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Corrections are the most useful thing you can send us. If a rate on this site is out of date, or a rule has changed, tell us which page and — if you have it — where the authority says so. Every page carries the date we last read its sources, so a correction with a source link can be checked in minutes.

We cannot give advice on an individual case. Whether a particular shop can process your refund, or whether a particular medicine may be brought into Japan, has to come from the authority or the business concerned.

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Recent posts

Onsen rules — the government's own bathing standard, and what it says about tattoos

Washing before you get in is in the Environment Ministry's standard, not folklore. Pregnancy came off the posted contraindication list in 2014. And the tourism agency told the industry in writing that refusing someone solely for a tattoo is not appropriate.

Daylight hours in Japan — sunset is earlier than you think, and not on the day you think

Sunset in Kyoto on 1 December is 16:45 — already the earliest of the year, and it stays there until 10 December. The shortest days come around the solstice, and the latest sunrise not until the New Year. Published observatory tables for eight cities.

Cherry blossom and autumn leaves — the published normals, and the fortnight of spread nobody quotes

Where your dates sit against the meteorological agency's own normals for first bloom, full bloom, maple and ginkgo, plus what actually happened in each of the last six years. No forecast, on purpose.

Japanese emergency alerts — the names changed in May 2026, and the three most serious never say special warning

Weather warnings now carry their alert level in the name, and a new Level 4 Danger Warning tier exists. Tsunami, eruption and earthquake special warnings keep their ordinary names, so watching for the words will not help.

Sending luggage in Japan — what it costs, and the size rule that decides the price

The class is the larger of the size class and the weight class, so a compact heavy bag is priced as a big one. Full published fares for every zone pair, plus the two sports items accepted above the 200 cm limit.