Japan, decoded for visitors and fans.
Practical, up-to-date guides for traveling in Japan and honest picks for buying from Japan — written with real Japanese sources, so you get the local answer.
New to Japan Trove? These are the guides most people start with.
Start here
The Perfect 7-Day Japan Itinerary for First-Timers (Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka)A relaxed 7-day Japan itinerary for first-timers: Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka by bullet train, with hotels, rail passes and a few local corners.First Time in Japan: 20 Things to Know Before You GoFirst time in Japan? 20 practical things to know before you go: money, trains, etiquette, connectivity, and konbini hacks.Is the Japan Rail Pass Worth It in 2026? (Honest Math + Better Alternatives)Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it in 2026? The honest break-even math, when regional passes beat it, and how to buy.How to Buy from Japan: Buyee vs ZenMarket (Proxy Shopping Guide)How to buy anything from Japan with a proxy service. Buyee vs ZenMarket compared, plus tips to cut shipping and customs costs.
Plan your trip
Where to Stay in Tokyo: Best Areas for First-TimersWhere to stay in Tokyo: the best neighborhoods for first-timers (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa and more) and what to book.Best eSIM for Japan (2026): Airalo vs Holafly vs Pocket Wi-FiThe best eSIM for Japan in 2026: Airalo vs Holafly vs pocket Wi-Fi, how much data you need, and set-up tips so your phone works on arrival.Best Time to Visit Japan: A Month-by-Month GuideThe best time to visit Japan, month by month: cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, snow, crowds and costs — plus quick picks.Narita & Haneda to Tokyo: How to Get into the CityHow to get from Narita and Haneda airports into central Tokyo: trains, Skyliner, N’EX, limousine bus and which to choose.Suica vs Pasmo: Which IC Card to Get (and How)Suica vs Pasmo for tourists: which IC card to get, mobile Suica on your phone, Welcome Suica, and how to use it.
Shop Japan
Best Japanese Snack Box: Bokksu vs Sakuraco vs TokyoTreat (2026)Bokksu vs Sakuraco vs TokyoTreat: which Japanese snack box subscription is right for you — premium, traditional, or fun.Best Japanese Skincare (J-Beauty): A Beginner’s Guide & Where to BuyA beginner’s guide to Japanese skincare (J-beauty): the approach, cult products, a simple routine, and where to buy abroad.Best Japanese Sunscreens: Anessa, Biore & More (Buyer’s Guide)The best Japanese sunscreens — Anessa, Biore UV, Skin Aqua — why they feel so light, how to use them, and where to buy.How to Buy Anime Figures from Japan (HLJ, AmiAmi & CDJapan)How to buy authentic anime figures and Gunpla from Japan and ship them home: HLJ vs AmiAmi vs CDJapan, pre-orders, and shipping tips.Japanese Kit Kat Flavors: Which to Try & How to Get ThemA guide to Japan’s best Kit Kat flavors — matcha, sake, wasabi, regional exclusives — and how to buy them from abroad.Best Japanese Stationery: Pens, Notebooks & Where to BuyThe best Japanese stationery for beginners: cult pens, notebooks (Hobonichi, Kokuyo), clever tools, and where to buy (JetPens).
Written from the inside
Japan Trove is built by people who actually read the Japanese web — local blogs, reviews, and forums — so our guides reflect what works now, not what a guidebook said years ago.