Is Drinking in Public Illegal in Japan? The Real Rule
Drinking outside is not automatically illegal in Japan, but that does not make every street, station or convenience-store entrance a good place for a beer. Here is the practical difference between law, local rules and considerate travel.
Kyoto's Autumn Foliage Is Later Than You Think in 2026
The 2026 forecast puts Kyoto's peak red maples in mid-December. Here's what that means for anyone planning an autumn trip around Kansai this year.
Kyoto Now: KYOMAF 2026 Takes Over Okazaki
KYOMAF returns September 19–20, 2026 with manga, anime and game exhibitors, stage programmes, Kyoto collaborations, cosplay and a linked music event across three venues.
Events in Kansai: 18–23 September 2026
Kishiwada Danjiri in Osaka, the Kyoto Manga Anime Fair and Seimei Festival, plus Kobe's week-long Hokkaido Fest shape 18 to 23 September in Kansai.
The Minpaku Squeeze: What Kyoto Bookings Will Feel Like in 2027
Tokyo wards are moving to restrict short-term rentals. Here's what the shift means for planning a Kyoto trip in 2027, and how to book without getting caught out.
Events in Kansai: 14–20 September 2026
12 events in Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe, 14–20 September 2026. Dates, venues and a link to every listing.
Why Kyoto in Early October Isn't the Autumn You Pictured
Early October in Kyoto isn't peak foliage — and the routes are quieter than travelers expect. Here's what the month actually delivers, and how to plan for it.
Silver Week in Kyoto: What Actually Changes When Tokyo Empties Out
Silver Week 2026 falls September 19–23. Here's what actually shifts in Kyoto when the domestic holiday hits, and how to read the city that week.
Kyoto Now: Sento Kuyo’s Thousand Lights Return to Adashino
Adashino Nenbutsu-ji’s Sento Kuyo memorial service returns August 29–30, 2026. Here is what the candlelit evening means, when to go and how to visit respectfully.
Tsuwano: Shimane’s ‘Little Kyoto’ at Walking Pace
Tsuwano’s canals, samurai-era streets, mountain shrine and steam-train connection make it a rewarding rural detour in Shimane—if you give this compact town more than a rushed hour.
Are Phone Calls Banned on Japanese Trains? The Real Rule
Japan does not ban all conversation on trains. Here is the practical difference between quiet speech, phone calls, Shinkansen corridors and the everyday habits that keep shared transport comfortable.
Kyoto Now: Mirabon’s Future Festival Takes Over Okazaki
Mirabon!! brings student performances, future-work booths, food, a lantern-writing record attempt and a modern bon-dance finale to Kyoto’s Okazaki district on August 21–22, 2026.