Culture

What actually happens on a ryokan night in Japan: arrival, yukata, the bath, dinner, futon, breakfast and check-out, plus how to choose an inn.

A month-by-month guide to Japanese festivals: what to aim for, which weeks to avoid, and the etiquette that makes a matsuri easier to enjoy.

Travelling to Japan with tattoos? An honest guide to where tattoos can be an issue (onsen, pools, gyms), where they’re fine, and simple solutions like cover patches and tattoo-friendly baths.

How to visit a shrine or temple in Japan: the difference between them, step-by-step etiquette, purification, omamori and omikuji, photography rules, and the words to know.

A practical guide to cultural etiquette in Japan: shoes off indoors, bowing, quiet trains, queuing, chopstick manners, onsen etiquette, gifts, and tipping — the everyday rules UK visitors miss.

Japanese toilets explained for first-time visitors: how to use a washlet, what the buttons mean, squat-toilet basics, where to find clean public toilets, and the etiquette to know.

Why are bins so rare in Japan? A simple guide to sorting rubbish, where to throw it away, and the etiquette UK travellers should know.

Discover why Japan has so many vending machines, what you can buy, and useful Japanese words and phrases for using them during your trip.

Nervous about visiting an onsen in Japan? Learn the basics of onsen etiquette, tattoos, and what to expect before your first visit.

Discover what Japanese hotels are really like, from check-in procedures to hotel etiquette and useful travel tips.