Guide · checked in September 2026
What changed in Japan in 2025 and 2026, and most guides have not caught up
We went through 40 day itineraries against the official websites of the attractions, not against blogs. Here is what changed and may catch you at the ticket office.
01
Osaka Castle doubled its price
Since April 2025 entry to the tower costs ¥1,200 instead of ¥600. Children up to junior high school are free. The walls and moats, which are the beautiful part, are still free.
02
Matsumoto Castle: from ¥700 to ¥1,200
An online ticket is ¥1,200, at the ticket office ¥1,300. It is still one of the five original castles in Japan and worth it.
03
The Samurai Museum in Kabukicho has been closed since 2022
And it still appears in itineraries. Instead: the Maikoya samurai museum near Shinjuku Station, which opened in December 2025.
04
Shibuya Sky at sunset: ¥3,400
After 15:00 the price jumps from ¥2,700 to ¥3,400, and at the counter another ¥300 if anything is left. Buy on the website as soon as you know the date.
05
Miraikan is closing for renovation
The science museum in Odaiba is closed from 1 October 2026 to 22 April 2027. If you planned it with children, swap it for something else.
06
Skytree moved to dynamic pricing
Since April 2026 the same ticket costs a different amount every day: from ¥1,800 online in advance, and more on busy days. At the counter or a machine, another ¥500 per ticket.
07
Small and annoying
The Jikkokubune boat in Fushimi is ¥1,900 and online booking only. The two-day Hakone pass is ¥7,100. The Miyajima ropeway is ¥2,000. The herb garden in Kobe is ¥2,500 since April 2026. Toshogu in Nikko: cash only at the machines since 31 March 2026.
08
Theme parks
DisneySea: there is no longer a separate entry ticket for Fantasy Springs. USJ: entry to Nintendo World is only through the app since January 2026.
Every day itinerary on this site shows a check date and verified prices. Prices in Japan change in April of every year, so check before you go.