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All Japan Travel Guides

Every Tabi Note guide to traveling in Japan, newest first. Browse by region from the menu above or by topic from the footer.

50 guides

Tall, straight bamboo stalks in the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Kyoto

ItinerariesKyoto

Arashiyama Day Trip in Kyoto: Bamboo Grove, Togetsukyo, Tenryu-ji and the Sagano Scenic Railway

Plan an Arashiyama day trip from Kyoto: best time for the bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji admission, Togetsukyo Bridge, and the 2026 Sagano Scenic Railway fare and booking.

Updated 2026.10.19

A row of yatai food stalls in Nakasu, Fukuoka, at night, with signs for ramen, beef tongue and mentaiko

FoodKyushu

Fukuoka Food Guide: Hakata Ramen, Motsunabe, Nakasu Yatai and Mentaiko

What to eat in Fukuoka: ordering Hakata ramen noodle firmness and kaedama, motsunabe and mizutaki hot pots, Nakasu yatai etiquette, and mentaiko history and souvenirs.

Updated 2026.10.19

The Hakodate night view from the summit of Mt. Hakodate, with the city's lights between two bays

SightseeingHokkaido

Hakodate Travel Guide: Mt. Hakodate Night View, Morning Market, Goryokaku and Transport (2026)

Hakodate sights in one guide: Mt. Hakodate ropeway fares and the autumn 2026 closure, Morning Market hours, Goryokaku Tower tickets, Motomachi, and how to get there.

Updated 2026.10.19

The red torii gate of Hakone Shrine standing in the water of Lake Ashi, a must-see on a Hakone day trip

ItinerariesTokyo

Hakone Day Trip Guide: Freepass Price, the Classic Loop and Hot Springs

Hakone day trip made easy: 2026 Hakone Freepass prices, the order of 8 transport modes on the loop, Owakudani and Hakone Shrine, a Shinjuku timetable and onsen tips.

Updated 2026.10.19

The snow-covered approach and torii gate of Hokkaido Jingu in winter, showing why non-slip footwear and warm clothing matter

Trip PrepHokkaido

What to Wear in Hokkaido in Winter: Monthly Temperatures, Non-Slip Shoes and Layering

What to wear in Hokkaido in winter: Sapporo, Asahikawa and Hakodate temperatures, the layering method, non-slip shoes, snow-walking tips and a packing list.

Updated 2026.10.19

A JR Hokkaido 789 series limited express standing at a snowy platform, the main way to travel in Hokkaido without a car

TransportHokkaido

Hokkaido Without a Car: JR, Buses and Rail Passes (2026 Fares)

Visit Hokkaido without a car: New Chitose Airport transfers, 2026 JR Hokkaido Rail Pass prices, fares from Sapporo and winter travel tips.

Updated 2026.10.19

Autumn leaves and Taigetsukyo Bridge at Korankei in Aichi, a famous foliage spot in Japan, with visitors among the gorge

SeasonalBefore You Go

Japan Autumn Leaves 2026: Foliage Forecast Timetable and Best Spots (Hokkaido to Kyushu)

Japan autumn leaves 2026 forecast: Hokkaido from mid-September, Tohoku and Nikko late October, Kanto and Kansai mid-to-late November, Kyushu to early December.

Updated 2026.10.19

A Seven Bank ATM in an Osaka underground mall, where overseas cards can be used to withdraw yen as an alternative to currency exchange

Trip PrepBefore You Go

Paying in Japan: Currency Exchange, Cards, Mobile Payments and How Much Cash to Bring

How to get yen for Japan: exchange before you leave, at the airport or from ATMs, plus how cards, IC cards and PayPay work and how much cash to carry.

Updated 2026.10.19

Champagne-gold lights on the trees along Marunouchi Naka-dori in Tokyo, with crowds, during Japan's Christmas illumination season

SeasonalBefore You Go

Japan Christmas Illuminations 2026: Dates for Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo and Kobe

Japan Christmas lights 2026: Sapporo White Illumination from Nov 20, Osaka Midosuji from Nov 3, Kobe Luminarie from Jan 29, 2027, plus Tokyo's announced dates.

Updated 2026.10.19

A service counter in the Narita Airport Terminal 2 departures hall selling Japan eSIMs, physical SIM cards and pocket Wi-Fi

Trip PrepBefore You Go

Japan eSIM Guide: Local vs Roaming eSIMs, Data Needs and iPhone / Android Setup

How to choose a Japan eSIM: local vs roaming eSIMs, physical SIMs, pocket Wi-Fi and home-carrier roaming compared, with data estimates and iPhone and Android setup.

Updated 2026.10.19

A Yamato Transport staff member pushing a Ta-Q-Bin delivery cart along a stone-paved street in Gion, Kyoto, an example of luggage delivery in Japan

Trip PrepBefore You Go

Luggage Delivery in Japan: Hotel to Hotel, Airport Forwarding and Storage (2026 Prices)

How to send luggage from hotel to hotel in Japan: 2026 Yamato Takkyubin rates, how to measure your bag, counter steps, airport delivery, same-day delivery and storage.

Updated 2026.10.19

Crowds queuing early on New Year's Day for hatsumode at Meiji Jingu in Tokyo, a typical Japanese New Year shrine visit

SeasonalBefore You Go

Japan New Year Guide 2026-2027: Closures, Hatsumode Shrine Visits, Lucky Bags and Transport

New Year in Japan 2026-2027: bank and government closures, which shops stay open, hatsumode shrine etiquette, lucky bags and the Nozomi reserved-seat period.

Updated 2026.10.19

A sign at a clothing shop in an Okinawa mall showing Tax Free and the 5,000 yen tax-free minimum, before Japan's new tax-free system begins

Trip PrepBefore You Go

Japan's New Tax-Free Refund System 2026: Pay Tax First, Get It Back at Departure

Japan's new tax-free system starts November 1, 2026: pay tax at the shop, refund after customs confirms export. Airport steps, 5,000 yen minimum and 90-day limit.

Updated 2026.10.19

Passengers queuing early in the morning at marked spots on a JR station platform, an example of queuing etiquette in Japan

Trip PrepBefore You Go

Japan Etiquette for First-Time Visitors: Trains, Trash, Onsen and Dining Manners

Japan etiquette for first-timers: phone calls on trains, escalator sides, finding trash cans, tattoos at onsen and tipping, based on JNTO and official sources.

Updated 2026.10.19

The last stop of Japan trip preparation: the departure check-in hall at Terminal 2 of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport

Trip PrepBefore You Go

Japan Trip Checklist: Documents, Internet, Payment, Transit Cards and Apps in One Place

Japan trip checklist: passport and visa-free rules, Visit Japan Web, mobile data, cash and cards, transit cards, key apps, packing and tax-free, by timeline.

Updated 2026.10.19

Two Ordinary-car 21-day JR Passes lying on a table next to a map of Kansai

TransportBefore You Go

Is the JR Pass Worth It? 2026 Prices, Best Itineraries and Regional Pass Comparison

2026 JR Pass prices for the 7/14/21-day passes, online vs. agent price gaps, the NOZOMI supplement ticket, and how to choose between Kansai, Kyushu and Hokkaido passes.

Updated 2026.10.19

Kobe Port Tower and the Kobe Maritime Museum lit up at dusk and reflected in Kobe Harbor

ItinerariesOsaka

Kobe Day Trip: Kitano Ijinkan, Nankinmachi, Harbor Night Views and Kobe Beef

Plan a Kobe day trip with the official feel KOBE route: Kitano Ijinkan, Nankinmachi, harbor and Mt. Maya night views, Port Tower prices and how to spot real Kobe beef.

Updated 2026.10.19

The black-and-white main and small keeps of Kumamoto Castle under a blue sky, above the steep Musha-gaeshi stone walls

SightseeingKyushu

Kumamoto Travel Guide 2026: Kumamoto Castle, Mt. Aso and Kumamon (Latest Status After the Earthquake)

Kumamoto guide for 2026: Kumamoto Castle tickets and extended hours after the July quake, Mt. Aso crater restrictions, Kusasenri, Kumamon Square and airport buses.

Updated 2026.10.19

The main hall and wooden stage of Kiyomizu-dera surrounded by autumn leaves in Kyoto

SightseeingKyoto

Best Places to Visit in Kyoto: Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji, Hours and Admission

Top Kyoto attractions in one guide: Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kinkaku-ji, Nijo Castle and Ginkaku-ji with hours, admission and the best times to avoid crowds.

Updated 2026.10.19

Maple trees turning red and fallen leaves on the grounds of Tofuku-ji, a famous Kyoto autumn leaves spot

SeasonalKyoto

Kyoto Autumn Leaves 2026: Foliage Forecast, Best Spots and Night Illumination Schedule

Kyoto autumn leaves 2026 forecast: Arashiyama from mid-November, the city peaking late Nov to early Dec, plus illumination dates and reservation rules for top spots.

Updated 2026.10.19

An old pickle shop in Nishiki Market, Kyoto, with wooden barrels full of tsukemono

FoodKyoto

Kyoto Food Guide: How to Do Nishiki Market, Yudofu, Matcha Sweets and Kyo-ryori

What to eat in Kyoto: how to visit Nishiki Market (no eating while walking), yudofu and shojin ryori, Uji matcha sweets, kaiseki and obanzai, plus Fushimi sake.

Updated 2026.10.19

A Kyoto City Bus stopped in front of Kyoto Station, the bus most visitors use to reach Kyoto's sights

TransportKyoto

Kyoto Transport Guide 2026: City Buses, Subway, Day Passes and How to Avoid the Crowds

Getting around Kyoto: city bus 230 yen, subway 220-360 yen, the 1,100 yen Subway and Bus One-Day Pass, the discontinued bus pass, crowd tips and the 2027 fare plan.

Updated 2026.10.19

A stone-paved lane of Pontocho lined with machiya, beside Shijo-Kawaramachi, a popular area to stay in Kyoto

Where to StayKyoto

Where to Stay in Kyoto: Kyoto Station, Shijo-Kawaramachi, Gion or Karasuma-Oike?

Where to stay in Kyoto: Kyoto Station, Shijo-Karasuma, Kawaramachi, Gion and Karasuma-Oike compared by transit, food and quiet, plus the lodging tax rise from March 2026.

Updated 2026.10.19

A Kyushu Shinkansen Series 800 train at the platform, marked THE KYUSHU SHINKANSEN, the mainstay of getting around Kyushu

TransportKyushu

Kyushu Transport Guide 2026: JR Kyushu Rail Pass, SUNQ PASS or Rental Car (With Post-Earthquake Updates)

Getting around Kyushu: JR Kyushu Rail Pass prices, SUNQ PASS bus tickets, driving, and Kyushu Shinkansen status after the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake.

Updated 2026.10.19

The five-story Chureito Pagoda in Arakurayama Sengen Park with snow-capped Mt. Fuji, the classic Mt. Fuji day trip view

ItinerariesTokyo

Mt. Fuji Day Trip from Tokyo: Getting to Lake Kawaguchiko, Best Viewpoints and Visibility Tips

Mt. Fuji day trip from Shinjuku: bus vs Fujikyu Railway fares and times, Chureito Pagoda and Oishi Park views, and the best season and hours for visibility.

Updated 2026.10.19

Night view of Nagasaki from the Mt. Inasa observatory, with the harbor and the lights of the hillside city

SightseeingKyushu

Nagasaki Travel Guide: Mt. Inasa Night View, Glover Garden, Gunkanjima and the Tram

Nagasaki travel guide: Mt. Inasa ropeway fares and hours, new 2026 Glover Garden tickets, how to pick a Gunkanjima landing tour, tram day pass and a Huis Ten Bosch tip.

Updated 2026.10.19

A Nara deer standing on the stone-paved approach in front of Todai-ji's Nandaimon gate, on the classic Nara day trip route

ItinerariesOsaka

Nara Day Trip: Feeding the Deer, Todai-ji's Great Buddha and How to Get There from Osaka and Kyoto

Nara day trip from Osaka Namba takes about 40 minutes by Kintetsu. Deer feeding rules, Todai-ji tickets and hours, a walking route and transport from Osaka or Kyoto.

Updated 2026.10.19

The Kuroshio Sea tank at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, with a whale shark and manta rays gliding in front of visitors

SightseeingOkinawa

Best Things to Do in Okinawa 2026: Churaumi Aquarium, Kouri Island, Shuri Castle's Main Hall and Beaches

Okinawa attractions: Churaumi Aquarium tickets and hours, Kouri Bridge, Shuri Castle main hall reopening Nov 23, 2026, Manzamo, Sefa Utaki and beach safety tips.

Updated 2026.10.19

The Kouri Bridge, a regular stop for drivers in Okinawa, spanning emerald water with Kouri Island and Ocean Tower in the distance

TransportOkinawa

Driving in Okinawa from Taiwan: Japanese Translation of Your Taiwan Licence, Car Rental, ETC and Road Rules

Driving in Okinawa on a Taiwan licence: get the Japanese translation same day at a Taiwan DMV office for NT$100, plus rental steps, ETC tolls, bus lanes and road rules.

Updated 2026.10.19

A bowl of Okinawa soba, the island's signature dish, with simmered pork, fish cake and green onions in a clear pork-bone and bonito broth

FoodOkinawa

Okinawa Food Guide: Okinawa Soba, Taco Rice, Blue Seal Ice Cream, A&W and Local Diners

Okinawa food guide: Okinawa soba and how to eat it, taco rice's birthplace, Blue Seal's Makiminato flagship, A&W root beer, Makishi Public Market and Kokusai-dori eats.

Updated 2026.10.19

An Okinawa Yui Rail monorail train on the elevated track in Naha under a blue sky, the main way to get around Okinawa without a car

TransportOkinawa

Okinawa Without a Car: Monorail, Buses, Day Tours and a 4-Day Itinerary

Visit Okinawa without a car: Yui Rail monorail fares and 1-day pass, the 3-day local bus pass, buses to Churaumi Aquarium, day tours and a 4-day, 3-night plan.

Updated 2026.10.19

Dotonbori at night, a must-see on any Osaka itinerary, with neon signs and the Glico Running Man along the canal

ItinerariesOsaka

Osaka 5-Day, 4-Night Itinerary: Osaka, Kyoto and Nara Day Trips with Costs (2026)

A 5-day, 4-night Osaka itinerary based in Namba or Umeda: Dotonbori, Osaka Castle on the Amazing Pass day, Kyoto, Nara or Universal Studios, plus transport and costs.

Updated 2026.10.19

Osaka Castle Main Tower on a clear day, a signature free attraction with the Osaka Amazing Pass

TransportOsaka

Osaka Amazing Pass 2026: Prices, Free Attractions and 1-Day vs 2-Day Pass (Now a Mobile QR Ticket)

The 2026 Osaka Amazing Pass is a mobile QR ticket: 3,500 yen for 1 day, 5,000 yen for 2 days. Free attractions, usage rules, no child pass, and how to break even.

Updated 2026.10.19

Shinsekai at night in Osaka, with neon signs and the lit-up Tsutenkaku tower in the distance

SightseeingOsaka

Best Things to Do in Osaka 2026: Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, Tsutenkaku and Kaiyukan Guide with Ticket Prices

Top Osaka attractions: Osaka Castle (1,200 yen), Tsutenkaku, Abeno Harukas 300, Kaiyukan's variable pricing and Dotonbori at night, with 2026 tickets and routes.

Updated 2026.10.19

A crowd queuing in front of a Dotonbori takoyaki stall and its signs, a symbol of Osaka food

FoodOsaka

Osaka Food Guide: Takoyaki, Kushikatsu, Okonomiyaki and Kuromon Market

What to eat in Osaka: Dotonbori takoyaki, Shinsekai kushikatsu and its no double-dipping rule, how to order okonomiyaki, and Kuromon, Tsuruhashi and Kizu markets.

Updated 2026.10.19

Stone warehouses and promenade gas lamps beside Otaru Canal on a clear day, a must-see on an Otaru day trip

ItinerariesHokkaido

Otaru Day Trip: Otaru Canal, Sakaimachi Street and How to Get There from Sapporo

Otaru day trip from Sapporo: 32 minutes by JR, 800 yen. A walking route past Otaru Canal, Sakaimachi Street and the Music Box Museum, plus cruise prices and winter tips.

Updated 2026.10.19

Sapporo soup curry with a chicken leg, boiled egg, carrot and green pepper in the broth

FoodHokkaido

Sapporo Food Guide: Soup Curry, Genghis Khan Lamb, Miso Ramen and Seafood Markets

What to eat in Sapporo: how to order soup curry, how to grill Genghis Khan lamb, miso ramen and Ramen Alley, Nijo and Curb Market hours, and the late-night parfait habit.

Updated 2026.10.19

Snow sculptures lit up at night at the Odori Park site of the Sapporo Snow Festival, seen from the Sapporo TV Tower

SeasonalHokkaido

Sapporo Snow Festival 2027: Dates, the Three Sites, Access and Where to Stay

Sapporo Snow Festival 2027 runs Feb 4-11. Guide to the Odori, Susukino and Tsudome sites, lighting hours, access, where to stay, and whether it is worth it.

Updated 2026.10.19

A physical Welcome Suica card with a cherry blossom design, the Japan transit IC card made for visitors

TransportBefore You Go

Suica Card Guide 2026: Set Up on iPhone or Android, Buy a Welcome Suica Card and Top Up

How to set up Suica on iPhone (checked October 2026): Apple Wallet vs Welcome Suica Mobile, Android status, Welcome Suica card validity and how to top up.

Updated 2026.10.19

The Tokyo skyline seen from Tokyo Skytree, with Tokyo Tower in the distance, a first stop on a Tokyo itinerary

ItinerariesTokyo

Tokyo 5-Day Itinerary 2026: An Efficient First-Timer Route and Transport Guide

A 5-day, 4-night Tokyo itinerary grouped by area: Asakusa, Tsukiji, Tsukishima, Harajuku, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ueno, Akihabara, with transit pass tips and day-trip swaps.

Updated 2026.10.19

Kaminarimon Gate of Senso-ji in Asakusa, Tokyo, with its big red lantern and crowds of visitors

SightseeingTokyo

Best Things to Do in Tokyo 2026: Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku & Odaiba Must-Sees and How to Combine Them

Tokyo attractions 2026 by area: Senso-ji, Skytree, Ueno, free Metropolitan Government Building observatory, SHIBUYA SKY, Meiji Jingu and Odaiba, with hours and prices.

Updated 2026.10.19

Front view of Cinderella Castle at Tokyo Disneyland, the lead image for the Tokyo Disney ticket guide

SightseeingTokyo

Tokyo Disney Guide 2026: Ticket Prices (New Rates from October), Premier Access and Disneyland vs DisneySea

Tokyo Disney tickets are variable-priced, up to 12,400 yen for adults from Oct 10, 2026. Ticket ranges, Premier Access prices, buying rules and Disneyland vs DisneySea.

Updated 2026.10.19

The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo, with its ivy-covered walls in yellow and red, a signature Tokyo family attraction

SightseeingTokyo

Tokyo with Kids 2026: Best Family Attractions, Zoo, Aquariums and the Ghibli Museum

Tokyo with kids: prices, closing days and booking rules for Ueno Zoo, the Ghibli Museum, Kasai Rinkai Aquarium, Sanrio Puroland and Disney, plus a family itinerary.

Updated 2026.10.19

Mentaiko monjayaki cooked into a thin pancake on a griddle in Tsukishima, a signature dish in Tokyo

FoodTokyo

Tokyo Food Guide 2026: Tsukiji Outer Market, Tsukishima Monjayaki, Ramen and Sushi

Tokyo food guide: Tsukiji Outer Market hours and rules, how to cook Tsukishima monjayaki, Tokyo ramen styles and ordering, sushi, and the 2026 Tokyo Ramen Festa dates.

Updated 2026.10.19

Green E235 series JR Yamanote Line trains running side by side, an essential ride for getting around Tokyo

TransportTokyo

Tokyo Transport Guide 2026: Narita and Haneda to the City, Subway Tickets and the JR Yamanote Line

Tokyo transport guide: Narita and Haneda to the city, new Tokyo Subway Ticket prices from March 2026, how to use Suica, and Yamanote Line tips, with a fare table.

Updated 2026.10.19

Night-time neon streets around the east exit of Shinjuku Station, one of Tokyo's most popular areas to stay

Where to StayTokyo

Where to Stay in Tokyo 2026: Shinjuku, Ueno, Ginza, Asakusa or Ikebukuro?

Where to stay in Tokyo: Shinjuku, Ueno, Ginza, Asakusa and Ikebukuro compared by airport links and who they suit, plus the lodging tax and its 3% change in 2027.

Updated 2026.10.19

The Phoenix Hall of Byodo-in, a highlight of any Uji day trip, reflected in Aji-ike Pond

ItinerariesKyoto

Uji Day Trip from Kyoto: Byodoin Phoenix Hall, Historic Matcha Shops and a Walk Along the Uji River

Uji day trip guide: Byodoin admission (¥700), Phoenix Hall interior rules (35 per slot from Oct 2026), historic matcha shops, an Uji River walk and how to get there.

Updated 2026.10.19

The Universal globe and fountain at the entrance of Universal Studios Japan under a clear blue sky

SightseeingOsaka

Universal Studios Japan Guide 2026: Ticket Prices, Express Pass and Super Nintendo World Entry

USJ tickets use dynamic pricing from September 2026: book early, from ¥8,400. How to buy tickets and the Express Pass, get Super Nintendo World entry, and plan your day.

Updated 2026.10.19

The arrivals hall at Narita Airport Terminal 2, where travelers walk out after completing Visit Japan Web immigration and customs procedures

Trip PrepBefore You Go

Visit Japan Web Guide 2026: Register, Fill In, Add Family and Get Your Arrival QR Code

Visit Japan Web guide: create an account, scan your passport, register your trip and get one QR code for immigration and customs, plus adding family and e-gate airports.

Updated 2026.10.19

Morning mist floating over Lake Kinrin in Yufuin on an autumn morning, with Mt. Yufu and autumn leaves behind

ItinerariesKyushu

Yufuin and Beppu Onsen 2-Day Trip: Yufuin no Mori Tickets, Beppu Hells Tour and Transport

Yufuin and Beppu onsen in 2 days: Yufuin no Mori booking and 2026 operations, Lake Kinrin, Yunotsubo Street, Beppu Hells combo ticket price, transport and itinerary.

Updated 2026.10.19