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Guides for visitors to Japan, grouped by stage of your trip
22 guides. Each one lists the official pages it is based on and the date we last checked them.
Before you fly
Japan Medication Import Rules 2026: Complete Guide for Travelers
Everything you need to know about bringing medicine to Japan — banned substances, permit requirements, and how to check your medication before you fly.
Updated Sep 24, 2026 · 8 min read
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First Time in Japan: 10 Safety and Compliance Tips Every Tourist Needs
From medication rules to cycling laws to food allergens — the essential safety checklist for first-time visitors to Japan.
Updated Sep 24, 2026 · 8 min read
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Adding China to Your Japan Trip: Visa, Transit, and What Changes (2026)
Tokyo to Shanghai is a 3-hour flight. How China’s 240-hour visa-free transit works, why your route matters more than your passport, and what changes.
Published Aug 11, 2026 · 8 min read
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Japan Visa for Filipinos (2026): VFS Centers, Documents and Fees
How Philippine passport holders apply for a Japan tourist visa: the five VFS Japan Visa Centers, the Embassy document checklist, processing time and the free fee.
Published Sep 24, 2026 · 7 min read
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Japan Visa for Indians (2026): eVISA, Documents, Fee and Consulates
How Indian passport holders apply for a Japan tourist visa: VFS submission, the JAPAN eVISA, the ₹500 fee after July 2026, processing time and consulate jurisdictions.
Published Sep 24, 2026 · 7 min read
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Packing & budget
Japan Plug Type and Voltage: Do You Need an Adapter or Converter?
Japan uses Type A plugs at 100 V, with 50 Hz in the east and 60 Hz in the west. Which chargers work, which appliances do not, and what to pack.
Published Sep 24, 2026 · 5 min read
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How Much Does a Trip to Japan Cost in 2026? Official Spending Data
What tourists actually spent in Japan in 2025 by nationality, from the Japan Tourism Agency survey, plus the new taxes and price rises that apply in 2026.
Published Sep 24, 2026 · 6 min read
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Getting around
Can I Drive in Japan? IDP Requirements by Country (2026)
Find out if you can drive in Japan with your foreign license. Covers Geneva Convention IDP, JAF translation requirements, and country-specific rules.
Updated Sep 24, 2026 · 7 min read
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Japan Bicycle Laws 2026: New Fines Every Cyclist Must Know
Since April 2026, cyclists in Japan can get blue tickets with fixed fines. The main violations and amounts, how to pay, and what it means for visitors.
Updated Sep 24, 2026 · 7 min read
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Is the JR Pass Worth It in 2026? Three Itineraries Priced
We priced three common 7-day routes with official JR fares against the Japan Rail Pass, before and after the October 1, 2026 price rise. Nozomi rules included.
Published Sep 24, 2026 · 6 min read
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Does Uber Work in Japan? Uber Taxi and Ride-Share Explained (2026)
Uber in Japan books licensed taxis in all 47 prefectures. How Uber Taxi works, how it is priced, and where private-car ride-share actually runs.
Published Sep 24, 2026 · 5 min read
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Suica vs PASMO for Tourists: Welcome Suica, TOURIST PASMO and Refunds
Suica and PASMO work on the same gates nationwide. Which visitor card to buy, where to get it, how top-ups work, and which cards refund the deposit.
Published Sep 24, 2026 · 5 min read
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Shinkansen Luggage Rules: Oversized Baggage Seats and the ¥1,000 Fee
Bags over 160 cm need a reserved oversized baggage seat on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen. The size limits, the fee, and how JR East lines differ.
Published Sep 24, 2026 · 5 min read
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Luggage Forwarding in Japan: Sending Suitcases to Hotels and Airports
How takkyubin luggage delivery works in Japan: airport counters, hotel-to-hotel shipping, how many days ahead to send, size limits and same-day delivery.
Published Sep 24, 2026 · 6 min read
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Eating out
How to Read Japanese Food Allergy Labels
A complete guide to decoding Japanese food packaging — the 9 mandatory allergens, the 20 recommended ones, and what the symbols actually mean.
Updated Sep 24, 2026 · 6 min read
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Essential Japanese Phrases for Food Allergies
The exact phrases to say at restaurants, convenience stores, and markets in Japan when you have food allergies — with pronunciation guides.
Published Mar 5, 2025 · 5 min read
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Hidden Allergens in Popular Japanese Dishes
Ramen, sushi, tempura, miso — the surprising allergy risks in everyday Japanese cuisine that many tourists don't know about.
Published Mar 10, 2025 · 7 min read
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Japan Food Allergy Card: Why You Need One and How to Get It Free
A food allergy card is essential for safe dining in Japan. Learn why verbal communication isn't enough and how to generate a free bilingual card instantly.
Updated Sep 24, 2026 · 7 min read
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Eating Vegan in Japan: Hidden Animal Products to Watch Out For
Dashi, mirin, and bonito flakes lurk in surprising places. A practical guide to navigating vegan and plant-based dining across Japan.
Published Mar 28, 2026 · 7 min read
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Japan Convenience Store Food: Complete Allergen Guide
7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson label their products differently. Here's how to read konbini allergen labels and what to watch out for.
Updated Sep 24, 2026 · 6 min read
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Shopping & stays
Japan Tax-Free Shopping Guide 2026: Everything Changes in November
Japan's instant tax-free system ends November 2026. Learn the new airport refund process, minimum spend thresholds, and how to maximize your tax savings.
Updated Sep 24, 2026 · 6 min read
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Onsen with Tattoos in Japan: Rules, Cover Stickers and Private Baths
There is no national tattoo ban at Japanese onsen. What the Japan Tourism Agency told operators, when cover stickers work, and how to find a bath you can use.
Published Sep 24, 2026 · 5 min read
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