Japan travel guides
Practical, no-fluff guides written from real travel experience. Use these alongside the planning tools to build a trip that suits your style, timing, and budget.
Best time to visit Japan
Season-by-season breakdown with cherry blossom timings, typhoon info, and a month-by-month quick reference.
Covers Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter · Cherry blossom city guide · Month-by-month table
Read guideWhere to stay in Tokyo
7 Tokyo neighbourhoods compared — Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa, Akihabara, Ginza, Ueno, and Harajuku.
Vibe, budget range, transport rating · Stay here / skip if for each area
Read guideWhere to stay in Osaka
5 Osaka neighbourhoods compared — Namba, Shinsaibashi, Umeda, Shin-Osaka, and Tennoji.
Budget ranges, transport access · Best areas for food, nightlife, and day trips
Read guideCash & currency in Japan
Where to get yen, how 7-Eleven ATMs work, when cards are accepted, and how IC cards like Suica save time.
ATM guide · IC cards · Credit card tips · Tipping rules
Read guideJapan trip checklist
A comprehensive pre-trip checklist — visas, money, transport cards, phone data, packing, and day-1 logistics.
6 checklist sections · Free printable PDF · Day-1 prep guide
Read guideIC cards in Japan
Suica vs Pasmo vs ICOCA — which one to get, how to top up, deposit rules, and Mobile Suica on iPhone.
Card comparison table · Mobile Suica setup · Where it works / doesn't
Read guideJapan food guide
Must-eat dishes across Tokyo and Osaka, halal dining options, food budget tiers, and a Japanese vocabulary card.
14 essential dishes · Tokyo & Osaka spots · Halal section · Budget guide
Read guideJapan visa guide
Visa-free entry rules for Malaysia (15 days), Singapore, US, UK & Australia — plus what to prepare and how to use Visit Japan Web.
Per-country stay limits · Entry requirements · Visit Japan Web · Last reviewed March 2026
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