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Small everyday discoveries, handy items for your travels, and the allure of Japan — sorted newest first.

157 articles
Gion Matsuri yoiyama in Kyoto, with the Minami Kannon Yama float lit by rows of paper lanterns — white lanterns bearing tomoe crests and red lanterns reading "Minami Kannon Yama" — glowing at dusk.
Places

Gion Matsuri 2026: A First-Timer's Guide to Kyoto's Float Processions (July 17 & 24), Yoiyama Nights & Seats

Jun 26, 2026
Snow-capped Mt. Fuji mirrored on the calm surface of Lake Kawaguchi under a clear blue sky, with the lakeside town in the foreground
Places

Climbing Mount Fuji in 2026: Season Dates, the ¥4,000 Toll, Permits, and What to Pack

Jun 25, 2026
A traveler walking along a paved station path while pulling a navy and yellow wheeled suitcase
Know-How

Where to Store Luggage in Tokyo (2026): Coin Lockers, Bag-Drop Apps & Hands-Free Sightseeing

Jun 25, 2026
Side-by-side signs of Japan's three major convenience store chains — 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and Lawson — with ATM and Wi-Fi service labels visible on the first two boards.
Know-How

Japanese Convenience Stores (Konbini): A First-Timer's Guide to Food, ATMs and Services

Jun 24, 2026
7-Eleven Japan promotional banner for its ¥50-off eligible cold noodle sale, with example photos of hiyashi chuka, zaru soba, and chilled shrimp-and-tomato pasta
Food & Drink

7-Eleven Japan's Cold Noodle Sale: ¥50 Off Hiyashi Chuka, Zaru Soba & Chilled Pasta (June 25–28, 2026)

Jun 23, 2026
A promotional banner for FamilyMart's "buy one, get one free" campaign, with fireworks on a blue-and-green background and illustrations of eligible items such as green tea, sports drinks, potato chips, chocolate, and cup noodles.
Food & Drink

FamilyMart's "Buy One, Get One Free" Is Back for Summer 2026 — How to Actually Claim Your Free Drink (Through July 13)

Jun 22, 2026
Krispy Kreme Japan's three summer donuts — a red watermelon donut dotted with chocolate-chip "seeds," a pink peach donut with a green leaf, and a yellow pineapple donut cut open to reveal its cream filling — set against backgrounds of cut watermelon, peach, and pineapple.
Food & Drink

Krispy Kreme Japan’s Summer Donuts 2026: Watermelon, Peach & Pineapple Drop June 24 (from ¥356)

Jun 22, 2026
Three Starbucks Japan peach summer drinks — Chillax Soda Peach, the whipped-cream Peach & Peach Milk Frappuccino, and Craft Juicy Peach Tea — with fresh white peaches behind.
Food & Drink

Starbucks Japan’s Peach Frappuccino Returns June 24, 2026: 3 Summer Peach Drinks from ¥579, Plus Early Access for Members

Jun 22, 2026
Neon signs lighting up Kabukicho in Shinjuku, Tokyo at night, with a Don Quijote store and taxis at a busy intersection
Shopping

Don Quijote (Donki) Tax-Free Shopping Guide 2026: How Tourists Save with a Passport — and What Changes on November 1

Jun 22, 2026
Tokyo Skytree lit up in green beside a burst of pink fireworks over the Sumida River, with an illuminated arched bridge and light reflections on the water at night (Sumida River Fireworks Festival)
Places

Sumida River Fireworks 2026 (July 25): Where to Watch Tokyo's 20,000-Firework Show for Free, Plus Access & Crowd Tips

Jun 20, 2026
Train
Culture

Japan Train Etiquette (2026): 8 Unwritten Rules Every Tourist Should Know

Jun 19, 2026
Collage of six major Tokyo summer fireworks shows lighting up the sky over rivers, bridges, city skylines, and Tokyo Skytree.
Places

Tokyo Fireworks Festivals 2026: 6 Major Hanabi Shows to See This Summer (Dates, Access & Tips)

Jun 18, 2026
GU storefront in Japan with mannequins and clothing displays, useful for travelers looking to buy the GU × Evangelion T-shirt collection
Shopping

GU × Evangelion Vintage Tees Drop June 22, 2026: 4 Designs at ¥1,990 — Where to Buy & How Tourists Shop Tax-Free

Jun 18, 2026
Colorful Tanabata streamers and Shitamachi Tanabata Festival lanterns line Kappabashi Hondori at night, with Tokyo Skytree lit blue in the distance
Places

Shitamachi Tanabata Festival 2026: Asakusa's 1.2km Street of Wishes (July 3-7)

Jun 17, 2026
A three-panel image of the three ways to get online in Japan: a pocket WiFi router (left), a hand holding a smartphone showing "eSIM" (center), and a physical SIM card being inserted into a phone (right).
Know-How

How to Get Internet in Japan (2026): eSIM vs SIM Card vs Pocket WiFi — and Where to Pick One Up at the Airport

Jun 16, 2026
A Hōzuki-ichi market sign reading "Asakusa Hōzuki-ichi" and "Shimanrokusennichi," illustrated with red hōzuki (ground cherries), with Edo glass wind bells and paper strips in front.
Places

Asakusa Hōzuki-ichi 2026: Sensō-ji's Ground-Cherry Market on July 9–10 (and the 46,000-Day Blessing)

Jun 16, 2026
Four ATMs found at Japanese convenience stores and post offices — from left: Japan Post Bank, Lawson Bank, Seven Bank, and Japan Post Bank — all of which accept foreign cards for yen withdrawals.
Know-How

How to Withdraw Cash in Japan with a Foreign Card (2026): 7-Eleven, Japan Post & Konbini ATMs That Actually Work

Jun 16, 2026
An onsen bath fed by hot water pouring from a wooden spout, with steam rising
Culture

Visiting Onsen with Tattoos in Japan: Can You Bathe if You Have Ink? A 2026 Guide to Cover-Ups, Private Baths & Tattoo-Friendly Spots

Jun 15, 2026
Insect repellent being sprayed from a pump bottle onto a person's bare forearm outdoors in a sunny park
Know-How

Where to Buy Mosquito Repellent in Japan (2026): A Traveler's Guide to DEET vs. Icaridin

Jun 15, 2026
Promotional image for McDonald's Japan's "VIVA! World Mac," showing three new FIFA World Cup 2026 burgers: Chunky Potato & Thick Beef Garlic Pepper, Mexican Taco Cheese Chicken, and Avocado Mayo Cheese Shrimp
Food & Drink

McDonald's Japan's World Cup Menu: A Traveler's Guide to the 8 “VIVA! World Mac” Items and Collectible Cups (June 2026)

Jun 11, 2026
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