Using an onsen is a uniquely Japanese experience, but it’s also something you need to know a little bit about if you don’t want to make a faux pas or feel embarrassed about the process. So, here’s our beginner’s guide to using an onsen.
Japan Travel Tips
The best advice for planning your trip to Japan – and getting around the country once you arrive.
Arriving in Japan – Here’s What to Know
Your flight is booked, you’ve decided on your itinerary, and you’ve booked your hotels. Now it’s time to deal with the logistics of getting on… and then off the plane. So, here’s our handy checklist of the things to think about when arriving in Japan.
The 8 Most Memorable Things I’ve Eaten in Japan (so far).
I’m not an avid foodie. When I’m in Japan, I don’t seek out restaurants with Michelin stars or queue for the latest viral restaurant. Most of the time, my meals are more to give me the energy to keep sightseeing than gourmet sensations – but that doesn’t mean I don’t eat some amazing food on my trip. And here are the eight dishes I think have been the most memorable so far – either because of their taste or the experience of consuming them.
How to Ride the Hello Kitty Shinkansen
The Hello Kitty Shinkansen is the cutest bullet train on the tracks, but how do you get on it? Here are all the things you need to know, like where it goes and when, how to get a ticket and the best places to visit via this super cute train.
13 Apps to Make Your Japan Trip Easier
There are a few apps I won’t travel to Japan without—and a few that could be helpful for people other than me! So, here’s my list of the apps that can make your Japan trip easier.
Where to Smoke in Japan 2026: Designated Areas, Train Rules & City-by-City Guide
Smoking on the street in Japan can get you fined – but designated areas are easy to find once you know where to look. Check our tourist’s guide to where to smoke in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, on the Shinkansen… and more.
Drinking Water in Japan- Where, When, How!
Staying hydrated on your Japan trip is essential to keeping your energy levels up and to help prevent problems in Japan’s high humidity and Summer heat. So, what’s the deal with drinking water in Japan? Is it worth packing your reusable bottle, and where can you fill it? Can you drink the tap water? and … Read more
The 9 Chain Restaurants I Live On in Japan
While it wouldn’t be the perfect Japanese trip without stumbling into some mom-and-pop restaurant, ordering from the menu even though you’re not quite sure exactly what you’ll get, and enjoying the whole experience of being somewhere out of your comfort zone, sometimes you might just want to eat somewhere quick and easy. This is where the Japanese chain restaurants come in very handy.