Alex Rivera

Travel & Living Editor

6 years in Japan

Expat guide. Helps people actually move to and navigate Japan.

Moved from London to Tokyo in 2018. Went through the full gaijin experience—visa, housing, banking, the works. Now writes the guide he wished he had.

Alex Rivera

Articles by Alex Rivera

Japan in December 2026: Illuminations, Weather, New Year Crowds, and Tips

Japan in November 2026: Peak Foliage, Weather, Crowds, and What to Book

Nikko Autumn Foliage 2026: Peak Timing, Itinerary, and Crowds

Best Winter Onsen Near Tokyo 2026: Day Trips and Overnight Picks

Arashiyama Guide: Bamboo Grove, Temples, and Crowds (2026)

Best Day Trips from Kyoto: Nara, Osaka, Uji, and More

Fushimi Inari Guide: Torii Gates Without the Midday Crush

Mt. Fuji Day Trip from Tokyo: Kawaguchiko vs Hakone (2026)

What to Do in Kyoto: 18 Things Worth Your Time

Japan Autumn Foliage Forecast 2026: Peak Maple & Ginkgo Dates

Japan in October 2026: Weather, Foliage Start, Typhoons, and What to Do

Jigokudani Snow Monkeys Day Trip from Tokyo (2026 Guide)

Niseko Guide 2026: Powder, Summer Hiking, and Getting There from CTS

Amerika-Mura and Namba Guide 2026: Where Osaka's Night Starts

Kyoto Silver Week 2026 Crowds: Temples, Hotels, and Whether to Go

Samurai in Japan: History, Myths, and Where to Experience It (2026)

Tokyo Mosques and Prayer Rooms 2026: Camii, Okachimachi, Airports

Karuizawa Silver Week 2026: Crowds, Hotels, and What to Actually Do

Osaka Night Views 2026: Umeda Sky and Rooftop Bars

Bringing Medicine to Japan: What’s Allowed, What’s Not (MHLW Rules)

Enoshima Day Trip from Tokyo: Sea Candle, Caves, Shrine, Shirasu

Halal Japan Guide 2026: Food, Prayer Rooms, and Muslim-Friendly Travel

Hokkaido Travel Guide: Sapporo, Furano, Niseko, Hakodate (2026)

How to Buy Shinkansen Tickets in Japan (2026)

Earthquakes and Typhoons in Japan: What Tourists Should Do

Japan Travel Apps 2026: Must-Haves for Tourists (Maps, Suica, JR)

Kawagoe Day Trip from Tokyo: Little Edo Streets and Sweet Potato Snacks

Kyoto Itinerary: 3 Days Done Right (East, Arashiyama, North)

Mt Takao Day Trip from Tokyo: Trails, Cable Car, and Costs (2026)

Okinawa Travel Guide: Naha, Beaches, Churaumi, Food (2026)

Osaka Itinerary: 2 Days of Castle, Food, and Neighborhoods

Ryokan Stay Guide: What to Expect in a Japanese Inn (2026)

Takayama and Shirakawa-go Guide: Old Town, Hida Beef, Gassho Houses

Temple and Shrine Etiquette in Japan: Torii, Temizu, Bowing, Photos

Vegetarian and Vegan Japan 2026: Honest Survival Guide

Japan Eki Stamps: The Free Railway Hobby That Beats Another Keychain

Golden Week Japan 2027 Dates (Official Calendar + 2026)

Japan Power Adapter and Voltage Guide: Type A, 100V, 50Hz vs 60Hz

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Japan? Yes — What JNTO and Utilities Actually Say

Tokyo Coin Lockers and Luggage Storage: Station Lockers, Multi-Ecube, ecbo cloak

Is Airbnb Legal in Japan? The Minpaku Law Explained

Best eSIM for Japan Long-Term Stays: Digital Nomads and Working Holiday (2026)

Capsule Hotels in Japan: What It's Actually Like, and How to Book One

Cheap Flights to Japan: Budget Airlines and When to Book (2026)

Docomo vs SoftBank vs au eSIM: Which Japan Network Has the Best Coverage?

eSIM vs Pocket WiFi Japan 2026: Which to Buy

How to Set Up Your Japan eSIM: Step-by-Step Before You Fly

Japan's Accommodation Tax 2026: What You'll Pay in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka

Cash or Card in Japan? What Actually Works Where (2026)

Japan eSIM Not Working? 7 Fixes for the Most Common Activation Problems

The Japan Rail Pass Is Going Digital: How the QR/IC Version Works

Is the JR Pass Worth It in 2026? Prices Rise Oct 1

Visit Japan Web: How to Fill It Out Before You Land (2026 Guide)

Climbing Mount Fuji in 2026: The New ¥4,000 Fee, Reservations, and Daily Caps

Japan's Departure Tax Just Tripled: What the New ¥3,000 'Sayonara Tax' Means for Your Trip

Japan's 2026 Tourist Fines: Where You Can Actually Get Fined Now

Japan Tourist Scams in 2026: The Drink-Spiking Warning for Kabukicho, Roppongi, Shibuya, and Ikebukuro

Japan's Tax-Free Shopping Is Changing in November 2026: What to Know Before You Go

Onsen Tattoo Policy in Japan: Where You Can Actually Still Go

15 Best Breakfast Spots in Tokyo: From ¥500 Convenience Store to ¥5,000 Hotel Buffets

11 Best Day Trips from Osaka: Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and Hidden Gems in 2026

Japanese Festivals Calendar 2026: Matsuri, Hanabi, and Seasonal Celebrations

Kobe Lifestyle Guide: Neighborhoods, Transport, Food, and Daily Life (2026)

Living in Japan: The Complete Guide for Foreigners (2026)

Osaka Lifestyle Guide: Rent, Neighborhoods, Transport, and Daily Costs (2026)

15 Best Gardens and Parks in Tokyo: Traditional Japanese Gardens to Modern Green Spaces

12 Best Bookstores in Tokyo: From Tsutaya to Independent Gems

Japanese Tea Ceremony Guide: History, Etiquette, Where to Experience in Tokyo and Kyoto

15 Best Record Shops in Tokyo: Vinyl, CDs, and Japan's Music Obsession

12 Best Tempura Restaurants in Tokyo: From ¥1,200 Tendon to ¥20,000 Omakase

10 Best Yakitori Restaurants in Tokyo: From ¥2,000 Izakaya to ¥18,000 Omakase

Tokyo Disneyland vs. DisneySea: Which One to Visit (2026)

Best Onsen Day Trips from Tokyo: No Overnight Stay Required

Autumn Japan 2026: Fall Foliage Peak Dates

Best Ramen in Tokyo 2026 (Local Favorites by Style)

Japanese Work Culture: What Expats Need to Know in 2026

Best Kyoto Rooftop Bars 2026 (Gion and Kamo Views)

Summer in Japan 2026: When It Is, Heat, and What to Do