The TravelClassroom

I often receive inquiries from netizens about Japan’s highway tolls, with the most common question being whether using passes like HEP, KEP, or SEP for their itinerary is cost-effective. To determine if an ETC Pass is worth it, you simply need to calculate the regular toll fees for your planned route and compare them with the pass price. Here, I’ll introduce 5 methods to check Japan’s highway tolls, explain how to estimate toll fees, and also cover Japan’s highway payment methods.   Japan’s highways are primarily operated and managed by three companies: NEXCO East Japan, NEXCO Central Japan, and NEXCO

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World are the two most popular areas in Universal Studios Japan. To manage crowd levels, USJ has implemented entry restrictions for these areas, requiring visitors to have a USJ Timed Entry Ticket (Entry Confirmation Ticket) to enter. There are several ways to obtain these tickets, and the most convenient and free method is to use the Universal Studios Japan App to secure a Timed Entry Ticket. This article will introduce the various methods to obtain entry tickets for “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” and “Super Nintendo World,” as well as

The Kyushu Expressway Pass (KEP) is a highway pass introduced by the Kyushu branch of West Nippon Expressway Company Limited (NEXCO West Japan). Following the Hokkaido Expressway Pass (HEP) by NEXCO East Japan and the Central Nippon Expressway Pass (CEP) by NEXCO Central Japan, KEP is the third highway pass launched by Japan’s expressway companies. Foreign visitors renting a car in Kyushu can purchase KEP at designated rental car branches, allowing unlimited use of Kyushu’s expressways at a fixed, discounted rate.   In essence, KEP shares the same features, purchase conditions, and usage rules as other expressway passes offered by

“Visit Japan Web” (abbreviated as VJW) is an electronic system for arrival declaration and customs declaration launched by the Japanese government in 2022. Before arriving in Japan, travelers can use this system in advance to fill out and submit arrival and customs declarations for themselves and their accompanying family members, generating a Japan Arrival QR Code. This eliminates the need to spend time filling out forms upon arrival. Additionally, it can serve as proof of tax exemption when shopping in Japan, replacing the need to present a passport.   This article is a Visit Japan Web guide, providing detailed and

Currently, 17 prefectures, cities, towns, and villages in Japan levy an accommodation tax (called “宿泊税” in Japanese) on guests staying at hotels and inns, including popular tourist destinations like Tokyo, Hokkaido, Osaka Prefecture, Kyoto City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Fukuoka Prefecture, Nagasaki City, and Kanazawa City.   Additionally, five more locations have received approval and will begin levying a hotel accommodation tax within the fiscal year 2026, including other popular spots such as Nagano Prefecture, Okinawa Prefecture, and Kumamoto City.   Beyond this, more and more local governments are beginning to study the introduction of an accommodation tax, and it is believed

NEMURO HANAMARU conveyor belt sushi from Nemuro, Hokkaido is one of Japan’s most popular budget-friendly sushi chains among tourists. Having tried it twice before in Sapporo, I was impressed by the freshness of their seafood, especially the shellfish. Outside Hokkaido, “Nemuro Hanamaru” only has branches in Tokyo, including one at Ginza Tokyu Plaza. During my recent Tokyo trip while staying in Ginza, I decided to visit the Ginza branch for dinner. Here’s a comprehensive guide to Nemuro Hanamaru conveyor belt sushi locations in Tokyo and Sapporo, along with tips for reservations and saving time in queues.   Most branches of “Nemuro