Trip planning Updated 18 August 2026
Japan with Children: Why It Is Easier Than It Looks
One of the most straightforward countries in the world to travel with children, for reasons that have very little to do with the theme parks.
#planning
Every guide tagged planning, for a trip to Japan.
Getting around & the shinkansen Updated 29 July 2026
Is the Japan Rail Pass Still Worth It?
The pass got much more expensive and for many itineraries it no longer pays: how to do the arithmetic in ten minutes, which trips still justify it, and what to buy instead.
Trip planning Updated 9 July 2026
Japan or South Korea: Which Should You Visit First?
Japan or South Korea for your next trip? A fair comparison of culture, food, costs, transport, cities and nature, with a clear verdict for first-timers and every traveler type.
Trip planning Updated 27 June 2026
Tokyo or Osaka: Which City Should You Visit?
Tokyo or Osaka for your Japan trip? An honest comparison of the two great cities: sights, food, nightlife, day trips to Kyoto and Nara, costs, and a clear verdict for every type of traveler.
Trip planning Updated 14 May 2026
Travel Insurance for Japan: What You Actually Need to Cover
Why travel insurance matters for a Japan trip: high private medical costs for visitors, ski and Mount Fuji coverage, long-haul flight disruption, typhoon and earthquake interruption, and baggage.
Ready-made itineraries Updated 17 April 2026
Three Weeks in Japan, Without the Zigzag
Long enough to go beyond Tokyo and Kyoto and short enough to get wrong: a route that runs in one direction, with the nights allocated and the bookings flagged.
Money, etiquette & practical Updated 5 April 2026
What Japan Actually Costs
Japan has a reputation for being expensive and is cheaper than most of western Europe for food and transport: where the money really goes, and where it does not.