How We Research

We believe travelers deserve information they can trust. Here is an in-depth look at exactly how we research, verify, and maintain every guide on go2-japan.com.

Our Primary Sources

We rely on a combination of official sources and firsthand experience to ensure the information on our site is accurate and up to date.

Official Government and Tourism Sources

  • Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO): Japan's official tourism body is our primary reference for tourism statistics, regional highlights, and official travel advisories. We cross-reference JNTO data with our own experience.
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA): All visa information, entry requirements, and immigration policies are sourced directly from MOFA official publications and verified against actual traveler experiences.
  • Prefectural and Municipal Tourism Boards: Each of Japan's 47 prefectures maintains a tourism office. We consult these for regional-specific information on attractions, events, and seasonal highlights.
  • Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA): Weather data, cherry blossom forecasts, and typhoon information come from official JMA reports.

Transportation Sources

  • JR Group companies: Schedules, fares, and Japan Rail Pass information are verified against official JR East, JR West, JR Central, and other JR company websites.
  • Hyperdia and official timetables: Train schedules and route planning data are verified using official timetable sources.
  • Airlines and ferry operators: Domestic flight and ferry information comes directly from carrier websites.

Trusted Reference Sites

  • japan-guide.com: One of the longest-running and most respected Japan travel resources, used as a reference for historical context and comprehensive destination coverage.
  • Academic and cultural institutions: For cultural and historical content, we reference museums, UNESCO World Heritage documentation, and academic publications.

On-the-Ground Verification

Research from official sources is essential, but there is no substitute for being there in person. Our on-the-ground verification process includes:

Destination Visits

We physically visit the cities, towns, temples, and attractions we write about. Walking the streets, taking the trains, and eating the food gives us insights no desk research can provide.

Route Testing

Transportation guides are based on routes we have actually traveled. We verify transfer points, walking distances between stations, and real-world travel times.

Accommodation Reviews

When we recommend accommodation types or areas to stay, it is based on where we have actually stayed and our assessment of value, location, and quality.

Local Conversations

We speak with hotel staff, tour operators, restaurant owners, and fellow travelers to gather perspectives beyond our own experience.

Price Verification Methodology

Prices in Japan can change, and we take accuracy seriously. Here is how we handle pricing information:

  1. Official source first: Admission fees, transport fares, and other fixed costs are sourced from official operator websites.
  2. Personal verification: When possible, we verify prices during our own visits to confirm they match published rates.
  3. Currency and date stamping: All prices are listed in Japanese Yen (JPY) with approximate USD/EUR equivalents. We note when prices were last verified.
  4. Range estimates for variable costs: For costs that vary (meals, accommodation), we provide realistic ranges based on our experience rather than misleading averages.
  5. Regular rechecks: Prices are rechecked against official sources during our monthly content review cycle.

Regular Content Audits

Keeping content current is just as important as getting it right the first time. Our audit process includes:

  • Monthly reviews: Every published guide is reviewed at least once per month. We check for outdated information, broken links, and changes in pricing or availability.
  • Seasonal updates: Guides related to seasonal activities (cherry blossom viewing, autumn foliage, skiing, summer festivals) are comprehensively updated before each season begins.
  • Policy change monitoring: We actively monitor changes to Japan's visa policies, entry requirements, and transportation systems. Updates are published within 48 hours of official confirmation.
  • Reader-reported issues: We track and respond to reader feedback about outdated or incorrect information, investigating and updating as needed.

Correction Policy

Despite our best efforts, errors can occur. When they do, we handle them transparently:

  • Minor corrections (typos, small factual updates) are made promptly and the last-updated date is refreshed.
  • Significant corrections (wrong prices, incorrect visa information, misleading advice) are noted on the page with a brief explanation of what changed.
  • We never silently delete content to cover mistakes. If we were wrong, we acknowledge it.

Help Us Stay Accurate

Recently visited Japan and noticed something different from what we have published? We genuinely appreciate corrections and updates from our readers. You are our best source for real-time ground truth.

Please contact us with:

  • The specific page or guide with the issue
  • What information is incorrect or outdated
  • The correct information (with a source if possible)
  • When you visited or verified this information

Every correction makes our guides better for the next traveler. Thank you for helping us maintain the quality our readers depend on.