There has been some doubt about whether Japan Rail would be continuing with its sale of the Seishun 18 Kippu (Seishun 18 Tickets) which allow riders very inexpensive rides on local trains during certain times of the year. Despite the name (Youth 18 Tickets, literally translated), the tickets can be bought and used by anyone….
This is an update to a previous post about using credit cards and atm cards in Japan. I have recently gone around Japan with some friends, and although most places I go take credit cards (Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted), I have recently been to a few family restaurant chains, and less…
When it comes to hotels in Japan, prices and services can vary greatly, but it’s important to note right off the bat that the price of a hotel is not necessary a reliable indicator of a hotel’s quality and services. I recently had occasion to stay at the Hotel Okura in Tokyo. I have also…
Renting a car in Japan and driving around is one of the best ways to travel cheaply in Japan now. You can get a great experience, travel easily with pets and kids, stop when and where you want, eat cheaply, go camping, and see the countryside. There has never been a better time to travel…
Although renting a car in Japan can be slightly expensive, traveling in Japan by car can be a very cheap way to travel Japan. It can also be a good way to see the country, get to the rural areas, and travel with families or pets… just remember which side of the road your supposed…
I’ve been trying to find the cheapest way to get from the Kansai Area, leaving anywhere from Himeji to Kyoto and arrive in Tokyo. I have to go up to Tokyo for a one day trip, and I only need to be there for a few hours. Here are my options: Leave very early in…
I took a nice road trip along the Sanyo Expressway to Hiroshima the other day. First off, I have to tell you that each of the little service areas and parking areas along the Sanyo are a little different. Some of them have convenience stores, some have little playgrounds or parks, and others are known…
If you are visiting Japan staying at a love hotel instead of a traditional or business hotel can be a fun and economical way to spend a night (or afternoon) in Japan. I’ll start out with describing some of the reasons NOT to stay at a love hotel, then move on to the positives and…
Another reason it may be in your best interest to stop by a Japanese travel agency before coming to Japan is to check out domestic airfare deals. It’s kind of hard to give specifics here because the airlines often change what they offer, but you should be able to find deals for round trip domestic…
If you are willing to take it slow and take a long cheap trip on Japan Rail local lines then the seishun 18 kippu that I wrote about in a previous post should fit the bill for you. However if you live abroad and are only visiting Japan for less than 90 days, you can…
If you are coming to visit Japan, there are two ways to ride the rails cheaply, one is the Japan Rail Pass which must be bought outside of Japan and gives you free use of Japan Railways managed trains and buses. The other is the seishun 18 kippu which is used by many people in…