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The vermilion torii of Hakone Shrine standing in the shallows of Lake Ashi, with Mount Fuji behind it

Hakone day trip from Tokyo 2026: the pass and the loop

The Freepass is ¥7,100 from Shinjuku for two days. The four legs of the classic loop come to ¥4,590 bought one at a time, and the ropeway charges the same fare for one stop as for the whole line.

UPDATED 29 OCT 2026 · 8 MIN READ

A snowboarder riding deep powder between snow-covered trees

When does Japan's ski season start in 2026-27?

Nine resorts in Hokkaido, Nagano and Niigata, all opening between 28 November and 19 December: the adult day pass at each one, the beginner tickets, and the 71-minute shinkansen day trip from Tokyo.

UPDATED 23 OCT 2026 · 11 MIN READ

A row of cherry trees in full bloom along a river bank

When do Japan's cherry blossoms open in 2027?

Thirteen cities with the average date their sample tree opens and fills out, what the 2026 season did to those dates, and the park rules and holiday weekend that decide a March trip.

UPDATED 22 OCT 2026 · 9 MIN READ

Yen banknotes and coins laid out on a surface

Cash in Japan 2026: how much a wallet needs

Japan settled 58.0% of its household spending without cash in 2025, and the rest still wants notes: temple gates, market stalls, lockers, the counter with no terminal. What to carry, where the card stops, and what 1 November does to the tax on a big purchase.

UPDATED 21 OCT 2026 · 8 MIN READ

Three blue reserved-seat ticket machines under a green JR East sign at Yotsuya Station

How to buy Shinkansen tickets in Japan in 2026

Two tickets sit behind every fare and the machine asks about both. The twelve screens, the trains with no non-reserved car, and the one answer that decides whether the gate opens.

UPDATED 21 OCT 2026 · 9 MIN READ

A covered shopping arcade in Naha with a vaulted glass roof and shoppers below

Naha in two days: what fits on one monorail?

Two days on one monorail — 13 minutes from the airport to Kokusai-dori, the market's last orders — and the Shurijo main hall reopening on 23 November with a ¥1,000 park and a timed slot.

UPDATED 23 OCT 2026 · 10 MIN READ

The counter and conveyor belt of a kaiten sushi restaurant, plates under domed covers and a hot-water tap at the seat

How do you order at a kaiten sushi bar?

Order on the panel, take plates off the belt, and read the Japanese names on the menu. What the four big chains charge in 2026, and why the branch sets the price.

UPDATED 19 OCT 2026 · 11 MIN READ

Lit ice sculptures and illuminated trees with the Sapporo TV Tower behind

When is the Sapporo Snow Festival 2027?

The 77th festival runs 4 to 11 February on three free sites, with Otaru's candle week overlapping six of the eight nights.

UPDATED 23 OCT 2026 · 4 MIN READ

The south gate at Meiji Jingu on New Year's Day, lit after dark

What stays open in Japan over New Year?

The closures from 26 December, the Nozomi all-reserved window, hatsumode hours and Tokyo's first sunrise of 2027.

UPDATED 23 OCT 2026 · 4 MIN READ

A white PASMO card with pink lettering beside Japanese yen notes on a table

PASMO in 2026: which version do you need?

The card the Tokyo private railways and the subway sell: the deposit, the 28-day Tourist PASMO, and where the ¥500 comes back.

UPDATED 18 OCT 2026 · 6 MIN READ

IC Card Only floor markings and gates at Kyoto Station on the JR West network

Where does an ICOCA stop working?

JR West's card for Kansai: ¥2,000 to buy, cash only, ¥20,000 at most inside, and a refund that only happens at a JR West station.

UPDATED 17 OCT 2026 · 6 MIN READ

A red and white Welcome Suica card with cherry blossom printing on a wooden table

Which Suica should you get in 2026?

JR East's card, three ways: the ¥500 deposit on the plastic, the 28-day Welcome Suica that skips it, and the iPhone version that takes a credit card.

UPDATED 20 OCT 2026 · 6 MIN READ

Osaka's Midosuji avenue at night, street trees wrapped in coloured LED lights

Kansai winter illuminations 2026-27: which ones are free?

Twenty-four light events across Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Himeji, Shiga and Wakayama: four kilometres of free street light on Midosuji, the paid gardens, the two Kyoto displays gone this winter.

UPDATED 19 OCT 2026 · 15 MIN READ

The Omoide Yokocho entrance in Shinjuku at night, lanterns strung over the alley

Izakaya in Japan 2026: what is on the bill before you order?

A plate you didn't order, a charge for the seat, a drink before any food, and a last order half an hour before the doors shut. Where the good rooms are in Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka.

UPDATED 19 OCT 2026 · 11 MIN READ

An Osaka Metro platform with a train standing at the platform screen doors

Osaka transport 2026: which line takes the pass?

The metro's ¥190 to ¥390 distance fares, JR's Loop Line on its own ticket, the ¥970 airport express, the ¥1,670 limited express, the 2026 pass covering each half.

UPDATED 17 OCT 2026 · 9 MIN READ

Autumn maples in front of a temple hall

Japan autumn leaves 2026: when do they peak?

The colour runs from Hokkaido in September to the Kyoto gardens in mid-December; October's forecasts have it late: Tokyo's maples on 28 November, Osaka's three days back at 4 December. The night openings with their 2026 dates.

UPDATED 29 OCT 2026 · 9 MIN READ

Suitcases being wheeled through a station concourse

How late can you send luggage in Japan?

Two carriers, one idea: hand the suitcase over at the airport counter in the morning, collect it at the hotel that evening. Bags from ¥2,450; the cut-off is the whole plan.

UPDATED 23 OCT 2026 · 9 MIN READ

A departure board in a Japanese airport

Who pays Japan’s departure tax?

The sayonara tax became ¥3,000 per departure on 1 July 2026, collected by the airline and inside the fare. Children under two, and anyone in transit under 24 hours, pay nothing.

UPDATED 23 OCT 2026 · 6 MIN READ

A power bank and charging cable in a departure lounge

Can you take a power bank on a flight to Japan?

Two packs per passenger, 160 Wh or less, in the cabin and never the hold, in the seat pocket, not the overhead bin — no charging your phone from one during the flight. Japan's rule has been in force since 24 April 2026.

UPDATED 23 OCT 2026 · 7 MIN READ

A Tokyo street at night, with shop and hotel signs above the traffic

Where to stay in Tokyo: Shinjuku, Ueno or Asakusa, by minutes

Shinjuku is Japan's busiest station and the hardest to walk out of, Ueno carries five shinkansen plus the Narita Skyliner, Asakusa has one subway line and the temple. Which one depends on your airport and day trips.

UPDATED 23 OCT 2026 · 9 MIN READ

Dotonbori at dusk with the canal lit up

Osaka in three days: which pass pays for which day?

The Amazing Pass at ¥3,500 a day or ¥5,000 for two, Osaka Castle at ¥1,200, the Eco Card at ¥820 on a weekday, and the USJ day needs a free timed-entry ticket from the app.

UPDATED 23 OCT 2026 · 10 MIN READ

A Tokyo street with a subway entrance

Tokyo in three days: which pass covers both operators?

A west day, an east day and a market day, with the 2026 entry prices, the subway pass covering two of the three operators, the November weekend the Narita Express loses services.

UPDATED 23 OCT 2026 · 10 MIN READ

A shinkansen at a Tokyo station platform

Is the JR Pass worth it in 2026?

The official site has held ¥50,000 for the 7-day pass while overseas agencies went to ¥53,000 on 1 October. The point-to-point fares it has to beat, the NOZOMI supplement, the reservation rule for where you bought it.

UPDATED 19 OCT 2026 · 11 MIN READ

A phone showing a signal indicator beside a Japanese train window

How much does a Japan eSIM cost for a week?

Seven days of data costs 2,480 to 5,775 yen, every unlimited plan throttles at a figure the seller publishes, and a Hong Kong iPhone 16 can't install one at all.

UPDATED 19 OCT 2026 · 10 MIN READ

A pocket WiFi router beside a phone on a table

Pocket WiFi, eSIM or a SIM in 2026: which one runs flat?

A pocket WiFi is paid per day and shared by the group; an eSIM is paid once per phone and can't be shared. The rental counters, the daily caps, the battery deciding a long day out.

UPDATED 19 OCT 2026 · 8 MIN READ

Mount Fuji across the water at Lake Kawaguchi

Tokyo to Kawaguchiko: four trains each morning, and the bus

The Fuji Excursion is the only through train, the priciest seat and the first to sell out; the highway bus is ¥2,000 online; the Tokyo Wide Pass covers the whole Fujikyu line. Four routes, what to reserve a month out.

UPDATED 19 OCT 2026 · 10 MIN READ

Kobe Port Tower and the Maritime Museum lit up at night, reflecting on the water

Kobe in one day: what order do you walk it?

An ¥800 City Loop ticket covers Kitano, Chinatown and the port; the Maya cable car covers the night view for ¥1,560 — but only Friday, Saturday, Sunday or a holiday, because Monday, Wednesday and Thursday the last car up leaves at 17:40.

UPDATED 19 OCT 2026 · 10 MIN READ

A sushi counter in a small Japanese restaurant: a wooden bar, place settings, menus and a shelf of sake bottles

Can you book a Japanese restaurant without Japanese?

Tabelog takes bookings at about 96,000 restaurants in Japan without a phone call in Japanese, charges ¥440 a head, and takes a card before it confirms. The score brackets, the fee, the four screens in between.

UPDATED 18 OCT 2026 · 14 MIN READ

An izakaya table of grilled chicken skewers on small black plates with a tall iced drink

How much does Torikizoku cost in 2026?

Every menu item is ¥410 including tax, each yakitori order two skewers, and you pay at the counter — the 1 October price change, the party plan's written terms, six branches in four cities.

UPDATED 23 OCT 2026 · 11 MIN READ

A Japanese hotel room laid out as a twin: two beds on the floor, low furniture and a shoji screen

Why are Japanese hotel rooms priced per person?

The rate is per person, the capacity counts the baby, a no-show with no call can close the booking at 21:00, and two taxes arrive at the desk.

UPDATED 19 OCT 2026 · 12 MIN READ

Japan Airlines aircraft at the terminal gates at Haneda Airport, seen from above

Do you need Visit Japan Web in 2026?

One code replaces the arrival card and the customs form — but only eight terminals have the kiosk for a single stop. What to register before you fly, the four rules that catch people out.

UPDATED 19 OCT 2026 · 7 MIN READ

The senbon torii tunnel at Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kyoto

Kyoto in four days: what replaces the bus pass?

The ¥700 bus 1-day pass is gone, replaced by ¥1,100, so the routing changes — four days with fares, temple prices, the 2026 autumn night viewings.

UPDATED 18 OCT 2026 · 10 MIN READ

Shibuya crossing and the surrounding high-rises seen from above

Tokyo in five days: which tickets must you book early?

Shibuya Sky releases timed tickets two weeks ahead, the Ghibli Museum on the 10th of the month, Disney prices by date — five days built around the two tickets you can't buy late.

UPDATED 19 OCT 2026 · 11 MIN READ

Dotonbori canal at night, neon signs on both banks and sightseeing boats on the water

Osaka in five days: which pass sets the order?

The Osaka Amazing Pass decides the order of your days, Universal Studios needs a day of its own, Kyoto is 29 minutes and ¥580 away — day by day, with each day's cost.

UPDATED 19 OCT 2026 · 11 MIN READ

The Dotonbori restaurant street in daylight, a giant statue holding a fried skewer above the shopfronts

Dotonbori: four dishes on the loudest street in Osaka

Takoyaki at ¥600 for six, okonomiyaki cooked at your table, kushikatsu with one drink each, crab at ¥5,000 and up — the posted hours and the rules that catch first-timers.

UPDATED 19 OCT 2026 · 12 MIN READ

A covered shopping arcade in Japan, shopfronts on both sides

What changes at the tax-free till on 1 November?

From 1 November the tax is charged at the till and refunded at the airport: the customs terminal, the refund providers, the 90-day clock, the ¥500,000 cap that goes.

UPDATED 18 OCT 2026 · 8 MIN READ