Is the JR Pass worth it in 2026?

Yes, if you plan to ride the Shinkansen two or more times. A 7-day JR Pass typically pays for itself on a Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka trip.

What is the best way to get internet in Japan?

An eSIM is the easiest option — activate before your flight and connect the moment you land. Sakura Mobile offers reliable plans for visitors to Japan.

Japan Travel Guide 2026 — Plan Your Trip

Q: Do I need a visa to visit Japan?

Travelers from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and most EU countries do not need a visa for stays under 90 days. Check the Japan MOFA site for your country.

Q: Can I use credit cards everywhere in Japan?

Cards are widely accepted in cities, but cash is still essential in rural areas and smaller shops. Always carry ¥5,000–¥10,000 JPY.

▶ Japan Travel Guide 2026

Go Japan Now — Explore & Experience Japan

The trusted Japan travel guide for 2026 — expert tips on JR Pass, WiFi, airports & experiences, in 5 languages.

Start Planning →

Updated 2026 · Booking links verified · EN · 中文 · 한국어 · 日本語

Explore Japan — Pick Where to Start
Plan · Get Ready · Enjoy · Places · Go Deeper

Explore Japan — Pick Where to Start

Eight guides cover the whole trip, from the first plan to the places most visitors never reach. Start with the one that fits where you are now.

PLANJapan Travel GuideFirst trip, seasons, hidden gems3 guides→READYGetting AroundJR Pass, Shinkansen, IC cards, airports6 guides→READYWhere to StayRyokan, capsules, the right area4 guides→READYTravel TipsWiFi, cash, manners, emergencies4 guides→ENJOYExperiencesFood, culture and things to do3 guides→SPOTBest PlacesTokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and beyond7 guides→SPOTMichelin Green GuideEvery starred place in Japan23 guides→DEEPERAbout JapanCulture, history, religion, norms4 guides→

Sort These Out Before You Land
WiFi · JR Pass · Airport Transfer · IC Card

Sort These Out Before You Land

Buddhist monk in saffron robes meditating before a golden altar adorned with glowing lanterns inside a Japanese temple

eSIM or SIM? JR Pass or IC card? Narita or Haneda? Lock these in before you fly.

MUST-HAVE
Sakura Mobile eSIM — activate before your flight, connect on arrival

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WiFi

: Japan WiFi, SIM & eSIM Guide 2026 — Stay Connected from Landing

▶ Stage 2 — Getting Ready Japan WiFi, SIM & eSIM 2026 — Pick One Before You Fl …

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via Klook
JR Pass 2026 — worth it if you ride the Shinkansen twice or more

Buy on Klook →

JR Pass

: Japan Rail Pass 2026 — Is It Worth It? Complete Guide

▶ Stage 2 — Getting Ready Japan Rail Pass 2026 — Does It Pay Off? Pick and Buy in 4 Steps Check whet …

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via Klook
Airport Transfer — Narita · Haneda · Kansai, book before you fly

Book Transfer →

Airport

: Japan Airport Transfers 2026: Narita, Haneda & Kansai Complete Guide

▶ Stage 2 — Getting Ready Japan Airport Transfers 2026 — Narita, Haneda & Kansai Complete Guide …

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Top Destinations in Japan
Tokyo · Kyoto · Osaka · Hokkaido · Okinawa

Top Destinations in Japan

From Tokyo’s electric streets to Kyoto’s timeless temples — the destinations that define a Japan trip.

TokyoNeighbourhoods, food and day trips KyotoTemples, geisha districts and gardens OsakaStreet food and the Kansai base HokkaidoWild nature in Japan’s north OkinawaBeaches and island culture Tateyama Kurobe Alpine RouteSnow walls and mountain crossings Michelin Green GuideEvery starred place, region by region

ALL DESTINATIONS
Best Places to Visit in Japan — complete city & region guide

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Experiences You Can’t Have Anywhere Else
teamLab · Kimono · Tea Ceremony · Festivals

Experiences You Can’t Have Anywhere Else

Japan isn’t just about what you see — it’s about what you do. These are the experiences worth planning your trip around.

Culture

: Cultural Experiences Japan 2026 — Kimono, teamLab & Food Tours

▶ Stage 3 — Experiences Cultural Experiences Japan 2026 — Kimono, teamLab & Food Tours cultural …

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Seasons

: Japan festivals 2026: Complete Seasonal Guide to Cherry Blossoms, Matsuri & Koyo

▶ Stage 3 — Experiences Japan Festivals 2026 — Pick Your Season, Festival and Stay Choose when to go …

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Frequently Asked Questions
Visas · JR Pass · WiFi · Airports · Cash

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions every Japan traveler asks before their trip.

Do I need a visa to visit Japan?

Travelers from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and most EU countries do not need a visa for stays under 90 days. Check the Japan MOFA site for your specific nationality.

Is the JR Pass worth buying in 2026?

Yes, if you ride the Shinkansen two or more times. A 7-day pass typically pays for itself on a Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka route. Buy via Klook for instant e-ticket delivery.

What’s the best way to get internet in Japan?

An eSIM is the easiest option — activate before your flight and connect instantly at the airport. Sakura Mobile is one of the most reliable providers for visitors to Japan.

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

A shared transfer via Klook is the simplest option from Narita or Haneda. The Narita Express (N’EX) and Limousine Bus are also popular alternatives.

Can I use credit cards everywhere in Japan?

Cards are widely accepted in cities and major tourist areas, but cash remains essential in rural areas, local restaurants, and smaller shops. Always carry ¥5,000–¥10,000 JPY as backup.

Ready to Plan Your Japan Trip?

Step 1 — Plan: Check visas, pick your season, and build an itinerary with our First Time in Japan guide.

Step 2 — Prepare: Get your Sakura Mobile eSIM, JR Pass, and airport transfer sorted before you fly.

Step 3 — Experience: Book teamLab, kimono experiences, and guided tours in advance — they sell out.

Step 4 — Go Deeper: Explore our hidden gems guide and city deep-dives for beyond-the-tourist-trail Japan.

Start Planning →
Transport Guide →

Travel. Explore. Experience Japan.

Explore Japan — Pick Where to Start

Sort These Out Before You Land

Japan WiFi, SIM & eSIM Guide 2026 — Stay Connected from Landing

Japan Rail Pass 2026 — Is It Worth It? Complete Guide

Japan Airport Transfers 2026: Narita, Haneda & Kansai Complete Guide

Top Destinations in Japan

Experiences You Can’t Have Anywhere Else

Cultural Experiences Japan 2026 — Kimono, teamLab & Food Tours

Japan festivals 2026: Complete Seasonal Guide to Cherry Blossoms, Matsuri & Koyo

Frequently Asked Questions

Japan Rail Pass 2026 — Is It Worth It? Complete Guide

Japan WiFi, SIM & eSIM Guide 2026 — Stay Connected from Landing

Japan Festival Calendar 2027 — Every Major Matsuri, With Dates

Michelin Green Guide Tokyo — Three-Star Meiji Jingu, Tokyo National Museum and Mt. Takao, and How to See All 118 Starred Sights

Michelin Green Guide Toyama — Three Three-Star Sights and How to Cover All 24 Starred Sights

Michelin Green Guide Hokkaido — Three-Star Shiretoko, Lake Mashu and Lake Akan, and How to Cover All 90 Starred Sights

Michelin Green Guide Kyushu — Five Three-Star Entries from Yakushima to the Kyushu National Museum, and All 98 Starred Sights