The real guide to paying for things in Japan: which ATMs actually accept foreign cards, how much cash to carry, when a Visa works and when it does not, plus tax-free shopping and why you should not tip.
Japan Tips
Practical advice for visiting Japan: culture, etiquette, and planning.
The five mistakes tourists make at Japanese onsen, the full eleven-step visit sequence, and what to do if you have tattoos — from someone who got it wrong the first three times.
A 3-day Tokyo itinerary with the common first-timer mistakes stripped out — what to skip, what to prioritise, and how to plan mornings, afternoons, and evenings across Shibuya, Asakusa, Shinjuku, and more.
Tokyo’s three train operators, the IC card that works on all of them, how to read the station codes, and why Google Maps beats every transit app going. A first-timer’s guide to Tokyo trains and the Suica card.
Most blogs say buy the JR Pass. Most blogs are out of date. Here is the real maths for Tokyo trips after the 2023 price hike, and what to buy instead.
Keikyu for most, Tokyo Monorail for JR Pass holders, Limousine Bus if your hotel is on the route, and the taxi maths for when it actually makes sense.
The Keisei Skyliner is ¥2,310 online, 41 minutes to Ueno, and beats the taxi, the Narita Express, and the low-cost bus for most first-time Tokyo arrivals. Full route-by-route guide with prices and timings.
A persuasive case for Japan for first-time travellers, from 7-Eleven egg sandwiches to Shinkansen precision, with honest opinions on cost, safety and who should skip it.
The real faux pas in Japan aren’t chopstick grip or bowing angles — they’re phone calls on the Yamanote, trash on the floor, and shoes in the wrong place. Here’s what actually matters.