Japan
When Your Japan Domestic Flight Is Cancelled: Why We Keep an Award Ticket in Reserve
Award tickets on United and Atmos cancel for free, so a backup seat costs nothing if unused. How we used it twice, and where the ethical line sits.
Transport
Getting there and around: airport access, shinkansen and local transit tips tied to where you're staying.
Japan
ANA and JAL Shareholder Discount Tickets: How to Buy One Without Being a Shareholder
Ticket shops sell airline shareholder vouchers for cash, no ID needed. Plus the May 2026 ANA change that makes two-year-olds pay while JAL flies them free.
Japan
Osutaka Ridge, JAL 123, and the One Thing It Asks of Passengers
What Japan's worst air accident changed, from the 2005 Safety Advisory Group to 379 people evacuating a burning A350 in 18 minutes. And what it asks of you.
Roppongi
Roppongi Station Exits Guide: Hibiya Line, Oedo Line & Nearest Hotels
Roppongi station exits guide: which Hibiya/Oedo exit reaches Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi Hills or the National Art Center fastest, plus nearest hotels.
Utsunomiya
Utsunomiya LRT Light Rail Guide: Route, Fares & How to Ride
Utsunomiya LRT light rail guide: route, fares from ¥150, IC card tips, hours, and the stops worth riding to as a visitor.
Kiroro
How to Get to Kiroro from New Chitose Airport & Sapporo (2026–27 Season)
How to get to Kiroro from New Chitose Airport: ski bus, Club Med shuttle, private transfer or rental car. Booking tips and winter driving advice.
Kagoshima
How to Get to Yakushima: Toppy Ferry vs Flights (Fog Plan B)
Fly JAC or take the Toppy jetfoil from Kagoshima — but always have the high-speed ferry as Plan B. Fog cancels flights often; here's exactly what to do.
Beppu
How to Get to Beppu: Oita Airport Bus vs Fukuoka by Train
Fly into Oita and take the 50-min airport bus (¥1,600), or ride the Sonic limited express from Fukuoka Hakata (~2 h). Honest tradeoffs for every travel style.
Kanazawa
How to Get to Kanazawa from Tokyo and Osaka: Shinkansen, Komatsu Airport, Routing
How to get to Kanazawa from Tokyo and Osaka: Kagayaki Shinkansen (~2h 25min), Thunderbird via Tsuruga, or Haneda–Komatsu flight plus loop routing tips.
Nagasaki
How to Get to Nagasaki: Shinkansen and Airport, Explained
How to get to Nagasaki: Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen relay (~1h32m from Hakata) or airport bus (~55 min). Tram guide and hotels by arrival mode.
Kagawa
Getting Around Takamatsu and to Naoshima: Bus, Car & Ferry Guide
Getting around Takamatsu and to Naoshima: verified airport bus times/fares, honest rental-car caveats, and the Takamatsu Port ferry schedule.
Hakodate
How to Get to Hakodate from Tokyo: Plane vs Shinkansen
How to get to Hakodate from Tokyo: compare flight time vs Shinkansen plus the Hakodate Liner transfer, costs, and where to sleep on arrival.