
Sectors Healthcare, energy, manufacturing, public sector, maritime and agriculture.
M2M Tech2 / 6
The competitor
Vertical AI solutions that lower costs, sharpen decision-making and transform business operations.
M2M Tech3 / 6
| Channel | Role | What they post | Last post |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | Hires, holidays and event appearances, to 27,000+ followers. Their most active channel. | Jan 7, 2025 | |
| Secondary | Used as a secondary platform, behind LinkedIn. | Jul 4, 2025 | |
| TikTok | Culture | Relatable, funny office content, made easy by in-person teams, but not about what AltaML sells. | Mar 28, 2025 |
M2M TechSnapshot from 2025 · 4 / 6
M2M Tech5 / 6
Edge AI and ARC in action: short LinkedIn posts with real use cases and metrics, sector-specific ROI stories, and some AI myth-busting.
LinkedIn carousels that break down frameworks, short videos that explain the tech, and a client-interview podcast.
Theme content around healthcare week, manufacturing day, public-sector innovation month and climate summits, so partners have a reason to repost.
Put the founders on video, talking trends and the future of enterprise AI, for a more personal voice.
M2M Tech6 / 6