Transportation
ICOCA — Buy at KIX JR West counter. ¥2,000 (incl. ¥500 deposit). Works on all trains, buses, konbini nationwide. Or add to Apple Wallet (Mastercard/Amex only).
JR Pass (14-day) — Now ¥80,000/adult, ¥40,000/child (post-2023 price hike). Calculate if worth it at japan-guide.com/railpass.
Takkyubin — Forward luggage between cities. ~¥2,000/bag.
No car needed — Public transport + taxi is best.
Money
Exchange rate — ~¥159 per $1 USD (as of Mar 2026). Yen is weak — good value for visitors.
Cash — Many places cash-only. 7-Eleven ATMs work internationally.
Tax-free — ¥5,000+ per store → show passport.
Weather & Packing
Temperature — Daytime 16–22°C (61–72°F), nighttime 8–13°C (46–55°F). Expect ~10 rainy days in April.
Layers — Light jacket + sweater essential. Warm midday, cool evenings. Bring a compact umbrella.
Sakura — 2026 bloom is early. Peak: Tokyo Mar 27, Osaka Mar 31, Kyoto Apr 1. By mid-April sakura will be over — but late varieties (Yaezakura) may linger.
For parents
Comfortable shoes — 15K–20K steps/day expected.
Temples — Some require shoe removal. Easy slip-ons.
Connectivity
eSIM or pocket Wi-Fi — Essential for maps. Get at airport.
Food
No tipping — Not customary in Japan.
Konbini — 7-Eleven, Lawson have excellent cheap meals.
Important dates
Golden Week ⚠️ — Apr 29 – May 6 is Japan's busiest holiday week. Days 13–15 overlap. Expect peak crowds, sold-out trains, higher prices. Book everything early!
Theme parks
USJ — Studio Pass ~¥8,600 (dynamic). Express Pass 4: ¥6,800–¥16,800. Sells out 2 months ahead. 25th Anniversary event all year.
HP Studio — Adults ¥6,300–¥7,000, kids ¥3,800–¥4,200. Book at wbstudiotour.jp. Fixed time. Arrive 20 min early.
TeamLab Borderless — Moved from Odaiba to Azabudai Hills (near Roppongi). Adults ¥3,800–¥4,800. Book ahead.