What Is a Sakura Tunnel? A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Japan’s Cherry Blossom Roads
A sakura tunnel is a cherry blossom road, path, or approach where trees arch overhead, creating one of Japan’s most photogenic spring scenes.
Planning
How to Find Lesser-Known Sakura Spots in Rural Japan
Finding lesser-known sakura spots in rural Japan is mostly about using Japanese forecast sites, asking local staff, recognizing the right types of places, and keeping your route flexible.
What Is Natto? A Beginner’s Guide to Japan’s Sticky Breakfast Soybeans
A beginner-friendly guide to natto, Japan’s sticky fermented soybeans often served with rice at breakfast, including taste, texture, how to eat it, and whether to try it.
Why Are There So Few Garbage Bins in Japan?
If you have ever wondered why there are no garbage bins in Japan, you are definitely not alone. One of the strangest things for me when I first traveled in Japan was not the train system, the language barrier, or even the tiny hotel rooms. It was the garbage bins. … Read the full guide
How Japanese Hotel Dinner Buffets Work
A practical guide to Japanese hotel dinner buffets, including how buffet meal plans work, what “viking” means, what food to expect, and how to avoid booking surprises.
Japanese-Style Toilets vs Western Toilets: What Travellers Should Know Before Booking in Japan
A practical traveller guide to Japanese-style toilets vs western toilets in Japan, with booking tips for ryokan, older hotels, and rural stays.
Narita Express Round Trip Discount: Price, Savings & Who Can Buy It (2026)
The Narita Express round trip discount is a foreigners-only Narita Airport train deal that costs ¥5,200 round trip and can save you about ¥1,080 to ¥4,420 depending on where you are going. A note before you read: I had flown into Narita and taken the N’EX before without realizing this … Read the full guide
Japan Train and Bus Etiquette: What Foreign Visitors Should Know
Japan train and bus etiquette can feel like a hidden rulebook for first-time visitors. The good news is that most of it becomes much simpler once you understand the main idea: do not disturb the people around you. I wanted to write this because I have had those small, awkward … Read the full guide
What Type of Ryokan Room Should You Book in Japan?
A beginner-friendly guide to ryokan room types in Japan, including Japanese-style rooms, Japanese-Western rooms, futon bedding, beds, toilets, and private baths.
Tohoku by Train vs Rental Car: How to Choose Your Route
Tohoku can work well by train, but rural viewpoints, onsen stays, sakura spots, and countryside routes are often much easier by rental car. Here is how to choose.