Things to Do

How to buy Grand Sumo tournament tickets in Japan in 2026 — official sales, seat types, prices, and easier options for tourists.

Japan’s best autumn leaves illuminations for 2026 — Kyoto temple light-ups, Tokyo’s Rikugien Garden and Nabana no Sato, with real dates, hours and prices from a resident.

A resident’s guide to Japan’s best cherry blossom spots, from Tokyo parks to Yoshino’s mountainside and Hirosaki Castle, with timing tips.

A Japan-based guide to booking Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea and Universal Studios Japan in 2026 — real price ranges, why foreign cards fail on the official sites, and the free app passes that matter more than any ticket.

A resident’s guide to Japan’s summer matsuri and hanabi in 2026: which festivals are still ahead, how paid fireworks seating really works, what to wear, and how to survive the crowds and heat.

How to use a Japanese hot spring without embarrassing yourself — the washing routine, the small towel, the naked question, the 2026 tattoo situation, real prices, and the four easiest onsen towns for a first visit.

The Osaka attractions worth your money in 2026, with real prices — Universal Studios Japan, Osaka Castle, Kaiyukan, Umeda Sky Building — plus what to book ahead, what to skip, and where locals actually eat.

A Japan-based guide to the best things to do in Kyoto in 2026 — which temples are worth the entry fee, what genuinely needs booking ahead, updated prices, and how to move between it all without wasting half a day.

Where to see Japan’s autumn leaves in 2026 and exactly when each region peaks, from Hokkaido in September to Kyoto in late November. Honest timing advice, crowd strategy and booking deadlines from someone who lives here.

A Japan-based guide to climbing Mt. Fuji in 2026 — the ¥4,000 permit, the online reservation, the 2pm gate rule, the four trails compared, mountain hut costs, and an honest answer on whether you should climb at all.