Money & getting around
Night Bus Tokyo to Osaka or Kyoto: Is It Worth It vs Shinkansen?
Night bus or bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka or Kyoto? 2026 fares for 4-row, 3-row and private-room buses vs the Shinkansen,…
Tag: Shinkansen
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Local know-how
Japan Public Holidays 2026–2027: Dates and Crowds to Plan Around
Japan's 2026–2027 public holidays from the Cabinet Office, plus when trains sell out at New Year, Golden Week and Obon, and what…
Local know-how
Regional Foods Worth a Shinkansen Detour in Japan (and Which Pass)
Sendai gyutan, Hiroshima okonomiyaki, Hakata ramen, Kanazawa crab: which regional foods Japanese people travel for, and which rail pass fits the trip.
Tickets & passes
Shinkansen Reserved vs Non-Reserved Seats: When to Pay
Reserved or non-reserved on the Shinkansen? Official JR fare gaps, the all-reserved trains, peak-period rules and when non-reserved wins.
Local know-how
Ekiben Guide: Japan’s Best Train Station Bento by Region
Ekiben are Japan's train station bento. Here are the regional classics, where to buy them at Tokyo Station, and how to eat…
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Where to Charge Your Phone in Japan: Trains, Airports & Rentals
Where to charge your phone in Japan on a long day out: which bullet train seats have sockets, free airport charging, and…
Money & getting around
Shinkansen Oversized Luggage: When You Need a Reservation
Bags over 160cm total need a free advance reservation on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen, or a 1,000 yen baggage fee…
Tickets & passes
smartEX vs Buying Shinkansen Tickets at the Station
smartEX lets you reserve Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen seats before you fly. Here is how it compares with buying at a…
Tickets & passes
Japan Rail Pass: When It’s a Waste of Money for Your Trip
The 7-day JR Pass costs ¥50,000, but a Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka trip is only about ¥28,000 of tickets. Here's the break-even maths by itinerary.
Tickets & passes
Regional JR Passes That Beat the JR Pass in 2026
The nationwide JR Pass rises to ¥53,000 on 1 October 2026. Here are eight regional passes that cost less and fit the…