Hokkaido ·
Japan
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
Hokkaido ·
Hokkaido ·
Travel Tips ·
Kyoto ·
Kyoto ·
Travel Tips ·
Japan's snowy north: powder skiing, the Sapporo Snow Festival and summer flower fields.
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 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.
Temples, gardens and old streets, best seen early before the tour buses arrive.
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 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.
Everything to sort out before you fly: trains, money, phone data and entry rules.
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 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, from 2026 rule changes and cash to Suica, eSIMs, the JR Pass and tax-free shopping.