#2026 costs
15 guides about 2026 costs in Japan, newest first.
Skyliner vs Narita Express: which airport train to take from Narita
2026 fares, journey times and the N’EX round-trip deal compared, with worked costs for Ueno, Tokyo Station and Shinjuku, plus the cheaper Keisei trains and when a bus wins.
Haneda Airport to Shinjuku and central Tokyo: train, bus or taxi
The cheapest, easiest and fastest ways from Haneda to Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo Station and Asakusa, with 2026 fares from Keikyu, Tokyo Monorail, the Limousine Bus and fixed-fare taxis.
What to book before you go to Japan, and exactly when
A booking timeline for a first Japan trip: hotels, USJ Express Pass, teamLab, Pokémon Cafe, the Ghibli Museum, Shibuya Sky, the shinkansen and airport trains, with the release dates and times that matter.
Osaka Amazing Pass: is it worth it in 2026?
What the 1-day and 2-day Osaka Amazing Pass cost, which of the 40 or so attractions are worth the most, the 15:00 Umeda Sky rule, sample days that pay off, and when to skip it.
teamLab Planets or teamLab Borderless? Tokyo tickets and tips for 2026
The difference between teamLab Planets in Toyosu and teamLab Borderless at Azabudai Hills, 2026 ticket prices, closed days, how far ahead to book, what to wear and how to get there.
A Mt Fuji day trip from Tokyo: train, bus or tour
How to see Mt Fuji in a day from Shinjuku: Fuji Excursion train and highway bus fares and times, the Kawaguchiko sightseeing buses, Chureito Pagoda, the 5th Station bus and when a tour makes sense.
Hakone Freepass: is it worth it in 2026?
What the 2-day and 3-day Hakone Freepass cost from Shinjuku and Odawara, the Romancecar supplement, the classic Hakone loop with individual fares, and when the pass does not pay off.
Japan in December: weather, winter lights and year-end closures
Average December temperatures for Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Fukuoka and Sapporo, the big 2026 illuminations with dates, the New Year closures to plan around, ski season openings and what to book early.
Every new travel fee in Japan for 2026, in one place
A tripled departure tax, Kyoto's steep new hotel tax, pricier rail passes and an online entry permit on the way. What each one costs you and when it applies.
Business hotel, capsule or ryokan? Choosing where to stay
Room sizes, what is included, typical 2026 prices, and which Tokyo neighbourhoods suit first-time visitors.
Kyoto for first-timers: beating the crowds in 2026
When to visit the big sights, how to get around without the overloaded buses, the new hotel tax, and a sample two-day plan.
What a day in Japan really costs in 2026
Hotel rates by city and season, what meals and transport cost, and three sample daily budgets you can plan around.
Is the Japan Rail Pass still worth it in 2026?
New prices from October 2026, the Nozomi supplement, and a quick way to work out whether a pass beats single tickets for your route.
Tokyo Subway Ticket: unlimited rides from ¥1,000 a day
What the 24, 48 and 72-hour passes cover, what they do not, and how many rides you need to make them pay.
Cash, cards or phone: how to pay for things in Japan
Cards work in most of the places tourists go, but not all of them. Where you still need cash, where to get it, and how to avoid bad exchange rates.