Japan's bullet trains are the easiest way to link Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Fukuoka, and they come with a luggage rule many visitors discover only on the platform. On the Tokaido, Sanyo, Kyushu and Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen, a bag whose three sides add up…
Category: Travel in Japan
Travel guides, destinations, and tips for visiting Japan
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Japan Travel Data Calculator 2026: How Much Mobile Data Do You Need?
A free calculator from Japan Life Lab: enter your days in Japan and your daily phone habits to get the total GB you need and the eSIM plan size to buy. It uses published per-hour data figures from NTT Docomo and So-net. Set your trip length and a typical…
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Tokyo Winter Illuminations 2026-27: Best Free Light Displays
Tokyo in winter has a secret superpower: from early November through February, the city turns into one giant light festival. Millions of LEDs wrap the boulevards of Marunouchi, the keyaki trees of Roppongi and entire amusement parks, and — unlike most Japanese attractions — almost…
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Japanese Craft Beer 2026: 5 Iconic Cans from the Konbini
Japan is famous for crisp lagers like Asahi and Sapporo — but hiding on the same konbini shelf is one of Asia's most exciting craft beer scenes. The best part: you don't need a specialty bar to explore it. Some of Japan's best craft beers…
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Halloween in Japan 2026: Shibuya Rules, USJ & Disney Events
Halloween in Japan is unlike anywhere else in the world: instead of trick-or-treating, it's a massive adult costume culture centered on street gatherings, theme parks, and club events. But the rules have changed dramatically in recent years — especially in Shibuya. Here's everything you need…
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Japan Winter Survival Guide 2026-27: What to Pack
Japanese winters are deceptively brutal. Tokyo rarely drops below freezing, yet visitors and new residents are shocked by how cold they feel indoors — thin walls, single-pane windows, and no central heating are the norm. Meanwhile, northern Japan buries itself under meters of snow. This…
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New Year in Japan 2027: Oshogatsu, What’s Open & 3 Days
New Year (Oshogatsu, お正月) is the biggest holiday of the year in Japan — bigger than Christmas, bigger than Golden Week. From December 29 to January 3, the entire country slows down for family, temple visits, special food, and lucky shopping bags. If you're visiting…
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Skiing in Japan 2027: Where to Find Japow
Japan is home to some of the best powder snow on Earth — locals and visitors alike call it “Japow.” Consistent Siberian storms dump meters of light, dry snow on the mountains of Hokkaido and Nagano every winter, and the season typically runs from December…
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JESTA Japan 2026
Tax-free shopping in Japan changes on 1 November 2026 Until 31 October you show your passport at the till and simply pay without the 10% consumption tax. From 1 November you pay the full tax-included price in the shop and claim the tax back at…
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Bear Safety in Japan 2026
📌 What you will learnYou do not have to read it all — jump to what you need.Japan has a bear problem, and 2026 is the year it stopped being a rural story1｜The numbers, and what they actually mean2｜Why it happened3｜When and where the risk…
