TabiCalc

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

2026-10-11T17:00:00+09:00

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

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 | TabiCalc

2026-10-11T16:00:00+09:00

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

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 | TabiCalc

2026-10-11T15:00:00+09:00

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

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 | TabiCalc

2026-10-11T14:00:00+09:00

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

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 | TabiCalc

2026-10-11T13:00:00+09:00

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

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.

Visa-free stay in Japan — how long, and the conditions on 25 of the 74 countries | TabiCalc

2026-10-11T12:00:00+09:00

Visa-free stay in Japan — how long, and the conditions on 25 of the 74 countries | TabiCalc

Being on Japan's visa-exemption list is not the whole answer. Eight countries need an ICAO ePassport or entry is refused, Uruguay's new passport is not recognized at all, and seven countries get 90 days at the border despite a six-month arrangement.

Japanese airport charges — the JPY 1,000 to JPY 3,650 already inside your ticket | TabiCalc

2026-10-11T11:00:00+09:00

Japanese airport charges — the JPY 1,000 to JPY 3,650 already inside your ticket | TabiCalc

Every Japanese airport sets its own passenger charge, and leaving from Sapporo costs three and a half times what leaving from Naha does. Compare seven airports, ten terminals, and see why the LCC terminal is half the price.

Shinkansen luggage rules — measure your suitcase before you book the seat | TabiCalc

2026-10-11T10:00:00+09:00

Shinkansen luggage rules — measure your suitcase before you book the seat | TabiCalc

Above 160 cm of length plus width plus height you must reserve a specific seat, on four lines only, or pay JPY 1,000 on board. Enter your case's three measurements and find out which of the four separate limits it runs into.

Bringing medicine into Japan — what needs permission, and what is refused outright | TabiCalc

2026-10-11T09:30:00+09:00

Bringing medicine into Japan — what needs permission, and what is refused outright | TabiCalc

Adderall cannot enter Japan at all; Vyvanse can, with a permit applied for two weeks ahead. Work out which of the four answers applies to your prescription, and which office issues the paperwork.

8% or 10%? Japan's two consumption tax rates, and the question at the till | TabiCalc

2026-10-11T09:00:00+09:00

8% or 10%? Japan's two consumption tax rates, and the question at the till | TabiCalc

The same onigiri is taxed 8% taken away and 10% eaten in — and the rate is fixed by what you say, not by the container. Work out which rate applies and what it costs you.

Japan duty-free allowance calculator — what you can bring in | TabiCalc

2026-10-11T09:00:00+09:00

Japan duty-free allowance calculator — what you can bring in | TabiCalc

Three bottles, 200 cigarettes and ¥200,000 of everything else — plus how the ¥10,000 per-item rule is counted, which only the Japanese page spells out. Check what you are carrying before you fill in the declaration.

Japan holiday and peak season checker — are your dates the busy ones? | TabiCalc

2026-10-11T09:00:00+09:00

Japan holiday and peak season checker — are your dates the busy ones? | TabiCalc

Golden Week, Obon and New Year decide what a trip costs and what is open. Check whether your dates fall in one, using the Cabinet Office's published holiday list — and find out why Obon is not a public holiday at all.

What you cannot bring into Japan — and why the ham is the serious one | TabiCalc

2026-10-11T09:00:00+09:00

What you cannot bring into Japan — and why the ham is the serious one | TabiCalc

Meat in any form, most fresh fruit, soil, and your leftover in-flight meal. The penalty is up to three years or ¥3,000,000, and the duty-free allowance has nothing to do with it.

Japan Rail Pass calculator — and why the price now depends on where you buy it | TabiCalc

2026-10-11T09:00:00+09:00

Japan Rail Pass calculator — and why the price now depends on where you buy it | TabiCalc

Since 1 October 2026 the nationwide Japan Rail Pass has cost more at overseas agencies while the official online price stays put. Work out whether the pass beats individual tickets, and which channel to use.

Japan lodging tax calculator — the charge that is not in your booking price | TabiCalc

2026-10-11T09:00:00+09:00

Japan lodging tax calculator — the charge that is not in your booking price | TabiCalc

Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka and 55 more jurisdictions tax overnight stays, or will by 2027, at different rates, on different dates — and in Hokkaido two taxes stack. Work out what you will actually be asked for at check-in.

Japan tax-free refund calculator — what changes on 1 November 2026 | TabiCalc

2026-10-11T09:00:00+09:00

Japan tax-free refund calculator — what changes on 1 November 2026 | TabiCalc

From 1 November 2026 Japan stops deducting consumption tax at the register and refunds it after customs confirms your goods are leaving. Work out what comes back, and the 90-day deadline you have to beat.

Japan trip checklist — built from your dates, not from a generic list | TabiCalc

2026-10-11T09:00:00+09:00

Japan trip checklist — built from your dates, not from a generic list | TabiCalc

What to do before you fly, in what order at the airport, and what has to happen before you check your bags on the way out. Visit Japan Web is optional; the customs counter before bag drop is not.

How much of a Japan trip is tax — and how much comes back | TabiCalc

2026-10-11T09:00:00+09:00

How much of a Japan trip is tax — and how much comes back | TabiCalc

Lodging tax, consumption tax and the ¥3,000 departure tax, added up for your actual dates, minus the tax-free refund. Only one of the three is a charge you were not already quoted.