Japan Travel Blog
Expert guides, insider tips, and detailed itineraries to help you plan your perfect Japan adventure.
Beyond Kyoto & Osaka: Discovering Ise-Shima, Japan's Hidden Gem for Spirituality and Pearls
Skip the Kyoto crowds—discover Ise-Shima instead. Complete insider guide: Ise Grand Shrine timing tips, Mikimoto Pearl Island, authentic ama diver experiences, Ago Bay exploration, best ryokan picks, and Kintetsu train booking secrets.
Journey to Japan's Sacred Coast: Discovering Ise-Shima Aboard the Shimakaze Limited Express
Experience the Shimakaze—Japan's ultimate luxury train. Private compartments, café car with Matsusaka beef, Japanese-style rooms. Complete guide: routes from Osaka/Nagoya/Kyoto, ticket booking, Kintetsu Rail Pass, and what awaits in sacred Ise-Shima.
Japan Travel Guide 2026: First-Timer's Complete Checklist (Start Here)
Overwhelmed planning Japan? Start here. We cover: best time to visit (and when to avoid), 7-14 day itinerary options, JR Pass vs individual tickets decision, where to stay, and cultural etiquette mistakes. Your complete first-trip checklist.
Japan Hidden Gems 2026: Skip the Crowds (10 Secret Destinations)
Tired of Fushimi Inari crowds? Visit these instead: Kanazawa (mini-Kyoto), Koyasan (sleep in a temple), Kinosaki (7 public onsen), Shirakawa-go (UNESCO village). Our access guides show how to reach each hidden gem from Tokyo/Osaka.
Day Trips From Tokyo 2026: 13 Best Destinations (With Train Times + Costs)
Don't just stay in Tokyo—escape for a day: Hakone (85 min, ¥2,330), Mt Fuji (2 hrs, ¥4,130), Nikko (JR Pass covered). Get our 13 day trip itineraries with exact train schedules, costs, and hour-by-hour plans you can copy.
Japan With Kids 2026: Why Families Love It (+ Complete Planning Guide)
Japan is secretly the best family destination: ultra-safe, spotless toilets everywhere, kids eat free at many restaurants. Our guide: Disneyland vs DisneySea, child JR Pass (50% off), stroller tips for Tokyo's stations, and 7-14 day family itineraries.
Best Time to Go to Japan 2026 (Best Months + Dates to Avoid)
Cherry blossoms: late March-mid April. Autumn foliage: November. AVOID: Golden Week (Apr 29-May 6) and Obon (Aug 13-16) when prices double. Our month-by-month calendar shows exactly when to go—and when NOT to—for weather, crowds, and budget.
7 Days in Japan 2026: Day-by-Day Itinerary With Costs (First-Timer's Guide)
Copy our exact 7-day Japan itinerary: Tokyo (3 days) → Kyoto (2 days) → Nara + Osaka. Budget: ¥120,000-260,000. Includes hour-by-hour schedules, which JR Pass to buy, hotel areas, and the mistakes most first-timers make. Start planning.
25 Japan Travel Mistakes to Avoid in 2026 (Most First-Timers Get Wrong)
Don't tip (it's offensive). Don't eat while walking. Don't talk on trains. Most first-timers ruin their trip with these 25 mistakes. Learn what NOT to do: JR Pass timing errors, cultural faux pas, and money traps tourists fall into.
Is JR Pass Worth It 2026? When You Save (and When You Lose) Money
After the 70% price hike, the ¥50,000 JR Pass is NOT always worth it. Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka only = NO savings. Add Hiroshima = YES. See our route-by-route math and 5 cheaper regional pass alternatives that save ¥10,000-20,000.
Japan Street Food 2026: What to Eat + Where (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto Guide)
Takoyaki in Osaka. Fresh sushi at Tsukiji. Matcha everything in Kyoto. Our street food guide: what to order at each market, typical prices (¥300-800), eating etiquette, and the dishes tourists always miss. Eat like a local, not a tourist.
Is Japan Safe for Solo Female Travel? Yes—Here's What You Need to Know (2026)
Japan ranks #1 for solo female travel safety. Walk alone at 3am. Use women-only train cars. Eat solo without judgment. Our guide covers: safest neighborhoods, what to actually worry about (almost nothing), and practical tips from solo women travelers.
Anime Pilgrimage Japan 2026: Real Locations From Your Name + Access Guide
Stand on the exact stairs from Your Name. Visit Lucky Star's Washinomiya Shrine. Our seichi junrei guide has 20+ real anime locations with train directions, Google Maps pins, and the exact camera angles for your photos.
Is Japan Affordable 2025-2026? YES—Here's the Real Cost ($100-300/Day)
The weak yen makes 2025-2026 the cheapest time to visit Japan in a decade. Budget: $100/day. Mid-range: $200/day. See our 14-day cost breakdown ($2,100-5,200) with money-saving hacks most guides don't mention.
10 Days in Japan 2026: Copy This Exact Itinerary (Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka)
Stop researching—use our exact 10-day Japan itinerary: Tokyo (3 days) → Hakone → Kyoto (3 days) → Nara → Osaka. Includes ¥180,000 budget breakdown, which trains to take, hotel recommendations, and timing mistakes to avoid.