Guides

A Shinkansen bullet train waiting at a platform at Tokyo Station

Is the JR Pass worth it in 2026?

When the Japan Rail Pass pays off and when single Shinkansen tickets are cheaper, using official 2026 prices.

A train passing below a snow-capped Mount Fuji under a clear blue sky

Cheaper Shinkansen tickets: Smart EX and Hayatoku 21 explained

How JR Central's Smart EX online booking and the Hayatoku 21 advance fare compare with regular tickets, with official 2026 prices.

Tokyo to Hiroshima by Shinkansen: Smart EX fares

What a Tokyo to Hiroshima Shinkansen ticket costs when booked through Smart EX, for Nozomi and for Hikari or Kodama trains, from the official price list.

A quiet Kyoto street lined with traditional wooden houses

How to build a realistic Japan trip budget

A simple method for estimating Japan trip costs: fixed rail fares, nightly room rates and daily spending, in US dollars.