Japan, explained
Practical guides, cultural notes, and travel news from people who spend a lot of time in Japan. Read what you need, plan what you love.
News
Travel updates worth knowing
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teamLab Planets TOKYO to Close by End of 2027
teamLab Planets TOKYO in Toyosu is confirmed to close by the end of 2027. Here's what visitors need to know about timing, tickets, and getting there.
Haneda Airport Disrupted by Twin Typhoons in Late June
Haneda Airport was disrupted by Typhoon No. 7 and Typhoon Mekkhala on 25 June 2026. Here is what happened and what Tokyo travellers should know now.
Mt. Fuji Climbing Season Opens With Two Trails and New Fee Kiosks
Mt. Fuji's 2026 climbing season opened 1 July with the Yoshida and Fujinomiya trails accessible. New fee kiosks are installed to ease visitor flow.
Tenjin Festival 2026: Dates, Times and What to Expect in Osaka
Tenjin Festival 2026 runs 24-25 July in Osaka's Kita area. Dates, transport, crowd tips and what each day involves for travellers.
Typhoon Warning Issued for Tokyo and Kanto Region
A typhoon reached Tokyo and Kanto on 30 June 2026, bringing heavy rain and high wave risks. Here is what visitors should do and check right now.
Ghibli Park Updates Same-Day Ticket Process for Valley of Witches Buildings
Ghibli Park changed its same-day ticket process for Okino Residence, Howl's Castle, and The House of Witches from 1 July 2026. Here is what visitors need to know.
Bocchi the Rock! Projection Mapping Now Showing at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Bocchi the Rock! Seisun Complex projection mapping is now screening on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building facade in Shinjuku. Free to attend.
Tokyo Marathon 2026 Draws Tens of Thousands Through the Capital
The Tokyo Marathon 2026 has taken place, routing tens of thousands of runners through Shinjuku, Asakusa, Ginza, and Marunouchi. Here is what travellers need to know.
Japan Gives Local Governments Power to Ban Airbnb-Style Rentals
Japan now lets local governments ban Airbnb-style minpaku rentals. Here's what it means for travellers with short-term rental bookings in 2026.
Japan to Raise Visa Fees for the First Time in 48 Years
Japan announced a visa fee increase on 20 June 2026, its first revision in 48 years. Here is what travellers need to know right now.
Private Compartments Coming to Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen from October 2026
JR Central and JR West will introduce Supreme Class private lockable compartments on Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen trains from October 2026. Online booking only.
Experts Warn of Intense Typhoon Season Ahead for Japan in 2026
Experts warned on 4 June 2026 that Japan faces an intense typhoon season. Here's what travellers need to know to plan safely this summer and autumn.
Popular
Articles people love
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Kombini Food: The Honest Guide to Japanese Convenience Store Eating
Japanese convenience stores serve genuinely delicious food. This honest guide covers what tastes good at 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson, plus money-saving tips.
Summer Hiking in Japan: Where It Works and Where It Doesn't
Where summer hiking works in Japan and where it doesn't. Altitude-based guide to alpine trails, valleys to avoid, and practical timing for comfortable treks.
Summer Food in Japan: What's in Season and Where to Try It
Discover Japan's summer seasonal food, from white peaches and cold noodles to grilled eel and shaved ice. What's in season June-August and where to try it.
Gift-Giving in Japan: When It Matters and What to Buy
Essential guide to Japanese gift-giving: when to give omiyage and temiyage, what to buy, prices, and where to shop. Practical advice for travellers.
Fuji Rock Festival: Your Complete Guide to Japan's Legendary Outdoor Music Event
Complete guide to Fuji Rock Festival in Niigata: tickets, camping, transport from Tokyo, what to bring, and everything you need for Japan's biggest music festival.
Ueno: Tokyo's Cultural Heart - Museums, Park and Markets
Explore Ueno's museums, historic park, and lively Ameyoko Market. Your complete guide to Tokyo's cultural heart, from cherry blossoms to street food.
The Izu Peninsula from Tokyo: Coast, Onsen and Hot Springs
Discover Izu Peninsula from Tokyo: dramatic Pacific coastline, therapeutic hot springs, early cherry blossoms and fresh seafood, all within 2 hours of central Tokyo.
Three Weeks in Japan: Extended Itineraries Beyond the Golden Route
Planning three weeks in Japan? Discover extended itineraries from Tokyo to Kyushu, alpine routes to Hokkaido, and island-hopping adventures with practical tips.
Gion Matsuri in Kyoto: A Complete Guide to Japan's Greatest Festival
Complete guide to Kyoto's Gion Matsuri festival: parade dates, best viewing spots, Yoiyama evenings, accommodation tips and insider experiences for Japan's greatest summer celebration.
What to Eat in Kyoto: Kaiseki, Tofu and the Quiet Flavours
Discover Kyoto's refined food culture: kaiseki, tofu, temple vegetarian cuisine and the seasonal precision that defines kyo-ryori cooking traditions.
Uji from Kyoto: Matcha, the Phoenix Hall and the River
A practical guide to visiting Uji from Kyoto: Byodoin's Phoenix Hall, Japan's best matcha, riverside walks and tea district exploration in 4-5 hours.
Universal Studios Japan: Everything You Need to Know Before You Visit
Complete guide to Universal Studios Japan in Osaka - tickets, Express Pass, Super Nintendo World tips, best attractions, and strategies for maximising your visit.
Guides
Itineraries and destination playbooks
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Narita and Odawara: Two Transit Towns Worth More Than a Glance
Narita has a 10th-century temple and unagi. Odawara has a castle and kamaboko. Both reward a stop of 2 - 3 hours. Here's how to fit each into a real itinerary.
Ouchi-juku: A Thatched Edo Post Town in the Aizu Hills
How to reach Ouchi-juku from Tokyo by shinkansen and Aizu Railway, what to see on the thatched post-town street, and when the snow festival runs.
Kitakyushu: A Worthwhile First or Last Stop in Kyushu
Kitakyushu sits 15 min from Hakata by Shinkansen. This guide covers Kokura Castle, Mojiko Retro, the TOTO Museum, and the spring Kawachi Wisteria Garden.
Yamaguchi and Shimonoseki: A Guide to Japan's Western Tip
Practical guide to Yamaguchi and Shimonoseki: pagodas, ink-wash gardens, fugu at Karato Market, the Kanmon pedestrian tunnel, and shinkansen access tips.
Otsu and Lake Biwa: A Practical Guide to a Day Beside Japan's Largest Lake
Practical guide to Otsu and Lake Biwa: getting there from Kyoto (9 min, ¥230), Mii-dera, Ishiyama-dera, Enryaku-ji, lake cruises, and using Otsu as a base.
Iga: Inside Japan's Ninja Heartland
How to reach Iga-Ueno from Osaka or Nagoya, and what to see: the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum trick house, Ueno Castle's 30-metre stone walls, and Basho's birthplace.
Shizuoka and Hamamatsu: Tea, Castles and the Tokaido Coast
How to add Shizuoka and Hamamatsu to a Tokyo-Kyoto journey: green tea, hilltop shrines, eel, gyoza and musical-instrument museums on the Tokaido coast.
Walking Oirase Gorge: A Guide to Lake Towada's Caldera Trail
How to walk Oirase Gorge and visit Lake Towada: trail sections, waterfalls, bus routes from Aomori, the lake cruise, and autumn foliage timing.
Beyond Naoshima: A Practical Guide to Shodoshima and Awaji Island
Practical guide to Shodoshima and Awaji Island - ferries, getting around, Kankakei Gorge, Naruto whirlpools, and which island suits which traveller.
Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen: Hot-Spring Villages Beyond the Snow Monkeys
A practical guide to Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen: bathhouse-hopping, ryokan stays, seasonal highlights, and how to reach the villages from Nagano.
Enoshima and Mount Takao: Two Half-Day Escapes from Tokyo
Two easy half-day escapes from Tokyo: Enoshima's shrine island and sea caves, and Mount Takao's forested trails and temple. Real travel times, fares, food tips.
100-Yen Shops in Japan: What Daiso, Seria and Can★Do Actually Sell
Complete guide to Daiso, Seria and Can★Do: Japan's brilliant 100-yen shops. What they actually sell, what to buy, and how to shop like a local.
Tips
How Japan actually works
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Japan Immigration: What to Expect on Arrival (2026 Guide)
Complete guide to Japanese immigration on arrival: documents needed, queue times, Visit Japan Web, common questions, and tips for smooth entry at Narita, Haneda, and Kansai airports.
Children's Japan Visa and Entry Requirements: Everything Parents Need to Know
Complete guide to Japan visa and entry requirements for children. Learn about passports, applications, single-parent travel, and immigration with kids.
Re-entering Japan After a Short Regional Trip: What You Need to Know
Planning a quick trip to Korea or Taiwan during your Japan visit? Learn the rules for re-entering Japan on a tourist visa, documents needed, and what immigration expects.
Japan Earthquakes: What Travellers Need to Know
Essential earthquake safety guide for Japan travellers. Learn what to do during tremors, how Japan's warning systems work, and why you can travel confidently.
Japan Typhoon Season: Essential Guide for Travellers
Essential guide to Japan's typhoon season for travellers. Learn when typhoons occur, which regions are affected, and how to stay safe during your trip.
How to Access Healthcare in Japan as a Tourist: Your Complete Guide
Complete guide to accessing healthcare in Japan as a tourist, from finding English-speaking doctors to handling emergencies and navigating costs.
Food Allergies in Japan: What You Can (and Can't) Realistically Manage
Realistic guide to managing food allergies in Japan. Which allergies are manageable, which are genuinely difficult, and practical strategies for safe travel.
Pharmacies in Japan: What You Can and Cannot Buy
Complete guide to Japanese pharmacies - what medicines you can buy over the counter, what needs prescriptions, and how to navigate drugstores in Japan.
Late-Night Eating in Japan: What's Open After Midnight
Japan's cities serve excellent food 24/7. Your guide to ramen shops, gyudon chains, convenience stores, and late-night districts in Tokyo and Osaka.
Heatstroke in Japan: Essential Summer Safety for Travellers
Essential heatstroke prevention and safety guide for summer travel in Japan. Practical tips for staying safe in extreme heat, recognising symptoms, and managing emergencies.
Lost in Japan: What to Do and How to Get Help
Lost in Japan? Learn practical steps to find your way, communicate without Japanese, use trains and taxis, and get help safely anywhere in Japan.
Natural Disaster Preparedness for Tourists in Japan: A Practical Safety Guide
Essential natural disaster preparedness for Japan tourists. Earthquake safety, typhoon planning, volcano alerts, and emergency apps. Practical steps for confident travel.
Updates
What's new on the site
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Sixteen new destinations: the map now covers over 200 places
Your JP Adventure now covers more than 200 destinations. Sixteen new additions, from Enoshima and Yudanaka to Shimonoseki and Ouchi-juku, fill in routes across every region.
Welcome to Your JP Adventure - and why we built it
Why we built a map-first Japan trip planner - and a tour of what it does today, from smart routing to a deep blog and a built-in travel log.
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