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Japan How-To

Japan

Plan your Japan trip, step by step

Clear, current answers for first-time visitors: where to stay, how the trains work, and what's worth booking ahead.

Written by Japan How-To Editors

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Hokkaido ·

Niseko Ski Trip Planning: Where To Stay, Lift Passes and Getting There

Hokkaido ·

Hokkaido Travel Guide: When To Go, Where To Stay and How To Get Around

Travel Tips ·

Things To Do In Japan In December 2026: Illuminations, Snow and New Year Closures

Kyoto ·

Kyoto Autumn Leaves 2026: Best Spots, Peak Dates and Night Illuminations

Kyoto ·

Kyoto Travel Guide 2026: Where To Stay, Beating the Crowds and Top Temples

Travel Tips ·

Japan Tax-Free Shopping Refund 2026: How To Claim It Under The New Rules

Hokkaido

Japan's snowy north: powder skiing, the Sapporo Snow Festival and summer flower fields.

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Niseko Ski Trip Planning: Where To Stay, Lift Passes and Getting There
Hokkaido

Niseko Ski Trip Planning: Where To Stay, Lift Passes and Getting There

Niseko ski trip planning for 2026–27: which village to stay in, official lift pass prices, airport bus vs transfer, and what to book months before you go.

Hokkaido Travel Guide: When To Go, Where To Stay and How To Get Around
Hokkaido

Hokkaido Travel Guide: When To Go, Where To Stay and How To Get Around

Hokkaido travel guide for 2026–27: the best time to go, how many days you need, where to stay in Sapporo, Niseko and Hakodate, and getting around without a car.

Kyoto

Temples, gardens and old streets, best seen early before the tour buses arrive.

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Kyoto Autumn Leaves 2026: Best Spots, Peak Dates and Night Illuminations
Kyoto

Kyoto Autumn Leaves 2026: Best Spots, Peak Dates and Night Illuminations

Kyoto autumn leaves 2026: the latest peak-date forecasts, 16 top maple spots by area, and night illumination dates, hours and prices from temple sites.

Kyoto Travel Guide 2026: Where To Stay, Beating the Crowds and Top Temples
Kyoto

Kyoto Travel Guide 2026: Where To Stay, Beating the Crowds and Top Temples

Kyoto travel guide for 2026: where to stay, how to get around, when to see Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera without crowds, and what to book before you go.

Travel Tips

Everything to sort out before you fly: trains, money, phone data and entry rules.

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Things To Do In Japan In December 2026: Illuminations, Snow and New Year Closures
Travel Tips

Things To Do In Japan In December 2026: Illuminations, Snow and New Year Closures

Things to do in Japan in December 2026: illuminations and Christmas markets with confirmed dates, where to find real snow, and what closes Dec 29 to Jan 3.

Japan Tax-Free Shopping Refund 2026: How To Claim It Under The New Rules
Travel Tips

Japan Tax-Free Shopping Refund 2026: How To Claim It Under The New Rules

Japan tax-free shopping refund rules from November 1, 2026: pay full price, scan your passport before airport check-in and get about 9% back. Step by step.

Japan Travel Tips For First-Timers: 25 Things To Know Before You Go
Travel Tips

Japan Travel Tips For First-Timers: 25 Things To Know Before You Go

Japan travel tips for first-timers: 25 things to know before you go, from 2026 rule changes and cash to Suica, eSIMs, the JR Pass and tax-free shopping.