Japan travel guides
Where to go, how to get around, what to eat and how to stay online — 20 practical guides written for travelers visiting Japan.
Japan eSIM from $0.90eSIM & connectivity
Japan eSIM: The Complete 2026 Setup Guide for Travelers
A complete guide to using a Japan eSIM: check phone compatibility, install before you fly, activate on arrival, choose your data plan, and fix common issues.
Read guideeSIM vs Pocket WiFi vs SIM Card in Japan: Which Is Best?
Pocket WiFi vs eSIM Japan compared: cost, coverage, battery, and convenience, plus the best SIM for Japan by traveler type so you arrive already connected.
Read guideHow Much Data Do You Need in Japan? Usage Breakdown
Wondering how much data for Japan you'll need? See daily usage for maps and translation, GB estimates for 5-14 day trips, and how to pick the right eSIM plan.
Read guideStaying Connected in Japan: Free WiFi, Maps & Apps
Free WiFi in Japan is patchy and time-limited. Here are the best travel apps, why offline maps fall short, and how to stay reliably online with a Japan eSIM.
Read guideItinerary
The Perfect 7-Day Japan Itinerary for First-Timers
A complete Japan 7 day itinerary for first-timers: Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka by shinkansen, plus day trips, budget tips and exactly what to do each day in one week.
Read guideJapan 14 Day Itinerary: Tokyo to Hiroshima (10-14 Days)
A complete Japan 14 day itinerary from Tokyo to Hiroshima: Mount Fuji, the Japanese Alps, Kyoto, Osaka, Miyajima, rail tips, and when the JR Pass pays off.
Read guideDestination guide
Things to Do in Tokyo: A Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood Guide
The best things to do in Tokyo, organized by neighborhood: Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku, Asakusa, Akihabara, Ginza and teamLab, plus where to base yourself.
Read guideKyoto Travel Guide: Temples, Gardens & Hidden Gems
A complete Kyoto travel guide to the best temples, gardens, and hidden gems: Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, Gion etiquette, a Nara day trip, and when to avoid crowds.
Read guideThings to Do in Osaka & Kansai: Food, Fun & Day Trips
The best things to do in Osaka and the Kansai region: Dotonbori street food, Osaka Castle, Universal Studios, and day trips to Nara, Kobe, and Himeji.
Read guideBest Day Trips from Tokyo: Fuji, Hakone, Nikko & Kamakura
The best day trips from Tokyo, from a Hakone day trip and Nikko's shrines to a Mount Fuji day trip at Kawaguchiko and coastal Kamakura, with train tips.
Read guideHokkaido and Okinawa: Japan Beyond the Golden Route
A guide to Hokkaido travel and Okinawa: Sapporo, powder snow, lavender, beaches, Ryukyu culture, and the best time to explore Japan beyond Tokyo and Kyoto.
Read guideGetting around
Getting Around Japan: Shinkansen, Trains & JR Pass Guide
Getting around Japan made simple: how the shinkansen works, whether the JR Pass is worth it, IC cards, station signage, transit apps, and luggage forwarding tips.
Read guideSuica, PASMO & ICOCA: A Traveler's Guide to IC Cards
A practical Suica card guide for Japan: how PASMO vs Suica vs ICOCA compare, adding Mobile Suica to your phone, where to top up, and the IC card shortage.
Read guideWhen to go
Best Time to Visit Japan: Seasons, Weather & Sakura
Wondering about the best time to visit Japan? A month-by-month guide to cherry blossom season, autumn foliage, weather, festivals, and crowds to plan around.
Read guideJapan's Festivals & Seasonal Events: Year-Round Calendar
A guide to Japan festivals season by season: hanami, Gion Matsuri, Tenjin Matsuri, fireworks, koyo, the Sapporo Snow Festival, New Year, and how to plan around the crowds.
Read guideFood & drink
Budget & money
Money in Japan: Cash, Cards & Budgeting Tips
Cash or card in Japan? A practical guide to ATMs, IC cards, tax-free shopping, tipping, and sample daily budgets so you know exactly how much cash to carry.
Read guideJapan on a Budget: How to Travel Cheap Without Missing Out
Japan budget travel made simple: realistic trip costs, cheap hotels and hostels, konbini eats, transport savings, and where an eSIM beats pocket WiFi.
Read guideTravel tips
Japanese Etiquette & Customs: What Travelers Should Know
A practical guide to Japan etiquette for tourists: onsen rules, train manners, dining customs, tattoos, shoes-off spaces, and the dos and donts that matter.
Read guideIs Japan Safe? A Practical Safety & Arrival Guide
Is Japan safe? Yes - here's a practical safety and arrival guide covering crime, earthquakes, emergency numbers, Visit Japan Web, and your first hour at Narita or Haneda.
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