Guide2Japan.com — Discover the Japan tourists don't see

Ginza

Tokyo's luxury district: Wako clock tower, every flagship boutique, Sukiyabashi Jiro sushi, Sunday pedestrianised Chuo-dori 12:00–17:00.

May 6, 20262 min read

Destination

Jiyugaoka

Tokyo's French-themed wijk south of Shibuya: Mont-Saint-Michel patisserie, La Vita's Venice canal, Italian-named lifestyle shops, weekday-locals atmosphere.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Kagurazaka

Kagurazaka cobblestone hill above Iidabashi: 30 surviving geisha teahouses, French bistros (the wijk has Tokyo's largest French expat density), Edo-era alleys.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Kanda

Kanda between Akihabara and the Imperial Palace: Jimbocho 200-bookshop quarter, Kanda Myojin shrine, second-hand sports-gear strip, salaryman curry rice scene.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Kichijoji

Tokyo's most livable wijk 30 min west of Shinjuku: Inokashira Park lake, Harmonica-yokocho post-war yakitori, Sun Road shopping arcade, Studio Ghibli museum.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Koenji

Tokyo's punk-vintage capital on the JR Chuo line: 30+ second-hand record shops, indie live-houses, August Awa-odori dance festival, no foreign visitors.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Monzen-Nakacho

Edo working-district east of the Sumida: Tomioka Hachiman-gu shrine, antique market 15th of each month, Fukagawa Edo Museum recreation, working izakaya.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Nakameguro

800 cherry trees over the Meguro river canal, lantern-lit at night, indie cafes year-round. The west-Tokyo wijk locals choose for sakura and slow walks.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Omotesando

1.1km luxury boulevard from Meiji-jingu to Aoyama: designer flagships, Tadao Ando Hills mall, Cat Street vintage. The polished walk between Harajuku and Aoyama.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Roppongi

Tokyo's art-and-nightlife district: Mori Art Museum, National Art Center, Suntory Museum, Roppongi Hills + Midtown malls, Azabudai teamLab Borderless.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Sangenjaya

Working-Tokyo's hidden izakaya district: Carrot Tower free observatory, Sankaku-chitai (triangle zone) izakaya cluster, zero foreign visitors. 4 min from Shibuya.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Shibuya

Tokyo's youth-shopping ward: Scramble Crossing, Hachiko statue, Shibuya Sky observation deck (¥2,500), Center-gai fashion. Stations, exits, when to go.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Shimokitazawa

Indie-Tokyo's vintage village 10 min from Shinjuku: second-hand fashion, basement live-houses, 200 small theatres. Where Harajuku grew up.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Tsukishima

Tokyo Bay's monjayaki birthplace: Monja Street with 70 restaurants, Tsukuda's preserved Edo fishing alleys, Sumida riverside walk. Where to start.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Ueno

Tokyo's cultural-and-market wijk: Ueno Park national museums, Ameyoko under JR tracks, sakura tunnel late March. Where to start, what to combine.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Yanaka

Tokyo's most-preserved Edo neighborhood: Yanaka Ginza shopping street, working artisans, last Tokugawa shogun's grave, the city's densest cat population.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Asakusa

Old-Tokyo working district: Senso-ji temple, 800m Nakamise shopping street, Sumida-river ferry, Skytree across the bridge. Where to start, where to eat.

May 6, 20262 min read

Destination

Harajuku

Youth-fashion district: Takeshita-dori Sunday cosplay, Meiji-jingu cedar forest, Omotesando luxury flagships, Cat Street vintage. One JR stop from Shibuya.

May 6, 20262 min read

Destination

Shinjuku

Tokyo's transit + night-life hub: Kabukicho, free Tower observatory, Golden Gai, Omoide Yokocho. Where to enter the world's busiest station.

May 6, 20262 min read

Destination

Akagi Shrine

Kengo Kuma's 2010 glass-and-concrete reconstruction of a 1300 Shinto shrine on Kagurazaka hill. Modernist Shinto, free entry, weekday morning empty.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Akasaka Sacas

TBS broadcasting complex in Akasaka with public studio plaza, restaurants, sakura courtyard. Free entry; studio tours bookable in advance.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Aoyama Cemetery

Tokyo's 1872 imperial cemetery: central avenue sakura tunnel late March, Hachiko's owner Hidesaburo Ueno buried here, free entry, walking tours.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Asakura Sculpture Museum

Sculptor Fumio Asakura's preserved 1928 wooden home and studio in Yanaka. Roof garden, koi pond, original sculptures. ¥500 entry, closed Mon/Thu.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Cat Street

Vintage-and-indie back street between Harajuku and Shibuya. Same youth-fashion DNA as Takeshita-dori, half the crowd, indie cafes parallel.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Fukagawa Edo Museum

Full-scale Edo-period neighbourhood recreation indoor. Wooden houses, market stalls, working tofu shop, indoor day-night cycle. ¥400, 90 min visit.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Harmonica-yokocho

Kichijoji's post-war under-tracks yakitori alley with 100+ tiny stalls. Locals pack it 18:00–22:00 weekday. The most photogenic alley in west Tokyo.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Hie Shrine

Akasaka's 1659 Shinto shrine: 100m vermilion torii tunnel on the slope, protector of the National Diet, free entry, sunrise empty.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Hillside Terrace

Fumihiko Maki's six low-rise buildings spanning 1969-1992 in Daikanyama. Japan's first designer mid-rise complex, walkable architecture-museum.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Hyogo-yokocho

Kagurazaka's iconic 100m cobblestone alley with surviving Edo-era teahouses. Free walk; geisha and businessmen the only legitimate visitors.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Jimbocho

200+ specialist used-book shops on one Kanda intersection. Ohya Shobo for ukiyo-e, Komiyama for art, English titles at Kitazawa. October book festival.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Junjo-shotengai

Koenji's north-side 'innocent shopping arcade': post-war Showa atmosphere best preserved in west Tokyo. Snack stalls, indie shops, hidden bars.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Kabukicho

Shinjuku's east-side neon nightlife district: Godzilla head over Toho Cinema, Golden Gai 200 micro-bars, Omoide Yokocho yakitori alley.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Kabukiza Theatre

Tokyo's national kabuki house in Higashi-Ginza. Single-act tickets ¥1,000-2,500 (60-90 min experience), English audio guide ¥800. Day-of door window.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Kanda Myojin

1616 Shinto shrine between Akihabara and the Imperial Palace. Anime-otaku adopted it as their patron — anime ema and ofuda hung among traditional ones.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Kiyosumi Garden

Edo-period stroll garden built by the Iwasaki (Mitsubishi) family in east Tokyo. Pond + stepping stones + 200-year pine. ¥150 entry, ~zero foreign visitors.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Koenji Awa-odori

Last weekend of August. 12,000 dancers in traditional Tokushima-style costumes parade through Koenji streets, 1M visitors. Free to watch, food stalls along streets.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Meguro River Sakura

Nakameguro's 4km canal lined with 800 cherry trees, lantern-lit at night during late-March peak. Tokyo's prettiest hanami stretch by lantern-light.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Monja Street

Tsukishima's 400m monjayaki strip with 70 restaurants. Each table has a teppan grill, staff demos first batch, ¥1,500-2,500 per person.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Mori Art Museum

Roppongi Hills 53F contemporary art museum: Yayoi Kusama and Murakami headlined here. ¥2,000 ticket includes Tokyo City View observatory.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Nakamise-dori

200m Edo-era shopping arcade between Kaminarimon gate and Senso-ji's main hall. 90 stalls of traditional sweets, fans, geta. Sunrise empty.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Nezu Museum

Kengo Kuma 2009 Asian art museum in Aoyama. Pre-modern Japanese ceramics + Chinese bronzes + the Tokyo's loveliest moss garden out back. ¥1,500.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Omotesando Hills

Tadao Ando 2006 sloped mall: internal ramp wraps six retail floors, 1927 Bauhaus apartment annex preserved at south end. Architecture-walk free.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Sankaku-chitai

Sangenjaya's triangular izakaya zone: 50+ Showa-era counter izakaya packed in one block. Working salaryman scene, 4-min from Shibuya.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Shibuya Sky

Shibuya Scramble Square's 230m open-air rooftop. ¥2,500, sunset slot books out 2 weeks ahead. Best photo angle of Shibuya Crossing from above.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Shimokitazawa Live-Houses

Tokyo's indie/punk basement venue cluster: Shelter, Club Que, Mosaic, U.F.O. Club. Nightly gigs ¥2,500-3,500 cover with drink ticket.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Shimokitazawa Vintage Strip

Tokyo's densest second-hand fashion strip: 30+ vintage and indie shops in 5-min radius from Shimokitazawa north exit. Stick Out, Flamingo, NEW YORK JOE.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo

Kengo Kuma 4-floor coffee theatre on Meguro river canal. Working roaster, three bars, Japan-only blends. Queue 60 min weekend, 0 min weekday morning.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Takeshita-dori

Harajuku's 400m candy-coloured fashion street: Sunday cosplay magnet, rainbow cotton candy, the icon entrance arch from Harajuku Station.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Tsukuda

Pocket Edo-period fishing-village island next to Tsukishima. Preserved narrow alleys, original Tsukudani preserve shops, 1646 Sumiyoshi shrine. Free.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Tsutaya T-Site Daikanyama

Three-pavilion designer bookshop in Daikanyama. Books, music, film curated by category. Open till 02:00, Anjin lounge upstairs, free entry.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Yebisu Garden Place

1994 mixed-use plaza in Ebisu: Sapporo Yebisu beer museum (free + ¥400 tasting), Westin Tokyo, Baccarat Chandelier mid-November to mid-February.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Edo-Tokyo Museum

Tokyo's most ambitious history museum: life-size Nihonbashi replica, Kabuki theatre, daimyo halls. Closed 2022–2026 renovation; reopening planned 2026.

May 6, 20262 min read

Stone shrine on forested mountain peak with cedars

Destination

Mt Mitake

Western Tokyo's 929m mountain: cable car + Musashi-Mitake shrine on summit, ridge-walk to Mt Otake (4 hours), Rock Garden trail. Quieter than Mt Takao.

May 6, 20262 min read

Destination

National Museum of Nature and Science

Ueno's natural history museum: ¥630 for both buildings, dinosaur halls, Hachiko's actual taxidermy, evolution gallery. 90 min minimum.

May 6, 20262 min read

Tokyo working seafood market with stalls

Destination

Toyosu Market

Tsukiji's wholesale auctions moved to Toyosu in 2018: tuna auction viewing 05:30, sushi counters at Edomae Yokocho, free entry. Closed Sun.

May 6, 20262 min read

Destination

Hachiko Statue

Bronze Hachiko statue at Shibuya Station's Hachiko Exit. The full story (1924–1935), best photo time, the dog's actual taxidermy at the National Science Museum.

May 6, 20262 min read

Cherry blossoms in a traditional Tokyo garden

Destination

Imperial Palace East Gardens

Free public garden in Edo Castle's former inner citadel: donjon ruins, ninomaru garden, watchtower. 5 min from Tokyo Station, closed Mon/Fri.

May 6, 20262 min read

Destination

Inokashira Park

Western Tokyo's lake park: swan-boat rentals, hanami petals on water, the Studio Ghibli museum, free entry, 30 min from Shinjuku on the Chuo Line.

May 6, 20262 min read

Traditional Japanese stroll garden in central Tokyo

Destination

Kyu-Shiba-rikyu Garden

Edo-era stroll garden, ¥150 entry, central pond and shaped pines. The quieter alternative to Hama-rikyu — same era, fraction of visitors.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Tochomae's twin-tower 45F observatories are free and open until 22:00. North vs South towers, Mt Fuji visibility, how to skip queues.

May 6, 20262 min read

Forested mountain path with autumn maple foliage

Destination

Mt Takao

Tokyo's most-accessible mountain day-trip: 599m, 8 trails, the cable car (¥490 one-way), Yakuoin temple, koyo mid-November. Best route, gear list.

May 6, 20262 min read

Destination

Nakano Broadway

1966 retro mall in Nakano with Mandarake's original outpost, four floors of working collector shops, almost no foreign visitors.

May 6, 20262 min read

Destination

Odaiba

Tokyo Bay's reclaimed-island district: Rainbow Bridge view, life-size Unicorn Gundam, DiverCity mall, Odaiba Beach. Ride the Yurikamome for the views.

May 6, 20262 min read

Autumn maple foliage in a traditional Tokyo garden

Destination

Rikugien Garden

Tokyo's poetry-themed Edo garden in Komagome: weeping cherry centrepiece in early April, illuminated maple grove mid-November, ¥300 daytime / ¥900 night.

May 6, 20262 min read

Destination

Ryogoku Kokugikan

Tokyo's national sumo arena: tournament dates (Jan, May, Sep), tickets from ¥3,000, sumo museum free entry, how to attend asa-geiko stable practice.

May 6, 20262 min read

Tokyo Station Marunouchi facade with city skyline

Destination

Tokyo Station (Marunouchi Side)

Tokyo Station's restored 1914 Marunouchi facade: free, 24/7, the city's signature architecture photo. Best angles, surrounding shopping, where to eat.

May 6, 20262 min read

Destination

Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower 333m: ¥1,200 main deck, ¥3,000 top deck, but the photo from outside (Zojoji or Shiba Park) often beats the view inside.

May 6, 20262 min read

Destination

Ueno Park

53-hectare park: Tokyo National Museum, zoo, sakura tunnel, Saigo Takamori statue, lotus pond temple. Free park entry; museums charge separately.

May 6, 20262 min read

Yanaka district traditional wooden houses in old Tokyo

Destination

Yanaka Ginza

Tokyo's old-town shopping street: 60 stalls, classic wooden shopfronts, the famous Yanaka cats. Edo atmosphere five minutes from Nippori Station.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Yoyogi Park

Tokyo's most-relaxed park: Sunday buskers, drum circles, hanami in late March, free entry, the lawn that hosts every alternative subculture.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Akihabara (Electric Town)

Akihabara Tokyo: Yodobashi flagship, Mandarake retro, themed cafés, the changing maid culture and how to skip the chains.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Ameya-Yokocho (Ameyoko)

Ameya-Yokocho between Ueno and Okachimachi: 400 stalls, evening yakitori smoke, the post-war black market that became Tokyo's street food.

May 6, 20262 min read

Traditional Japanese garden with cherry blossoms in Tokyo

Destination

Hama-rikyu Garden

Edo-era shogun garden on Tokyo Bay: tidal ponds, 300-year pine, traditional tea ceremony, ferry from Asakusa. Best time and pairings.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Mori Tower (Roppongi Hills)

Mori Tower 52F: Tokyo skyline + Mori Art Museum + open-air Sky Deck (¥500 extra). Best Tokyo Tower view, ¥2,000 ticket strategy.

May 6, 20262 min read

Destination

Nezu Shrine

Nezu-jinja in Yanaka: Edo-era shrine with a 100-torii tunnel, azalea festival end-April, old-Tokyo walking pairing. Hidden-gem alternative to Meiji-jingu.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: late-March sakura, Taiwan Pavilion tea house, three landscape styles in one ¥500 visit. Best entrance.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

Tokyo Skytree

Tokyo Skytree at 634m: Tembo Deck vs Galleria, ticket strategy, the best time slot for Mt Fuji visibility and how to skip the queue.

May 6, 20261 min read

Destination

teamLab Borderless

teamLab Borderless reopened in Azabudai Hills 2024: tickets, what's different from Planets, the best slot and why crowds are lower.

May 6, 20261 min read

Edo-era residential street in Tokyo's Monzen-Nakacho district

Destination

Tomioka Hachiman-gu

Tomioka Hachiman-gu in Monzen-Nakacho: birthplace of yokozuna ranking, antique market 15th of each month, Kiyosumi Garden pairing.

May 6, 20261 min read

Tokyo izakaya alley under elevated train tracks

Destination

Yurakucho Sukiyabashi Crossing

Yurakucho's office-rush intersection: same scale as Shibuya without tourists, vintage Showa-era underpass and JR-tracks izakaya alley next door.

May 6, 20261 min read

Giant wooden torii gate in cedar forest path at Meiji-jingu

Destination

Meiji-jingu Shrine

A 70-hectare cedar forest in the centre of Tokyo, anchored by the country’s grandest Shinto shrine and the largest wooden torii gate in Japan.

May 6, 20262 min read

Vermillion Kaminarimon gate with massive red lantern at Senso-ji

Destination

Senso-ji Temple

Tokyo’s oldest temple — the giant red Kaminarimon lantern, Nakamise shopping street and a 645 AD Kannon statue at the heart of Asakusa.

May 6, 20262 min read

Shibuya Scramble Crossing at dusk with neon billboards

Destination

Shibuya Crossing

The world’s busiest pedestrian intersection — three thousand people every two minutes, neon walls all around.

May 6, 20262 min read

Destination

teamLab Planets

Walk barefoot through knee-deep mirrored water, get swallowed by infinite-mirror koi and stand inside a hanging orchid garden — Tokyo’s most photographed digital-art experience.

May 6, 20262 min read

Japanese market food stalls with seafood and prepared dishes

Destination

Tsukiji Outer Market

Tokyo’s historic seafood-and-everything market — the inner fish market moved to Toyosu in 2018, but the 460 outer-market stalls still cook breakfast for the city.

May 6, 20262 min read

Region Guide

Chubu Region

Nine prefectures spanning the Japanese Alps, Mt Fuji, Takayama and Kanazawa. Best base, when to visit and JR pass advice for Chubu.

May 3, 20261 min read

Iya Valley vine bridge with autumn colours in Shikoku

Region Guide

Shikoku Region

Japan's smallest main island: 88-temple pilgrimage, Iya Valley vine bridges, Naoshima ferry. Days needed, best base, no-car routes.

May 3, 20261 min read

Tohoku snow country landscape with traditional buildings

Region Guide

Tohoku Region

Six northern prefectures of snow, samurai towns and August festivals. Honshu's most under-visited region, 90 min from Tokyo by shinkansen.

May 3, 20261 min read

Destination

Naoshima

Yayoi Kusama pumpkins, Tadao Ando concrete museums and James Turrell skylight installations on a 14 km² Inland Sea fishing island — Japan’s single best contemporary-art destination.

May 3, 20263 min read

City Guide

Kamikochi

Wooden suspension bridges over an emerald river, the Northern Alps as backdrop, no cars allowed — Japan’s flagship national park, open mid-April to mid-November only.

May 3, 20263 min read

City Guide

Nikko

Lacquered Tokugawa shrines under cedar forest, two hours from Tokyo — the most over-the-top shrine complex in Japan, plus an alpine valley above with onsen and waterfall.

May 3, 20263 min read

City Guide

Kamakura

Coastal samurai-era capital one hour from Tokyo — Great Buddha, a dozen quiet temples, an Enoden tram to the beach. Best as a full day, not a half.

May 3, 20263 min read

City Guide

Shirakawa-go

UNESCO gassho-zukuri thatched village in a mountain valley — day-trippable from Takayama or Kanazawa, magic only after the buses leave at 16:00.

May 3, 20263 min read

Mountain mist over a traditional Japanese village

List

10 Hidden-Gem Destinations in Japan Worth the Detour

Past Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima — the cities and towns most travellers miss, ranked by how often I'd actually return.

May 3, 20262 min read

Forest temple steps surrounded by autumn maple foliage in red and gold

Experience

Autumn in Kansai: Three Days, One Sunrise, Forty-Two Maple Trees

Three days chasing the maple peak through Kyoto and Nara — and the lesson that the official forecast is two days late, every year.

May 3, 20263 min read

Cherry blossoms over a traditional Japanese garden

List

Where to Go in Japan in 2026: An Opinionated List

Five places that are noticeably better in 2026 than they were three years ago — and three that are now worth deliberately skipping.

May 3, 20263 min read

Illuminated Tokyo Skytree above Asakusa rooftops

Experience

A Year of Japan: What I Learned in 12 Months of Trips

Three trips, fourteen prefectures, two reservations I wish I'd cancelled, and the one thing I'll book differently next year.

May 3, 20263 min read

Japanese leather wallet with yen notes and contactless card

Practical Guide

Japan Travel Budget: What a Realistic Trip Actually Costs

Three honest budget tiers for two weeks in Japan — backpacker, mid-range, comfortable. Spoiler: it's not as expensive as the headlines suggest.

May 3, 20262 min read

Open Japanese leather wallet with yen notes, coins, and a contactless card

Practical Guide

Money in Japan: Yen, ATMs, IC Cards, and Tax-Free Shopping

Cash isn't king like it used to be, but it still rules half the country. Here's how the money side actually works in 2026.

May 3, 20262 min read

Smartphone glowing softly on a wooden cafe table — eSIM setup at home before flying

Practical Guide

Japan SIM & Connectivity: eSIM, Pocket WiFi, Prepaid SIM

Three ways to stay online in Japan — and why eSIM beats the other two for 90% of travellers in 2026.

May 3, 20262 min read

Travel passport at a Japanese station counter

Practical Guide

Japan Visa Requirements 2026: Who Needs One, Who Doesn’t

Most Western tourists get 90 days on arrival, no paperwork. Here is what you need to know about the visa-on-arrival window, the new digital arrival card, and the cases where you do need a visa.

May 3, 20263 min read

Itinerary

One Week in Japan: The Classic First-Timer Loop

Tokyo + Kyoto + a Hakone day trip — seven nights, hits the famous things, leaves you wanting two weeks next time.

May 3, 20262 min read

Itinerary

Three Weeks in Japan: The Hidden-Gem Deep Dive

21 days, deep into Tohoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu — the Japan that the two-week loop never reaches.

May 3, 20262 min read

Itinerary

Japan with Kids: A Family-Friendly Itinerary

Tokyo + Hakone + Kyoto over ten days — designed for kids 6–12, with deer, monkeys, ramen-train rides, and a ryokan night.

May 3, 20262 min read

Itinerary

First-Time Japan: The Definitive Starter Trip

Ten nights, the gentle on-ramp — Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Hiroshima, designed for someone who's never been east of Bangkok.

May 3, 20262 min read

Itinerary

Solo Travel in Japan: A 12-Night Itinerary

Japan is the best country in the world for solo travel — safe, friendly, and counter-seating culture means you're never the only one alone.

May 3, 20262 min read

Interest Hub

Autumn Leaves (Koyo)

Koyo is Japan's quieter sakura — six weeks of red maples and gold ginkgo, sweeping south from Hokkaido in late September to Kyushu in early December.

May 3, 20262 min read

Cherry blossoms over a traditional Japanese garden pond

Interest Hub

Cherry Blossoms (Sakura)

Two weeks of pink, six different varieties, and the timing problem nobody fully solves — sakura season is a moving target that drifts north from late March in Kyushu to early May in Hokkaido.

May 3, 20262 min read

Traditional Edo-Kiriko cut-glass craft with intricate facets

Interest Hub

Japanese Culture

Tea ceremony, kabuki, sumo, traditional crafts, anime, contemporary art — culture in Japan isn't a museum visit, it's the Tuesday-night programming.

May 3, 20262 min read

Depachika basement food hall in a Japanese department store

Interest Hub

Japanese Food

Sushi, ramen, izakaya, the depachika basement food halls — Japan's food culture is regional, layered, and the most over-Michelin'd nation on Earth.

May 3, 20262 min read

Interest Hub

Golden Week

Late April to early May — the worst week to visit Japan if you don't book six months ahead, and the best week if you do.

May 3, 20262 min read

Emerald river running through a forested gorge

Interest Hub

Japanese Nature

73% of Japan is forested mountain — most travellers see only the cities. Here is the nature that's actually accessible without a guide.

May 3, 20262 min read

Interest Hub

Snow in Japan

The world's best powder, the most photogenic snow festivals, and ryokan onsen with snow on the rocks — Japan in winter is an entirely different country.

May 3, 20262 min read

Giant wooden torii gate in a cedar forest path

Interest Hub

Temples and Shrines

Buddhist temple, Shinto shrine — the difference, the etiquette, and the ones worth the detour.

May 3, 20262 min read

Interest Hub

Year-Round Japan

Cherry blossoms get ten weeks of attention; the other 42 weeks of the Japanese year are quietly excellent. Here is what's worth doing whenever you arrive.

May 3, 20262 min read

Shinkansen N700 series train at a Japanese station platform

Practical Guide

Getting Around in Japan: The Complete Transport Guide

Hub guide to all Japanese transport — IC cards, Shinkansen, metros, taxis, ferries, planes, bikes. The decision tree that says when to use which. By Nick van der Blom.

May 3, 20265 min read

Aomori Nebuta festival giant illuminated warrior float in night procession

Interest Hub

Japanese Festivals (Matsuri)

Japan's matsuri scene by month — yatai floats, hanabi, dance festivals, snow lanterns. When to go, how to attend without screwing it up. By Nick van der Blom.

May 3, 20263 min read

Itinerary

Two Weeks in Japan: A Realistic Itinerary

Day-by-day 14-day Japan itinerary with Tokyo, Kanazawa, Takayama, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Osaka. Hidden-gem detours, JR Pass strategy, and a real budget breakdown.

May 3, 20265 min read

Practical Guide

JR Pass: The Complete 2026 Guide

Complete JR Pass guide for 2026 — current prices, calculator that does the maths, regional alternatives, and the simple rule for whether the pass pays off your trip. By Nick van der Blom.

May 3, 20265 min read

Steam rising from a stone-lined open-air rotenburo at a Japanese mountain ryokan

Interest Hub

Onsen

How onsen actually work in 2026 — six-step etiquette, the tattoo policy that nobody updates online, and five regions to start with. By Nick van der Blom.

May 3, 20263 min read

City Guide

Takayama

Hand-written Takayama city guide — Sanmachi-suji old town, sake breweries, Hida beef, Shirakawa-go and Kamikochi day trips, the spring/autumn matsuri. By Nick van der Blom.

May 3, 20264 min read

City Guide

Tokyo

Tokyo isn't one city — it's 23 wards stitched together, and most visitors see four. Senso-ji at 06:00, Yanaka, Shimokitazawa, Kichijoji, depachika basements. By Nick van der Blom.

May 2, 20264 min read

City Guide

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a Setouchi port city, not just a memorial — peace park, Miyajima, oysters, okonomiyaki, lantern alleys, and the day-trip islands. By Nick van der Blom (visited Jan 2026).

May 2, 20264 min read

City Guide

Beppu

Beppu produces more onsen water than any city on earth. Explore turquoise Umi Jigoku, the sand-bath ritual at Takegawara, and eight distinct hot-spring

May 2, 20262 min read

City Guide

Kotohira

Kotohira is a compact pilgrimage town with Japan's oldest kabuki theatre, a 1,368-step shrine climb, and a historic sake museum—all within 15 minutes of

May 2, 20262 min read

City Guide

Matsuyama

Matsuyama blends Japan's oldest hot spring (Dogo Onsen), one of twelve original castles, and the Botchan Tram—all walkable. Temples, gardens, and local

May 2, 20262 min read

City Guide

Takamatsu

Takamatsu blends Sanuki udon culture, the Michelin 3-star Ritsurin Garden, and ferry access to Naoshima art islands. Gateway to Shikoku's Inland Sea.

May 2, 20262 min read

City Guide

Sendai

Explore Sendai, Tohoku's leafy capital. Visit Aoba Castle, Zuihoden Mausoleum, and the Tanabata Festival. Gyutan beef tongue and izakaya nightlife await.

May 2, 20262 min read

City Guide

Shizuoka City

Shizuoka City blends Tokugawa Ieyasu's samurai heritage, 360° Mt. Fuji views from Nihondaira, and hidden izakaya alleys. One perfect day between Tokyo and

May 2, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Miyazaki Prefecture

Miyazaki Prefecture blends Takachiho Gorge's mythological shrines, Cape Toi's wild horses, and subtropical Aoshima Island—Kyushu's most underrated

May 2, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Oita Prefecture

Oita Prefecture is Japan's onsen capital with Beppu's 8 color-coded Hells, Yufuin's misty valley, ancient Kunisaki temples, and wild coastal gorges.

May 2, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Saga Prefecture

Saga Prefecture blends 400-year porcelain traditions, the Yayoi-period Yoshinogari ruins, and Asia's largest balloon fiesta. Explore Arita, Karatsu, and

May 2, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Kochi Prefecture

Kochi Prefecture blends Sakamoto Ryōma's rebel legacy, Japan's clearest rivers, the original Kochi Castle, and dramatic Cape Ashizuri at Shikoku's

May 2, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Ehime Prefecture

Ehime Prefecture combines Matsuyama Castle, the 3,000-year-old Dogo Onsen, and the famous Shimanami Kaido cycling route across six Inland Sea islands.

May 2, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Tokushima Prefecture

Tokushima Prefecture combines dramatic Naruto Whirlpools, Iya Valley's vine bridges and thatched villages, plus Japan's wildest dance festival in August.

May 2, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Kagawa Prefecture

Kagawa Prefecture combines Naoshima's contemporary art, Ritsurin Garden's beauty, and the 1,368-step Konpira shrine. Japan's smallest prefecture, maximum

May 2, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Fukushima Prefecture

Explore Fukushima Prefecture's three distinct landscapes: Tsurugajo Castle, Oze National Park, thatched Ouchi-juku, and Kitakata's 100+ ramen shops. Safe

May 2, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Yamagata Prefecture

Yamagata Prefecture combines cliff-side temples, winter snow monsters, and Taisho-era hot springs. Discover Yamadera, Zao, Ginzan Onsen, and Dewa Sanzan.

May 2, 20261 min read

Prefecture Guide

Akita Prefecture

Explore Akita Prefecture's preserved samurai town Kakunodate, Japan's deepest lake, Namahage demon culture, and remote beech forests in Tohoku.

May 2, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Miyagi Prefecture

Explore Miyagi Prefecture — home to Matsushima Bay (one of Japan's three great views), Sendai's Date Masamune castle, the Zao Fox Village, and hidden gems

May 2, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Iwate Prefecture

Iwate Prefecture travel guide: UNESCO Konjikidō golden hall, white-pebble Jōdogahama Beach, limestone caves, and Tono's folk-tale farmlands in Japan's

May 2, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Aichi Prefecture

Aichi Prefecture combines Nagoya Castle's golden shachihoko, ancient Atsuta Jingu, Toyota's industrial heritage, and Tokoname pottery on the Chita

May 2, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Shizuoka Prefecture

Shizuoka Prefecture blends tea-covered mountains, heritage steam trains, and Mount Fuji's south face. Discover Kunozan Toshogu, Oigawa Railway, and hidden

May 2, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Yamanashi Prefecture

Yamanashi Prefecture combines Mount Fuji's iconic north views, Japan's oldest wine region, and stunning gorges. Kawaguchiko, Katsunuma, and hidden valleys

May 2, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Fukui Prefecture

Fukui Prefecture combines Eiheiji's Zen monastery, dramatic Tojinbo basalt cliffs, a world-class dinosaur museum, and Maruoka Castle's original keep on

May 2, 20261 min read

Prefecture Guide

Toyama Prefecture

Explore Toyama Prefecture's Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, UNESCO gassho-zukuri farmhouse villages, and Toyama Bay seafood — largely undiscovered by

May 2, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Niigata Prefecture

Niigata Prefecture blends Japan's deepest powder skiing, 100+ sake breweries, UNESCO Sado Island, and the Echigo-Tsumari art trails across snow country.

May 2, 20262 min read

City Guide

Okayama City Travel Guide

Okayama City pairs one of Japan's three great gardens with a striking black castle, plus local sushi, canal walks, and easy access to Naoshima and

May 1, 20265 min read

City Guide

Onomichi Travel Guide: Temples, Cats, and the Seto Inland Sea

Onomichi is a hillside port town with 25 temples, indie cafés, and the Shimanami Kaidō cycling route. Discover Cat Alley, eel restaurants, and harbour

Apr 30, 20265 min read

Prefecture Guide

Tottori Prefecture

Explore Tottori Prefecture's desert dunes, radon-rich onsen, cliff temples, and Edo merchant towns. Japan's quietest prefecture rewards curious travellers.

Apr 30, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Shimane Prefecture

Explore Shimane's mythology and history: Izumo Taisha shrine, Matsue Castle, Adachi Museum garden, and the remote Oki Islands UNESCO Geopark.

Apr 30, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Yamaguchi Prefecture

Yamaguchi Prefecture travel guide: 123-torii Motonosumi Shrine, Hagi's samurai streets, Akiyoshido Cave, and Kintaikyo Bridge—Japan's underrated west

Apr 30, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Okayama Prefecture

Okayama Prefecture blends Korakuen Garden, black Okayama Castle, and the Edo canal town of Kurashiki. Japan's sunniest region with easy Shinkansen access.

Apr 30, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Hiroshima Prefecture

Hiroshima Prefecture blends Miyajima's floating torii, the Shimanami Kaido cycling route, and Edo-era port towns most visitors miss.

Apr 30, 20262 min read

Region Guide

Chugoku Region

Explore the Chugoku region's five prefectures — from Miyajima's floating torii and Korakuen Garden to the Tottori Sand Dunes and Izumo Taisha shrine.

Apr 30, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Gunma Prefecture

Gunma Prefecture combines world-famous onsen towns like Kusatsu and Ikaho with alpine gorges, highland wetlands, and the UNESCO Tomioka Silk Mill—just 2

Apr 30, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Ibaraki Prefecture

Ibaraki Prefecture combines Hitachi Seaside Park's nemophila blooms, Kairakuen's 3,000 plum trees, and three great shrines. A quieter Kanto escape from

Apr 30, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Saitama Prefecture

Saitama Prefecture blends Kawagoe's Edo warehouses, Chichibu's 34-temple pilgrimage, and Ogawa's washi craft—all within 90 minutes of Tokyo.

Apr 30, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Chiba Prefecture

Chiba Prefecture stretches from Naritasan Temple to Pacific cliffs and surf villages. Explore the Boso Peninsula, lighthouses, and hidden gems near Tokyo.

Apr 30, 20262 min read

City Guide

Kawagoe Travel Guide: Little Edo, Sweet Potatoes, and the Saitama City Most Tokyo Visitors Rush Through

Kawagoe travel guide to Saitama's preserved Edo-era merchant streets, bell tower, candy alley, and craft beer — 30 minutes from Tokyo.

Apr 30, 20265 min read

Prefecture Guide

Kanagawa Prefecture

Kanagawa Prefecture combines Kamakura's Great Buddha, Hakone's volcanic onsen, Yokohama's harbour, and quiet beach towns—all within an hour of Tokyo.

Apr 30, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Tokyo Metropolis

Tokyo Metropolis stretches far beyond central wards—explore Tama mountains, volcanic islands, and UNESCO Ogasawara archipelago. Complete travel guide.

Apr 30, 20262 min read

City Guide

Hakone Travel Guide

Hakone travel guide: volcanic onsen valley 90 minutes from Tokyo. Hakone Loop, Lake Ashi, Owakudani crater, Open Air Museum, and ryokan stays.

Apr 30, 20265 min read

Region Guide

Kanto Region

Explore Kanto beyond Tokyo: seven prefectures with Nikko's shrines, Kamakura temples, Kusatsu onsen, and hidden gems within 90 minutes of the capital.

Apr 30, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Tochigi Prefecture

Tochigi Prefecture combines UNESCO-listed Nikko shrines, underground quarries, pottery towns, and onsen valleys within two hours of Tokyo.

Apr 30, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Okinawa Prefecture

Okinawa Prefecture is Japan's subtropical archipelago of 160 islands—Ryukyuan culture, turquoise seas, whale sharks, jungle islands & white-sand beaches.

Apr 30, 20262 min read

City Guide

Hakodate

Hakodate blends historic Meiji architecture, Mount Hakodate's famous night view, and Hokkaido's freshest seafood. Skip the crowds with insider tips.

Apr 30, 20263 min read

City Guide

Naha

Naha blends Shuri Castle, Makishi Market, and Kokusai Street with ferry access to Kerama coral islands. Explore Okinawa's subtropical capital beyond the

Apr 30, 20265 min read

Region Guide

Okinawa Region

Okinawa Japan is a subtropical archipelago of coral reefs, white-sand beaches and Ryukyuan heritage. Explore Naha, the Kerama Islands, Iriomote and beyond.

Apr 30, 20262 min read

City Guide

Niseko

Niseko is Hokkaido's ski capital with world-class powder, but beyond the resorts lie Mount Yōtei hikes, hidden onsen, and authentic local food.

Apr 30, 20264 min read

City Guide

Otaru

Otaru blends a snow-lit stone canal, fresh Hokkaido sushi, and hidden railway ruins. Skip the day-trip crowds with insider tips on timing and

Apr 30, 20264 min read

City Guide

Sapporo

Sapporo travel guide covering miso ramen, Odori Park, Hokkaido Shrine, and the quiet neighborhoods locals prefer. Skip the crowds with insider tips.

Apr 30, 20263 min read

Prefecture Guide

Hokkaido Prefecture

Hokkaido prefecture spans 83,000 km² of volcanic peaks, drift-ice coasts, lavender fields, and Ainu heritage. Beyond Sapporo and Niseko lies Japan's

Apr 29, 20263 min read

Region Guide

Hokkaido Region

Hokkaido is Japan's vast northern frontier — volcanic peaks, national parks, drift-ice coasts, and Ainu culture. Beyond Sapporo and Niseko lies genuine

Apr 29, 20263 min read

Prefecture Guide

Shiga Prefecture

Shiga Prefecture travel guide — sail Japan's largest lake (Biwa), tour the original Hikone Castle, and shop Shigaraki's tanuki pottery near Kyoto.

Apr 29, 20262 min read

City Guide

Osaka

Osaka travel guide: tackle takoyaki and kushikatsu in Dotonbori, climb to Osaka Castle, and ride neon-lit Shinsekai for old-school city grit.

Apr 29, 20263 min read

Prefecture Guide

Kyoto Prefecture

Kyoto Prefecture travel guide — beyond Kyoto city: Uji's matcha, Amanohashidate's pine bridge, and the hidden temples of Ohara and Kurama.

Apr 29, 20262 min read

City Guide

Kyoto

Kyoto travel guide: walk Higashiyama's stone lanes, sip tea in a Gion teahouse, and find back-street temples that beat the Kiyomizu crowds.

Apr 29, 20263 min read

Region Guide

Kansai Region

Kansai region Japan brings together Kyoto's temples, Osaka's food, Nara's deer parks and Himeji's white castle — the cultural core of the country.

Apr 29, 20262 min read

Prefecture Guide

Mie Prefecture

Mie Prefecture Japan — visit the sacred Ise Shrine, watch the Ama pearl divers in Toba, and explore Iga, the legendary home of the ninja.

Apr 29, 20263 min read

City Guide

Kanazawa Travel Guide

Kanazawa travel guide: walk preserved geisha and samurai districts, taste gold-leaf ice cream and explore Kenrokuen, one of Japan's three great gardens.

Apr 28, 20264 min read