Japan Prep Guide

All guides

Best Japanese snack box gift for the holidays

Bokksu vs Sakuraco vs TokyoTreat, and when to order for Christmas.

Gifts for anime fans shipped from Japan

Kawaii character boxes, snack subscriptions and more.

TokyoTreat vs Sakuraco

Which Japanese snack box is right for you?

15 Japanese snacks that are hard to find outside Japan

Regional souvenirs, convenience-store classics and limited flavours.

Japan in winter: 7 things to book in advance

Snow festivals, Shirakawa-go, snow monkeys, ski trips.

eSIM vs Pocket WiFi vs SIM card for Japan

Which option fits your trip, and what it costs in 2026.

Narita & Haneda Airport to Tokyo

Fastest and cheapest options, with 2026 fares.

How much mobile data do you need in Japan?

A simple estimate by travel style.

Cash or card in Japan?

Where cards work, which ATMs take foreign cards, how much cash to bring.

Japanese convenience store guide

What to buy at 7-Eleven, Lawson and FamilyMart.

The 6 Best Day Trips from Osaka (and How to Do Each One)

The best day trips from Osaka: Nara, Kyoto, Kobe, Himeji, Koyasan and Arima Onsen, with train routes, travel…

7-Day Japan Itinerary for First-Timers: Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto & Osaka

A practical 7-day first-time Japan itinerary: Tokyo, Hakone and Mt Fuji views, Kyoto and Osaka with a Nara…

Best eSIM for Japan (2026): Airalo vs Saily vs Yesim vs GigSky

Airalo, Saily, Yesim and GigSky compared for Japan: prices, networks, unlimited plans, hotspot and phone…

Cherry Blossom Season in Japan 2027: When to Go and What to Book Now

When cherry blossoms bloom in Japan in 2027, from Okinawa in January to Hokkaido in May, plus the best spots,…

Do You Need Travel Insurance for Japan? (2026)

Tourists in Japan pay medical bills in full. What healthcare costs visitors, what a policy should cover…

Hakone Day Trip from Tokyo: The Loop Route, Freepass and Fuji Views

Plan a Hakone day trip from Tokyo: the classic loop by Romancecar, Tozan train, ropeway and Lake Ashi cruise,…

How to Set Up an eSIM for Japan (iPhone and Android)

Step-by-step: check your phone is unlocked, install a Japan eSIM before you fly, switch it on at arrival, fix…

Is the Japan Rail Pass Worth It in 2026?

Is the JR Pass still worth it in 2026? Current prices, break-even examples with real shinkansen fares, Nozomi…

Kansai Airport to Osaka & Kyoto: Every Option Compared

How to get from Kansai Airport (KIX) to Namba, Umeda and Kyoto: Nankai Rapi:t, JR Haruka, limousine buses and…

Luggage Storage in Japan: Coin Lockers, Shinkansen Rules and Forwarding

How to handle luggage in Japan: coin locker sizes and prices, storage counters and apps, Shinkansen oversized…

Mt. Fuji Day Trip from Tokyo: Bus, Train or Guided Tour? (2026)

Mt. Fuji day trip from Tokyo: Kawaguchiko, Hakone or the 5th Station by bus, train or guided tour, with 2026…

Renting a Car in Hokkaido: Permits, Winter Driving, Costs and Routes

Renting a car in Hokkaido: which driving permit you need, winter tyres and 4WD, ETC cards and the Hokkaido…

Tokyo Attractions You Should Book in Advance (2026)

Which Tokyo attractions sell out: teamLab, Shibuya Sky, Ghibli Museum, Disney, Skytree and sumo. How far…

Tokyo Disney Tickets Guide: Disneyland vs DisneySea, Prices and How to Buy (2026)

Tokyo Disneyland vs DisneySea, 2026 ticket prices, how date-specific tickets and Premier Access work, buying…

Universal Studios Japan Tickets & Express Pass: What to Buy in 2026

USJ tickets in 2026: date-based Studio Pass prices, which Express Pass to buy, Super Nintendo World timed…