Travel Tips - Real Japan Guide

How to Book Shinkansen Online from Overseas: Foreign Credit Card Guide for SmartEX and eki-net (2026)

A practical 2026 guide to booking Shinkansen tickets online from outside Japan. Covers SmartEX, JR-EAST Train Reservation, and JR-WEST — including what to do when your foreign credit card gets rejected by 3D Secure.

2026.05.01

Travel Tips

Japan Pharmacy & Drugstore Guide: Where to Buy Medicine, Cosmetics, and Daily Essentials

For travelers to Japan, drugstores are the daily-essentials hub for cosmetics, baby supplies, sanitary items, and tax-free shopping. This 2026 guide covers chain comparison, baby supplies, the November 2026 tax-free overhaul, and 24-hour options.

2026.04.30

Travel Tips

Does Google Maps Work in Japan? Yes — 5 Features Tourists Miss (2026)

Updated for 2026: Google Maps in Japan now supports Ask Maps AI, Indoor Live View at major stations, and Reserve with Google. Here's what tourists need to know.

2026.04.29

Travel Tips

Pocket WiFi vs eSIM vs SIM Card in Japan: How Tourists Should Stay Connected (2026)

Comparison of eSIM, Pocket WiFi and SIM card options for staying connected in Japan in 2026, with scenario-based recommendations for solo travellers, groups, and long-stay guests.

2026.04.29

Travel Tips

Cash in Japan 2026: A Visual Guide to Yen Banknotes & Coins for Tourists

Old vs new banknotes after the July 2024 redesign, the mystery of the 2,000-yen note, foreign-card ATMs, and where cash still beats cards in Japan.

2026.04.28

Travel Tips

Suica or PASMO in 2026? What Tourists Should Buy at Haneda, Narita, Tokyo & Osaka

Four options in 2026: Welcome Suica, Mobile Suica iPhone, Tourist Pasmo, regular Suica. Where to buy at Haneda T2, Narita T1/T2, Tokyo, Osaka + 2-min iPhone setup.

2026.04.28

Travel Tips

What to Expect (and Not Expect) as a Muslim Guest at a Japanese Airbnb

Quick Answer: Most Japanese Airbnb hosts have very limited knowledge of Halal practices or Muslim prayer routines. This...

2026.04.28

Travel Tips

Tokyo Restaurant Booking 2026: 3 English Apps That Take Foreign Visa/Mastercard

TableCheck, Pocket Concierge, OMAKASE — the only 3 English apps that accept foreign Visa/Mastercard for Tokyo sushi, kaiseki, yakiniku reservations. Side-by-side comparison for 2026.

2026.04.26

Travel Tips

Shinkansen for Tourists 2026: Tokyo→Kyoto in 2h17, ¥13,320 — Foreign Visa/Mastercard OK

Book Shinkansen online from overseas with SmartEX — Visa, Mastercard, Amex all accepted. Tokyo→Kyoto in 2h17 from ¥13,320. Oversized luggage seats free in 2026. Step-by-step booking guide.

2026.04.26

Travel Tips

Tokyo Luggage Storage 2026: ¥400 Lockers + Ecbo from ¥500/Day

Tokyo coin lockers from ¥400, reservable Ecbo Cloak spaces from ¥500/day, or Yamato delivery to your hotel by evening. Shinjuku & Shibuya routes inside.

2026.04.25

Travel Tips