18 guides tagged with "planning"
A 2026 budget guide to Kanazawa — Shinkansen from Tokyo for ¥14,000, Kenrokuen Garden (¥320), Higashi Chaya geisha district, Omicho Market seafood, Shirakawa-go day trip, and the cheapest way to do Japan's hidden gem.
Read moreA 2026 neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to Kyoto on a budget — Higashiyama, Arashiyama, Gion, Pontocho, Nishiki Market, Kyoto Station, Fushimi. Where to stay, what to eat, what to skip, and a 3/5/7-day combination plan.
Read moreA 2026 budget guide to Okinawa — flights from Tokyo for ¥8,000–14,000, free beaches (Nishihama, Kondoi), Churaumi Aquarium (¥2,200), Kokusai-dori, kerama snorkeling, and the cheapest way to do Japan's tropical island chain.
Read moreA 2026 budget guide to Sapporo and Hokkaido — flights from Tokyo for ¥6,000–10,000, Sapporo Snow Festival (free), Niseko and Furano skiing on ¥8,000/day, lavender fields in Furano, and the cheapest way to do Japan's north island.
Read moreA 2026 neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to Osaka on a budget — Namba (Dotonbori), Shinsekai, Tennoji, Umeda, Den Den Town, Nakatsu. Where to stay, what to eat, what to skip, and a 3/5/7-day combination plan.
Read moreA 2026 budget guide to Japan autumn foliage (koyo) — forecast timing for Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, day trips for peak maple viewing, free spots, where autumn beats cherry blossom, booking strategy, packing, and a 10-day autumn itinerary.
Read moreA practical 2026 family travel guide to Japan — age-by-age strategies, family-friendly accommodation, kid-friendly food, free activities, Tokyo Disney and USJ, day trips from Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka, packing for kids, and 7-day family itineraries under ¥25,000/day.
Read moreA 2026 neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to Tokyo on a budget — Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa, Ueno, Shimokitazawa, Akihabara, Ikebukuro, Roppongi. Where to stay, what to eat, what to skip, and a 3/5/7-day combination plan.
Read moreA practical 2026 guide to booking hotels in Japan on a budget — best platforms (Booking.com, Agoda, Rakuten, Jalan, direct), when to book, how far ahead, business hotels vs capsule vs ryokan, hidden fees, and the 7 mistakes to avoid.
Read moreA budget traveler's guide to Japan cherry blossom season 2027 — bloom forecast timing for Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, free viewing spots, day trips to Yoshino, accommodation booking strategy, and how to see sakura without paying peak prices.
Read moreThe 15 essential apps for traveling Japan in 2026 — Google Maps, Suica, NAVITIME, Google Translate, Tabelog, Pocket WiFi, and the smaller apps that make the trip work. With setup instructions, data usage, and free vs paid breakdown for every app.
Read moreHonest Japan money guide for 2026 — 7-Eleven ATMs, how much cash to carry, Wise vs airport exchange, IC card payments, and the budget traveler's payment stack.
Read moreComplete 10-day Japan budget itinerary — Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka for under $700 excluding flights. Day-by-day schedule with overnight bus, real costs and zero fluff.
Read moreIs the JR Pass worth it in 2026? Honest calculation — ¥50,000 pass vs individual tickets for every common Japan itinerary, plus regional pass alternatives.
Read moreJapan travel insurance 2026 — SafetyWing from $22 for 2 weeks, what your credit card misses, and real Japan hospital costs for uninsured tourists.
Read moreBest eSIM for Japan 2026 — Airalo, Holafly, or Saily? Honest comparison for budget travelers, how much data you actually need, and step-by-step setup before you fly.
Read moreReal Japan trip costs for 2026 — budget ¥8,000/day, mid-range ¥18,000/day. Includes flights, 2026 new taxes, JR Pass update, and full breakdown by category.
Read moreWhen is Japan cheapest to visit? Month-by-month budget guide for 2026 — real accommodation prices, crowd levels, and exactly which weeks to avoid.
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