@kylie.nbt: I've been to Japan four times. The first trip was expensive, exhausting, and packed with tourist mistakes. Here's what I'd change. I'd take the night bus instead of the Shinkansen for long routes. Tokyo-Osaka Shinkansen: $130. Willer Express night bus: $20. You sleep in a reclining seat with a curtain, arrive at 6am, and skip a hotel night. Savings per leg: $220. That's $440 round trip. I'd never wait in line for fluffy pancakes. 2 hours, $14, three bites. That's the whole experience. The ramen bowl around the corner costs $6, has zero wait, and tastes better. Rule: if tourists are lining up, walk the other way. I'd always book an apartment instead of a hotel for couples. $150/night for 15sqm in Tokyo where you can't open your suitcase. An apartment on Booking: $100-120, 40sqm, kitchen, washing machine. Three trips to figure this one out. On internet: I'd never use a generic eSIM again. My Airalo eSIM gave me a foreign IP. My banking app locked me out in Shibuya. Japan-specific eSIMs run on local networks. No blocks, no issues. esimjp.com. Check the link in my bio. I'd spend at least 5 days outside Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka. 52% of tourists never leave Tokyo. I was one of them on trip 1. Kanazawa, Fukuoka, Takayama: one hour further and you're in a completely different Japan. I'd never plan a Japan trip under 14 days. First trip was 7 days. Two wrecked by jet lag. Under 10 days is a waste of the flight cost. 14 is the minimum. 3 weeks is the sweet spot. And I'd always do tax-free shopping. Japan refunds 10% on purchases over $33. Just show your passport. I missed this my entire first trip. 2026 change: don't open the bags before leaving Japan, customs checks. #japan #japantravel #japantips #esimjapan #traveladvice

Kylie

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Friday 22 May 2026 17:56:00 GMT