The Navigatio
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Welcome to The Navigatio! Whether you’re planning your first trip to Japan or your twentieth, you’ve come to the right place. On this website, we share free itineraries, accommodation guides and general tips for visiting Japan.
While we have some handy guides on other destinations across the globe (you can find them here, or search for them below), Japan is where our passion and expertise lie. With over three million readers per year, an active Facebook Japan travel planning group and our monthly Japan newsletter, we’ve grown to a trustworthy source for all your Japan travel content.
We work hard to keep all guides up to date with the latest travel news, information and attractions. On top of using our own experience of travelling to Japan from abroad, we also partner with local writers to make sure you get the best insider travel tips for your next holiday.
Ready to start planning your next trip? We sure are! Source
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Recent Articles
Search Articles7 Day Northern Kyushu Itinerary: Explore Fukuoka, Saga & Nagasaki
Are you looking for fewer crowds, beautiful nature, and traditional crafts in Japan? Kyushu is the perfect spot for your next trip to Japan! Only 2% of foreign tourists visit this part of Japan, even though it has so much to offer. It’s taken me a few years to finally visit Kyushu, but when I did, I went all in. For two months at the end of 2025, I drove around Kyushu trying to see and experience as much as possible.
Where to Stay in Tokyo (My Advice After 10+ Visits)
Since my first trip to Japan in 2018, I’ve been to Tokyo over 10 times and have stayed in nearly 20 hotels across the city. As Tokyo is so big, there isn’t really a “central” place to stay. I usually look for a hotel in Minato/Ginza, Roppongi, Ueno, Asakusa or Shibuya, as they are well connected and have lots to see and do. With 23 wards and thousands of hotels to choose from, I know exactly how overwhelming it can be to find the right hotel and the right area.
Visiting Nagoro, Japan’s Scarecrow Village in Shikoku
Deep in the mountains of Iya Valley on Shikoku sits a small, quiet town called Nagoro. With only 25 people living here, you wouldn’t think this is a place to add to your itinerary. But what’s special about Nagoro is that there are 350+ scarecrows (kakashi or 案山子) scattered around the abandoned buildings and streets. I spent a few weeks driving around Shikoku, and Nagoro was high on my list of places I wanted to visit.
Where to Find All Pokémon Manhole Covers in Tokyo (& Map)
Of the 400+ different Pokémon manhole covers (Poké Lids or Pokéfuta) across 40 Prefectures, a few can be found in Tokyo Prefecture. To add to my collection, I took a trip to the hometown of the creator of Pokémon in early March. In this guide, I’ll share where to find them and some more information on the covers and why they were placed in their exact spots. In Tokyo Prefecture, there are 2 manhole covers in Ueno Park, 6 in Serigaya Park, 4 in Ogasawara and 1 in PokePark Kanto.
Best Ryokans in Osaka (With and Without Private Onsen)
Looking for the best Ryokans in Osaka? This guide will take you through the top options for every budget, with some featuring an Onsen (either private or public). Osaka is a must for any Japan itinerary thanks to its mouth-watering street food, vibrant nightlife, and awesome attractions. Not to mention the city’s culture and history! No matter what you’re after, Osaka will have it. Better yet, this bustling city is just a 1.5-hour train ride from Japan’s capital, the famous city of Tokyo.
How To Spend One Day In Nagoya (Itinerary & Map)
I had passed Nagoya Station on the way to Kansai from Tokyo many times before I finally got off on my 4th Japan trip. And this was only because I had to travel down from Matsumoto to exchange my regional JR Pass. I spent just over an hour outside the station before travelling onwards, and didn’t properly get to see the city until my next Japan trip. I was planning on hiking the Nakasendo, and Nagoya is the perfect overnight stay before visiting Central Japan.
50+ Actually Useful Japan Travel Tips For Visiting in 2026
In my 8 years of travelling to Japan, I’ve watched it get more and more popular. And with every trip, travelling there gets easier as I learn more and more about the country. As part of running this website and my Japan Facebook group with over 900,000 people who love Japan as much as I do, I see the same travel mistakes and questions pop up every single day. To help, I wrote this guide with tons of actually useful travel tips for Japan.
Kobe Day Trip From Osaka: An Honest One-Day Itinerary
Most people will know (and visit) Kobe for the beef and the beef alone. It took me until my 3rd trip to Japan to finally visit it, and I can tell you that the beef is only a small reason to go. I’ve been to Kobe twice now, and even though the beef is delicious, the ropeway, herb garden and colonial Kitano district are the things I enjoyed most. Kobe is only 30 minutes from Osaka by JR Special Rapid Service, and it’s easy to fill a full day of sightseeing.
The Perfect One Day Osaka Itinerary (Route & Map)
Osaka should definitely be on your Japan itinerary. Located just a short train ride away from Kyoto, Japan’s second city, is famous for its welcoming character, delicious street food and amazing nightlife scene. With so much to see and do in Osaka, you could easily spend a few days exploring the city. But with so many incredible places to visit across Japan, you have to make choices when it comes to your itinerary.
Where to Stay in Hakone: Best Areas & Ryokans in 2026
Hakone is a popular onsen town not too far from Tokyo, making it a great overnight trip (one of my favourites!). You can enjoy hot springs, nature, art museums and lovely views of Mount Fuji. As it only takes around 90 minutes to get to Hakone from Tokyo, you could take a day trip, but for the best experience, you’ll want to spend at least a couple of nights here. Especially when staying at an accommodation with an onsen.