Category Archives: Japan

Japan Rail Pass Guide: How to reserve Shinkansen seats with oversized baggage space on a ticket machine

In this guide, we’ll go through the process of reserving seats with oversized baggage space on a ticket machine. Such reservations are now mandatory for Shinkansen services covered by the new rules on large luggage that took effect in 2020. The information presented here is meant to be used in conjunction with my detailed step-by-stepContinue reading “Japan Rail Pass Guide: How to reserve Shinkansen seats with oversized baggage space on a ticket machine”

Oversized baggage on the Tōkaidō, San’yō, and Kyūshū Shinkansen: A summary of the current rules

In this post, we’ll go over the regulations around oversized luggage that were introduced in 2020 for some of Japan’s Shinkansen lines. The key element of these new rules: seat reservations are now required to use the extra space at the back of each train car.

Flight Report: NRT-MNL on Japan Airlines Flight JL 745 (07 December 2022)

Having just enjoyed a fantastic month-long holiday in newly reopened, post-coronapanic Japan, I now had to face the reality of a homeward journey into the world of same-old, same-old. Then again, given that I’d booked a flight on the Japanese flag carrier, there was the small consolation that the high standards of service I’d experiencedContinue reading “Flight Report: NRT-MNL on Japan Airlines Flight JL 745 (07 December 2022)”

Terminal Report: My First Post-Coronapanic Look at Narita International Airport (NRT) T2, Japan

I’ve used Terminal 2 (T2) at Narita International Airport (NRT) a number of times in the past, but my November and December 2022 flights into and out of this major transport hub were the first since the pandemic began more than two years ago. Let’s see how much things have changed since the last timeContinue reading “Terminal Report: My First Post-Coronapanic Look at Narita International Airport (NRT) T2, Japan”

Flight Report: MNL-NRT on Japan Airlines Flight JL 746 (08 November 2022)

When Japan announced a significant relaxation of its pandemic-era border controls – effective early October 2022 – I swiftly discarded my plans for a European holiday and arranged a one-month adventure in my favourite destination country. Needless to say, that also involved choosing an airline to take me there and back again… …and what betterContinue reading “Flight Report: MNL-NRT on Japan Airlines Flight JL 746 (08 November 2022)”

Field Report: An Autumn Walk in Kamikōchi, Nagano Prefecture, Japan (02 October 2019)

I’m not much of an outdoorsman, but I do enjoy the occasional side trip into Japan’s rugged and beautiful highlands. One particularly rewarding detour that requires little time or hiking experience involves tackling the easy riverside trails of Kamikōchi (上高地): a remote mountain valley located less than two hours from downtown Matsumoto.

Transportation Report: Travelling from Matsumoto to Kamikōchi and back

The scenic highland valley of Kamikōchi (上高地) lies deep within the Northern Japanese Alps, in a remote corner of Nagano Prefecture. Yet despite its relative isolation, visitors from elsewhere in Japan (as well as from overseas) are able to travel there with relative ease. Today, we’ll go over how I visited Kamikōchi from the oldContinue reading “Transportation Report: Travelling from Matsumoto to Kamikōchi and back”

Field Report: Walking Around the Murodō Plateau, Toyama Prefecture, Japan (01 October 2019)

The highest stop on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is a gateway to some of the Hida Mountains’ incredible natural beauty. Here, at 2,450 metres above sea level, even inexperienced walkers can enjoy a day in the great outdoors and surround themselves with fantastic views of the Japanese Alps. Welcome to Murodō (室堂).