Convenience stores are really useful when you’re traveling in Japan. They sell much more than drinks and snacks. You can also pick up rice balls, sandwiches, be...
While traveling in Japan, you may find yourself with an empty plastic bottle or a snack wrapper and suddenly realize: “There’s no trash can…” In Japan, you won’...
Want to buy Gunpla or Tamiya model kits while traveling in Japan? If you’re into model kits, this is probably something you’ve been looking forward to. But once...
This article explains not only how to use Amazon Japan while traveling in Japan, but also how to shop on Amazon Japan from your home overseas. Your luggage is s...
This article explains Japan's new Tax-Free system that takes effect on November 1, 2026. When you're shopping during a trip to Japan, you may suddenly find your...
During your trip to Japan, you may be thinking, “I want to buy some Japanese-language manga to take home.” “I want to look for figures from my favorite anime.” ...
I’m Japanese and have traveled in the United States, Poland, Egypt, the UAE, Vietnam, Taiwan, and South Korea.
Those experiences showed me that everyday things don’t always work the way you expect when you travel to another country.
Here, I explain the everyday rules, customs, and “What should I do here?” moments you may run into while traveling in Japan — from a Japanese perspective, with occasional comparisons from my own travels.
If you have a question about traveling in Japan, feel free to ask me.
![Tax-Free Shopping in Japan: How It Works and How to Ship Your Purchases Home [Updated for November 1, 2026]](https://decodejpn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ic_tax-free-shipping-300x169.png)
