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A first trip to Japan, in the order the decisions actually come up: dates, route, the things that need booking ahead, then the rail pass and how you get online. Two of those cost real money if you get them wrong, and both are cheaper to settle before you land. Steps we have not written up yet are not shown.
Get around
Once your route is fixed: whether the nationwide JR Pass or a regional pass pays off, and how to buy it before you fly. Next: how you get online.
Start Here · 2026-08-29Japan Rail Pass 2026: Is It Worth Buying, or Should You Use an IC Card Instead?
JR Pass prices, Nozomi exclusions, and a worked-out western Japan route calculation so you can decide whether the pass pays off for your specific trip.
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Start Here · 2026-09-02Japan Regional Rail Passes 2026: Which One Covers Your Itinerary?
Skip the ¥50,000 JR Pass if your trip stays in one region. Match your Japan itinerary to the right regional pass — confirmed prices in yen and USD.
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Start Here · 2026-08-30How to Buy a Japan Rail Pass Online Before You Arrive: 2026 Step-by-Step Guide
October 1 price increase applies to Exchange Orders only, not the official JR online route. Eligibility, eGate stamp warning, and Japan pickup steps.
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Get online
eSIM, SIM card or pocket WiFi: which one fits your phone and your trip, and how to set it up. Leave this until close to departure; the guide explains which plans start their clock at installation. Next: Booking Resources, for the one thing to check before you pay.
Start Here · 2026-08-30Japan Pocket WiFi vs eSIM vs SIM Card: How to Choose Before Your Trip (2026)
Pocket WiFi, eSIM, or SIM card for Japan? A decision guide using verified prices, tethering limits, and return logistics — checked August 2026.
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Start Here · 2026-08-30Best eSIM for Tourists Visiting Japan in 2026: Sakura Mobile, Airalo, and Japan Wireless Compared
Sakura Mobile, Airalo, Japan Wireless, and eConnect Japan compared on tethering, device compatibility, and verified prices (checked 2026-08-30).
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Start Here · 2026-09-03How to Buy and Set Up a Japan eSIM: Step-by-Step Guide
Timing rules, installation steps, and troubleshooting for Japan eSIMs — Sakura Mobile, Airalo, Japan Wireless, and eConnect Japan, verified September 2026.
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