Japan is one of those places that lives up to the hype. In a single trip, you can ride a bullet train past Mount Fuji, eat the best sushi of your life at a market counter, sleep in a ryokan with a hot spring bath, and wander through temples that are more than a thousand years old. This Japan travel guide covers everything you need to plan your first (or next) trip.
Below you will find when to go, where to go, how to get around, what it costs, and the practical tips that make a trip to Japan much smoother, from money and etiquette to staying online.
Jump to a section:
- Best time to visit Japan
- Where to go
- Hidden gems
- Bucket-list experiences
- Getting around
- Money and costs
- Japan travel tips
- Staying connected
- FAQs
When Is the Best Time to Visit Japan?
There is no bad time to visit Japan, but each season feels very different.
- Spring (March to May): Cherry blossom season, usually late March to early April in Tokyo and Kyoto. Beautiful, but busy and expensive. Avoid Golden Week (late April to early May), when the whole country travels.
- Summer (June to August): The rainy season runs from early June to mid-July in most of the country, followed by hot, humid weather and lively summer festivals and fireworks.
- Autumn (September to November): Comfortable temperatures and brilliant fall colors, especially in November. Typhoons are possible in September.
- Winter (December to February): Cold, crisp, and clear in Tokyo and Kyoto, with world-class powder snow in Hokkaido and the Japan Alps. A great time for onsen and lower prices.
For a month-by-month breakdown, read our guide to the best time to visit Japan.
Where to Go in Japan
Tokyo
Japan's capital is huge, but it is really a collection of very different neighborhoods. Highlights include:
- Sensō-ji: Tokyo's oldest temple, in Asakusa, reached through a lane of snack and souvenir stalls.
- Meiji Jingu: A peaceful Shinto shrine in a forest right next to busy Harajuku.
- Shibuya Crossing: The famous scramble crossing. Watch it from above at the Shibuya Sky observation deck.
- Shinjuku: Skyscrapers, neon, the tiny bars of Golden Gai, and free views from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
- Akihabara: The center of anime, manga, and gaming culture.
- Toyosu and Tsukiji: The tuna auctions moved to Toyosu Market, while the Tsukiji Outer Market is still great for street food and sushi breakfasts.
- Ghibli Museum: In Mitaka, designed by Hayao Miyazaki. Tickets must be booked in advance.
See our list of the best things to do in Tokyo for more.
Kyoto
Kyoto was Japan's capital for more than a thousand years, and it is packed with temples, shrines, gardens, and traditional wooden streets. Don't miss Fushimi Inari Taisha, with its tunnels of red torii gates; Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion; Kiyomizu-dera, with its wooden stage above the city; the Arashiyama bamboo grove; and the Gion district, where you may spot a geiko or maiko in the evening. Go early in the morning to beat the crowds. Read our Kyoto travel guide.
Nara
An easy day trip from Kyoto or Osaka, Nara was Japan's first permanent capital. Its park is home to hundreds of friendly (and bold) deer, and Tōdai-ji temple houses a giant bronze Buddha.
Osaka
Osaka is Japan's food capital and a lot of fun. Eat takoyaki and okonomiyaki in the neon-lit Dōtonbori district, visit Osaka Castle, and explore the retro Shinsekai neighborhood. It is also a good base for day trips to Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and Himeji Castle.
Mount Fuji and the Five Lakes
At 3,776 meters, Mount Fuji is Japan's highest mountain and a sacred symbol of the country. The climbing season runs from July to early September, and there is now a fee and daily limit on the popular Yoshida Trail. The rest of the year, admire it from Lake Kawaguchiko or the Chureito Pagoda, especially on clear winter mornings.
Hiroshima and Miyajima
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum are a moving reminder of the atomic bombing in 1945. A short ferry ride away, Miyajima island is home to Itsukushima Shrine and its famous torii gate, which appears to float at high tide.
Hidden Gems in Japan
- Kanazawa: A former castle town with Kenroku-en, one of Japan's most beautiful gardens, and preserved geisha and samurai districts.
- Takayama and Shirakawa-go: An old merchant town in the mountains, and a nearby village of thatched farmhouses that looks magical in the snow.
- Kamikōchi: A high alpine valley in the Japan Alps, open from late April to mid-November, with clear rivers and great hiking.
- Yakushima: A subtropical island south of Kyushu with ancient cedar forests that inspired the scenery of Princess Mononoke.
- The Kumano Kodo: An ancient pilgrimage route through the forested mountains of the Kii Peninsula.
Want more? See our guide to off-the-beaten-path Japan.
Bucket-List Experiences in Japan
- Stay in a ryokan: A traditional inn with tatami rooms, futons, a multi-course kaiseki dinner, and a hot spring bath.
- Soak in an onsen: Hot spring towns such as Hakone, Kinosaki, and Beppu are perfect for a relaxing break.
- Ride the shinkansen: The bullet train is fast, punctual, and comfortable. See our guide to the Tokyo to Kyoto bullet train.
- See the cherry blossoms: Join the locals for hanami, a picnic under the blossoms.
- Eat your way around: Sushi, ramen, tempura, wagyu, and convenience store snacks are all part of the adventure. Read about the best food in Japan.
- Stay in a temple: On Mount Kōya (Kōyasan), you can sleep at a Buddhist temple, eat vegetarian monks' cuisine, and join morning prayers.
Getting Around Japan
- Trains: Japan's rail network is excellent. Long-distance travel is by shinkansen, and cities have fast, clean subways.
- IC cards: Suica, PASMO, and ICOCA cards work on trains, subways, and buses across the country, and in convenience stores. You can also add them to the wallet on most smartphones.
- Japan Rail Pass: After a big price rise in 2023, the national JR Pass only pays off for long, fast itineraries. Regional passes are often better value.
- Apps: Google Maps and Japan Travel by NAVITIME make route planning easy. See our list of the best Japan travel apps.
Money and Costs
Japan is cheaper than many visitors expect, especially with the weak yen of recent years. Convenience store meals, ramen, and set lunches are very affordable, and hotels outside peak season are reasonable. The biggest costs are shinkansen tickets and accommodation in spring and autumn.
- Cards are widely accepted in cities, but cash is still common in small restaurants, temples, and rural areas.
- 7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs accept most foreign cards.
- There is no tipping in Japan.
For ways to save, read Japan on a budget.
Japan Travel Tips
- Check entry rules. Many nationalities can visit Japan visa-free for short stays, but rules differ by passport. Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website before you book.
- Learn basic etiquette. Don't eat while walking in busy streets, queue neatly, keep your voice down on trains, and take your shoes off where indicated. Read our Japan etiquette tips.
- Carry your trash. Public bins are rare, so keep a small bag with you.
- Send your luggage ahead. Takkyubin delivery services move suitcases between hotels, so you can travel light on trains.
- Book popular things early. The Ghibli Museum, teamLab, popular restaurants, and cherry blossom season hotels sell out.
- Pack smart. See our Japan packing list.
Staying Connected in Japan
You will use maps, translation, train apps, and restaurant bookings constantly in Japan. Free Wi-Fi exists in stations and convenience stores, but it is patchy on the move. An egoViet Japan eSIM gives you local data from the moment you land, with no airport queues or pocket Wi-Fi to carry and return. Combining Japan with Korea or other Asian countries? The Asia eSIM covers them with one plan.
Compare plans in our guide to the best Japan eSIM.
FAQs: Japan Travel Guide
How many days do you need in Japan?
Ten days to two weeks is ideal for a first trip covering Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and a day trip or two. With a week, focus on Tokyo and Kyoto.
What is the best month to visit Japan?
Late March to early April for cherry blossoms, and November for autumn colors. Both are busy, so book early. May and October are great alternatives with fewer crowds.
Is Japan expensive to visit?
Accommodation and bullet trains are the biggest costs, but food and local transport are affordable. With a weak yen, Japan is better value than it has been for many years.
Do I need cash in Japan?
Cards and IC cards are widely accepted in cities, but carry some cash for small restaurants, temples, and rural areas. 7-Eleven ATMs accept most foreign cards.