The letter

One letter a week, in your inbox.

The week in Japan: what opened, where to go this weekend, and the editor's route. No tracking, no ads, nothing else.

We keep your address, your language and the date you joined, nothing else. Every letter has a one-click unsubscribe link that deletes the record.

Japan Cheapo

25 stories

Japan CheapoGoOctober 2026: Top Events Around Japan (Bumper Edition) This month, we can finally start to feel the cooler weather, embrace autumn, and make our way to fall festivals and spooky Halloween events.

September 17

Japan CheapoGoOsaka to Tokyo: The Fastest and Cheapest Ways to Get There in 2026 In a hurry? Osaka to Tokyo in 2026: Fastest: Nozomi Shinkansen — ¥14,720 reserved, ~2 hr 21 min (book a one-way ticket on Klook) Cheapest: Overnight highway bus — from ¥2,600, save a night’s…

August 27

Japan CheapoGoWhere to See Geisha Beyond Kyoto: 5 Regional Performances Kyoto’s Gion is synonymous with geisha, but Japan’s traditional entertainers work far beyond the former capital.

August 27

Japan CheapoGoBuying Tickets to Universal Studios Japan: Types and Discounts Universal Studios Japan doesn’t do many discounts — but the decisions you make about where and when to buy, and what kind of access you want, can still save you a few yen towards that extra cauldron…

August 26

Japan CheapoGoTeam Picks: Our Favorite Events in Japan Trying to figure out when to visit Japan? From traditional festivals to seasonal showcases, there are exciting events peppered throughout the year to anchor your itinerary.

August 21

Japan CheapoGoSeptember 2026: Top Events Around Japan As the heat continues, so do the opportunities to catch festivals and other exciting events all over the country. Here’s a taste of what you can expect in September.

August 19

Japan CheapoGoThings to Do in Shirahama: Beaches, Onsen, and Sunsets If you love beaches and hot springs, or are looking for a scenic getaway, then Shirahama is somewhere to stop by on your Japan travels.

August 17

Japan CheapoGo10-Day Japan Itinerary: Walking the Nakasendō and Kumano Kodō There’s so much to see in Japan beyond the default Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka itinerary. I’ve explored and hiked all over the country, so I’ve put together a slower-paced route here — much of it on…

August 6

Japan CheapoGoBloomin’ Brilliant Fireworks Across Japan Japan loves fireworks festivals — and they have a LOT. Here are some of the most famous displays happening throughout the year.

July 23

Japan CheapoGoAugust 2026: Top Events in Japan Some of Japan’s best festivals take place in August — and lucky for us all, they’re mostly free. This is one of the busiest months for events, with countless festivals featuring traditional dances…

July 17

Japan CheapoGoKyoto Flea Markets: Where to Hunt for Antiques and Handicrafts Take a piece of local culture home with a visit to one of the city’s numerous flea markets. Browse secondhand kimono and decorative sashes, antique ceramics, handmade crafts, and seasonal treats.

July 15

Japan CheapoGoThe Nanki-Shirahama Airport Survival Guide Nanki-Shirahama Airport is Wakayama’s only airport, located in Shirahama — a resort town known for its white-sand beach, hot springs, and status as one of Japan’s most popular summer getaways.

July 14

Japan CheapoGoKyoto to Tokyo: The Fastest and Cheapest Ways to Get There in 2026 In a hurry? Kyoto to Tokyo in 2026: Fastest: Shinkansen — ¥13,320, ~2 hr 15 min (book a one-way ticket on Klook) Cheapest: Overnight highway bus — from ¥2,800, save a night’s accommodation Cheap and…

July 10

Japan CheapoGo6 Things to Do in Rinku Town — Near Kansai Airport Heading towards Kansai International Airport, or just fancy somewhere outside the hustle and bustle of Dōtonbori? Rinku Town — or, more generally, Izumisano — might be the destination for you.

June 26

Japan CheapoGo5 of Japan’s Most “Undertouristed” Prefectures Japan’s big-name destinations are busy for a reason, but they’re far from the whole story. Of the country’s 47 prefectures, some see only a fraction of the visitors that crowd into Tokyo, Kyoto and…

June 26

Japan CheapoGoGhibli Park in Nagoya — Tickets and Everything Else To Know Ghibli Park is the theme park for Studio Ghibli fans. You can step right into the different magical worlds created by Miyazaki.

June 24

Japan CheapoGoThe Kyoto Nintendo Museum: Everything You Need To Know From viral Singing Toads to an interactive tech playground with giant controllers, The Nintendo Museum in Kyoto has plenty to excite fans worldwide.

June 19

Japan CheapoGoUniversal Studios Japan: FAQs and Tips Universal Studios Japan, or USJ as it’s known, is a super-popular destination in Osaka, with thousands making the pilgrimage to visit Harry Potter’s Wizarding World along with Shrek, Snoopy, Woody…

June 19

Japan CheapoGo8 Kyoto Travel Passes That Will Save You Money Kyoto travel passes are the best way to save money when traveling around the ancient capital. But the main attractions are spread out, and not all discount passes will get you where you want to go.

June 17

Japan CheapoGoJuly 2027: Top Summer Events Around Japan Summertime is the best for festival culture in Japan — from parades to period costumes, fireworks, port festivals, and much more.

June 15

Japan CheapoGoWhere To Find the Best Lavender Fields in Japan The sweet smell of lavender brings both calm and comfort. With its vivid purple hues creating stunning scenery, it’s no surprise that seeing lavender is nearly as popular as seeing cherry blossoms or…

June 12

Japan CheapoGoThe Best Places To Buy Matcha Powder in Kyoto Drinking matcha — powdered green tea — is a long-cherished Japanese tradition, and one that’s become popular internationally. But nowhere in the world can you find as much matcha as Kyoto.

June 11

Japan CheapoGoGetting From Kansai International Airport to Osaka Flying into Kansai International Airport? Here’s a quick guide to your transport options to Osaka — train, bus and other.

June 8

Japan CheapoGoBest Fireworks Festivals in Kansai 2026 From huge Osaka river displays to Lake Biwa’s famous summer fireworks and beachside shows in Wakayama, here are the Kansai fireworks events worth adding to your calendar.

June 8