From the book Go Well: A Summer Field Guide for Graduates and College Students · Updated October 2026
Festival dates, rail decisions, and the Japan checklist.
Getting around: the rail decision
You have three main options. Chapter Five covers each in detail.
- Individual bullet-train tickets. Tokyo to Kyoto by Nozomi takes about 2 hours 15 minutes and costs about ¥13,970 (about $88) reserved, or about ¥12,430 (about $79) if booked 21 days ahead through JR’s smartEX service (Honto Japan).
- The nationwide Japan Rail Pass. A 7-day pass costs ¥50,000 (about $316) through JR’s official online service, or ¥53,000 (about $335) through overseas agencies (JR Central). It’s worth it mostly for long, fast trips packed into one week.
- Regional passes. Passes such as the Hakone Free Pass, about ¥7,100 (about $45) for two days from Shinjuku (The Navigatio), cover a single area.
The quick rule: add up your individual bullet-train fares. If they’re more than the pass price for the days you’d use it, buy the pass. If not, buy tickets.
Luggage tips that change everything:
- Under 160 cm total (height + length + width): most suitcases fit, and you can bring them on the bullet train without a reservation (JR Central). Larger bags need an oversized-baggage seat reservation.
- Forward your bag. Japan’s luggage-forwarding service, takkyubin, sends your suitcase from one hotel to the next overnight for roughly ¥2,000–2,600 (about $13–16) a bag (Time to Japan). Travel between cities with only a day bag.
Summer festivals worth planning around
Dates below follow each festival’s usual pattern. Confirm the official dates for your year before you book.
| Festival | Where | When | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gion Matsuri | Kyoto | All of July; evening street festivals on July 14–16 and 21–23, and the grand float processions on July 17 and 24 (Odynovo, Hey Japan) | One of Japan’s most famous festivals; the evening street parties are the best part for travelers |
| Tenjin Matsuri | Osaka | July 24–25 (Osaka Info) | River processions and a fireworks display about an hour and a half long (Japan National Tourism Organization) |
| Sumida River Fireworks | Tokyo | The last Saturday in July; expected July 31, 2027, but not yet confirmed (Wikipedia, Roam Tokyo) | Tokyo’s oldest and most famous fireworks |
| Awa Odori | Tokushima | August, peaking in mid-August (Tokushima Prefecture) | Over a million people turn out to watch or join the dancing (Japan National Tourism Organization) |
Festival tips: book your room months ahead for festival nights, arrive early for a good spot, carry water and cash, and plan your train home before the crowds leave all at once.
Etiquette that matters
Most Japanese etiquette comes down to one idea: don’t make your presence someone else’s problem (Travel Japan Together).
- On trains: no phone calls, keep your voice low, and keep your bag off the seats.
- No tipping. It can be seen as rude (Go Well, Chapter Two).
- Shoes off where you see a step up or a row of slippers, including some restaurants, temples, and ryokan.
- Trash: public bins are rare. Carry a small bag for your trash and throw it away at your hotel or a konbini.
- In Kyoto’s Gion district: never photograph a geiko or maiko without clear permission, and never block their path (Kyoto Spirit). Since 2024, a short stretch of private lanes in Gion has been closed to tourists. The main streets stay open to everyone (Luxury Japan Travel).
Checklist: Japan Ready
- ☐ My passport is valid for my whole stay, and I’ve completed Visit Japan Web (Go Well, Chapter Three).
- ☐ I’ve confirmed every medication is legal in Japan.
- ☐ I’ve done the rail math: individual tickets vs. Japan Rail Pass vs. regional passes.
- ☐ I have a Suica or ICOCA card, or one in my phone.
- ☐ My suitcase is under 160 cm total, or I’ve planned luggage forwarding.
- ☐ I’ve checked rainy-season and festival dates for my travel window.
- ☐ I have a heat plan: early starts, midday breaks, water, and a hat.
- ☐ I’m carrying some yen in cash.
- ☐ I’ve booked festival-night rooms early.
Prices and rules change. Everything on this page was checked in October 2026. Always confirm with the official source before you book.
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