Safety & Emergencies

Is It Safe for Women to Walk Alone at Night in Japan?

Is it safe for women to go out alone at night while traveling in Japan?To put it simply, women traveling in Japan don't ...
Travel Basics

Japan Packing List: What to Bring, Buy in Japan & Leave at Home

Getting ready for a trip to Japan and wondering, "What should I pack?" or "Should I bring less if I can buy things in Ja...
Travel Basics

Best Time to Visit Japan: Month-by-Month Weather, Crowds, Typhoons & What to Wear

When planning a trip to Japan, have you ever wondered, "What's the best month to visit?"Spring for cherry blossoms, autu...
Transport

How to Ride Trams and Streetcars in Japan: Fares, IC Cards & City-by-City Tips

Want to ride a tram in Japan but aren't sure whether to board through the front or rear door, when to pay your fare, or ...
Transport

How to Ride the Shinkansen in Japan: Tickets, Reservations, Boarding & Luggage

Shinkansen LineRouteTrain ServicesHokkaido ShinkansenShin-Aomori – Shin-Hakodate-HokutoHayabusaHayateTohoku ShinkansenTo...
Transport

How to Ride Trains and Subways in Japan: IC Cards, Tickets & Transfers

Japan has so many train and subway lines that the system can seem complicated if you're visiting for the first time.In c...
Transport

How to Ride a Bus in Japan: Fares, IC Cards, and Getting On and Off

Japanese trains are fairly straightforward. Even if it’s your first time, you can usually just tap your IC card at the t...
Transport

How to Take a Taxi in Japan: Hailing a Taxi, Fares, and Payment Methods

When taking a taxi in Japan for the first time, you may wonder:“How do I get a taxi?”“Will the driver speak English?”“Ca...
Shopping & Money

How Much Cash Do You Need in Japan?: Where to Exchange Money and Withdraw Yen

You don’t need to carry all the money you expect to spend in Japan as cash.Credit cards, contactless payments, and other...
Transport

Where to Buy Suica, PASMO, and ICOCA in Japan | How to Top Up and Use IC Cards

If you buy a paper ticket every time you take a train in Japan, you first need to check the fare to your destination, fi...
Shopping & Money

How to Use Convenience Stores in Japan: A Traveler’s Guide to Shopping, Paying, and Eating

Convenience stores are really useful when you’re traveling in Japan.They sell much more than drinks and snacks. You can ...
Travel Basics

Where Should You Throw Away Trash While Traveling in Japan?: What to Do When You Can’t Find a Trash Can

While traveling in Japan, you may find yourself with an empty plastic bottle or a snack wrapper and suddenly realize:“Th...
Travel Basics

Need a Toilet While Traveling in Japan? Where to Find One and How to Use It

If you suddenly need to use the restroom while traveling in Japan, you may wonder:“Where can I use one?”“Do I have to pa...
Onsen & Bathing

How to Use Japanese Onsen and Sento: Etiquette, Tattoos, and Towel Rules

If you’re traveling in Japan, you may want to try an onsen or sento.But if it’s your first time, you may be wondering:“D...
Shopping & Money

Buying Model Kits in Japan: Where to Find Gunpla and Tamiya—and How to Bring Them Home

Want to buy Gunpla or Tamiya model kits while traveling in Japan?If you’re into model kits, this is probably something y...
Travel Basics

How to Use Vending Machines in Japan: Payment Methods and Fun Machines to Try

As you travel around Japan, you’ll see vending machines almost everywhere — on train platforms, near hotels, at tourist ...
Shopping & Money

Using Amazon Japan While Traveling in Japan: How to Register, Order, and Receive Your Purchases

This article explains not only how to use Amazon Japan while traveling in Japan, but also how to shop on Amazon Japan fr...
Shopping & Money

Tax-Free Shopping in Japan: How It Works and How to Ship Your Purchases Home [Updated for November 1, 2026]

This article explains Japan's new Tax-Free system that takes effect on November 1, 2026.When you're shopping during a tr...
Shopping & Money

Where to Buy Manga and Figures in Japan: BOOKOFF, Animate, Mandarake, and More

During your trip to Japan, you may be thinking,“I want to buy some Japanese-language manga to take home.”“I want to look...
Accommodation

Internet Cafes and Manga Cafes in Japan: 24-Hour Access, Prices, Showers, and Overnight Stays Explained

Internet cafes and manga cafes in Japan are a little different from what you may think of as an “Internet cafe” in other...