inspo & info

If you're a seasoned cruiser and fancy visiting Japan, a cruise around Japan can feel like a no-brainer. You already understand the comfort and convenience of cruising and it can take some of the stress out of exploring an unfamiliar country - you might be worried about navigating Japan if you've seen some of the social media posts on how complicated the Japanese transport system is (hint: it isn't really!). But we've also seen plenty of push-back online against Japan as a cr

Yokohama is where most Japan cruises begin and end — and that alone makes it worth knowing well. Sitting just 30 minutes south of Tokyo by express train, it is Japan's second-largest city and one of its most liveable, with a relaxed, cosmopolitan energy quite different from the intensity of the capital. As cruisers ourselves, we understand the value of adding on a day or two before or after your cruise, but we also know most of you will be tempted to spend that time in Tokyo.

As experienced cruisers ourselves, the Japansophy fam knows the thrill of waking up every morning with a new town or city (or sometimes even country!) to explore. But we're also aware of the research and preparation that goes into making the most of every port and the old dilemma - do we need to buy a cruise ship excursion or can we go it alone? With a whole lot of wistful yearning, we scoured the Japan cruise listings for 2026 and 2027 to see what ports were being offered by

Narita Airport has a reputation problem. Not an unfair one, either. At roughly 60 kilometres from central Tokyo, it is further from the city it serves than almost any other major international airport in the world. For a country whose infrastructure is legendary, that distance can feel like a rude introduction. The good news is that Japan has done what Japan does: engineered its way around the problem. There are more ways to get from Narita into Tokyo than most visitors reali

There's a reason experienced Japan travellers tend to go quiet when you mention Golden Week. It's not that they won't tell you about it. It's that the look on their face says everything. Golden Week is Japan's perfect storm of public holidays - four national holidays compressed into one week at the end of April and beginning of May, when the entire country seemingly decides to travel at the same time. In 2026 it runs from Wednesday April 29th to Wednesday May 6th. If you're v

Japan's rail network is one of the wonders of the modern world. Punctual, clean, affordable and extraordinarily well-connected. But it is not a 24- hour service. And for international arrivals, especially those coming off long-haul flights, the gap between your actual exit from the airport and the last departure into town can be alarmingly small. We learned this first-hand arriving at 10:30pm into Haneda from Dubai last year. The flight was an A380 — full to capacity and immi

Navigating the Japanese transport system, tourist attractions and food scene has never been easier thanks to apps that all of us can download in an instant. But how do you know what apps are REALLY going to be useful and which are just dead data weight on your phone? Here's our guide to the apps that we at Japansophy have on our own phones and have tried and tested on our last few Japan trips. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a pur

The transportation system in Japan is famous the world over for convenience, cleanliness and reliability. But with so many different rail companies, taking the train in Tokyo, in particular, can be daunting for first-timers. So, you'll be happy to hear that there's a magic key (well, almost): the Suica card. Here's everything you need to know. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission, ♡   at no ext

You're a Shinkansen pro and have navigated your way down from Tokyo to Kansai without breaking even a slight sweat. But working out the easiest, cheapest route from Osaka to Kyoto or ( Kyoto to Osaka transit for that matter ) is causing headaches? No wonder, because you're spoiled for choice when travelling between these two cities. Read on to find out what your options are, how to buy tickets and why you shouldn't take the Shinkansen! Disclosure: This post contains affiliate

So, you're starting your Japan trip in Haneda and are wondering how to make your way to your accommodation? We've made that journey countless times but every trip, travel group and situation is different. Here's our 2026 guide to taking the train, limousine bus or private transfer from Haneda into Tokyo city centre so you can work out what the best way is for you. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small comm

With more trips to Japan under our obis than we care to admit, Japansophy knows a thing or a hundred about prepping for that long-awaited Tokyo adventure. We remember way back then writing to the tourist office in Hiroshima or Fukuoka or Sendai (pen and paper, peeps!) and asking for the telephone numbers of local hotels so we could book in advance. These days, of course, the info is all at your fingertips on websites like this one. Still, we know what it feels like to plan th

Situated on an artificial island just off the coast of Kobe, Kobe Airport opened in 2006 and has since become an efficient and compact alternative to the larger regional hub. The airport lies about 8 km south of central Kobe (Sannomiya), making it a very convenient option for travellers staying in or around Kobe. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission, ♡ at no extra cost to you   ♡ . Jump to: (1

I've you've already read our post on KIX and our guide to Kansai's three hubs (if you haven't, you can find them here and here ), you'll already know that Osaka has not one but two airports. This is our guide to Itami Airport (airport code ITM), Osaka's smaller gateway for domestic flights. Find out why Itami might be a good option for you and why it's essential that you check your tickets in good time before you fly! Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you cl

Are you ready to explore cities like Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara? Then you might well decide to fly into or out of the Kansai region. Unlike many other regions, Kansai is served by three major airports  that operate under a single management group: Kansai International Airport (KIX) , Osaka Itami Airport (ITM) , and Kobe Airport (UKB) . Choosing the right one depends entirely on your itinerary: are you arriving internationally? Traveling domestically? Headed straight to Kyot

Especially with the jump in the price of the Japan Rail Pass in the last years, more and more visitors to Japan are catching on to the idea of flying into Tokyo and leaving again from Osaka, or the other way around, therefore saving one trip between the two regions on the Shinkansen. Many are unfamiliar with Kansai's airports, however, and you might have seen stories of travellers showing up at Osaka Itami to check in for their international flight, only to be told that they

It's basically just a hop, skip and a jump on the train from Kyoto to Osaka but the variety of train lines and routes throws many a traveller into a bit of a tizzy. We break your options down for you and tell you why you shouldn't take the Shinkansen between Osaka and Kyoto! Jump to: (1) JR Kyoto Line (2) Hankyu Kyoto Line (3) Hankyu special sightseeing train GARAKU (4) Keihan Line (5) Why you shouldn't take the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Osaka (6) FAQs on the train from Kyoto

Everything you need to know about this classic Kanto-Kansai route If you are planning a trip along Japan's iconic Golden Route, the Tōkaidō Shinkansen is your fastest, most comfortable option. The Tōkaidō route runs between Tokyo and Osaka with stops in major cities such as Yokohama, Nagoya and - especially interesting for tourists - Kyoto. Now, we have covered most of the basics in our article on Taking the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto , so click on that link to read all a

Dragging a suitcase through crowded stations, weaving through narrow streets, and clattering over train platforms — sound familiar? Japan...

Traveling on Japan’s famous Shinkansen is one of the highlights of any trip, but if you’re carrying bulky suitcases or extra bags, it pays to know the rules before you board. While the bullet train is fast, efficient, and comfortable, luggage space is more limited than many travellers expect. In recent years, new regulations have been introduced for oversized bags, and there are specific places on each train where your luggage must be stored. Read on to find out what you need

From the historic charm of Asakusa to the futuristic cityscape of Odaiba, a cruise down the Sumida River (Sumidagawa) is both a feast for...