Travel guides
Preparation, transfers, sample itineraries and shopping. Written once and kept current.
GuideTokyo
Narita and Haneda Airports to Central Tokyo: How to Choose Skyliner, N'EX, Keikyu, or the Airport Limousine Bus
From Narita to Tokyo: take Keisei Skyliner to Ueno in 36–41 minutes for ¥2,580; for Shinjuku or Tokyo Station, JR N'EX reaches Tokyo in as little as 53 minutes for ¥3,140; choose the TYO-NRT bus for ¥1,500 when budget comes first. From Haneda, Keikyu reaches Shinagawa in 11–14 minutes for ¥330. Includes fares and times for Access Express, Airport Limousine and Tokyo Monorail, plus a stay-area route guide; checked on official sites in 9/2026.
- Transport
- Budget
GuideTokyo
How to Choose Tokyo Transit Passes: Are Suica, Welcome Suica, the Tokyo Subway Ticket, and the JR Pass Worth It?
On a first Tokyo trip, start with an IC card and pay per ride (Welcome Suica has no deposit and is valid for 28 days). If you take four or more subway rides in a day, add a 72-hour Tokyo Subway Ticket for 2,000 yen; a JR Pass is never worthwhile if you stay in Tokyo and do not go to Kansai. See what TOURIST PASMO, Suica on iPhone, and the Tokyo Metro day pass do and do not cover, with a decision chart. Prices verified in September 2026.
- Transport
- Budget
GuideOsaka & Kyoto
Kansai Airport to Osaka and Kyoto: Choosing HARUKA, Rapi:t, Kansai Airport Rapid, or Limousine Bus
There are five ways to reach the city from Kansai Airport: JR Limited Express HARUKA, Kansai Airport Rapid, Nankai Rapi:t or Airport Express, limousine bus, and taxi. Using fares and travel times verified in 2026/9, this guide explains which route to take for Namba, Umeda, Shin-Osaka, or Kyoto, where to buy tickets, and when the last services depart.
- Transport
- Budget
GuideTokyo
Where to Stay in Tokyo: Comparing Shinjuku, Ueno, Tokyo Station, Shibuya, Asakusa, Ikebukuro, and Ginza, Plus Airport Access, Accommodation Tax, and Luggage Delivery
Where should you stay in Tokyo? Compare Shinjuku, Ueno, Tokyo Station, Shibuya, Asakusa, Ikebukuro, and Ginza by the same criteria: access from Narita and Haneda, transit routes, nearby attractions, neighborhood character, and who each area suits. Includes a comparison table, a Yamanote Line diagram, Tokyo’s accommodation tax as verified in 2026/9 (changing to 3% in 2027/4), and Airport TA-Q-BIN luggage shipping rules.
- Budget
- Hotels
GuideTokyo
Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea Guide: Ticket Prices, Fantasy Springs, Disney Premier Access (DPA), Standby Pass, and Which Park to Choose for Your First Visit
Tokyo Disney one-day Passport prices vary: most weekdays in 9/2026 cost ¥9,900 and weekends ¥10,900. At 14:00 daily, tickets go on sale for the same date two months later. Free Priority Pass is no longer on the official service list; only paid Disney Premier Access (¥1,000–3,500 per person per use) shortens waits. Covers hours, the 25th anniversary, Standby Pass, Entry Request, Fantasy Springs access and first-visit park choice; checked on the official site in 9/2026.
- Itineraries
- Family
GuideOsaka & Kyoto
Universal Studios Japan Guide: Tickets, Express Passes, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD Entry, and a One-Day Itinerary
From 2026/9, Studio Passes require a specified admission date, and adult one-day tickets start at 8,400 yen. This guide clearly explains the differences among Universal Express Pass 4, 5, 7, 8, and Premium; how to obtain an Area Timed Entry Ticket for SUPER NINTENDO WORLD; September opening hours; baggage and food rules; and JR access from central Osaka, using information verified in 2026/9 on the official website and an officially authorized ticketing website.
- Itineraries
- Family
GuideFukuoka
Fukuoka in Three Days and Two Nights: Hakata, Tenjin, Dazaifu and Yatai, Just Two Subway Stops from the Airport
Fukuoka Airport is just two subway stops and 260 yen from Hakata. This three-day, two-night plan for first-timers covers Day 1 in Hakata and Nakasu's yatai, Day 2 at Dazaifu Tenmangu, Tenjin and Ohori Park, and Day 3 in Mojiko or Yanagawa, with fares and travel times checked in 2026 / 9 and advice on buying subway day passes and Dazaifu Stroll Tickets.
- Transport
- Itineraries
- Food
GuideSapporo
Three days in Sapporo: New Chitose Airport, an Otaru day trip, and winter clothing
JR Rapid Airport reaches Sapporo from New Chitose Airport in as little as 37 minutes for ¥1,230. This three-day itinerary covers Odori Park, the Clock Tower, Tanukikoji and Susukino on Day 1; Otaru Canal and Sakaimachi Street on Day 2; and Mt. Moiwa or Shiroi Koibito Park before the airport on Day 3. It also covers the announced 2027 Snow Festival dates, winter clothing and traction. Fares and opening hours were checked in September 2026.
- Itineraries
- Seasonal
- Food
GuideSapporo
Otaru day trip from Sapporo: JR, Sankaku Market, the canal, Mt. Tengu and Yoichi
JR Rapid Airport reaches Otaru from Sapporo in as little as 32 minutes for ¥800, roughly every 30 minutes by day. Walk from Otaru Station through Sankaku Market, the canal and Sakaimachi Street to Minami-Otaru. Add a canal cruise (40 minutes; ¥1,800 by day, ¥2,000 at night), Mt. Tengu (¥2,000 winter return), or Nikka's Yoichi Distillery (book the free tour). Includes the 6–13 February 2027 Snow Light Path, luggage storage and the 23:08 last train. Fares and times were checked in September 2026.
- Itineraries
- Food
- Culture
GuideTokyo
Tokyo Museums on a Rainy Day: Choose Ueno or Roppongi and Check Permanent and Special Exhibitions Separately
Turn your rainy-day backup from a last-minute search for a shopping mall into a day built around exhibitions you enjoy. Choose Ueno or Roppongi first, then check closing days, special-exhibition tickets, and actual walking routes to make your indoor itinerary workable.
- Itineraries
- Culture
GuideOsaka & Kyoto
Before Renting a Bike in Kyoto: Plan Around Parking, and Don't Treat Cycling as a Universal Shortcut
Cycling in Kyoto is about more than finding a rental: you need to know where to park and which stretches to walk. Use official parking information, rental terms, and the day's weather to decide whether a bicycle suits your itinerary.
- Transport
- Itineraries