July 28, 2026
The departure tax tripled in July, tax-free shopping switches to a refund system in November, and Mt Fuji's climbing rules are tighter than ever. Here's what's actually confirmed.
Travel Guide
21 articles.
Japan's Travel Rules Are Changing in Late 2026: What Visitors Need to Know
The Best Day Trips from Tokyo (And Which Ones Are Worth an Overnight Instead)July 25, 2026
Kamakura, Hakone, Nikko, and Yokohama compared honestly — which day trips from Tokyo actually work in a single day, and which ones you'll wish you'd stayed over for.
How to Order Ramen in Japan Without Panicking at the MachineJuly 25, 2026
Most ramen shops in Japan use a ticket vending machine instead of a server taking your order. Here's exactly how it works, cash tips, and what to do if you can't read the buttons.
What to Actually Pack for Japan (And What First-Timers Overpack)July 25, 2026
A practical Japan packing list built around what trips you up in practice — cash, coins, shoes you can slip off, and the one tech item that matters more than any adapter.
Japanese Toilet Buttons, Decoded (Including the One You Really Shouldn't Press)July 25, 2026
Japanese washlet toilets look intimidating with all those buttons — here's what each one does, and specifically which button is not the flush button.
Konbini Culture: Why Japanese Convenience Stores Aren't Really 'Convenience Stores'July 25, 2026
7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart each have a real specialty, and konbini do far more than sell snacks. Here's how to actually use them like a local.
Narita and Haneda to Tokyo: Which Train to Actually TakeJuly 25, 2026
The fastest, cheapest, and easiest options from Narita and Haneda into central Tokyo — and why the airport you land at matters more than which option you pick.
Onsen Etiquette (And What Tattoos Actually Mean for Getting In)July 25, 2026
The tattoo rule isn't a national law — it's set bath by bath. Here's what actually determines whether you'll get turned away, plus the etiquette basics nobody explains clearly.
Suica vs Pasmo: Which IC Card Should Tourists Actually Get?July 25, 2026
Suica and Pasmo work identically for travelers, so the real decision is physical card vs. mobile — and which one saves you the airport counter line.
Do You Tip in Japan? (The Answer Is Simpler Than You'd Think)July 25, 2026
Tipping in Japan isn't just unnecessary — attempting it can create a genuinely awkward moment. Here's why, and what to do instead if you want to show appreciation.
Tokyo Disneyland vs. DisneySea: Which One Should You Actually Pick?July 25, 2026
DisneySea doesn't exist anywhere else in the world, which changes the calculus for a first-time visitor. Here's how to actually decide between the two parks.
Why Japan Has Almost No Public Trash Cans (And What to Actually Do About It)July 25, 2026
It's the single most common tourist complaint about Japan, and the reason traces back to a 1995 subway attack. Here's why bins vanished, and how to handle your trash like a local.
15 Japanese Souvenirs Worth Bringing Home (and Where to Find Them)July 22, 2026
Skip the generic keychains. Here's what's actually worth packing home from Japan, from regional snacks to everyday goods locals swear by.
Kaiten-zushi 101: How to Actually Order at a Conveyor Belt Sushi RestaurantJuly 22, 2026
Plates gliding past on a conveyor belt, touchscreen ordering, bullet-train delivery for your extra order. Here's how kaiten-zushi actually works, and how to get the most out of it.
What Kyoto Actually Looks Like During Cherry Blossom SeasonJuly 22, 2026
Beyond the postcard shots — a closer look at what it's really like to walk through Kyoto's old streets when the sakura are in bloom.
Sumida River Fireworks Festival: The Complete GuideJuly 22, 2026
Tokyo's oldest fireworks festival draws over a million people to the banks of the Sumida every summer. Here's what makes it worth planning around, and how to actually enjoy it.
teamLab Planets Tokyo: Is It Worth the Hype?July 22, 2026
You wade through water, walk on floating flowers, and stand inside rooms of infinite mirrors. Here's what teamLab Planets actually is, and how to book it right.
Mount Fuji: Best Viewpoints and When You'll Actually See ItJuly 21, 2026
Mount Fuji hides behind clouds and haze more often than travel photos let on. Here's where to go and when to go, to actually see it clearly.
Fushimi Inari Taisha: A Complete Guide to Kyoto's Endless Red GatesJuly 20, 2026
Thousands of vermillion torii gates climbing a forested mountain, open 24 hours, free to enter. Here's how to actually see it well instead of just fighting the crowd for a photo.
Obon and Bon Odori: Japan's Summer Festival of Lights and DanceJuly 19, 2026
Every August, Japan pauses to welcome back the spirits of ancestors with lanterns, dancing, and neighborhood festivals. Here's what Obon actually is, and where to see it.
Nara Park: Where Wild Deer Bow for CrackersJuly 18, 2026
Over a thousand wild deer roam freely around Nara's temples and shrines, and yes, some of them really do bow. Here's how to visit well.