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JR Pass Alternatives: The Regional Passes Most Sites Don’t Mention
JR East's 10-day pass costs ¥50,000, the same as a 7-day Japan Rail Pass bought online. Regional pass prices in yen, who can buy them, and when to skip them.
August 2026– date –
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JR Pass Alternatives: The Regional Passes Most Sites Don’t Mention
JR East's 10-day pass costs ¥50,000, the same as a 7-day Japan Rail Pass bought online. Regional pass prices in yen, who can buy them, and when to skip them. -
Togakushi Shrine: The Half Everyone Skips
After Togakushi's cedar avenue to Okusha, keep walking: up the road is Togakushi Farm, 135 hectares of pasture. Bus times, soba and a day plan from Nagano. -
Sento and Onsen: How to Use a Japanese Bath House
Rinse before you soak, keep your towel out of the water, never take photos, and ask before cooling the bath. Plus Tokyo's ¥600 sento price from 1 August 2026. -
Skip the Shinkansen: 7 Cheaper Ways to Cross Japan
The 7-day JR Pass is ¥50,000 online or ¥53,000 from agents; Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka by Nozomi is ¥28,490. Seven cheaper ways to cross Japan, fares checked. -
What Is Omotenashi? Why Japanese Almost Never Say the Word
Omotenashi is motenashi, looking after a guest, made polite. Why Japanese almost never say it, why staff go rigid, and Tokyo's 1 April 2025 harassment rule. -
Why Japanese Waiters Chase You Down the Street — And Why You Shouldn’t Tip in Japan
No, you don't tip in Japan — but "why not" is the part nobody explains. A Japanese-born editor breaks down what staff are actually thinking, and the few exceptions that are quietly changing. The moment you realize something is different ...
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