Real Japan Guide - Japan travel, without the friction.

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Choose the next guide by travel friction, not by publish date.

MoveNarita, Haneda, trains and first transfers.EatBook Tokyo restaurants without guessing.Pay & BookCash, IC cards and payment basics.Manners & SafetyAvoid common public-space mistakes.Plan BHeat, crowds and summer backup items.First NightCheck-in, key boxes and room basics.

International traveler walking through a Japanese airport terminal with passport and carry-on luggage

Japan Departure Tax 2026: Who Pays ¥3,000?

Leaving Japan after July 1, 2026? Check whether the ¥3,000 departure tax is in your ticket, who is exempt, and when the old ¥1,000 rate applies.

International travelers checking two blank autumn calendars and a costume packing list in a Tokyo hotel

Tokyo Disney Halloween 2026: Costume Dates & Changing Rules

Planning a Tokyo Disney Halloween costume? Check the 2026 costume dates, changing-space rules, prohibited items, and a practical no-costume Plan B.

Traveler securing a blank passport-sized booklet in a zipped cross-body pouch inside a Tokyo hotel room

Carry Your Passport in Japan? Lost Passport Plan

Tourists in Japan must carry their passport. Learn what to do if it is lost or stolen, who to contact, and how to protect the rest of your trip.

Traveler receiving a small otoshi appetizer at a Japanese izakaya counter

Izakaya in Japan 2026: Otoshi, Ordering & Bills

Confused by an izakaya dish you did not order? Learn what otoshi and table charges mean, how to order, pay, check allergens, and avoid bill surprises.

Izakaya (Japanese Pub)

Travelers arriving near a Tokyo sumo arena on a September afternoon

Tokyo Sumo September 2026: Tickets & Sold-Out Plan B

Buy Tokyo’s September 2026 sumo tickets safely: official sale dates, seat choices, 7-Eleven pickup, entry rules, and sold-out Plan B options.

01-hero-prepared-climbers

Mount Fuji Climbing 2026: Fees, Trails & Safety Plan

Climbing Mount Fuji in 2026? Compare four trails, the ¥4,000 hiking fee, entry registration, hut rules, gate hours, safety checks, and Plan B.

International visitors approaching a large Japanese convention center for a gaming event

Tokyo Game Show 2026: Tickets, Trains & Crowd Plan

Tokyo Game Show 2026 opens to public visitors September 19–21. Compare tickets, choose the right day, reach Makuhari Messe, and plan for sellouts.

Travelers beside a busy Kyoto bus stop during the autumn season

Kyoto Autumn 2026: Bus Crowds, Subway & Plan B

Avoid Kyoto’s autumn bus crowds with rail-first routes, luggage options, the official congestion forecast, and a practical Plan B for four major areas.

Traveler checking a missed Shinkansen departure at a station ticket gate

Missed Your Shinkansen? Ticket Rules & Same-Day Plan B

Missed your Shinkansen in Japan? See what to do before and after departure, when a later train is allowed, and which discounted tickets need a new fare.

Traveler checking a declined foreign card at an ATM inside a Japanese convenience store

ATM Card Declined in Japan? 2026 Cash Plan B

ATM card declined in Japan? Use this 2026 recovery flow for Seven Bank and Japan Post Bank, issuer checks, limits, fees, and a safe cash Plan B.

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