Eastbound FindsTravel
Japan New Year Holiday 2026–27: What's Closed and What's Open (Dec 29–Jan 3)
Banks shut Dec 31–Jan 3 and some ATMs stop on New Year's Eve. What still runs, from 7-Eleven ATMs to all-night shrine visits, with official dates.
Goshuin Stamps in Japan: How to Ask, Costs and Where to Buy a Goshuincho
Goshuin are handwritten after your visit and cost a few hundred yen. How to ask, office hours, and where to buy a goshuincho: temple, shop or online.
Japan Autumn Leaves Forecast 2026: Peak Dates for Kyoto, Tokyo and Nikko
Kyoto's official maple date is in December, not November. 2026 forecasts by spot, the JMA city table, night light-ups from ¥1,000 and Kyoto's maple tunnel train.
Japan Winter Illuminations 2026–27: Dates, Prices and the Best Light Shows
Sapporo started it in 1981 with about 1,000 bulbs; Ashikaga now uses over 5 million. 2026–27 dates and prices for six light shows, and which ones are free.
What to Wear in Japan in November: Weather by City and Week (°C and °F)
Tokyo drops from 65°F highs to 45°F nights within November, and Sapporo goes below freezing. Official 30-year averages for six cities, week by week, and what to pack.
Awa Odori: What the Chant Means, Dates and Tokushima vs Koenji
"Fools who dance, fools who watch": what the Awa Odori chant means, Tokushima vs Koenji dates, seat prices from ¥1,000 and how to join the dance free.
Hikone Castle & Hikonyan: The Recycled Castle, Tickets and Mascot Times
Hikone Castle's keep was moved here from another castle. Tickets (¥1,000), opening hours, Hikonyan's daily appearance times and its UNESCO status in 2026.
How to Watch Sumo in Japan: 2027 Tickets, Dates and Morning Practice
All six 2027 tournament dates, when tickets go on sale, Tokyo C chair seats at ¥5,000 from 2027, why resale tickets can get you turned away – and free practice.
Sagaribana: Where to See Okinawa's One-Night Flower (Iriomote, Ishigaki, Miyako)
Sagaribana opens after dark and falls by dawn. Where to see it on Iriomote, Ishigaki, Miyakojima, Okinawa and Amami, which months, and which tours run.
Yakuza Real-Life Locations: Kamurocho vs Kabukicho, Sotenbori, Onomichi
Kamurocho is Kabukicho, Sotenbori is Dotonbori and Yakuza 6's Onomichi is real. What matches the games and how to dodge tout bars. Checked 27 Oct 2026.
Kyoto Experiences to Book: Tea, Kimono, Fushimi Inari and the 2026 Hotel Tax
Kyoto experiences to book ahead: tea ceremony, kimono and guided Fushimi Inari walks. Plus the hotel tax from March 2026 (200 to 10,000 yen a night) and Gion's rules.
Mt Fuji Day Trip from Tokyo: Tour or ¥2,200 Bus, and the Months You'll See It
Yes: a ¥2,200 bus reaches Lake Kawaguchi in 1 h 45 min. But the whole peak was visible at 8 am on only 36.7% of days. Tour vs DIY, Hakone, best months.
Akihabara, Ikebukuro or Nakano? Tokyo Anime Districts and Maid Cafe Rules
Which Tokyo anime district suits you, what each sells, how to get there, Akihabara's car-free Sundays and what a maid cafe really costs. Checked 20 October 2026.
Autumn Festivals in Japan: 7 Float and Fire Festivals from September to November
Seven big autumn festivals in Japan, September to November: 2026 and 2027 dates, seat prices, the Nagasaki Kunchi postcard lottery and getting there.
Koyasan Temple Stay (Shukubo): Price, Access, Zazen and Sutra Copying
Koyasan temple stay: price per night with two meals, getting there from Osaka (no JR Pass), cash or card, plus zazen in Kyoto and sutra copying at Tōdai-ji.
Tokyo Food Tours: Which One to Book (Shinjuku, Tsukiji, Tuna Auction)
Evening food walks, market tours, sushi and ramen classes, and the free Toyosu tuna auction lottery: prices, length and who each suits. Checked 16 October 2026.
Cultural Experiences in Japan: How to Choose and Book (Without Japanese)
Tea ceremony, kimono, sushi and wagashi making, pottery, kintsugi and sumo: how long they take, which run in English, and what to check before you book.
Japan Public Holidays 2027: Full List, What Each Day Means and Golden Week
All 17 Japanese public holidays in 2027 with weekdays, what each day means, Golden Week, long weekends and bank, museum and shinkansen tips. Checked 20 Oct 2026.
Shrine vs Temple in Japan: Etiquette and How to Pray Respectfully
Shinto shrine vs Buddhist temple in Japan and the etiquette at each: torii, washing hands, bowing and clapping, incense, photos and clothes. Checked 10 October 2026.
Pokémon Center Japan: Stores, Japanese Cards and the Pokémon Cafe
Where the Pokémon Centers in Japan are, how new Japanese card releases are sold by lottery, how Pokémon Cafe booking works and how to avoid fakes. Checked 20 Oct 2026.