Destinations
Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and the regions beyond.
10 answers, each with a visible review date.
- Practical guideKyoto: Temples, Timing and the New Rules of an Overloved City
Kyoto with current facts — temple prices, the abolished bus pass and its ¥1,100 replacement, the Gion photo ban, the March 2026 lodging tax, and the dawn strategy that beats the crowds. Checked August 2026.
- Practical guideOsaka: Japan's Kitchen, Best Taken at Street Level
Osaka with current facts — the castle's price doubling to ¥1,200, the Dotonbori food canon, Umeda Sky and Kaiyukan prices, what happened to the Expo site, and why evenings are Osaka's best hours. Checked August 2026.
- Honest comparisonTokyo Disney, USJ and the Ghibli Question: Tickets Without Tears
Japan's big-three park decisions — Tokyo Disney's variable pricing and Premier Access, USJ's dynamic tickets and Nintendo World timed entry, and the two very different Ghibli bookings. Checked August 2026.
- Practical guideTokyo for First-Timers: The City in Systems, Not Checklists
How to plan a first Tokyo visit — the neighborhood clusters that organize the city, the bookings that sell out (Shibuya Sky, teamLab, Ghibli), current prices, and what needs no ticket at all. Checked August 2026.
- Practical guideBest Day Trips from Kyoto and Osaka: 8 Easy Choices
Compare the best day trips from Kyoto and Osaka, including Nara, Himeji, Kobe, Uji, Koyasan and Lake Biwa, with realistic routes.
- Practical guideBest Day Trips from Tokyo: 8 Easy Escapes Compared
Compare eight Tokyo day trips by travel time, scenery, crowds and weather, with practical plans for Kamakura, Nikko, Hakone, Fuji and more.
- Practical guideHakone vs Kawaguchiko: Which Mount Fuji Trip Is Better?
Compare Hakone and Kawaguchiko for Fuji views, onsen, museums, transport and overnight stays, with realistic one- and two-day plans.
- Practical guideHiroshima and Miyajima Itinerary: 2 or 3 Days
A respectful 2- or 3-day Hiroshima and Miyajima itinerary covering Peace Memorial Park, the museum, ferries, tides and where to stay.
- Practical guideHokkaido Itinerary: 7, 10 or 14 Days by Season
Plan a 7-, 10- or 14-day Hokkaido itinerary with Sapporo, Otaru, Furano, Noboribetsu, Hakodate and an optional eastern road trip.
- Practical guideJapanese Alps Itinerary: 5, 7 or 10 Days Without a Car
Plan a 5-, 7- or 10-day Japanese Alps route through Matsumoto, Kamikochi, Takayama, Shirakawa-go and Kanazawa, with seasonal alternatives.