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Tokyo 72-Hour Metro Pass vs. Suica: Which One Saves You More?
Standing at a Tokyo ticket machine, confused about passes? A Tokyo 72-hour metro pass might be your answer. For most tourists making multiple subway trips across different neighborhoods, it's cheaper & simpler than buying individual tickets and beats Suica too. We break down the real costs (spoiler: if you're making 4+ trips a day, the pass pays for itself), compare all available passes, and show you exactly where to buy.

Tracey
Sep 115 min read


Hakone FreePass: is it worth it in 2026?
The Hakone FreePass discount ticket is your gateway to the Hakone National Park, offering discounts on many attractions as well as travel to Hakone from Tokyo and unlimited transport within Hakone. We have the answers to all of your questions about this ticket. Find out if it's worth it for your Hakone trip.

Tracey
Aug 215 min read


Is Japan cheap in 2026? The honest answer
Japan in 2026 is not the cheapest country in Asia, but it's possibly the best value — a developed country with world-class food, transport, and safety that costs less than New York, London, or Paris. The yen situation has made it genuinely accessible for travellers who might have assumed it was out of reach. Here's just how cheap Japan is in 2026 and where you can expect to pay more.

Tracey
Jun 158 min read


Tokyo Yurikamome Line: gateway to Odaiba and a fun ride in itself
The Yurikamome line is the most convenient way to get from central Tokyo to Odaiba, for example for TeamLab Planets or Tokyo Cruise Terminal. Here's our essential guide to tickets, operating hours and which stations are good for which Odaiba attractions.

Tracey
Jun 55 min read


Do you need to buy Shinkansen tickets in advance (or can you book at the station)?
Do you really need to book shinkansen tickets in advance? Most of the time, no - but there are key situations where skipping a reservation can ruin your day. Here’s exactly when to book ahead, when you can wing it, and how to save up to 25% with early-bird fares.

Tracey
May 269 min read


Can I use Suica in Osaka?
Your Suica card works perfectly well in Osaka, on everything from the subway to convenience stores. But there are a couple of things worth knowing before you tap through the gates, and one case where a different card might actually serve you better.
(If you’re completely new to Suica, check out our Suica 101 guide for everything you need to know about the card itself. This post is specifically about using it in Osaka.)

Tracey
May 235 min read


Japan cruise: everything you need to know before you go
For first-time visitors, having to navigate Japan's transport system can be daunting; the cruise provides a comfortable base from which to absorb the country gradually. Cruising from one destination to another overnight while you snooze is also a big time-saver, especially when it comes to Japan's "extremities" like Hokkaido, Kyushu and Okinawa. And cruising around could also save you money too: when we we were researching this post, we were amazed to see how relatively cheap

Tracey
Apr 1213 min read
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