FREE GUIDE · HONEST REVIEWS
Where to Stay in Japan
Honest hotel picks near the best stations —
for first-time and repeat visitors
🗼
Tokyo
12 station guides
🏯
Osaka
7 station guides
⛩
Kyoto
6 station guides
🕊
Hiroshima
3 station guides
Quick Travel Tips
Everything first-timers need to know before arriving in Japan
JR Pass or IC Card?
For short stays, a Suica IC card is cheaper and more flexible than a JR Pass.
When to Book
Book 2–3 months ahead for cherry blossom (April) and autumn foliage (November).
Pocket WiFi
Rent a pocket WiFi at the airport — essential for navigating with Google Maps.
Cash is King
Many small restaurants and shrines are cash-only. Always carry ¥5,000–10,000.
Not sure where to stay?
Read our honest, station-by-station hotel guides for Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.
Start with Tokyo →This site contains affiliate links. If you book through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend hotels we genuinely believe in.