Planning on visiting Japan? Here are some tools and products that you may find useful!

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Itineraries

• Patreon - Sightseeing Japan is now offering itineraries! Our aim is to save you time and effort by providing you with recommendations, travel tips, important details, and links to help you plan your trip. Each itinerary also includes links to any relevant podcast episodes so you can be prepared with the historical and cultural context that is essential to getting the most out of your Japan experience.

Join the Community

• Discord - Join our FREE community on Discord to discuss your travel plans, find travel tips, share recommendations, and more!

Transportation

• Visit Japan Web - This service allows you to perform arrival procedures even before you leave your home country. It can really speed things up when you arrive at the airport in Japan. Get your QR codes for customs and immigration ready so that you can get your trip started ASAP instead of getting stuck in line!

• JR Pass (Affiliate) - This pass gives you access to unlimited travel on JR train lines all over Japan, including the high speed bullet trains. If you’re planning on traveling long distances, this pass can save you a lot of money! Jason and Paul have used this pass every time they have been to Japan and highly recommend it.

  Note: The price of the nationwide JR Pass increased in October of 2023. To determine whether the pass makes sense for your itinerary, use a fare calculator like the one here. If you’re traveling in a more limited area, the regional rail passes below might be a better option.

• Regional Rail Passes (Affiliate) - Are you planning to visit a specific region of Japan? A variety of regional passes are available which each offer unlimited travel within a given area or route for a fraction of the cost of the nationwide JR Pass.

Pocket Wifi

Note: Check with your cellular provider as they may offer better deals for international data/texting/calling.

• JRPass.com (Affiliate) - In addition to the JR Pass, JRPass.com also offers pocket wifi rental which gives you unlimited internet access on your trip. Being able to look up maps and train schedules can take a ton of the stress out of traveling!

• Global Advanced Communications - Depending on your needs and the length of your trip, this could be another good option for pocket wifi. If you need extra-fast internet, this website’s “super premium plan” offers faster pocket wifi than JRPass.com, but at a slightly higher price. They also have a slower option that is less expensive. Jason and Paul have used these on their trips and have had nothing but great experiences.

Tours and Events

• Miyuki Seguchi - Check out episode 110 of the podcast for an interview with Miyuki Seguchi, licensed travel guide and host of the Japan Experts podcast! She offers a Japan travel program that can help you prepare for your trip and provides insight into local cultures, lesser-known rural areas, and historical and cultural context to help make your trip that much more rewarding! You may also be interested in her FREE Japan Travel Guide: The 7 steps to creating your unique immersive experience.

• Kyushu Journeys - Check out episode 54 of the podcast for an interview with Simon and Moo, the owners and operators of this Kyushu-based travel agency! Their expertise and intimate knowledge of the local culture make Kyushu Journeys a great resource for itinerary planning and group tours.

• Rakuten Travel Experiences - Check out this website for access to all sorts of unique tours, classes, and experiences!

Other Products

• Wild Essentials Sleep Mask - If you have trouble sleeping on a plane or recovering from jet lag, this sleep mask can help. The recessed eye cavities prevent unwanted pressure and the padded nose area prevents any light from getting in. It also includes earplugs! Jason uses this sleep mask every night.

• Unbound Merino - If you want to carry as little as possible when traveling, wool clothing is great. Since wool is naturally antimicrobial, these clothes can be worn for multiple days before washing, and when you do wash them they dry very quickly. They can even be washed in a hotel sink at night and be ready to wear by morning. Jason used products from Unbound Merino on his last two trips and has nothing but good things to say.