Travel articles
Guides, itineraries and culture notes from our planners in Japan.
Seasonal
A first-timer's guide to Kyoto in autumn
When the maples turn, where to see them, and how to plan your days so you spend them in gardens instead of queues.
Aiko Tanaka · Sep 30, 2026 · 2 min read
7 articles
Getting aroundHow to ride the Shinkansen: tickets, seats and luggage
Which pass to buy, how to reserve a seat, and where the oversized bags go.
Kenji MoriSep 28, 20262 min read
CultureOnsen etiquette: what to do before you get in
Washing, towels, tattoos and the unwritten rules of a Japanese hot spring.
Aiko TanakaSep 21, 20262 min read
FoodWhere to eat in Dotonbori without queueing
Counters and side-street stalls Osaka locals use when the main strip is packed.
Yui NakamuraSep 14, 20262 min read
ItinerariesThree days in Tokyo: a realistic itinerary
One neighbourhood per half day, with time for lunch and no 6am starts.
Kenji MoriSep 7, 20262 min read
Travel tipsCash, cards and IC cards: paying for things in Japan
Where you still need yen, which cards work, and how to load a Suica on your phone.
Yui NakamuraAug 31, 20262 min read
SeasonalCherry blossom forecast: when and where to go in 2027
Typical first-bloom dates from Kyushu to Hokkaido, and how to plan around them.
Aiko TanakaAug 24, 20262 min read
From reading to going
Ready to see it in person?
Every place we write about is on one of our guided day trips. Small groups, local guides, free cancellation.