inspo & info

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

If you're reading this and are younger than maybe around 40, you're hardly going to believe this but there was a time, not even that long ago, when to book a hotel in Japan, you would have to either call the front desk and speak to someone (who was unlikely to have more than a basic grasp of any language other than Japanese) or rack up in Tokyo and hope for the best. These days, services such as booking.com , Agoda or trip.com do all the leg-work (and linguistic work) for y

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

You might have heard that Japan is a cash society and are wondering if that's still the case. How much yen in cash will you need for your upcoming trip? Here's our guide to where and when you will still need cash in Japan in 2026. 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) Where will you still need to pay in cash? (2) How much cash will you need? (3) Shou

Having called Osaka home for several years, we’ve learned one thing: this city doesn't have really have one centre or even two - it has a personality that changes every few subway stops. From the neon-soaked chaos of Dotonbori to the quiet, hidden alleys of Honmachi, choosing where to stay can make or break your trip. We’ve spent countless weekends exploring every corner of this city, and in this guide, we cut through the tourist noise to show you exactly which neighbourhood

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

Are you planning to spend the last week or two of the year in Japan? Whether you’re dreaming of romantic illuminations or wondering if you’ll actually be able to find dinner on 1st January, here is everything you need to know about navigating the holiday season in Japan. Jump to: (1) Christmas in Japan (2) New Year in Japan (3) What to see and do at Christmas and New Year in Japan (4) Travelling in Japan at Christmas and New Year: what to think about (5) Christmas and New Yea

Shinto weddings are among the most beautiful and culturally significant ceremonies in Japan. While modern couples often choose hotel or chapel-style weddings, the traditional Shinto ceremony continues to be deeply valued for its symbolism, atmosphere, and connection to Japan’s spiritual heritage. Many couples also opt for a traditional Japanese wedding to avoid the exorbitant costs that a Western-style wedding entails. If you have seen the movie "Lost in Japan", you might rem

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

So, you're venturing beyond Tokyo, and heading down to Kansai is the natural choice. But choosing where to base yourself is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning a trip to Japan’s cultural heartland. For most travellers, the debate quickly narrows to two cities: Kyoto vs Osaka. Both offer exceptional experiences, but each city offers something completely different in terms of vibe, price, convenience and attractions. If you’re wondering whether to stay

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

Osaka is famous for its eat-'til-you-fall-down street food and neon-lit nightlife, but it's also the perfect strategic base for unlocking the treasures of the Kansai region. Japan’s highly efficient rail networks mean you can leave Osaka in the morning and be exploring ancient capitals, feeding deer, sampling world-class sake or feeling like John Blackthorne at the feet of a feudal castle before lunch. These eight incredible destinations offer a perfect blend of culture, natu