Plan your Japan trip without
the overwhelm
Japan travel tips: 4 simple ways to make your trip smoother
Planning a trip to Japan can feel overwhelming. Transport cards, train passes, mobile data, accommodation choices. After helping many travelers plan their trips, these are the four simple tips I always share to avoid common mistakes and enjoy Japan with less stress.
Stay close to a metro or train station
Japan’s transport system works incredibly well, but only if you stay near a good station.
Being close to a station saves time, limits walking, and makes days much smoother, especially with luggage or kids. It also reduces the need to constantly check routes.
Good base areas include Shinjuku or Ueno in Tokyo, Namba or Umeda in Osaka, and Gion Shijo or Kyoto Station in Kyoto. Choosing the right station often matters more than the hotel itself.
Think carefully before buying a Japan Rail Pass
The Japan Rail Pass is not always a good deal.
If you are not traveling long distances across regions, buying individual tickets can be cheaper. The pass mainly makes sense for routes like Tokyo to Kyoto to Osaka to Hiroshima.
For regional trips, local passes or a simple IC card often work better. Checking real ticket prices before deciding helps avoid unnecessary costs.
Use an eSIM instead of pocket WiFi
Carrying a pocket WiFi adds one more thing to charge and manage.
An eSIM is easier, especially if you travel solo or want to keep things simple. You activate it directly on your phone and stay connected all day.
I usually recommend Holafly, but options like Airalo or Ubigi also work well. Just check that your phone supports eSIM before traveling.
Some options :
Book popular activities in advance
Some experiences in Japan sell out quickly.
Places like teamLab Planets or Ghibli Museum often require booking weeks ahead, especially during peak seasons.
This also applies to ryokan with private onsen, tea ceremonies, and cultural workshops. Booking early removes stress and guarantees you do not miss what matters most to you.
Quick recap
Stay near a metro or train station to save time every day.
Only buy a Japan Rail Pass if your route really requires it.
Book popular activities early to avoid disappointment.
Use an eSIM for easier and more flexible internet access.
If you want a trip where all of this is already planned for you, my itineraries are built to guide you step by step while keeping flexibility.
Plan Your Japan Trip More Easily
If you're going to Jpaan you're probably facing :
Too much information
How to organize
Don’t know where to go
Train system feels confusing
Afraid of missing places
Planning a trip to Japan usually breaks at the same point: you save a lot of places, but don’t know how to turn them into a realistic route. Cities are large, distances are not intuitive, and it’s hard to know what actually fits in one day.
This guide was created to solve that. It helps you understand how places connect, how many days make sense per area, and how to build an itinerary that flows.
With the interactive map, you can explore curated spots across Japan, follow ready-made itineraries and day trips, mix my routes with your own, and adapt everything to your pac
I created my Japan Travel Guide to help you organize your trip in a clear, realistic way.
Details on what you'll have
Best of both world : touristy & off the beaten path places
+ 1000 things to do, filterable by category & tags
Lifetime access to my itinerary and all future updates.
10 to 30 days curated itineraries, fully customizable
Kanto (Tokyo & surroundings) Day by Day customizable Itinerary (10 to 15 days)
Kansai (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara...) Day by day Itinerary customizable (13 to 15 days)
Tokyo Guide by Neighborhood (23 special ward)
15+ additional day trips detailed for exploring nearby destinations from Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto.
Interactive map with all key spots marked & filterable by category & tags
Benefit from in-depth practical advice (navigation, accomodation, restaurants, cultural experiences)
PDF & Excel sheets (with less updates than online version)
What it looks like on the app :
If you prefer something fully tailored, I also offer a 100% custom travel planning service.
I design a day-by-day itinerary based on your dates, interests, budget, travel pace, and priorities. You simply follow the plan and enjoy your trip.
And if you like flexible, editable itineraries, you can also find my ready-made itineraries on Holicay.
They’re ideal if you want a solid base you can customize with your travel companions.
Marie creator behind @Tabimawari
Hi, I’m Marie, the creator behind @tabimawari.
I lived in Kyoto, learned Japanese, and keep returning to explore Japan beyond the obvious.
Planning a trip to Japan usually breaks at the same point: you save a lot of places, but don’t know how to turn them into a realistic route. Cities are large, distances are not intuitive, and it’s hard to know what actually fits in one day.
This guide was created to solve that. It helps you understand how places connect, how many days make sense per area, and how to build an itinerary that flows.
With the interactive map, you can explore curated spots across Japan, follow ready-made itineraries and day trips, mix my routes with your own, and adapt everything to your pace.
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Marie creator behind @Tabimawari
Hi, I’m Marie.
French islander from Reunion island, Japan lover, and travel planner behind Tabimawari.
I spent a year living in Kyoto, learning Japanese and falling in love with the culture. Since then, I’ve kept going back, exploring every corner from Tokyo to the tiniest hidden towns.
I created these guides after spending months planning, testing, and fine-tuning every detail so you don’t have to. Inside, you’ll find:
✅ Interactive maps
✅ Step-by-step directions
✅ Local spots + travel tips
✅ Offline use
Each guide is made with care, based on real-life travel, not generic blog advice.
This is what I wish I had on my first trip to Japan and now it’s yours.
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MY NEWSLETTER
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