44 articles
Staying in a Ryokan: What to Expect, from Check-in to Breakfast
What actually happens on a ryokan night in Japan: arrival, yukata, the bath, dinner, futon, breakfast and check-out,…
Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji: What to Learn First (and What You Can Skip for a Trip)
What each Japanese writing system is for, the order to learn them in, how long kana really takes,…
Japanese Festivals by Month: What’s On When You Visit
A month-by-month guide to Japanese festivals: what to aim for, which weeks to avoid, and the etiquette that…
How Long Does It Take to Learn Japanese? A Realistic Timeline for UK Beginners
A realistic Japanese learning timeline for UK adults: what you can do after a month, a year and…
“Japanese Classes Near Me” in London: How to Choose by Area, Travel Time and Format
How to choose Japanese classes near you in London: the thirty-minute rule, home versus office, when online is…
How Much Does a Trip to Japan Cost from the UK? A Realistic Breakdown
What a trip to Japan really costs from the UK: flights, accommodation, rail, food, sample ten-day budgets and…
Learning Japanese with a Native Japanese Teacher in London (Taught in English): What to Expect
What changes when your Japanese teacher is a native speaker who teaches in fluent English, and how to…
What to Pack for Japan: A UK Traveller’s Seasonal Checklist
A Japan packing list for UK travellers: plugs and voltage, medicines, season-by-season clothing, and a luggage strategy that…
Japanese Classes in London for Complete Beginners: Your First Three Months
A realistic first three months of Japanese for complete beginners in London: what to learn each month, which…
How to Enjoy a Rainy Day in Japan: Ideas for Travellers
Rain on your Japan trip? Museums, underground shopping, kissaten cafes, onsen, food halls and what to carry, plus…
Japanese Lessons in London vs Preply, italki and Superprof: An Honest Comparison
Preply, italki and Superprof versus a London Japanese school: an honest look at price, quality, structure and face-to-face…
Reading Japan: Signs, Stations and Addresses Made Simple
How to read Japanese signs and stations without speaking the language: essential station signs, common everyday signs, how…
Japanese Dining Etiquette: Table Manners Every Visitor Should Know
Japanese dining etiquette made simple: chopstick do's and don'ts, lifting your bowl, slurping noodles, drinking customs, and the…
Tattoos in Japan: What Travellers with Tattoos Need to Know
Travelling to Japan with tattoos? An honest guide to where tattoos can be an issue (onsen, pools, gyms),…
Will English Get You By in Japan? Where It Works — and Where a Little Japanese Helps
Will English get you by in Japan? An honest look at where English works, where it doesn't, and…
Visiting Shrines and Temples in Japan: Etiquette and What to Expect
How to visit a shrine or temple in Japan: the difference between them, step-by-step etiquette, purification, omamori and…
Staying Connected in Japan: SIM Cards, eSIMs and Pocket Wi-Fi
SIM card, eSIM, or pocket Wi-Fi in Japan? A clear guide to mobile data options for UK travellers…
Eating Vegetarian and Vegan in Japan: A Practical Guide
A practical guide to eating vegetarian and vegan in Japan: the hidden dashi problem, naturally plant-friendly foods, where…
Cultural Etiquette in Japan: Everyday Rules UK Visitors Often Miss
A practical guide to cultural etiquette in Japan: shoes off indoors, bowing, quiet trains, queuing, chopstick manners, onsen…
Best Time to Visit Japan: A Season-by-Season Guide for UK Travellers
When is the best time to visit Japan? A season-by-season guide to cherry blossoms, summer festivals, autumn leaves,…
How to Order Food in Japan: Restaurants, Ticket Machines and Izakaya
How to order food in Japan with confidence: ticket machines, picture menus, conveyor-belt sushi, izakaya, paying the bill,…
Japanese Toilets Explained: Washlets, Public Toilets and Etiquette
Japanese toilets explained for first-time visitors: how to use a washlet, what the buttons mean, squat-toilet basics, where…
A Traveller’s Guide to Japan’s Recycling and Rubbish Rules
Why are bins so rare in Japan? A simple guide to sorting rubbish, where to throw it away,…
Getting Around Japan: A First-Timer’s Guide to Trains, IC Cards and City Transport
How to use trains in Japan without the stress: IC cards, the Shinkansen, city transport, rail passes, apps,…
10 Things That Surprise First-Time Visitors to Japan
From quiet trains to vending machines everywhere — 10 everyday things that surprise first-time visitors to Japan, with…
Essential Japanese Phrases for Your Japan Trip — and When You Actually Need Them
By Iroha Passport — Japanese lessons & Japan travel planning, London This article contains affiliate links. We may…
Is a Japan Trip Itinerary Service Worth It? (vs Planning It Yourself)
By Iroha Passport — Japanese lessons & Japan travel planning, London You’ve booked the flights, or you’re about…
Should You Learn Japanese Before Travelling to Japan? (From native Japanese speakers based in the UK)
By Iroha Passport — Japanese lessons & Japan travel planning, London Almost every week someone asks us some…
How Many Days Do You Need in Japan? (+ Suggested Routes)
By Iroha Passport — Japanese lessons & Japan travel planning, London It’s the first question almost everyone asks…
Learning Japanese Online from the UK: Is It Worth It vs In-Person?
By Iroha Passport — Japanese lessons & Japan travel planning, London If you have ever finished a Duolingo…
First-Time Japan Trip: What to Know Before You Go (+ Checklist)
By Iroha Passport — Japanese lessons & Japan travel planning, London If you are planning your first time…
How to Plan a Trip to Japan from the UK: A Step-by-Step Guide
By Iroha Passport — Japanese lessons & Japan travel planning, London Planning a trip to Japan from the…
JLPT Preparation in London: How to Pass N5–N1
By Iroha Passport — Japanese lessons & Japan travel planning, London If you are looking for JLPT preparation…
Private Japanese Tutor in London: What to Expect & How Much It Costs
By Iroha Passport — Japanese lessons & Japan travel planning, London If you have already decided that group…
How to Choose Japanese Lessons in London: Group vs Private vs Online
By Iroha Passport — Japanese lessons & Japan travel planning, London So you’ve decided to learn Japanese. That’s…
Why Japan’s Vending Machines Surprise So Many Visitors
Discover why Japan has so many vending machines, what you can buy, and useful Japanese words and phrases…
Cash, Cards and IC Cards: How Payments Work in Japan
Learn how payments work in Japan, including cash, credit cards, IC cards, and contactless payment options for travellers.
A Beginner’s Guide to Japanese Supermarkets
Discover what makes Japanese supermarkets special, from bento and discount stickers to useful Japanese words and phrases for…
Visiting an Onsen in Japan: What First-Time Visitors Should Know
Nervous about visiting an onsen in Japan? Learn the basics of onsen etiquette, tattoos, and what to expect…
What Japanese Hotels Are Really Like: A Guide for Visitors
Discover what Japanese hotels are really like, from check-in procedures to hotel etiquette and useful travel tips.
Japanese Drugstores Explained: What Travellers Should Know
Discover what makes Japanese drugstores so popular with travellers — from skincare and snacks to useful travel essentials.
Japanese Cafés Explained: What to Expect and How to Order
Discover Japanese café culture and learn how to order coffee, understand menus, and enjoy cafés in Japan with…
Japanese Convenience Stores Explained: What You Can Do There
Discover what makes Japanese convenience stores unique and learn what you can buy, how to pay, and how…
Arriving in Japan: From Airport to Hotel
Arriving in Japan for the first time? Learn what to do step by step — from airport procedures…