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#japan
All travel guides tagged japan.
Money
MoneyCash, Cards and ATMs in Japan
How to pay in Japan: when to use cash or cards, which ATMs accept foreign cards, and how to avoid payment surprises.
FoodHow to Reserve Restaurants in Japan Without Speaking Japanese
Book restaurants in Japan confidently without Japanese: online tools, hotel help, phone-call alternatives and etiquette for reservations.
TransportIs the Japan Rail Pass Worth It? JR Pass vs Individual Tickets
Find out when a nationwide Japan Rail Pass beats individual tickets, how to calculate the break-even point, and the restrictions to check.
LuggageJapan Coin Lockers: Sizes, Prices and Full-Locker Alternatives
A practical guide to Japan coin-locker sizes, typical prices, payment methods and reliable options when every locker is full.
TransportJapan Regional Rail Passes Compared
Compare Japan's regional rail passes by travel area, validity and route style, so you can choose one that matches your itinerary.
AirportsNarita vs Haneda Airport: Best Transfer into Tokyo
Compare Narita and Haneda airport transfers by destination, time, price, luggage and late-night practicality before booking Tokyo flights.
LuggageShinkansen Oversized Baggage Rules and Reservations
Understand Shinkansen oversized-baggage limits, seat reservations and practical packing options before taking Japan's bullet train.
Visas EntryVisit Japan Web: Complete Immigration and Customs Guide
Complete Visit Japan Web guide: what to register, how the QR code works, and when you still need paper customs forms.
Carry OnANA Cabin Baggage: Size Limits, Weight & What You Can Bring
ANA allows one carry-on (55x40x25 cm) plus one personal item — combined weight 10 kg. New personal-item size rules apply from July 2026.
Check InANA Check-In: Online, Mobile App & Airport — Times & Deadlines
ANA online check-in opens 24 hours before departure. Miss the cut-off and you lose your seat. Here are every deadline and method explained.
CheckedANA Checked Baggage: Allowances, Weight Limits & Extra Bag Fees
ANA gives Economy flyers 2 free bags at 23 kg each on international routes. Here are the exact weight limits, overweight fees, and extra bag costs.
Food OnANA Food & Drinks: What You Get, When It's Served & Special Meals
ANA serves free hot meals in economy on long-haul international flights, with Japanese or Western choice. Special meals free, order 24h before departure.
Flying BlueANA Mileage Club: How to Earn, Redeem & Actually Use ANA Miles
ANA miles expire in 36 months, one-way awards launched June 2025, and Amex transfers 1:1. Here's what matters before you book.
Wifi InternetANA WiFi: Coverage, Speed & How to Connect On Board
ANA offers free WiFi on domestic flights and is rolling out free high-speed Viasat internet on international routes from 2025. Here's what to expect.
ConnectivityBest eSIM for Japan 2025: IIJmio, Mobal and Airalo Compared
IIJmio, Airalo or Mobal: which eSIM wins for Japan in 2025? Real prices, data caps, and network quality compared so you can buy before you board.
WildlifeDeer in Nara: What They Actually Do and the Food Rules That Keep You Safe
Nara's 1,300 free-roaming deer are charming, and surprisingly assertive. Here's the feeding etiquette and safety rules every visitor needs.
DrivingDriving on the Left in Japan: What to Expect Your First Hour Behind the Wheel
First time driving on the left in Japan? Here is exactly what happens in your first hour: rental counter to first intersection.
EmergencyEarthquake Alert in Japan: What the Alarm Sound Means and Exactly What to Do
That jarring siren on your phone in Japan is J-Alert: a real earthquake warning. Here is what it means, how long you have, and exactly what to do.
AccessibilityEating Vegan in Japan: The Hidden Dashi Problem and Which Chains Have Real Options
Dashi fish stock hides in almost every Japanese dish. Here's how to spot it, avoid it, and find genuinely vegan meals at Japanese chains.
NationalGolden Week in Japan: What Closes, What Costs More and How to Not Ruin Your Trip
Golden Week shuts banks, spikes hotel prices and packs every shinkansen. Here's exactly what to expect and how to plan around it.
Public TransportIC Cards in Japan: Suica, Pasmo and ICOCA: What They Are and Which to Get
Suica, Pasmo or ICOCA? Here's exactly which IC card to get for Japan, how deposits work, and why Mobile Suica beats them all.
Water SafetyIs Tap Water Safe in Japan? What Locals Actually Drink and Where Vending Machines Fit In
Japan's tap water is safe to drink nationwide, but locals rarely do. Here's what the water quality data says, and what to buy instead.
CustomsJapan Customs Limits: Alcohol, Tobacco and What the 200,000 Yen Duty-Free Cap Means
Exact Japan customs allowances for alcohol, tobacco and goods: and how the 200,000 yen duty-free threshold works for tourists arriving in 2026.
MedicationJapan Drug Import Laws: What Gets Confiscated at Customs and What Does Not
Adderall is banned outright; Xanax needs a Yunyu Kakunin-sho (formerly Yakkan Shoumei) import certificate. Know exactly what Japan customs will seize before you board.
FlightsJapan Jet Lag: A Day-by-Day Recovery Plan That Actually Works
Beat Tokyo jet lag fast with a proven day-by-day recovery plan: light exposure, melatonin timing, and meal hacks for European travellers.
OfficialJapan Passport Carry Law: What Happens if Police Stop You Without It
Japan law requires foreigners to carry their passport at all times. Here's what police can do if you don't, and how to handle a stop.
ElectricityJapan Power Outlets: Why Your Charger Probably Works But Your Hairdryer Might Not
Japan uses 100V: lower than anywhere else. Your phone charger is likely fine, but your hairdryer or curling iron could be at risk. Here's exactly what to check.
ShoppingJapan Tax-Free Shopping: The 5000 Yen Rule, What Qualifies and How the Counter Works
Skip the 10pct consumption tax in Japan with your passport. Here's exactly how the 5000 yen threshold works, what qualifies, and what to do at the counter.
Public RestroomsJapan Toilets: What Every Button Does on a Washlet Control Panel
Decode every button on a Japanese washlet panel, rear wash, bidet, dryer, privacy sound and more, before your first encounter.
Visas EntryJapan Visa-Free Entry: Exactly How Long You Can Stay and What Kills Your Eligibility
193+ nationalities enter Japan visa-free, but the rules are strict. Know your exact stay limit, what voids eligibility, and why overstaying ends badly.
SeasonalJapanese Clothing Sizes: How to Convert and What \"Free Size\" Actually Means
Confused by Japanese clothing sizes? Learn exact conversion charts for women and men, and find out what 'free size' really means before you shop.
EmergenciesMedical Emergency in Japan: Which Number to Call, What Hospitals Can Treat Foreigners
Japan ambulance is 119, police is 110: but which hospitals treat foreigners in English? A practical guide for tourists facing a medical crisis.
CulturalPointing, Beckoning and the Open Palm: Japan Gestures That Mean the Opposite of What You Think
Western hand signals often mean something completely different in Japan. Here are the gestures that confuse tourists most, decoded.
Food CultureRamen in Japan: How to Order at a Ticket Machine and What Every Button Means
Master Japan's ramen ticket machine in minutes: learn what every button means, how to customize your bowl, and avoid the most common tourist mistakes.
LanguageReading Japanese Train Signs Without Knowing Japanese
Decode Japanese train signs confidently using colours, numbers, and a handful of kanji: no language skills required.
Sacred HistoricalShrine vs Temple in Japan: How to Tell Them Apart and What to Do at Each
Torii gate = Shinto shrine. No gate = Buddhist temple. Learn the key differences and exact etiquette for visiting both as a tourist in Japan.
SmokingSmoking in Japan: Designated Zones, Outdoor Rules and the Walk-and-Smoke Ban
Japan's smoking rules are strict and hyper-local. Know where you can light up outdoors, avoid fines, and find designated zones before you land.
UnusualThe Japanese Escalator Rule: Which Side to Stand On (And Why It Differs by City)
Tokyo stands left, Osaka stands right: Japan's unwritten escalator etiquette can embarrass you on day one. Here's exactly what to do and why.
RegionalTokyo vs Osaka: The Real Differences That Affect How You Travel Between Them
Shinkansen vs bus vs plane: what actually makes sense for the Tokyo-Osaka corridor, and the city-level differences that shape your whole trip.
LuggageYamato TA-Q-BIN: How to Ship Your Luggage Ahead in Japan (And Why You Should)
Skip the suitcase drag on the Shinkansen. Here's exactly how to use Yamato TA-Q-BIN to ship bags between hotels in Japan for under 2500 yen.
CountryJapan for First-Timers: The Practical Guide
Visas, trains, money, etiquette, power and connectivity: everything a first trip to Japan actually needs, in one practical guide.