Simple Flying
Typhoon Champi Threatens Asian Hubs With Flight Cuts: Military Aviation Also Hit
Japan Airlines has already axed flights at nine airports over the coming days.
Japan
Japan travel news and blogs: Tokyo, Kyoto, the Shinkansen, seasons, food and rural Japan, gathered from travel publishers worldwide.
One Mile at a Time
Philippine Airlines Business Class Airbus A330 Review: Friendly Crew, Terrible Seats
I flew Philippine Airlines' A330 business class from Osaka to Manila. The crew was friendly and the food decent, but the seats might be the worst fully flat product.
One Mile at a Time
Alaska Launching Seattle To Osaka & Tahiti Flights, Using Hawaiian A330s
Alaska Airlines will launch Seattle to Osaka flights in May 2027 and Seattle to Papeete flights in June 2027, operated by Hawaiian Airlines A330s with Hawaiian branding.
Blog
The Radavist
Campandgoslow Blue Lug Collection
Bar tape and accessory company Campandgoslow has been working with Tokyo bike shop Blue Lug as a supplier of its handlebar tape for years, but this marks the two brands’ first collaboration. Within th…
Rail
One Mile at a Time
Osaka Station Hotel, Marriott Autograph Collection Review: Come For The Specialty Salon & Breakfast
I spent a night at the Osaka Station Hotel, a train-themed Marriott Autograph Collection property, where the Specialty Salon lounge and breakfast buffet are among the best I've seen.
One Mile at a Time
Patina Osaka Review: Beautiful Design, Excellent Dining, And A Highway Noise Problem
I spent a night at Patina Osaka, Capella's sister brand. The design, staff, and food were excellent, but the hotel sits beside a highway, so many rooms are noisy.
One Mile at a Time
The World’s Best Hotel Awards Are Great For Rates, But Hard On Expectations
After staying at Patina Osaka, rated the world's best hotel by Travel + Leisure, I'm reflecting on how big awards boost rates but also raise guest expectations.
One Mile at a Time
Waldorf Astoria Osaka Review: Hilton Gem With Amazing Design, Service, & Facilities!
I spent a night at the Waldorf Astoria Osaka, a 252-key Hilton hotel with André Fu design, flawless service, a great spa and pool, and a stunning corner suite.
One Mile at a Time
Bulgari Hotel Tokyo Review: Italian Style Meets Japanese Hospitality
A review of the 98-key Bulgari Hotel Tokyo, from its 40th-floor lobby and massive deluxe room to the spa, pool and gym, plus how to book it for extra perks.
One Mile at a Time
Lufthansa Airbus A350-1000 Deliveries Start Soon: Layout & Routes Revealed
Lufthansa's first Airbus A350-1000 is due in mid-November 2026, with 300 seats across four cabins and initial Munich flights to Tokyo, Shanghai, and Singapore.
Simple Flying
Why This Airline's New Airbus A350-1000 Premium Economy Is Easily Poaching Business Class
Japan Airlines' newest premium economy seat builds on an already-strong soft product.
Blog
Letters from Japan
Back to Australia: Walking from Cape to Cape
Letters from Japan, September 2026: hiking the Cape to Cape Trail in Western Australia.
One Mile at a Time
Miami Airport Desperately Wants Nonstop Tokyo Flights, May Pay Airline To Fly Route
Miami officials are pushing hard for a nonstop Tokyo flight, even floating revenue guarantees to lure American or Japan Airlines into launching the route.
One Mile at a Time
Save On All Nippon Airways Flights With Amex Offers (Targeted)
The Amex Offers program has just rolled out a great new targeted offer for the purchase of All Nippon Airways (ANA) flights, which could be worth considering for anyone planning travel to Japan or bey…
Family
Conde Nast Traveller
Best family-friendly hotels in Japan: 10 top stays
From adventurous hotels enmeshed in nature to kid-centric stays in Tokyo, these are the most wonderful places to stay in Japan with children
Simple Flying
United Airlines Passenger Dies After Medical Emergency On Long-Haul Flight
UA142 diverted to Seattle after a passenger suffered a medical emergency eight hours into the Tokyo to Denver trans-Pacific flight.
One Mile at a Time
Starlux First Class Review Airbus A350-1000: Short Haul, But Long On Comfort
A close look at Starlux's A350-1000 first class on the short Taipei to Tokyo Narita hop, comparing it to the carrier's long haul product.
Conde Nast Traveller
Japan permanent residency fee increase 2026: new rules explained
The cost of permanent residency in Japan has jumped from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000 as new rules for foreign residents come into effect
Blog
The Radavist
Ridealive Japan Returns on November 7-8th 2026 in Shizuoka Prefecture
Ridealive is Nagoya, Japan-based Circles‘ weekend bike camping ride event, started in 2014. After a seven-year hiatus, it returns this year, November 7-8, 2026, to Yaizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Eac…
Conde Nast Traveller
Japan officially welcomed the most tourists in 2025, hitting a record 1.5 billion
New data from the World Economic Forum shows Japan is more popular than ever before
Planning a trip to Japan
What this page covers
This page collects travel stories about Japan and its cities, including Tokyo, from news publishers and travel blogs: rail and airline news, seasonal events, crowd measures at popular spots and guides to lesser-known regions.
Getting around
The Shinkansen bullet trains connect the main cities quickly and reliably, and local trains and subways cover the rest. A rechargeable IC card lets you tap in and out of most urban transport and pay at many shops. Whether a Japan Rail Pass saves money depends entirely on your itinerary, so price your planned journeys individually and compare before buying one.
Seasons shape the trip
Cherry blossom season in spring and the autumn leaves are the most popular times to visit, and accommodation in places like Kyoto books up far ahead. Early summer brings a rainy season to much of the country, and mid-summer is hot and humid. Japanese holiday periods, such as Golden Week in spring and the New Year, make domestic travel especially busy.
Customs worth knowing
Tipping is not customary and can cause confusion. Many places still prefer cash, so carry some even if you mostly pay by card. Luggage forwarding services can send suitcases between hotels, which makes train travel with heavy bags much easier. Queues are orderly, and trains are quiet; phone calls on board are generally avoided.
Beyond the golden route
Most first visits follow the line from Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka. Adding a less-visited region, such as the countryside of Kyushu, Shikoku or Tohoku, or the island of Hokkaido, brings fewer crowds and a different side of the country.