Planning · Guide index
Japan planning guides
Choose where to stay, plan the experiences you want to book and make travel days easier with practical luggage advice.
Planning guide index
Enjoy Japan with fewer crowds
Find a better time to visit, group nearby sights and build a flexible day, with Kyoto as a practical example.
Open the guide PlanningBooking a restaurant in Japan with TableCheck
Understand reservations, card holds, meal payments and changes so you can plan dinner with a clear budget.
Open the guide PlanningPacking a power bank for flights to Japan
Work through battery capacity, hand-luggage arrangements and onboard use when preparing for each airline on your route.
Open the guide PlanningHow to store luggage at hotels in Japan
Make more of your arrival and departure days. Learn about bag drop-off, collection times and sending luggage ahead.
Open the guide PlanningHow to correct a hotel booking name in Japan
Work out whether you need a spelling correction or a guest change, and prepare a clear request for the booking provider.
Open the guide PlanningWhere to stay on your first trip to Japan
Choose hotel bases around the places you want to visit, daily travel time and how often you want to move.
Open the first-trip base guide PlanningWhere to stay in Tokyo: compare four useful hubs
Find a Tokyo base for your sightseeing, airport journey and evenings by comparing four well-connected areas.
Compare four Tokyo hubs PlanningKyoto or Osaka: which base fits your trip?
Compare sightseeing days, evening plans and hotel moves to choose a base for exploring the Kansai region.
Open the Kyoto-or-Osaka guide PlanningWhen to book Japan attractions
Build a booking calendar for the attractions you care about and keep the rest of the trip flexible.
Open the booking-window guide PlanningPlanning around Japan holidays and changing weather
Build an itinerary that can adapt to holiday opening hours, weather updates and transport changes.
Open the disruption guide PlanningLuggage forwarding, lockers or carrying it yourself?
Compare the time, convenience and handoffs of three ways to travel with luggage between hotels and destinations.
Open the luggage guide