Japan's New Year 2026–27 closures are concentrated in Mon 28 Dec–Mon 4 Jan: banks shut Thu 31 Dec–Sun 3 Jan, national government offices 29 Dec–3 Jan, imperial palaces 28 Dec–4 Jan, Tokyo National Museum 26–31 Dec. Every date checked on the official page on 2026-10-14.
Shichi-Go-San 2026 falls on Sunday 15 November: families take children aged 3, 5 and 7 to shrines across Japan in kimono. Visitors may watch respectfully; at Meiji Jingu family photos are allowed with restrictions (not in front of the main shrine or during the prayer rite, no hired photographers), and prayers need no reservation (from ¥5,000, cash only).
Yakudoshi ages: men 25, 42, 61; women 19, 33, 37 — counted in kazoe-doshi.
Friends give ¥30,000 in new bills in a white knotted envelope; never wear white.
Nara's autumn leaves are forecast to peak from mid to late November 2026: Tanzan Shrine from about Nov 19, Hasedera Nov 21, Nara Park and Shoryakuji Nov 23, Murouji Nov 28 (Weathernews). Murouji's nine light-up nights, prices and access, checked on official sites on October 2, 2026.
Kawaguchiko's lakeside maples are forecast to peak from about 17 November 2026 (Weathernews), and the Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival light-up runs 7–29 November until 21:00. Spot-by-spot forecasts for the Momiji Corridor, Oishi Park, Lake Saiko, Lake Yamanaka and Koyodai, plus bus and Fuji Excursion times and fares, checked 2 October 2026.
Of the 7 private baths on this page, the cheapest is Sayanoyudokoro at ¥2,100 an hour (plus admission); couples can book Ariake's 90-minute private bath from ¥6,000, and Hakone Yuryo is the one place here that states it has no tattoo restriction (from ¥10,400 per room for 2 hours). Prices, slots, booking and tattoo rules for 7 facilities, checked on official pages on 24 September 2026.
We checked the official sites of nine Kyoto onsen and day-use baths on 2026-09-24. Kurama Onsen accepts tattoos; Ohara no Sato asks you to cover them with a towel. Fufu no Yu, Tenzan no Yu, Hana no Yu and HOTEL KUU KYOTO refuse them. Hours, prices and access in one table.
Hakone's autumn leaves usually peak in November, moving downhill from Lake Ashi (early Nov) to Gora (mid–late Nov) and Yumoto (into Dec). Weathernews's 2026 forecast (3 Sep): Gora Park from about 16 Nov, Lake Ashi from about 17 Nov. Spot-by-spot timing, official prices and the Hakone Museum of Art's staged reopening, checked 23 Sep 2026.
Osaka's autumn leaves are forecast to peak from late November into early December 2026, with the main spots at their best from about Nov 20–24. Spots, prices, access and the Minoo Falls path reopening, checked October 2, 2026.
Hokkaido's 2026 autumn leaves peak on Daisetsuzan from mid-September, in Jozankei around October 17 and in central Sapporo around November 4, 7 days later than normal. Forecast dates for 16 spots plus fares and car restrictions, forecasts as of 2026-10-02.
Take cover and stay inside until the shaking stops, then head for high ground if you're near the coast. 110 police, 119 fire and ambulance, JNTO's 24/7 hotline 050-3816-2787, where to evacuate, and two things to set up before your trip.
Matsuri (matsuri.group) bundles guided tours, free meetups, a Japan-made shop, a shrine game and a free offline emergency page. We opened each tab on 30 Sep 2026: what works, what doesn't yet, with screenshots.
The Kyoto samurai experiences we checked cost ¥3,300–¥20,000 per person on their standard shared plans (private sessions are priced separately) and mean an iaitō kata lesson, kenbu, armour or a costume makeover — not live-blade cutting, which a December 2024 National Police Agency notice says tourists may not, in principle, do. Verified on the operators' own sites, 2026-09-23.
Tattoo-friendly onsen in Ito, per each facility's own site (2026-09-23): K's House allows tattoos, Laforet allows 2 cover stickers, 5 decline. Phrase card.
Komuroyama Ridge Walk MISORA, Ito: lift 1,000 yen round trip (children 100 yen), 9:30–16:00, free parking, dogs in carriers. Plus a Mt. Omuro comparison.
Tokaikan, Ito: 300 yen, 9:00–21:00, closed 3rd Tuesday. Hot-spring bath on weekends and holidays (500 yen). 7 min from Ito Station. Spirited Away myth checked.
Lake Ippeki, Ito: a crater lake 36 min by bus from Ito Station. Part of the lakeside path is closed since Oct 2025, so no full loop. Boats, parking, seasons.
Izu Shaboten Zoo: adults 2,800 yen weekdays / 3,000 yen weekends, usually 9:30–17:00. Tokai Bus from Ito Station ~49 min. Discounts, dogs, capybaras.
Atami or Ito? Atami is 36-45 min from Tokyo by Shinkansen (3,740 yen); Ito is 1 h 41-45 min by Odoriko (4,000 yen). Sights, stays, and doing both.
Tokyo to Ito: direct Odoriko 1 h 41-45 min, 4,000 yen; Shinkansen + Ito Line via Atami 4,090 yen; local trains 2,420 yen. JR Pass, Suica, luggage.
A sushi-making class in Kyoto costs ¥5,000–¥13,500 per person for 60 minutes to 3 hours, all in English — the five verified options compared on what you make, group size, booking window and cancellation.
In Osaka you can watch sumo almost any week — but the year-round options are entertainment shows, not professional sumo. Prices, times, English support and booking links, verified as of 2026-09-23.
Where to actually taste sake in Tokyo — the English-guided brewery tour in Fussa (¥3,000), Sawanoi's ¥700 tour in Ome, and the free tasting counter in Nishi-Shinbashi. Honest prices, times and how to book.
