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If you are new here, start with these guides. They cover the basics, help you avoid common mistakes, and make the rest of your planning much easier.
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Whether you are choosing a destination, sorting out the basics, or comparing longer-stay options, these are the best places to start.
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Start with the main regions and countries below to find the guides most relevant to your trip.
Latest Guides
The latest transport guides, route breakdowns, and trip-planning articles from Backpacking Is Life.
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10-Day Japan Itinerary for First-Time Visitors: Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka (2026)
A practical 10-day Japan itinerary for first-time visitors, with a realistic Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka route, where to stay, how to move between cities, and the travel tools worth sorting before you fly.