Airbnb Japan - Real Japan Guide

Can You Smoke on the Street in Tokyo? Rules, Fines, and Where Tourists Can Light Up (2026)

Chiyoda and Shibuya fine street smokers ¥2,000 on the spot. Shinjuku and Minato just warn you. Where tourists can legally smoke in Tokyo, hotel and Airbnb rules, IQOS, and what changed after taspo ended in March 2026.

2026.05.25

Travel Tips

Tokyo Temple & Shrine Hopping: 5 Routes Beyond Sensoji (2026)

Five half-day Tokyo temple-shrine routes locals walk in 2026, beyond Sensoji. Free entry, 3-4 hours each, station-to-station with lunch tips.

2026.05.21

Culture

Arrived in Tokyo at 2 AM? Where to Wait Until First Train (2026)

Arrived in Tokyo at 2 AM with luggage? Hotels open 15:00, trains restart 5:30. Where to wait with luggage: late-night cafes, capsule hotels, sauna stays.

2026.05.18

Travel Tips

Will My Charger Work in Japan? Type A Outlets, 100V, USB-C Guide for Airbnb Guests (2026)

Updated for 2026: phones, laptops, and cameras work in Japan as-is. The catch — US hair dryers and 240V devices need attention. Adapters at Daiso from ¥110.

2026.05.12

Travel Tips

Tokyo Airbnb Starter Guide: Before & After Check-in 2026

Just booked a Tokyo Airbnb? A short, friendly guide to what to do before your flight, how to get to your stay, and what makes Tokyo a fun place to wake up in.

2026.05.03

Travel Tips

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

Japanese Toilets Explained: What to Expect at Hotels, Airbnbs, and Public Restrooms (2026)

A practical 2026 guide to Japan three toilet types — washlet, plain Western, and squat — with realistic expectations, button-by-button decoding, public toilet strategy, and the two rules for paper and trash.

2026.04.29

Culture

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