Every guide on Japan Real Guide, organised by region and by topic. 209 guides in total, covering all of Japan from Hokkaido to Okinawa.
Hokkaido & Tohoku
Northern Japan: snow country, hot springs, and the Tohoku coast.
- Aomori Nebuta Festival Guide: A First-Timer’s Guide to Japan’s Giant Glowing Floats and How to Dance in the Parade
- Ouchijuku Travel Guide: A First-Timer’s Guide to Fukushima’s Edo-Era Thatched Post Town
- Yamadera Temple Guide: How to Climb Yamagata’s 1,000 Stone Steps to Risshaku-ji
- Tono Travel Guide: Japan’s Folklore Capital — Kappa Legends, Mountain Shrines and Rural Tohoku
- Hiraizumi Travel Guide: A First-Timer’s Guide to Iwate’s Golden Temples, Pure Land Gardens and the UNESCO Heritage of Tohoku
- Hakodate Travel Guide: A First-Timer’s Guide to the Night View, Morning Market and Hokkaido’s Historic Port City
- Zao Guide: Snow Monsters, Crater Lake and Yamagata’s Most Magical Mountain Onsen
- Morioka Travel Guide: Iwate’s Castle Town, Three Famous Noodles and the Heart of Tohoku
- Ouchi-Juku Complete Guide: Fukushima’s Preserved Edo-Period Thatched-Roof Post Town
- Hokkaido Food Guide: Seafood, Soup Curry, Ramen, Crab and Dairy Delights
- Nyuto Onsen Guide: Akita’s Remote Mountain Hot Spring Paradise in the Heart of Tohoku
- Shiretoko National Park: Exploring Japan’s Last Great Wilderness in Hokkaido
- Hiraizumi Guide: Iwate’s UNESCO World Heritage Temples and the Golden Hall of the Northern Fujiwara
- Aizu-Wakamatsu Travel Guide: Samurai History, Sake and Feudal Japan in Fukushima
- Oirase Gorge Complete Guide: Aomori’s Stunning Autumn Forest Stream Walk
- Kakunodate Travel Guide: Japan’s Best-Preserved Samurai District in Akita, Tohoku
- Hirosaki Castle Guide: Japan’s Most Beautiful Cherry Blossom Spot in Aomori
- Ginzan Onsen Guide: Yamagata’s Fairy-Tale Snow Village and Japan’s Most Photogenic Hot Spring Town
- Noboribetsu Onsen Guide: Hokkaido’s Most Famous Hot Spring Resort
- Matsushima Guide: Japan’s Most Scenic Bay and One of the Country’s Top Three Views
- Iwate Prefecture Travel Guide: Hiraizumi, Morioka, Tono & the Sanriku Coast
- Fukushima Travel Guide: Aizu Samurai Castles, Ouchi-juku & Recovery Tourism
- Yamagata Travel Guide: Yamadera Temple, Zao Snow Monsters & Ginzan Onsen
- Akita Travel Guide: Samurai Districts, Lake Tazawa & Namahage Festivals
- Aomori Travel Guide: Nebuta Festival, Oirase Gorge and Japan’s Apple Kingdom
- Hokkaido Travel Guide: Sapporo, Niseko, Lavender Fields and Japan’s Wild North
- Sendai Travel Guide: Date Masamune’s City, Tanabata Festival and Matsushima
Kanto
Tokyo and the surrounding prefectures, including day trips from the capital.
- Chichibu Travel Guide: A First-Timer’s Guide to Shibazakura, a Sacred Wolf Shrine, and Tokyo’s Best Mountain Day Trip in Saitama
- Shimokitazawa Travel Guide: Tokyo’s Coolest Neighbourhood for Vintage Shopping, Cafes and Live Music
- Tokyo Disneyland vs DisneySea: Which Park Should You Visit? (Complete Guide)
- Roppongi Travel Guide: A First-Timer’s Guide to Tokyo’s Art Triangle, Skyline Views, and Nightlife
- Ginza and Tsukiji: A First-Timer’s Guide to Tokyo’s Outer Market Food and Luxury Shopping District
- Minakami Guide: White-Water Rafting, Onsen and the Wild Heart of Gunma (First-Timer’s Guide)
- Kawagoe Guide: A First-Timer Day Trip to Little Edo, the Castle Town Near Tokyo
- Naritasan Shinshoji Temple: A First-Timer’s Guide to Narita’s 1,000-Year-Old Buddhist Sanctuary
- Enoshima Guide: Island Shrines, Sea Caves and Shonan Beach — The Best Day Trip from Tokyo (Complete Guide)
- Hitachi Seaside Park Guide: Ibaraki’s Famous Nemophila Blue Flower Field and Year-Round Garden
- Shibuya and Harajuku Guide: Tokyo Fashion, Crossing, Meiji Shrine and More
- Tochigi Travel Guide: Nikko Shrines, Kinugawa Onsen, Gyoza Capital and More
- Kusatsu Onsen Guide: Japan’s #1 Hot Spring Town in Gunma Prefecture
- Shinjuku Guide: Neon Lights, Golden Gai, Omoide Yokocho and Everything First-Time Visitors Need to Know
- Akihabara Guide: Anime, Manga, Electronics and Otaku Culture in Tokyo
- Yokohama Travel Guide: Japan’s Most Cosmopolitan Port City
- Asakusa and Ueno Guide: Senso-ji Temple, Museums, and Old Tokyo for First-Timers
- Chiba Travel Guide: Tokyo’s Gateway to Sea, Nature, and Culture
- Gunma Travel Guide: Onsen Heaven and Mountain Adventures
- Ibaraki Travel Guide: Nature, History, and Day Trips from Tokyo
- Saitama Travel Guide: Kawagoe Little Edo, Chichibu & Easy Tokyo Day Trips
- Nikko Travel Guide: Japan’s Most Ornate Shrine Complex and Mountain Retreat
Chubu
Central Japan: the Japanese Alps, Mount Fuji, and the Hokuriku coast.
- Kanazawa Travel Guide: A First-Timer’s Guide to Kenrokuen, Geisha Districts, Samurai Streets and Sea of Japan Seafood
- Eiheiji Temple Guide: Japan’s Most Sacred Zen Monastery in Fukui (Complete Guide)
- Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park: A First-Timer’s Guide to Nagano’s Bathing Monkeys and Onsen Towns
- Walking the Nakasendo: A First-Timer’s Guide to the Kiso Valley and the Magome-Tsumago Trail
- Nagoya Castle Guide: Golden Dolphins, the Reborn Hommaru Palace and Aichi’s Iconic Fortress
- Inuyama Castle Guide: Japan’s Oldest Original Castle Keep and the Charming Castle Town of Aichi
- Izu Peninsula Guide: Coastal Hot Springs, Beaches and Scenic Drives Just Hours from Tokyo
- Gokayama Guide: Japan’s Hidden UNESCO Gassho-Zukuri Villages in Toyama
- Ise Jingu Guide: Japan’s Most Sacred Shinto Shrine in Mie Prefecture
- Sado Island Guide: Niigata’s UNESCO Gold-Mine Island, Tub Boats and Taiko Drumming
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Complete Guide: Japan’s Most Spectacular Mountain Crossing in the Northern Alps
- Kamikochi Guide: Japan’s Most Breathtaking Mountain Valley in Nagano Prefecture
- Shirakawa-go Guide: Japan’s Most Beautiful UNESCO Village of Thatched Farmhouses
- Hakuba Travel Guide: World-Class Skiing, Hiking and Mountain Adventures in Nagano Prefecture
- Gujo Hachiman Guide: Gifu’s Hidden Castle Town, Festival Dances and Crystal-Clear Mountain Rivers
- Noto Peninsula Guide: Ishikawa’s Rugged Coastline, Wajima Lacquerware and Seafood Paradise
- Kanazawa Food Guide: Omicho Market, Kaga Cuisine and Seasonal Delicacies
- Niigata Travel Guide: Rice, Sake, and Japan’s Sea of Snow
- Shizuoka Travel Guide: Mt. Fuji, Hakone, and More
- Nagoya Travel Guide: The Ultimate Guide to Aichi Prefecture
- Fukui Travel Guide: Eiheiji Temple, Tojinbo Cliffs & Echizen Crab
- Toyama Travel Guide: Alpine Route, Gokayama & Toyama Bay Seafood
- Matsumoto and the Japanese Alps Travel Guide: Castle, Kamikochi and Shirakawa-go
- Kanazawa Travel Guide: Japan’s City of Culture, Craft, and Seafood
- Takayama Travel Guide: Japan’s Little Kyoto in the Japanese Alps
Kansai
Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and the historic heart of Japan.
- Nishiki Market Travel Guide: A First-Timer’s Guide to Eating Your Way Through Kyoto’s Kitchen
- Best Day Trips from Osaka: Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Hiroshima, and Beyond
- Best Day Trips from Kyoto: Complete Guide to Nara, Hiroshima, Osaka and Beyond
- Dotonbori Travel Guide: A First-Timer’s Guide to Osaka’s Neon Food Paradise
- Japanese Wagyu Beef Guide: A First-Timer’s Guide to Kobe Beef, Matsusaka, and How to Eat Japan’s Legendary Beef
- Kinosaki Onsen Guide: A First-Timer’s Walk Through Hyogo’s Seven Hot Springs, Ryokan Stays & Yukata Strolls
- Hikone Castle Guide: Japan’s Original National Treasure on Lake Biwa (Complete Guide)
- Arima Onsen Guide: Japan’s Oldest Hot Spring Near Kobe (Complete Guide)
- Koyasan Guide: Japan’s Sacred Buddhist Mountain and the Spiritual Heart of Shingon in Wakayama
- Yoshino Guide: Japan’s Sacred Cherry Blossom Mountain in Nara Prefecture
- Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Guide: Walking Japan’s UNESCO Sacred Trails in Wakayama
- Arashiyama Complete Guide: Bamboo Grove, Temples, River Boat Rides and Everything You Need to Know
- Gion Guide: Kyoto’s Geisha District, Traditional Streets and Hidden Temples
- Matcha Guide: History, Etiquette, and the Best Matcha Experiences in Japan
- Wakayama Travel Guide: Koyasan, Kumano Kodo, and the Sacred Mountains
- Mie Prefecture Travel Guide: Ise Jingu and the Sacred Coast
- Kobe & Himeji Travel Guide: The Best of Hyogo Prefecture
- Shiga Travel Guide: Lake Biwa, Hikone Castle & the Miho Museum
Chugoku & Shikoku
Hiroshima, the Seto Inland Sea, and the pilgrimage island of Shikoku.
- Tomonoura Travel Guide: A First-Timer’s Guide to Japan’s Best-Preserved Edo-Era Port Town in Hiroshima
- Shimanami Kaido Cycling Guide: How to Ride Japan’s Island-Hopping Bike Route Across the Seto Inland Sea
- Miyajima Travel Guide: A First-Timer’s Guide to the Floating Torii, Itsukushima Shrine, Mount Misen and Hiroshima’s Sacred Island
- Uchiko Travel Guide: Shikoku’s Perfectly Preserved Old Merchant Town of Wax, Washi and Kabuki
- Tsuwano Travel Guide: The Little Kyoto of San-in — Carp Canals, Red Torii Gates and a Steam Train in Shimane
- Cape Ashizuri and the Shimanto River: Complete Guide to Kochi’s Wild Pacific Coast and Japan’s Last Clear Stream
- Konpira-san (Kotohira-gu): A First-Timer’s Guide to Climbing Shikoku’s Shrine of 1,368 Steps
- Mount Daisen Travel Guide: A First-Timer’s Guide to Hiking Tottori’s Sacred Peak, Daisen-ji Temple, and Autumn Colors
- Takamatsu & Ritsurin Garden: A First-Timer’s Guide to Kagawa’s Garden City, Sanuki Udon and the Seto Inland Sea
- Matsue Travel Guide: Shimane and the City of Water, Original Castle and Samurai District
- Akiyoshido Cave and Kintaikyo Bridge: A First-Timer’s Guide to Yamaguchi’s Natural and Historic Wonders
- Awa Odori and the Naruto Whirlpools: A First-Timer’s Guide to Tokushima, Japan
- Hagi Travel Guide: Yamaguchi’s Samurai Castle Town (Complete Guide)
- Izumo Taisha Guide: Japan’s Oldest Shinto Shrine and the Spiritual Heart of Shimane
- Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter: Complete Guide to Japan’s Beautiful Canal Town
- Dogo Onsen Guide: Japan’s Oldest Hot Spring and Matsuyama’s Crown Jewel in Ehime
- Kagawa Travel Guide: Sanuki Udon, Naoshima Art & Ritsurin Garden
- Tokushima Travel Guide: Awa Odori, Naruto Whirlpools & Iya Valley
- Kagawa Udon Pilgrimage Guide: Sanuki Noodles, Best Shops, and How to Eat Udon Like a Local in Japan’s Udon Prefecture
- Shimanami Kaido Cycling Guide: Onomichi to Imabari Across the Seto Inland Sea
- Onomichi Travel Guide: Hiroshima’s Hillside Temple Town and Cycling Paradise
- Iya Valley Guide: Exploring Shikoku’s Hidden Mountain Paradise and Vine Bridges
- Kochi Travel Guide: Kochi Castle, Shimanto River, Bonito Tataki & Ryoma Sakamoto
- Ehime Travel Guide: Matsuyama Castle, Dogo Onsen & Shimanami Kaido Cycling
- Yamaguchi Travel Guide: Akiyoshido Cave, Tsunoshima Bridge & Hagi Castle Town
- Shimane Travel Guide: Izumo Taisha, Matsue Castle & the Adachi Museum
- Okayama Travel Guide: Korakuen Garden, Kurashiki & the Road to Naoshima
- Naoshima Art Island Guide: Japan’s World-Famous Contemporary Art Destination in the Seto Inland Sea
- Tottori Sand Dunes Travel Guide: Japan’s Only Desert Landscape
- Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage: Routes, Itinerary & Budget
Kyushu & Okinawa
Southern Japan: volcanoes, hot springs, and subtropical islands.
- Kirishima Travel Guide: A First-Timer’s Guide to Sacred Shrines, Volcanic Trails, and Kyushu’s Best Onsen in Kagoshima
- Takachiho Gorge Travel Guide: Rowboats, the Sea of Clouds, and Japan’s Sacred Myths in Miyazaki
- Aoshima Island and the Nichinan Coast: A First-Timer’s Guide to Miyazaki’s Subtropical Shrines and Devil’s Washboard
- Gunkanjima (Hashima Island): A First-Timer’s Guide to Japan’s Abandoned Battleship Island Near Nagasaki
- Karatsu Travel Guide: Saga’s Seaside Castle Town of Pottery, Pine Groves and Festival Floats
- Okinawa Food Guide: Champuru, Awamori, Taco Rice and the Longevity Diet of the Ryukyu Islands
- Nagasaki Peace Park Guide: Atomic Bomb Museum, Hypocenter and Reflective Tourism in Kyushu
- Sakurajima Guide: Japan’s Most Active Volcano in Kagoshima — Ferries, Lookouts, Onsen and Practical Tips
- Mount Aso Guide: Hiking Japan’s Largest Volcanic Caldera in Kumamoto
- Hashima Island (Gunkanjima) Guide: Visiting Japan’s Abandoned Battleship Island Off Nagasaki
- Kurokawa Onsen Guide: Japan’s Most Charming Riverside Hot Spring Village in Kumamoto
- Oita Travel Guide: Beppu Hell Springs, Yufuin Onsen & Kuju Mountains
- Naha Travel Guide: Okinawa Capital, Shuri Castle, Kokusai Street and the Heart of the Ryukyu Kingdom
- Ishigaki Island Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Okinawa’s Remote Paradise
- Dazaifu Guide: Tenmangu Shrine, Plum Blossoms and Fukuoka’s Ancient Cultural Capital
- Hakata Ramen Guide: Best Tonkotsu Shops & Yatai Food Carts
- Yakushima Guide: Ancient Cedar Forests, Wildlife and Japan’s Most Mystical UNESCO Island
- Takachiho Gorge Guide: Japan’s Most Mystical Canyon in Miyazaki
- Yufuin Travel Guide: Japan’s Most Romantic Onsen Town in Oita Prefecture
- Saga Travel Guide: Pottery, History, and Hidden Gems of Kyushu
- Miyazaki Travel Guide: Subtropical Paradise of Southern Kyushu
- Nagasaki Travel Guide: History, Culture, and Dramatic Coastlines
- Okinawa Island Hopping Guide: Ishigaki, Miyako, Snorkeling and Ryukyu Culture
- Kumamoto and Mount Aso Travel Guide: Volcano, Castle and Rural Hot Springs
- Kagoshima and Sakurajima Travel Guide: Volcano, Samurai History and Ibusuki Sand Baths
- Beppu Onsen Guide: Japan’s Hot Spring Capital and the Land of Eight Hells
- Fukuoka Travel Guide: Japan’s Most Livable City & Gateway to Kyushu
Japan Essentials
Practical guides for planning your trip: rail passes, SIM cards, money, and etiquette.
- Typhoon Season in Japan: A Traveler’s Playbook (Aug–Oct)
- Japanese Convenience Store Guide: Konbini With Zero Japanese
- Narita & Haneda Airport to Tokyo: The Complete Access Guide
- Best eSIM for Japan: Honest Comparison for Travelers
- Suica vs Pasmo: The Complete Guide to Japan’s IC Cards
- Japan Solo Travel for Women: Safety Tips, Best Destinations, and Practical Advice
- Japan Hiking Guide for Beginners: Best Trails, Essential Tips, and What to Pack
- Japan Golden Week Guide: Dates, Crowds, Best Destinations, and How to Plan Your Trip
- Japan Capsule Hotels Guide: What to Expect, Best Options, and First-Timer Tips
- Japan with Kids: Complete Family Travel Guide — Tips, Destinations, and Practical Advice
- Japan Ski Resorts Guide: Best Slopes, Powder Snow, and Everything First-Timers Need to Know
Travel Tips
How to get around, where to stay, and what to expect on the ground.
- Onsen Etiquette for First-Timers: Rules, Tattoos & How to Bathe
- Japan in Autumn 2026: Foliage Timing, Best Spots & Itinerary
- Shopping in Japan With Zero Japanese: Prices, Labels & Tax-Free
- Best Hotels in Osaka: Where to Stay by Area & Budget
- Best Hotels in Kyoto: Where to Stay by Area & Budget
- Where to Stay in Osaka: Best Areas for First-Timers
- Japanese Train Station Signs Decoded (Find Your Way With Zero Japanese)
- The Perfect 7-Day Japan Itinerary for First-Timers
- Where to Stay in Kyoto: Best Areas & Ryokan for First-Timers
- Essential Japanese Phrases for Travelers (and How to Read Menus on the Spot)
- Fuji Five Lakes Guide: Best Mt Fuji Viewpoints, Lakes, Onsen and Day Trips from Tokyo
- Sapporo Travel Guide: What to See, Eat, and Do in Hokkaido’s Capital
- 8 Best Day Trips from Tokyo: Hakone, Kamakura & Nikko
- Cash vs Card in Japan: Complete Money Guide for Tourists
- Getting from Tokyo to Kyoto: Shinkansen, Bus, and Flight Options Compared
- Osaka Castle: Complete Visitor Guide to History, Museum, Park and Surroundings
- Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo: Great Buddha, Temples, and Hiking Trails Guide
- Best Ryokan in Japan: How to Book, What to Expect, and Top Destinations
- Hakone Day Trip from Tokyo: Mt Fuji Views, Onsen, and the Complete Loop Guide
- Japan Autumn Foliage Guide (Koyo): Best Spots & When to Visit
- Japan Shinkansen Guide: How to Ride the Bullet Train Like a Pro
- Japan Cherry Blossom Guide: When, Where & How to See the Sakura
- Best Hotels in Tokyo: From Budget Capsules to 5-Star Luxury
- Japan Travel Tips: 30 Essential Things to Know Before Your First Visit
- Nara Day Trip Guide: Deer, Giant Buddha & Ancient Temples
- Japan SIM Card & eSIM Guide: Best Options for Staying Connected
- 2 Weeks in Japan: The Perfect First-Timer’s Itinerary
- Tokyo Neighborhoods Guide: Where to Stay for First-Timers
- Best Time to Visit Japan: Month-by-Month Guide
- How to Travel Japan on a Budget: $50/Day is Possible (Guide)
- Japan Rail Pass: Is It Worth It in 2026? (Honest Guide)
Culture & Customs
Temples, festivals, traditions, and the everyday customs worth knowing.
- How to Read a Japanese Restaurant Menu (Even With Zero Japanese)
- Japan Izakaya Guide: What to Order, How to Behave, and the Best Spots in Tokyo and Osaka
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove: Complete Visitor Guide for First-Timers
- Fushimi Inari Taisha: The Complete Early Morning Hike Guide
- Hiroshima and Miyajima Guide: Peace, History & Japan’s Floating Torii
- Kyoto Temples Guide: The Best Temples and Shrines for First-Time Visitors
- Japanese Onsen Etiquette: Complete Guide for First-Time Visitors
Food & Restaurants
Regional specialities, where to eat them, and how to order.
- Japan Ramen Guide: Regional Styles, Best Bowls, and Tips for First-Timers
- Japan Convenience Stores Guide: What to Buy, What to Do, and Why Konbini Are Unmissable
- Best Japanese Food Experiences: From Street Food to Kaiseki and Wagyu
- Japan Street Food Guide: 15 Must-Try Dishes From Takoyaki to Matcha Crepes
- Osaka Food Guide: The Ultimate Street Food & Dining Experience
- Best Ramen in Tokyo: 10 Must-Try Shops for First-Time Visitors
Hidden Gems
Places most visitors never reach.
- Furano and Biei Guide: Lavender Fields and Scenic Countryside in Hokkaido
- Mount Fuji Guide: How to Climb, Best Views & Complete Travel Tips
- 10 Hidden Gems in Japan That Most Tourists Never Visit
More Guides
- Where to Stay in Tokyo: Best Areas for First-Timers
- Best Ryokan in Kyoto: How to Choose & What It Costs
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