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How to Get Around Japan - 5 most practical 5 Ways

Quick facts, shinkansen bullet train, domestic flights, long-distance buses, domestic ferries, local transportation, useful tips for traveling in japan.

Japan is an island nation that is easy both to reach, and to navigate once you get there. The country's transportation infrastructure is sophisticated and extensive, so no matter where you go, you will find it easy to travel on to your next destination.

There are many means of transportation in Japan and they all have their pros and cons. Factors such as how long you'll be traveling, where you'll be going, and what your comfort levels are, all add into the equation to help you figure out the most efficient and cost-effective means of travel for you.

This article will provide you with some more information about how best to travel within Japan.

• Japan offers a wide variety of transportation at different price levels, from planes and trains, to ferries and buses.
• Trains are the most popular form of transport in Japan.
• The Japanese Rail Pass allows travel on virtually all JR services throughout Japan. It is very cost-effective.
• Japan has a comprehensive system of long-distance buses. Though buses will be a lot slower than trains, they can take you to secret places.
• One of the most pleasant ways of travelling around this island nation is by ferry.

Going by rail is the most thrilling way to see Japan, especially if you're only in the country for a short visit. The bullet train can take you from Tokyo to Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and other major cities within a few hours, making the shinkansen the favorite type of transportation for foreign visitors.

There are six main shinkansen lines. The busiest route is the Tokaido line, which runs south from Tokyo through Nagoya, Kyoto, and Osaka. On the train there are announcements and electronic signs in English telling you which stations are coming up. So don't worry if you don't understand Japanese.

The Japanese Rail Pass is the most popular pass to use, allowing travel on JR trains and buses with only a few exceptions (like certain shinkansen trains). Passes are available for 7, 14 or 21 days. Using the JR pass is very easy: just show your pass to the staff at the gate and make your way to the train.

Information on JR trains and schedules is available at Travel Service Centers at major JR stations throughout Japan. It is important to buy your JR Pass before arriving in Japan because it is not available for purchase after you arrive.

Explore similar itineraries: 11-Day Traditional Japan Tour 12-Day Classic Japan Tour

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Because of the long distances between, for example, Fukuoka on the island of Kyushu and Sapporo on Hokkaido, flying is often the fastest way to travel, with airlines like JAL and ANA providing the most extensive coverage. Smaller domestic airlines with more competitive rates include Skymark, Solaseed Air and Jetstar Japan.

Overseas visitors can save money on domestic flights by purchasing tickets along with their international flights. Both JAL and ANA offer cheaper domestic fares for passengers flying international routes to Japan with them or any partner airline (such as ANA's Star Alliance partner, United).

Slightly more expensive fares are available for non-partner airlines. Several restrictions apply; for example, tickets must be purchased outside of Japan after buying the international tickets, and there are certain blackout dates. The prices of domestic airline tickets depend greatly on the season. You can book tickets either from official websites or through travel agents.

Buses are used extensively throughout the country. They are a low-cost alternative to trains, for reaching areas not served by rail, including more remote areas and Japan's many islands.

Long-distance buses travel between major cities, such as Tokyo and Kyoto, with much cheaper fares than trains, unless you have a JR Pass. Some buses are quite luxurious, with reclining seats for overnight trips and even salons.

Many long-distance buses, especially overnight buses, require seats to be reserved in advance. It is recommended to make reservations early for popular routes and during busy travel seasons. If the bus is not booked out, however, it is usually possible to purchase a ticket just prior to departure at the bus terminal.

On some shorter bus lines, seat reservations are not possible.

Ferries are a major form of transportation to Japan's many islands. Smaller islands, like Naoshima in the island-studded Seto Inland Sea, can only be reached by ferry.

Long-distance ferries may provide a more relaxing and cheaper alternative to planes.

Overnight ferry trips between Honshu and Hokkaido in the north, and Kyushu and Shikoku in the south, are highly recommended. If you cannot spare the time, try a short hop to one of the islands of the Inland Sea, or from Niigata to Sado-ga-shima. These are the most popular destinations.

Ferry schedules, however, are subject to seasonal changes and also vary according to the weather, so for up-to-date details of times and prices it's best to consult the local tourist information office. Or you can go to their official website for more information, where tickets can also be booked.

Japan has an efficient public transport network, especially within its large cities. The Japanese transport system, including subway, monorail, buses, taxis and even bicycles, can help you explore the city. Public transport is usually characterized by punctuality, excellent service and cleanliness.

City-wide subways are a quick and easy option for reaching any destination within big cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. Subway train announcements are made in Japanese but often in English too. The next station is often displayed on electronic boards in the carriages in both Japanese and English.

Most subway systems in Japan start at around 5 am and end around midnight. Services are less frequent at weekends and on public holidays. Some subway lines in Japan have women-only carriages running in the rush hour period, normally 8 to 9 am. The JR Pass cannot be used on subways, so you need to buy a ticket from a vending machine or ticket window.

As well as the subway, Japan has an extensive monorail system, and one Japanese line is the second longest monorail in the world. Big cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Hiroshima all operate monorails.

Monorails are easy to ride. You can use your JR Pass on some of them. In case you cannot use your JR Pass, tickets for monorail can be purchased from the vending machine or ticket window. Riding the monorail in Tokyo is a memorable experience, because you can often enjoy seaside views. On clear days, Mount Fuji is visible in the distance.

Bus services are available throughout Japan's cities, but sometimes it can be difficult for non-Japanese-speaking visitors to find the relevant timetables and to reserve seats.

Buses can be a useful alternative to trains if you are staying outside the immediate city center. Although buses might not be as frequent as trains and generally take longer to get from place to place, they often travel to lesser-known areas and are a good way to avoid crowded train stations. Some have a free Wi-Fi system in place.

Japan has an estimated 260,000 taxis nationwide, with Tokyo alone having around 35,000 taxis from more than 320 different taxi companies. Kyoto also has a large number of taxis. All Japanese taxis can be hailed on the street, from virtually anywhere you like, at most times and in most areas.

Many taxis accept payment by credit card, and an increasing number accept payment by IC card. Stickers on the door often indicate accepted payment methods. When paying in cash, try to avoid paying small amounts with large bills. There is no tipping in Japan.

Riding a bike is a great way to get from A to B in the smaller towns and countryside, allowing you to see plenty of beautiful landscape and to meet up with local people.

Hokkaido, in particular, is a cyclist's dream, with excellent roads through scenery which is often stunning. You can rent bikes from outlets beside or near the train station. Some towns even have bikes for hire free of charge – enquire at the tourist office.

1. Get your JR Pass before leaving your home country.

2. Avoid the morning (8-9 am) and afternoon (5-6 pm) rush hours to beat the crowds in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka. The traffic volume on certain urban and suburban trains is so intense that passengers are pressed against each other to the extent that they are unable to move.

3. Carry at least 10,000-20,000 yen in cash with you. Most Japanese ATM machines do not accept foreign cards. Also many establishments do not accept credit cards. So, if you come across an ATM that accepts foreign cards, it may be a good idea to take out some money.

4. Don't tip anyone; even taxi-drivers will be offended if you do so.

5. Write down the full address of your hotel or destination to show to someone, in case you lose your way.

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• Top 15 Landmarks of Japan
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Our guide lele is a wealth of information, Lele is very professional and very attentive to our needs. Lele is amazing. Lele got everything spot on. It probably helps that Guilin is a brilliant place to visit so Lele has great material to work with but that doesn't take anything away from how much Lele helped make it a great trip.

Our guide for Beijing was super knowledgeable and experienced and able to help us to achieve as much as we wanted within the time given. We had a fun time guided by him as he is also super humorous and you can see how he interacts with the vendors and people whom he comes by. Thank you for a very enjoyable time in Beijing and accommodating to all our needs!

Our China Highlight guide. Michael, was attentive, thoughtful and knowledgeable. He narrated many interesting historical events about Chengdu while touring around the city and having afternoon tea with us. He was thoughtful to provide us with snacks during long hikes at Leshan or walks around the city.

She was very flexible and added extra time when we needed it and we felt extremely well taken care of. She also chose the best restaurants for us,

Our tour guide Helen, was excellent, she was very kind, professional and passionate for her work and she also loves Pandas! She will take you to take the best panda photos and to know more about Chengdu city. Our tour was great, she took us to all our destinations always with the best spots: Temples, pagodas, famous streets, theaters, pandas...you name it! Everything was great.

He picked up our pre-booked boat/other excursions tickets so we were able to avoid all the long lines and chaos. He is knowledgeable of the places we visited, courteous, fun to travel with and well-versed in Chinese classics.

Tom is the guide that will take you to where no other guide will. We pushed for the experience and Tom and the team delivered more than what we could have ever asked for. His English speaking ability and his Chinese history knowledge is second to none.

Our day trip to Hangzhou was phenomenal. Derek, our guide, was impeccable. By far the best guide we have had so far. He is extremely knowledgeable about the country’s history and geography and was always excited to share his insights.

Xian es encantadora, el hotel Eastern house boutique muy buena elección por parte de la agencia, los desayunos muy completos para complacer todo tipo de gusto, lo recomiendo 100%, el itinerario fue muy acertado fueron 2 días en la ciudad xian, compartimos con la guía Susana, la atención, la amabilidad y sobre todo su profesionalismo fue lo que marcó la diferencia, sus detalles, estaba siempre en el lugar y momento correcto para hacer de xian un lugar inolvidable.

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How to Get Around Japan on a Budget

I have a confession to make: I put off traveling to Japan for a long time because I always thought it was too expensive.

Everyone told me Japan was one of the most expensive countries in the world. That was the collective wisdom.

But, when I got there, I realized two things: First, I love Japan ! It’s one of the most amazing, beautiful, and friendliest countries in the world. It lives up to all the hype.

Second, while Japan is expensive, it’s not out of reach for budget travelers .

There are many cheap ways to enjoy Japan on a budget.

From finding delicious food to affordable hotels to fun activities, you don’t have to pinch every penny have fun.

However, the one thing that is truly expensive in Japan? Quick transportation.

While it’s not a huge country, the island nation’s transportation infrastructure is geared toward expensive, high-speed travel or inexpensive, low-speed travel. There’s not much in between. It’s a three-hour train ride or a 12-hour bus ride!

So, what are the best ways to travel around Japan without spending all your money on transportation?

In this post, I’ll break that down — because it does require some work.

Table of Contents

Getting Around Japan By Train

• Getting Around Japan By Bus

Getting Around Japan By Plane

Getting around japan by ferry, getting around japan by car, getting around japan by hitchhiking, how long does it take to get around japan, the best way to get around japan.

Japan’s infamous bullet trains (called shinkansen ) are beautiful, comfortable, convenient, and fast. They are a wonder of transportation, racing around at speeds up to 320 kilometers (200 miles) per hour. These trains run on special tracks, separate from the other trains.

They are a feat of engineering and a smooth ride. It’s the best in train travel. However, they are also very, very expensive.

Individual tickets can cost hundreds of dollars — even more than airfare. To travel on a bullet train, you pay a basic train fare, then there’s an additional “super (limited) express fee” of 800 to 11,000 JPY.

Here are some examples of one-way train tickets on the shinkansen trains with non-reserved seats in the “ordinary” (non-green car) class:

• Tokyo-Hiroshima: 18,380 JPY
• Tokyo-Kyoto: 13,320 JPY
• Tokyo Fukuoka: 23,390 JPY
• Kyoto-Hiroshima: 10,570 JPY
• Kyoto-Osaka: 4,230 JPY
• Hiroshima-Fukuoka: 9,000 JPY
• Nagano-Kanazawa: 8,440 JPY
• Tokyo-Yokohama: 3,210 JPY
• Hakodate-Tokyo: 23,500 JPY

To make matters worse, there are very rarely promotions or discounts. And, unless you know Japanese, they are nearly impossible to find.

Fortunately, there are other options. Japan also has regular limited express and regional trains. Naturally, they are much slower than the shinkansen , but they are also cheaper.

A trip on a local train from Kyoto to Tokyo costs around 8,360 JPY instead of 13,320 JPY for the bullet train. However, the local train journey takes 9 hours instead of 3 hours and requires several transfers, making it a less than an ideal choice for most travelers.

Whether you opt for the bullet train or regional trains, I think train travel is the best way to see the country. It’s just not a good idea to buy individual tickets. In order to reduce your train costs, you need to get a Japan Rail Pass , which offers unlimited train travel.

The passes are good for JR trains — both regular trains as well as the bullet trains — which go to nearly every destination and region in the country. What I really like is that these JR trains also serve metropolitan areas, so they can be used within cities. On my last visit, I used my JR Pass to get around Kyoto and Tokyo instead of buying metro tickets.

The pass has several options (each valid for consecutive days, not just travel days):

• 7 days: 29,650 JPY (39,600 JPY for a Green Pass)
• 14 days: 47,250 JPY (64,120 JPY for a Green Pass)
• 21 days: 60,450 JPY (83,390 JPY for a Green Pass)

The Green Pass is the first-class option. Since the trains in Japan are already amazing, you likely don’t need to buy the Green Pass unless you really want some luxury.

Even if you get just the seven-day JR pass, it still costs less than a round-trip train ticket from Osaka to Tokyo (without a rail pass, a round-trip ticket costs around 27,000 JPY, yet you can get a seven-day rail pass that includes unlimited travel on JR trains for just 29,650 JPY). And you can still do a lot in seven days (it’s a small country, after all!)

The JR Pass is good on several types of JR trains. After the shinkansen , the next fastest is the tokkyu (limited express). The kyuko express train comes next, followed by the kaisoku and futsu-densha (local trains that make every stop).

There are regional pass options as well in case you’re not traveling the entire country. These options will save you even more money since they are cheaper than the regular JR passes. If you’re just going to be focusing on one region of the country, consider buying a JR regional pass. If you want to explore everywhere, get the regular JR Pass . (If you’re a first-time visitor to Japan, you’ll likely want the regular JR Pass, as it covers all the major destinations.)

One thing to keep in mind is that you have to buy your JR Pass before you come to Japan. This is because the pass is available only to non-Japanese travelers who are visiting for a limited time. For more details on the process, read my complete guide to the Japan Rail Pass.

You can currently buy a pass on arrival in Japan (until March 2024), but only in some locations (check the official JR website for the complete list), and it’s significantly more expensive (around 5,000-6,000 JPY more). It’s best simply to do it before your trip.

If you don’t buy a JR Pass and just want to buy single tickets between destinations, here are the approximate prices you’ll pay for one-way train tickets with non-reserved seats in the “ordinary” (non-green car) class:

• Hiroshima-Tokyo : 18,380 JPY
• Tokyo-Kyoto : 13,320 JPY
• Kyoto-Hiroshima : 10,570 JPY
• Tokyo-Nagoya : 17,200 JPY
• Nagoya-Kyoto : 4,500 JPY
• Kyoto-Osaka : 4,230 JPY
• Hiroshima-Fukuoka : 9,000 JPY
• Nagano-Kanazawa : 8,440 JPY
• Tokyo-Yokohama : 3,210 JPY
• Hakodate-Tokyo : 23,500 JPY
• Nara-Kyoto : 1,100 JPY
• Tokyo-Odawara : 3,200 JPY

Getting Around Japan By Public Bus

Buses are a less expensive alternative to trains but they take more time. For example, the three-hour bullet train ride from Tokyo to Osaka is over nine hours on the bus.

The price for that seat is around 5,500 JPY, but at some point, you need to think about how much your time is worth. On my last trip, the savings weren’t worth the extra six hours of travel, since I had limited time.

If I’d had more time, the bus might have been worth it, especially because there are so many cool stops along the way to break up the journey.

Willer Express and Japan Bus Lines have bus passes that offer unlimited travel, beginning at 10,200 JPY for three non-consecutive days of travel during weekdays.

Here are some sample bus fares between popular destinations:

• Tokyo-Kyoto : 5,400 JPY – 8.5 hours
• Tokyo-Nagoya : 4,500 JPY – 6 hours
• Nagoya-Kyoto : 2,000 JPY – 2.5 hours
• Kyoto-Hiroshima : 6,400 JPY – 8 hours

As you can see, it’s a lot cheaper to go by bus — but it takes a lot longer!

Bottom line: If you have the time, take the bus (at least for some trips). The coaches are comfortable, and there are overnight buses, which is a decent alternative if you’re taking a long trip. Don’t be afraid to chat people up when traveling, either: the people I met in Japan were really friendly. If they’re Japanese, they’ll be more than happy to tell you all about their country (and ask about yours).  

Flying has become a better option in Japan in recent years as more budget carriers now serve Japan. In general, airfares are on par with bullet train tickets. JAL and ANA are the big players. The main “budget” carriers are Peach and Jetstar Japan.

Japan is not a huge country, and I much prefer the train or bus, but if you are short on time and don’t feel like hopping from island to island on a ferry or taking the bullet train, you can fly (though it’s a lot more of a hassle).

Here are some typical prices for one-way tickets between a few popular destinations in Japan (ranges are for off-peak versus peak pricing, with tickets being at their highest June-August):

• Tokyo-Kyoto: 4,800-8,300 JPY
• Tokyo-Nagoya: 4,800-7,500 JPY
• Hiroshima-Tokyo: 4,800-7,500 JPY
• Tokyo-Naha (Okinawa): 7,100-11,600 JPY
• Sapporo-Osaka: 7,500-14,000 JPY
• Fukuoka-Tokyo: 6,080-9,000 JPY

Check out this page on ANA for special fares that are available only to foreigners. These can sometimes be cheaper than the flights you find on other sites, especially for longer routes. It’s worth checking these special fares in addition to using a flight search engine like Skyscanner (my personal favorite).

When deciding whether to fly or travel via train, keep in mind that you’ll need to get to the airport somehow. Not all airports are close: for instance, Kyoto’s nearest airport is in Osaka. If you find flights to be really expensive (as in those to and from Hiroshima), check nearby airports and, most of all, be flexible with your itinerary.  

Ferries typically carry passengers, vehicles, and cargo. Passengers have a choice of three classes: second (with or without a bed), first, and special. You will not have your own private room on a ferry, though the first-class option has just two beds in each room. Ferries must always be reserved in advance, though for some routes with frequent departures, it’s not always necessary. You can find ferries and book most tickets on DirectFerries.com (which searches thousands of local operators so you don’t have to).

If you decide to go this route, keep in mind that the trips can be very long! Here are some example routes, durations, and costs:

If you do want to rent a car, use Discover Cars to find the best rental car prices.  

Even out in the countryside, you won’t have a hard time finding a ride. Even people who don’t speak English will pick you up, as the people really are incredibly kind and giving. Don’t be surprised if you get asked to meet their family or friends or share a meal with them!

Chris, our Director of Content, spent a month backpacking and hitchhiking in Japan. He never waited too long for a ride, and people were incredibly friendly. They bought him snacks and meals, drove way out of their way to help him, and even took them to their homes to meet their family. If you’re comfortable doing this, it can be a very culturally rewarding experience!

If you decide to go this route, make a sign letting people know which direction you’re headed. Add a smiley face and other cute drawings to up your chances of finding a ride. A good resource for finding the best places to find a ride is Hitchwiki .  

Here are some distances and travel times. I think this will convince you that the train really is the way to go.

At the end of the day, the best transportation option really depends on the length of your trip. If you only have a week or so in Japan and want to get around really quick, get a rail pass and take the train everywhere you need to go. It’s not going to be super cheap, but it will be the most efficient.

If you have more time and have a lot of places to visit in a similar geographic region, consider the bus.

Whichever method you choose, you’ll be in good hands. Japan has some of the safest, cleanest, most efficient travel options in the world, so enjoy!

Book Your Trip to Japan: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.

Be sure to check out the Japan Rail Pass if you’ll be traveling around the country. It comes in 7-, 14-, and 21-day passes and can save you a ton of money!

Want More Information on Japan Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Japan for even more planning tips!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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TRAVEL to JAPAN – Tips and Information Guide (2024)

Everything you need to know about travel to Japan in our brand new Japan travel guide.

Japan is an island nation with a tremendous amount of history and culture intertwined with is present fast-paced reputation. 

From the epic wilderness of Hokkaido down to the tropical beaches of Okinawa, travelling to Japan is an experience like no other.

Whether you’re into food, culture, history or the outdoors Japan has it all. Travel to Japan is on the rise and it’s easy to see why.

Of Japan’s four main islands Honshu gets the vast majority of visitors. Travellers are in constant awe of the spectrum of Kyoto’s temples, taken captive with Nara’s deer and consumed by eating everything in sight in Tokyo.

However, the islands of Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku are also home to some of the country’s most stunning scenery and are definitely worth a visit. 

Whatever you want, you can find it in Japan. Let us help you plan your journey to one of the most awe-inspiring destinations on the planet!

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Here are the basics about travel to Japan.

OTHER MAIN CITIES:

Osaka ,  Kyoto , Nagasaki,  Fukuoka ,  Sapporo  and  Nagoya  

Yen (See  current exchange rates ) (1$USD is approximately 108 yen) 1 beer is approximately 500 yen (USD$5)

ENTRY / VISA:

Visa requirements for Japan are very straightforward. Most travellers are visa-free and can stay for 15, 30 or 90 days depending on their nationality. For information about which countries are granted visa-free access click  here.

Japanese is the official language in Japan. And while most of the world speaks a fair amount of English, do not expect Japanese people to speak it. However, in some hostels and hotels, English is spoken. Before travelling to Japan be sure to learn a few key phrases to help you enjoy your travels more and, of course, to show respect for the Japanse way of life. Many signs are in both Japanese and English and announcements at subway and train stations are often in both languages.

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world for both men and women. Petty theft and violent crime are extremely rare. Stories of people leaving wallets, passports and bags on trains and being reunited with them are the norm. However, you should still be sensible and follow the usual travel precautions.

ELECTRICITY:

100 volts / Type A and B electric sockets (Be sure to get your universal travel adapter  before you leave)

TRANSPORTATION:

By far the most common way to get between cities in Japan is by using the JR Pass. Within the larger cities, you can very often make your way around using public transportation.  Traditional taxis are also available in most cities and suburban regions. And rideshares such as Uber are on the rise as well – though don’t count on one of these outside of the main Japanese metropolises.

Don’t Forget to Pack the Most Important Thing: Travel Insurance !

TOP 5 TRAVEL EXPERIENCES IN Japan

With so much to see and do in Vietnam, it really is hard to pick the top experiences.

However, we think that to truly appreciate Vietnam you need to plan to do these 5 activities during your visit.

Gorge yourself on sushi.

Japan is known for sushi. You can find it everywhere. For added enjoyment, try your hand at making it!

Book a  sushi cooking class here .

Visit ancient temples in Kyoto

Kyoto is the magical, ancient city of Japan known for being the spiritual centre of the country. Immerse yourself in the beauty and stillness of its many temples.

Check out our  3 days in Kyoto itinerary  here.

Spend the night in a Ryokan

Staying in a ryokan is the most authentic way to experience Japan. Splurge on the experience and find yourself turning Japanese after a refreshing stay!

You can stay in a  great ryokan in Murakami .

Climb/View Mt. Fuji

One of the most picturesque volcanic mountains in the world is accessible to climb, or simply view, throughout much of the year.

This is the best  Mt. Fuji day trip you can find anywhere

Get lost in a giant bamboo forest

Bamboo that stretches to the sky can be found in Kyoto. Be mesmerized by the sound of the swaying forest.

Other Things to do in Japan

Party with robots in Tokyo:  The  90-minute show  is one of the most unique and bizarre must-do activities in Tokyo. It may take you a few minutes to figure out  what you’re watching  (don’t miss that video of it). But you’ll definitely be glad you went!

Watch a sumo wrestling match . Sure, sushi can be found on every street corner. But eating it at every meal won’t give you a chance against world-famous sumo wrestlers. Catch a match and be a part of a long and sacred activity.

Cross the world’s busiest pedestrian intersection . Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo will blow your mind with the number of people moving at any given time when the traffic stops to let pedestrians cross. Head to the QFRONT building to watch 2,500 people cross the streets below.

Hang out with deer in Nara . The normally shy creatures are anything but shy as they  can be found in abundance in Nara Park . Whether you want to interact with them, or simply view them in nature, the experience is worthwhile!

Spend the night in a capsule hotel . Japan is known for tiny packaging. A Capsule hotel is just as it sounds: a tiny box-like structure intended for one person to spend the night. Warning, this is not for the claustrophobic!

Relax in an onsen . Onsens are hot springs that can be found in natural and man-made settings. You haven’t relaxed until you’ve spent a few hours in an Onsen. Just know sometimes the dress code is your birthday suit! Check out  this one in Hokkaido . Just be careful if you have tattoos, because many onsens don’t allow them.

Go diving in Okinawa . While the northern Japanese islands have a tendency to be cold,  Okinawa  is located in a more tropical climate and lends itself to spectacular diving. You’ll love the underwater world of these islands!

Go Kart dressed as your favourite cartoon character . If you’ve ever played Mario Kart and wondered where in the world you could go and  ride around a go-kart  dressed up like Mario, Yoshi, Princess Peach or your other favourite characters, this is it.

Watch the cherry trees blossom . Japan has cornered the market in cherry tree blossoms. This is so much so that every year thousands of people participate in cherry blossom festivals as the trees unload their dazzling colour across the country. If you visit Japan in spring be sure not to miss out! This  particular tour is incredible as a day trip from Tokyo .

Hike with monkeys . If you enjoy hiking AND monkeys then the 30-minute hike outside of Kyoto is for you! But if you just prefer to hike and don’t want anything to do with monkeys, there are plenty of other great trails to hike in Japan!

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THESE  OTHER AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN   JAPAN

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The Ultimate Travel Guide to Nakatsugawa, Japan (2024)

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There are plenty of amazing places to visit in Japan. Depending on your interests, trip duration and time of year you will find plenty of things to do during any length of stay. 

There’s a reason Tokyo is considered one of the most incredible, vibrant, unique and fascinating cities on the planet! Where ancient meets modern, history rubs shoulder with the future and the world’s best cuisine is out in full force.

Japan’s capital and a city full of awesome things to do !

A city where ultra-modern meets ancient and you can  do just about anything  you can imagine.

A magical place to  explore Japan’s rich culture and history .

Get away from the cities and explore the gorgeous island of Hokkaido !

For more information on specific things to do in the top places to visit in Japan, reference our following city travel guides: 

• 3 Day Tokyo Itinerary
• Day Trips from Tokyo
• 3 Day Kyoto Itinerary
• Day Trips From Kyoto
• 3 Day Osaka Itinerary
• Day Trips From Osaka
• 3 Day Yokohama Itinerary
• Day Trips from Yokohama
• Hokkaido itinerary
• Hokkaido activities

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AWESOME PLACES TO VISIT IN JAPAN . 

BEST JAPAN TRAVEL ITINERARY

Depending on whether you are starting from scratch or have a general idea of what kind of things you would like to see and do, we’ve put together a few itineraries that are sure to leave you wanting for nothing at the end of your visit. 

There are so many amazing things to do in Japan that planning an itinerary for your travel can be a little overwhelming. 

In this section, we’ll not only help you plan a 1-, 2-, or 3-week Japan itinerary but also give you an overview of many of the places you might want to consider visiting and things you may want to do. 

Of course, no one-size-fits-all plan will suffice. But if we were to head back to Japan these are the top places and things that we would want to do! 

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR  AWESOME DAY TRIPS  FROM EVERY MAJOR JAPANESE CITY

3-Week Japan Travel Itinerary Highlights

Even with a country that seems as small as Japan, three weeks is hardly enough time to get started in seeing it all! 

However, with three weeks you can have a really nice time both spending more time in places many people only glance by as well as visiting some places that most people don’t see when they visit Japan.

Here’s an overview of how we’d spend 3 weeks in Japan. 

2-Week Japan Travel Itinerary Highlights

With two weeks to travel to Japan, you are going to have to cut out some of the nicer places you could see with an extra week or two. 

But the good news is you are still going to see and do a lot while you are here! 

This is an idea of how we’d spend 2 weeks in Japan. 

1-Week Japan Travel Itinerary Highlights

If you only have 1 week to visit Japan, don’t worry it is definitely worth your time. Of course, you’re going to have to pick and choose where you go and what you do much differently than if you had more time. 

And you likely won’t want to spend all of your time travelling from one island to the next. 

So if we had just 1 week in Japan, this is how we’d spend it. 

JAPAN TRAVEL PLANNING

You’re well on your way to becoming an expert when it comes to travel to Japan! Now we’ll fill you in on the rest.

Best Time to Visit Japan

There really is no best or worst time to visit Japan. The timing of your trip all depends on what you want to see and do and how willing you are to share your Japan travel experience with other travellers. 

Across the country  sakura  (cherry blossom) season in Spring is one of the most popular times to visit. But it happens at different times across the country due to the differences in climate from north to south along the island chain.

Another less popular, but no less stunning, time to visit is  Autumn  as the leaves begin to change colour.

Whilst this doesn’t quite bring in the crowds like  sakura  season does, the sheer array of colours on display is absolutely stunning, particularly on Japan’s most northerly island, Hokkaido. 

Summer  brings sweltering temperatures and typhoons in the south. However, Japan is extremely well prepared for such events. As such is still possible to travel to Japan during this of year. 

Winter  brings some of the world’s best skiing on Hokkaido as snow makes some roads and hiking trails impassable. However, this is also the best time to see the famous ice flows close to the Shiretoko National Park.

And, of course, it’s a great time to shred some powder if you’re looking for some world-class slopes! 

Japan Travel Budget Guideline

Japan has an unfair reputation for being incredibly expensive. And whilst you could easily empty your bank account in a short time, it is possible to travel in Japan for less money than you think.

Budgeting Tips

To make your money go further here are a few tips: 

1. Purchase the rail pass you need. There are a huge number of different types of rail passes available in Japan. This is your one-stop-shop for a variety of rail passes. 

2. Take advantage of low-cost internal flights. You can fly affordably between most major cities.  

3. Utilise convenience stores for finding cheap and delicious eats. 

4. Japan has an extensive and reliable night bus service. Use it to save on travel and hotel fees. 

5. Limit your alcohol intake, it’s surprisingly expensive. 1 beer = 500-600 yen (USD$5-$6).

6. Check the subway passes available in the city in which you’re staying and purchase the rail pass you need.

CHECK OUT OUR  JAPAN BUDGETING GUIDE  TO HELP MAKE YOUR MONEY GO FURTHER.

But there are a few things you should know about the different budgets at which you can choose to travel.

Note: Budgets shown as Single Traveller / Couples per day. 

Budget Traveller ($50-60 Single / $80-110 Couples)

Hostels are the best options for single budget travellers. However, if travelling as a couple it’s often cheaper to get a private room. 

There are plenty of awesome free things to do all over Japan. You will need to think outside the box and do your research but it is very possible to travel in Japan on a budget like this.

Your meals will likely come from low-cost restaurants and corner stores. And you’re likely going to spend a fair amount of time walking and taking public transportation. 

Mid-Range Traveller ($60-100 Single / $120-180 Couple)

Whilst you may not get much of an upgrade on the accommodation front, travelling in this budget range will put you in the position to possibly rent a car to explore parts of Japan that are more difficult to reach. 

In addition, you may be able to spend more time eating in some funky izakayas and sushi restaurants and participate in a few formal tours. 

Luxury Traveller ($250+ Single / $400+ Couple)

Luxury hotels and fancy restaurants are the order of the day here. If money is no object then travelling in Japan can extremely luxurious! 

For instance, you can stay in beautiful ryokans instead of hostels or hotels. And you can order a variety of different meals to enjoy while dining at some of the finer restaurants. 

Of course, you’ll also be able to do more by way of renting a car and/or joining up on a variety of different tour groups to keep your itinerary completely packed. 

Getting To and Around Japan

Japan is an island nation, thus travelling to Japan is limited to only air or water transportation.

The majority of International Flights will take you to Tokyo’s Narita or Haneda Airport’s or Osaka International Airport. From there you will connect, as necessary, to other Japanese destinations.

Entry Requirements

Visa requirements for Japan are very straightforward.

Most travellers are visa-free and can stay for 15, 30 or 90 days depending on their nationality. For information about which countries are granted visa-free access click  here.

Getting Around Japan

Travelling in Japan is both easy and convenient. 

The public transport network is wide-ranging and extremely reliable. And compared to many places in the world, it can also be quite affordable. 

Additionally, hiring a car is both easy and safe. 

Travelling by Air

Japan has an excellent domestic air travel network. There are two passes run by  JAL  and  ANA  that will allow you to take domestic flights for around $100.

The price can sometimes vary depending on where your origin and destinations. 

If you plan this effectively with other transport options available it has the potential to make your visit to Japan even more convenient and affordable.  

Travelling by Car

Although the country is fairly well connected with both public and private transportation options, hiring a car is an excellent option for travelling in Japan.

The best part is that it is not as difficult as you may imagine. 

Driving in Japan is safe and easy. For Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku, a car is the best way to see most of each island’s most beautiful sights outside of the city centres. 

Travelling by Bus

There are a number of bus companies operating in Japan. The biggest of these is  Willer Bus Service.  

Not only are fares convenient and affordable, but they can also help you consolidate expenses if you travel at night. 

Combining overnight bus travel with a JR pass can save you a fortune as the difference in price between regional, 1 week national and 2-week national passes are huge. 

Travelling by Boat/Ferry

Often the only way to access some of Japans smaller islands, particularly in the Seto Inland Sea, is by boat or ferry. Japan boasts an excellent maritime transport network. 

Generally, ferries are affordable and in some cases, they are covered by a JR pass (the ferry to Miyajima being the most well-known example).

Naturally, the costs increase if you ferry a car or if you are taking a long-distance ferry.

Travelling by Train

Japan’s train network is simply incredible as it can take you from the north of Hokkaido to the south of Kyushu. 

But it can also be confusing as, like with a lot of things in Japan, there is a myriad of different options available to you. 

PURCHASE YOUR JR PASS TODAY

How to Maximise a JR Pass

Because your travel to Japan will very likely involve transportation on a JR line at some point, we’ve put together a few tips to help you plan your JR Pass use accordingly. 

• Download  Hyperdia  – This amazing app allows to research train times and more importantly prices. Currently, it is free to use for 3 months (after that you will need to pay). You can work out which JR pass is the best financial option. Do note that the seat fare (sometimes two-thirds of the cost) is not optional, you will need to pay it.
• You don’t need a rail pass for your entire time. Some people may be visiting Japan for 2 weeks and will buy a 2 week nationwide JR pass. You are likely not going to be using the train every day and it’s likely you will pay more than you need to. 
• Activate your JR pass at the right time. To activate you pass you will need to go to the station and inform them of when you want to activate it. Make sure you activate it when you really need it so you can get the most out of it.
• Check out the regional passes. There are numerous regional passes available that are much cheaper, but they cover a smaller area and don’t last as long. However, they can be a fantastic option. Combining such passes with night bus services can save you plenty of money. 

Apps and Technology

Japan is definitely well connected when it comes to technology.

When you visit Japan you are likely going to want to remain connected to the outside world as well as take advantage of mobile apps that make travelling through Japan a little easier. 

Here are a few we think you should definitely acquaint yourself with prior to your travels:

• Hyperdia  – Hyperdia is the premiere app for helping you to understand the transportation system in Japan. Find the right rail line, station and even schedules to help navigate what could otherwise be a complicated transportation system. 
• XE Currency  – Transfer, monitor and calculate currency as the need arises. This app may not be totally necessary as you are typically tied into rates the banks charge for services. But it is handy to have around. 
• Express VPN – This will protect your sensitive information wherever you travel – not just in Japan. Be sure to have this to keep your online information secure as you travel. 
• GuruNavi  – This app will help you to find food options in whatever prefecture you happen to be at the moment. You can search through different types of cuisine as well as to filter your selections for things like English-speaking staff and WiFi availability. 
• Google Translate – Even if you don’t know more than a handful of Japanese words, iTranslate will help you communicate as you travel in Japan. 

Best Things to Eat in Japan

Japanese cuisine is justifiably one of the worlds popular. It focuses heavily on high-quality ingredients and as a result portion sizes are smaller than you may expect.

Although fried dishes are common in Japanese cuisine, Japan has the lowest rate of childhood and adult obesity amongst the OECD nations.

This is down to a mixture of smaller portions and a culture that promotes restraint and health.

Yakiniku:  Japanese BBQ. These restaurants can be found all over Japan, and it is very rare that they are anything other than delicious. Many offer time based all you can eat/drink deals. Look out for the characters 放题 as they usually don’t advertise this in any language other than Japanese. 

Katsu Curry:  Fried chicken or pork cutlets smothered in Japanese curry. Heaven on a plate. 

Kushikatsu:  All manner of meat and veg skewered and deep-fried. 

Sushi and Sashimi:  This can go from cheap to eye-watering expensive. Conveyor belt sushi restaurants offer the cheapest prices. Be brave and try delicacies like sea urchin, horse or chicken sashimi.

Sukiyaki:  Meat and vegetables cooked in a hot pot with a small amount of water and soy sauce. 

Ramen:  The nations most popular noodle dish, often an excellent budget option. 

Gyoza:  Pan-fried dumplings, often filled with pork. 

There is certainly much more available than this, but hopefully this gives you a quick overview. 

Convenience   Stores:  For budget eating options convenience stores like lawsons, family mart and 7-11 are often an excellent option for a cheap and hearty meal! 

Izakaya : No mention of eating in Japan would be complete without mentioning Japan’s most famous eating places; the Izakaya (居酒屋).

An izakaya is a Japanese pub that is generally a place where friends, colleagues and family members will go to eat, drink and chat. 

The huge menus consist of small plates that are shared amongst the group. Expect to find sashimi, yakitori, cold dishes, salads, fried dishes and desserts.

ACCOMMODATION IN JAPAN

Japan has a huge range of accommodation options. The most obvious difference is whether it’s a Japanese or western style room.

In Japanese style rooms, you will be sleeping on tatami mats on the floor, which are actually incredibly comfortable.

This option is far more common outside of popular tourist destinations. Western-style rooms have regular beds. 

Many single rooms in hostels, guesthouses or hotels will have bunk beds to fit more people. This will usually be stated when booking.

It is not always the most romantic option but it does help you get more bang for your buck. 

Types of Accommodations

Whilst hostels exist in Japan, they are not as cheap South East Asia. There is a reasonably good hostel network throughout Japan. But hostels are not as common or widespread as in other popular travel destinations.

If travelling in Japan as a couple or pair, a hotel room is often cheaper than 2 beds in a dorm. It’s always worth comparing, hostels are not always the cheapest option when there’s more than one of you. 

Western-Style Hotels

These will be the traditional hotels that you would find in most places in the world.

They include major Japanese and international brands and are more common in larger cities.

You can expect amenities and comfort similar to those you’d find in other destinations. 

Capsule Hotels

A unique way to spend a night or two in Japan is in a capsule hotel. As the name suggests, these are small enclosed spaces usually only large enough for a bed.

Sometimes you will have a television and a small storage space. But more often you can expect to have to stash your gear in a locker. You’ll also, obviously, be using shared restrooms. 

Traditional Japanese Ryokans offer luxurious stays in often gorgeous accommodation and locations. However, they can sometimes be very expensive.

It’s not uncommon for Ryokans to have an onsen. But if you want an authentic Japanese overnight experience you won’t find anything that surpasses a stay in a Ryokan.

Another good option in recent years is AirBnB, and there are more and more amazing places popping up to stay for very affordable prices every day.

As is typical in many destinations where Airbnb accommodations are popping up, you’ll likely find great value and a little more personal space with an Airbnb stay. 

Onsen Hotels

Last, but by no means least; Onsen Hotels. In short, these are hotels that have an onsen attached.

They cover a wide variety of budgets but often they are not the cheapest options available.

However, the luxury of being able to have an onsen whenever you want is well worth it. 

Just note that with onsens there are some basic rules to follow. These will often clearly displayed, but here they are:

• You must be completely naked – no bathing suits. Leave awkward at the door, with your clothes. 
• Do not put your towel into the onsen water. Most people wrap it around their head.
• Shower before you enter the onsen, taking care to splash others with your shower water.

Or, if you’d like to check out a few options on your own here are a few resources to get you started!

JAPAN TRAVEL TIPS

Travelling in Japan can definitely be rewarding. But it can also be a bit of a headache – especially if your knowledge of the Japanese language and culture is limited. 

Further, not being prepared for adventure can hamper your optimism as well.

Imagine you’re all set for your day of walking around majestic Kyoto and you failed to pack an umbrella or raincoat. 

Of course, you have your own reasons for travelling to Japan. So likely you know whether you plan to dive in Okinawa or climb Mt. Fuji. 

But for everything else in your journey, let us remind you of a few travel tips for Japan to make your adventure safer, more enjoyable and more affordable. 

General Japan Travel Tips 

While there are  many basic travel tips  we suggest you use when travelling to Japan, there are also plenty of Japanese-specific tips that will make your visit the best it can be. 

Here are a few we recommend you consider as you plan your trip to visit Japan: 

1. Research Cultural Norms and Behaviour

Japan is a country with a very strong national identity and behaviour. Breaking these behavioural norms is most definitely frowned upon. 

Here are a few basic Japanese cultural expectations:

• Do not talk loudly or answer your phone on the subway, bus or train. 
• Do not eat on the above. 
• Walking and eating are sometimes frowned upon. 
• Stand on the left-hand side of an escalator. 
• Follow the rules in an onsen.
• Do not litter – Japan is immaculately clean. 

If you’re not sure if something is ok, just ask.

Many Japanese people know that foreigners are unlikely to be aware of Japanese norms and expectations and will be happy to help you. 

2. Eat, Eat, Eat.

Japanese food tastes so much better in Japan. Take the opportunity to try things that you are very unlikely to find in your home country. 

3. International Drivers Permit

If you plan on renting a car in Japan you MUST have this document.

Without it not only will you be unable to rent a car, but you also will not be given a refund if you have already paid. 

4. Take your own chopsticks

Single-use chopsticks are the norm in Japan. Take your own and do a little bit for the planet. 

5. Do your research

A bit of planning and research does make a real difference, especially for utilising public transport. Getting a handle on this will leave you in the best place to get the most out of your trip. 

6. Show respect and places of worship:

All temples and shrines will have rules and guidelines clearly displayed in English or with pictures, yet some people are still not able to understand them. Don’t be one of those travellers that give everyone else a bad name. 

7. Remove your shoes

This is common everywhere in Japan. In some cases, you may need to remove them before entering the lobby of a hotel.

However, it is more common that you are expected to leave your shoes in the coves next to the door of your hotel room. This is especially common in more traditional Japanese hotels. 

8. Embrace Japanese toilets

The gadgets available in Japanese bathrooms are the stuff of legend. Soft music can be played so no-one can hear you doing your business, seats can be warmed on cold winter mornings and the variety of spray options will leave you feeling as clean as a whistle. 

Japan Packing List

We always travel with a  core packing list  wherever we go. And when it comes to Japan, many factors will affect what else you need to bring along with you. 

Check out our  travel essentials  and be sure to add any of the other additional items listed below. 

TRAVEL INSURANCE. SIMPLE & FLEXIBLE.

Which countries or regions are you traveling to, what’s your country of residence, enter traveler’s age, staying safe in japan.

Japan is a relatively safe country in which to travel.

Clearly you should always practice some basic safety guidelines no matter where in the world you travel. 

• Keep copies of your passport and financial documents in the event they are lost or stolen. 
• Don’t be flashy with expensive items or cash. You’re not very likely to be targeted as a tourist in Japan. But this would surely set you apart. 
• Avoid travelling alone at night. Call a taxi or Uber in advance and wait inside the venue until it arrives. 
• Be aware of your surroundings, particularly if you’ve had a night out drinking. 
• Keep your personal items close. Pickpocketing is about as bad as you can expect in Japan, so make sure your purse, wallet and phone, etc are secure particularly when travelling in crowded public transportation.

We won’t bore you with a more extensive list. Unless this is your first trip out of your home country you’ll be better off when you travel in Japan than many other places in the world. 

If this is your first trip, congratulations!

If you practice many of the same common-sense habits you would at home, then you’ll be quite safe and enjoy your time in Japan. 

Staying Connected in Japan

Japan is an ultra-modern country, particularly when it comes to technology. Thus staying connected when you travel to Japan will be no issue. 

Of course, like any place in the world, the further you go away from metropolitan areas the more you can expect slow to no-service in areas. 

For phone and data service, first check with your local cellular carrier to determine if your current plan will cover you when you travel to Japan.

In many cases, carriers have expanded their international coverage to popular places such as Japan. 

If not, they will likely have a very expensive option for you to purchase on a daily/weekly basis.

We feel like your money will go a lot further if you consider a few other options. 

Purchase a SIM Card

First and foremost is to pick up a local SIM card upon arrival in Japan. You will need to make sure that your device is unlocked before you can switch SIM cards.

However, this will be a reasonably inexpensive and fairly common way to access Japanese cellular networks without paying outrageous international travelling fees through your home carrier. 

Rent a Portable WiFi Device

A second option would be to  rent a portable WiFi device  that will allow you a certain amount of data/service over a set period of time.

These are relatively affordable compared to most cellular plans’ international options.

You’ll typically have to pick these up from central locations such as the airport or train station. But it’s likely you’ll be passing through here anyway. 

Access Free WiFI

And finally, you could always just ensure that your device is on aeroplane mode and then hop from one WiFi hotspot to another.

Plenty of places in the towns and cities you will visit will offer WiFi.

From restaurants, hotels, railway and train stations and even some public spaces, you’ll find many venues that will cater to your need to stay connected. 

Be a Responsible Traveller in Japan

Being a responsible traveller in Japan is important on many levels.

First, you represent yourself wherever you travel.

Nobody likes a jerk – especially people minding their own business in their own country.

Taking the time to learn about Japanese customs and culture will help you understand how you can be more responsible when you travel to the country. 

Second, you represent your home country and other travellers. If you act or say things that reflect poorly on yourself while travelling in Japan then these actions also reflect poorly on other travellers.

While stereotypes suck – the truth is that most people form opinions based on first experiences. So let’s try to make your interactions with others positive while travelling in Japan.

Additionally, the resources of the world are limited.

Even though you might have certain customs or routines back in your home country does not mean you need to extend them when you travel to Japan.

For instance, carrying a reusable water bottle is loads more responsible as a traveller – although you may not think twice about using disposable bottles back home. 

Key Japanese Travel Phrases

You don’t have to be fluent in Japanese to have a great time when you travel to Japan. But it does help to know a few key phrases.

This will not only assist you in your travels but it will also show respect to the local Japanese people that you are doing your best to assimilate into their culture. 

Books To Read About Japan

Maybe you already know everything about Japan. Chances are you don’t!

But even if you are well-read, here are a few suggestions that might be worth your time while you’re on the plane to Japan. 

A Geek in Japan . A fascinating read that takes you into the heart of understanding Japanese culture. This is a top pick among most Japan travellers.

Memoirs of a Geisha . Perhaps the. most well-known book in recent times thanks to its popularity as a movie. The historical fiction follows the story of a young woman thrust into the life of a geisha.

Rice Noodle Fish . A creative way of exploring Japan from a culinary standpoint. Tantalizing pictures of delicious food accompanies the personal story and in-depth information about some of Japan’s best eats.

Hokkaido Highway Blues . Follow a hilarious and entertaining journey by the author to traverse Japan in stride with the cherry blossoms. Meet a cross-section of Japanese culture through the lens of the author.

BOOKING RESOURCES

I know, I know – we’ve already mentioned these resources a bunch in this travel guide.

But here’s the thing… we know you’re going to want and need these resources to help you save money and have a more enjoyable trip

Table of Contents

Read our vietnam posts, the perfect 3 days in tokyo itinerary, 25 awesome things to do in tokyo, japan, 7 best day trips from osaka, japan (2024 travel guide), 12 awesome things to do in hakone, japan (2024 guide).

Planning a Trip to Japan: DOs & DON’Ts (2024)

This page contains affiliate links. Please read our disclosure for more info.

This post is based on an amazing guide our friend Amy Dunn-Cham compiled us full of her Japan tips on how to plan a trip to Japan years ago. We have since visited Japan five times and update this post regularly with what we’ve learnt.

Ah Japan, irasshaimase! Welcome to the land where everything just works. The land of convenience, the land of delicious food, paradox, naked strangers, and where respect permeates through every part of society and culture.

In Japan the food can be described as clean and minimalist, but never simple, which probably sums up Japan as a whole. It’s a place that both lives up to, and out does, any expectation you have upon arrival.

Uh-huh, they have the fastest, sleekest, most efficient trains (ever!), but they still have paper posters pegged up on their Tokyo subway. Yeah, they have amazing futuristic architecture, but they also have countless traditional wooden buildings in amongst it all. 

Yes, they have the busiest people crossing in the world (Shibuya), but at no point is it ever chaotic, no need for anyone to bang on a cab screaming, “Hey, I’m walking here!”. 

Yes, they have scores of scarily trendy, funkily clad young people who like to cosplay on weekends, but they also have evening family outings to sentos (public bathhouses).

In this Japan travel guide, we’ll help you make sense of it all and share our best tips for planning a trip to Japan.

2024 Update: No Japan Travel Restrictions

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Japan reopened to independent international tourists on 11 October 2022.

Remaining restrictions were dropped on 29 April 2023, so visitors no longer need to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test.

The government also dropped the indoor masking recommendation. Many Japanese people still wear masks (on our late 2023 trip, I’d say about 30-40% of people wore them), but you are unlikely to be required to.

With the yen at the lowest it has been for decades, now is a great time to travel to Japan.

Health care is expensive in Japan, so I highly recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers Covid-19 medical expenses.  SafetyWing Insurance  is an excellent budget option, especially for travellers on longer trips and families (as children under 10 are free). It’s available worldwide.

If you want a more comprehensive policy with cancellation cover, check out Heymondo travel insurance , which we used on our last Japan trip (it came in handy when Simon broke his foot!). It’s also available worldwide and offers 5% off for our readers.

Back to Contents

We’ve visited Japan in all four seasons and don’t think there’s a bad time to go. 

In winter , it’s chilly and gardens are a bit bare, but crowds are lower, you’ll find great deals on accommodation, and you’ll really appreciate those onsens (hot springs). You can also go skiing or snowboarding and have the best chance of seeing snow-capped Mount Fuji.  

In summer , it is steaming hot and humid (and June is the rainiest month), but there are fewer foreign tourists around and lots of local festivals to enjoy. It’s also the best time to visit the many beaches and the only time you can climb Mount Fuji. 

The most popular and best overall times to visit Japan are spring (March-April) and autumn (October – early December). This is when you can enjoy the gorgeous cherry blossoms (sakura) or autumn leaves (koyo). It’s more crowded and expensive, but the weather can be ideal and it is just stunning. 

See our guide to visiting the Kyoto cherry blossoms for more information on the popular sakura season. 

On our recent autumn trip, we had warm weather (up to 77ºF/25ºC) with very little rain from October until mid-November, when the temperature in Kyoto suddenly plummeted ahead of the leaves turning colour.

Shoulder seasons May and late-September/early October  are also good times to visit with warm weather and lower crowds.

Two times of year I would avoid for a vacation to Japan are:

Golden Week in early May – In 2024, Golden Week is from 27 April – 6 May. This is a series of national holidays so many Japanese travel domestically, trains and hotels book up, and popular spots will be extra crowded.

New Year – Late December to early January. This is also a busy time with local travellers and most businesses close for up to four days.

How long do you need in Japan? As long as possible!

There is so much to see—we have spent months in the country and still have a long bucket list.

For first time visitors, I recommend visiting Japan for two weeks. This is enough time to see some highlights—Tokyo, Kyoto, and one or two smaller destinations. See our Japan two week itinerary for suggestions.

A week is the minimum time I recommend for a Japan trip. For a more relaxed Japan vacation, spend the whole week in Tokyo or Kyoto and take day trips. Or if you don’t mind rushing about, visit both major cities with an overnight stop on the way (such as Hakone).

Read our guide on the best places to visit in Japan to decide where interests you most and come up with an itinerary. You’ll find some suggestions at the end of this guide.

Watch this video for Japan trip ideas.

• Check if you need a visa . Visa-free travel is possible for citizens of 68 countries for stays of up to 90 days (including US, UK, Canada, Australia and the EU). Do have a return or onward flight out of the country as they may grill you upon arrival. It was the nicest immigration interrogation we’ve ever had, though.
• Purchase your Japanese Rail Pass exchange order before you travel to Japan (if needed, more on that later).
• Learn some Japanese —numbers are especially useful! While you can get by with Google Translate, it’s much more fun to learn some Japanese (which isn’t as hard as you might think) and locals really appreciate it. We are currently learning with the comprehensive Rocket Japanese online course , which includes audio lessons with natural dialogue, grammar and culture tips, and voice recognition to test your pronunciation. It’s a little pricey but unlike most subscription-based courses, you get lifetime access and discounts are often available.
• Get an International Driving Permit . You’ll need this for go-karting on the real Tokyo roads dressed as your favourite character. Insanity but one of the most fun things we’ve done in Japan.
• Arrange travel insurance. Healthcare is expensive in Japan, so make sure you are covered in case the worst happens. We’ve used and recommend Heymondo and  SafetyWing (both available worldwide). 

• Apply for a Mastercard credit or debit card – If you don’t already have one. Some Japanese websites don’t work with Visa so it’s good to have a backup. We used a Starling Bank debit card (UK only), which has free international transactions and cash withdrawals.
• Walk as much as possible – You will walk a lot in Japan cities so it helps to get some training in beforehand (and wear in some comfy shoes).
• Practice using chopsticks – You’ll need them to eat in almost every restaurant (curry is the exception as it’s eaten with a spoon). Getting used to sitting on the floor is a good idea for some restaurants and experiences too.

• Buy a pre-paid transport IC card  for local trains, metro and buses. You just tap on and off and don’t have to worry about buying a ticket. In Kyoto and Osaka, it’ll be an ICOCA card, and in Tokyo, it’s a Suica or Pasmo, but you can use any of the cards all over the country. Physical cards are currently in short supply (due to a chip shortage), so I recommend adding Suica to Apple Wallet on your phone or watch. Visa doesn’t work as a payment method so use Apple Pay, Mastercard, or American Express to top up. We just tapped on transport with our Apple watch and didn’t even need to open the app. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work for Android phones bought outside Japan.
• Set up an Airalo eSIM – You’ll want affordable data on your phone as having access to maps and Google Translate makes life so much easier. A digital eSIM is simple to set up before you arrive and prices at Airalo start at just US$4.50. We used it on our last Japan trip and it worked great. If your phone doesn’t support eSIMs, you can buy a physical Umobile SIM from a vending machine at Tokyo Narita Airport (make sure your phone is unlocked).
• Sign up to the Timeout Tokyo newsletter – To learn about special events during your stay.

• Buy tickets for Ghibli Museum and Ghibli Park – If you are a Studio Ghibli fan, you might want to visit the museum in Tokyo or new park in Nagoya. It’s essential to book ahead. See below for details.
• Research what else to book in advance – Many attractions and restaurants in Japan require advance booking so decide what’s important to you (ideally at least three months ahead) and set reminders for when bookings are available. At the end of this post you can see the timescale for what we booked for our latest trip.

• Consider a Japan Rail Pass . The luxury of shinkansen (bullet train) hopping is exhilarating. No need to book seats in advance, just choose a train, wave your pass and hop on. These passes are only available to foreigners and you can order online from  JRailPass.com . Read our guide to whether a Japan Rail Pass is worth it for everything you need to know after the price increase in October 2023 (it’s still worth it for some trips if you are travelling a lot).

• Bow if you are being bowed to . If you can manage it too, don’t turn your back upon exit. Don’t overdo it though or you’ll be a total gaijin , no need to bow to the supermarket checkout person!
• Pre-book accommodation. Wise anyway as the more affordable accommodation fills up fast, but also in line with the whole respect thing, Japanese people like to be prepared for your arrival.  So don’t just randomly rock up at a ryokan for the night! Booking.com is our favourite site for finding hotels and guesthouses, and we also use AirBnb and Vrbo  to find apartments in the big cities (which are often cheaper than hotels). See our Japan accommodation guide for recommendations.

• Go onsening! You might want to skip this in summer as hot doesn’t even come close to describing the water temperatures! But soaking in a hot spring is one of the most typical things to do in Japan and is ultra relaxing once you get over your fears of public nudity (yep, no clothes allowed!). Best of all, visit an onsen town where you can onsen-hop dressed in a kimono. See our Kinosaki Onsen travel guide for details on this lovely onsen town as well as hot spring etiquette. 

• Stay in a ryokan (traditional inn). Pricey but worth it for at least a night or two for the unique experience and the amazing meals that are often included in the room rates (and many can cater for vegetarians/vegans). Our favourite ryokan is Tsukihitei in Nara, so traditional and with a magical forest setting. We also loved our private bath overlooking the scarlet maple trees at Nanzenji Ryokan Yachiyo in Kyoto (book a suite not a standard room). More budget-friendly options are Hotel Musashiya in Hakone, where our room and onsen had a view of Lake Ashi, and Morizuya Ryokan in Kinosaki Onsen, which is perfect for onsen-hopping.
• Stay in a traditional tatami mat room.  If you can’t stay in a ryokan, a much cheaper way to stay in one is a traditional room in K’s House hostels—they have branches in Hakone  (with onsen), Kyoto , Izu Peninsula (in a 100-year-old building with onsen), and all over the country. We never had a bad experience with this hostel chain in our budget travel days.

• Appreciate the zen-like calm on all modes of transport – no need for quiet only carriages here! Just remember that it’s rude to speak on your phone on trains in Japan.
• Use Google Translate . Many people don’t speak English, so the Google Translate app is helpful for communicating. Write what you want to say in English then show the Japanese translation to the person. Even more impressive is the feature to translate images—point your camera at a sign, menu, or food label and it translates the text instantly. It’s not perfect but when it works, it’s brilliant.
• Translate websites too – Many Japanese websites (especially restaurants) are only in Japanese so using Chrome or Safari, refresh the page and select the English option at the top. On Safari on my iPhone, I tend to select a block of text and tap translate from the popup.
• See some sumo . If you’re lucky enough to be in the country when one of the sumo tournaments is on, go! The pre/ post game rituals are fascinating to watch. If you aren’t there during a tournament, you can see a practice session at a sumo stable in Tokyo . It was one of our favourite experiences in Japan—it felt like such an honour to see these huge, impressive sumotori training so close.
• Expect bursts of freakery!

• Get your paper fortune at a Japanese Buddhist temple. Okay, we cheated and got an English one at the Golden Pavilion (see our guide on the best things do to in Kyoto ), but what the hell! You can also get one at the gorgeous Sensoji Temple in Tokyo . 
• Love the Japanese for their never-ending capacity to help you out , and they won’t stop until they do!
• Read these Japan books before you visit for a greater understanding of this weird and wonderful culture. 
• Have some sushi – Sushi is the essence of Japan, plus sushi-train/ sushi stand up bars are so much fun watching the chefs take your order, and all shout in unison, “samon!” or “tamago!” etc. Vegetarian sushi isn’t very common, but we did find some—see our vegetarian Japanese food guide .

• Appreciate the plastic food models as works of art!
• Pack slip-on shoes. You’ll be taking your shoes on and off a lot in temples and restaurants. I wear the comfy ballet flats Allbirds Tree Breezers in warmer weather and Allbirds Wool Runner sneakers (for men and women) in cooler weather—they keep your feet cosy but can be worn without socks and easily slipped off without untying the laces. See my detailed Allbirds review .
• Shop at the 100 Yen shops.  Like pound shops BUT BETTER! Daiso is a great one.
• Play in the arcades dotted around cities, the taiko drum game rocks! 
• Make use of the many vending machines EVERYWHERE . You will never go thirsty in Japan that’s for sure.  You can even get hot coffee…in a can! (Simon’s saviour when we had early morning trains to catch.) In fact, you can get friggin’ anything from vending machines from cheap 100 yen sake (yuk!) to hot chips (not surprisingly we did not try!) and SIM cards. In Tokyo you can use your Suica transport card to pay. 
• Press random buttons on the panel next to you on the loo . It will make you giggle ;o)!  Also, if it’s cold then appreciate the absolute miracle of heated toilet seats.
• Fall in love with seeing toriis (shrine gates) everywhere , especially small red ones in rows behind each other. Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto is our favourite (but go early as it’s popular). 
• Love and appreciate the beautiful presentation of absolutely everything from the amazing architecture to the way bento boxes are wrapped in a napkin tied in a knot just so, to amazing manhole covers!
• Pack light.  It will be much easier to hop on and off trains while travelling around Japan if you pack light, and hotels have limited storage space for luggage. Best of all, travel with just carry-on luggage . The Away Bigger Carry-On was perfect for our trip and fit overhead in trains.

• Consider luggage shipping – We haven’t used this yet, but if you have large luggage, it’s common to send it between hotels (it takes a day, so pack essentials in an overnight bag).
• Withdraw cash from 7-11 ATMs.  They are the most reliable no-fee option for international cards and can be found everywhere. Make sure you always have cash on hand as many places don’t accept credit cards (although this is improving). Note that some 7-11 ATMs in popular spots (the airport, Gion), do now charge, so try to withdraw in less touristy areas.
• Use Navitime to check train times and prices (and to work out if a Japan Rail Pass is worth it for your itinerary ).
• Visit BIC Camera if you need any kind of electronics. These massive stores have everything you could imagine. Take your passport if you are making a large purchase (over 5000 yen) and get it tax free. I bought a camera here and ended up getting lots of extra discounts and free accessories. It’s also a good place to buy a SIM card if you didn’t pick one up at the airport.

DON’T:

• Rent a car – For most visitors the best way to travel Japan is by train. Elsewhere we love road trips, but renting a car in Japan is just not worth the hassle unless you are travelling far off the beaten track.
• Open the door if taking a taxi. They are either automated or the driver will open it for you. It’s also a good idea to have your destination’s address written down in Japanese to show the driver as most don’t speak English.
• Feel bad if you need to take a break from Japanese food – Japan isn’t always an easy destination and indulging in a comfort meal can be restorative (we’ve had some excellent pizza in Japan).

• Forget to check opening hours – Japanese restaurants aren’t usually open all day and both restaurants and attractions usually have a last order/entry 30 to 60 minutes before closing.
• Go whizzing around the country too much. It can save energy to base yourself in one place and take day trips as we did in Kyoto and Okayama .
• Wear holey socks. You’ll only be embarrassing yourself when you take your shoes on/ off constantly!
• Go into an onsen without washing first , that’s just dirty dude!  Also, don’t go into the bathing area with a towel wrapped around you, you’ll just look stupid. Embrace the nudity! Everyone’s naked so no-one cares. My Kinosaki Onsen guide has more etiquette tips for newbies.

Japan is a popular destination and many hotels, restaurants, and attractions book up in advance. While you can still have a wonderful last-minute trip, it’s worth researching what you’d like to do months in advance to see what needs reservations.

On our most recent trip to Japan (in the busy autumn October/November season), this is what we booked ahead:

5 Months Before

• Flights – This is personal preference and earlier or later could also work. Tokyo Narita (NRT), Tokyo Haneda (HND), or Kansai International Airport in Osaka (KIX) are all good options to fly in to.
• Accommodation – Ryokans and hotels in smaller towns are most important to book ahead. Some hotels don’t take bookings more than 3 or 6 months in advance, though. We used Booking.com and almost all had free cancellation.

4 Months Before

• Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta – Our favourite place to stay in Japan is right inside the best Disney park in the world. Rooms go on sale 4 months in advance at 11am JST and sell out in minutes, so it’s essential to do some practice runs.

3 Months Before

• Harry Potter Studio Tour, Tokyo – We booked 7 weeks in advance and only got an afternoon slot, so earlier is a good idea. Check Klook and the Warner Bros Studio Tour website as they have different availability.

2 Months Before

• Ghibli Park , Nagoya – Tickets go on sale on the 10th of the month at 2pm JST for 2 months later (it changed recently from 3 months). So May tickets will be on sale on 10 March. These sell out quickly, so be prepared.
• Teamlab Planets , Tokyo – Book early if you want a specific time for this interactive digital art exhibition (we wanted the first slot). We booked on Get Your Guide . The new TeamLab Borderless is also selling out fast (tickets available on Klook or direct ).
• Some Restaurants – We booked Monk in Kyoto exactly 2 months in advance at 12pm JST (after five attempts) and Shigetsu in Kyoto (as we were visiting during peak autumn colour). Creating a Tablecheck account is a good idea as quite a few restaurants use it for bookings.
• Saihoji (Moss Temple) , Kyoto – It’s expensive and might not be a priority with limited time in Kyoto, but it’s our favourite temple. Reservations open 2 months in advance.
• Universal Studios Japan Express Passes – These are essential to skip the lines at this very busy park in Osaka, and they do sell out. We bought the Express Pass 7 – Backdrop and Spiderman on Klook (much easier than the official site which is in Japanese only). We bought our USJ entrance tickets on Klook at the same time. See our Universal Studios Japan guide for more tips.

1 Month Before

• Ghibli Museum , Tokyo – Available at 10am JST on the 10th of each month for the following month.
• Shibuya Sky , Tokyo – Bookings open 4 weeks in advance at midnight Japan time. Book fairly soon after that to get the peak slot (one hour before sunset).
• Tours – I booked a sumo stable visit (highly recommended) and Shinjuku bar hopping tour in Tokyo. Go-karting is another fun option we’ve done before. I used Get Your Guide for most tours. Klook is a good option for tickets and attractions too.
• Tea Ceremony Ju-an , Kyoto – Learn the traditions of tea in a temple. One of the highlights of our trip.
• Sakurai Tea Experience , Tokyo – If you love green tea, don’t miss the tea tasting at this modern tea room.
• More Restaurants – I booked Saido in Tokyo, Uzu Vegan Ramen in Kyoto (reservations essential), and Ristorante di Canaletto at DisneySea (one month in advance at 10am JST exactly).
• Tokyo DisneySea and Disneyland tickets – I booked on Klook. The parks probably won’t sell out, but we didn’t want to take the chance.
• Japan Rail Pass – If you decide to get one, allow plenty of time for your exchange order to arrive by post, just in case (you activate it on arrival).

2 Weeks Before

• Shinkansen Train Seat Reservations – We used the SmartEx website , which can be difficult to set up (use a Mastercard and keep trying to authenticate the payment method) but very handy. When booking a train from Tokyo to Kyoto, choose a seat on the right side of the train for Mt Fuji views (if clear). If you have large suitcases, you’ll also need to make an oversized baggage reservation .
• Airport Taxi Pickup – From Narita Airport we get the Narita Express train, but from Haneda Airport (which is closer to central Tokyo), we prefer a taxi for ease. We booked this Haneda airport pickup on Klook .
• More Tours and Restaurants – Book any more priorities as you finalise your itinerary.

Japan has so much to offer but here are a few places to get you started.

• Tokyo – The best of modern Japan. This huge city has incredible food, diverse neighbourhoods, and some unique experiences. Try these cool things to do in Tokyo and enjoy the best vegetarian restaurants in Tokyo . 
• Kyoto – The best of traditional Japan with many stunning temples to explore . Read the best things to do in Kyoto .
• Takayama – A smaller, quieter alternative for traditional Japan with a beautiful historic centre of preserved wooden houses. 
• Hakone – For the chance to see Mount Fuji, mountain scenery, lakes, onsens, and fun transport options (cable cars and pirate ships!). 
• Kawaguchiko – Even better views of Mount Fuji at Lake Kawaguchiko . 
• Nikko – Stunning temples in the forest. Could be visited as a day trip from Tokyo. 
• Hiroshima – Visit the moving peace memorial that commemorates the atomic bombing and don’t miss nearby Miyajima Island. 

See our Japan 2 Week Itinerary for a detailed guide to visiting many of these places including things to do, transport, and where to stay and eat.

Or our guide to the best places to go in Japan has more ideas.

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164 Comments

Wow, an amazing blog, Erin. This is helping us so much plan our trip. It is great to see you updating it regularly too. It’s becoming a daily read.

Kind regards,

Reply ↓

Thanks so much for this post! As is often the case I am following you around the world and now I’m going to Japan. Look forward to reading everything you’ve written on it!

Good to hear you are going to Japan, Ruth! I hope you enjoy it as much as we always do!

We are a very active retired couple and love exploring different cultures, sights, and exploring nature. We are planning on going to Japan for the first time for 3 -4 weeks, around the third week or so in Sept to mid October or later. We will travel with just carry on luggage and backpacks. We love touring on our own, or booking individual tours at the different places. We are open to basing in Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima(?) plus other places and doing day trips from these places. What would be a good itinerary for our 21+ day trip? Thanks so much! We love your website! Bunny

Hi, I lost my comment somewhere on your blog 😅 So, me and my partner are going to Japan for 4-6 weeks in sept/october. We want to travel in a slow pace and want to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, hiking around Kiso Valley (and Kumano Kodo?), Nagano, Kanazawa? We also want to explore some nice nature, visit onsen, sleep at a roykan etc. Hokkaido would be cool but i don’t know if we will have time with that. Do you have any tips where we must go? I think our plan is to be at least 7 days each in Kyoto and Tokyo, we want to stay for minimum 2 nights at each place. Would you recommend to start in Tokyo? Is it worth to start a week in a busy town with jetlag? Should we go somewhere else (where?) for a nice start on the vacation?

Thank you! /Johanna

Hi Johanna!

I’m planning a solo trip from ~May 21-June 21, but i’m worried i’ll hit the rainy season and humidity. What to you advise? I’m limited to May 21st as my earliest trip start date due to school!

I think it makes sense to start with Tokyo if that’s where you are flying in to. That way you don’t have to worry about travelling elsewhere and you have enough time there that you can plan for the first few days to be pretty relaxed – wander some neighbourhoods, eat etc.

Sounds like you have plenty of time to do everything you want. You could easily use that time in central Japan, but you could add in Hokkaido if you really wanted (we still haven’t made it there). Enjoy!

Hi Erin, is it advisable to visit Lake Kawaguchiko in November? And, do you think it is possible to do a day trip to Lake Kawaguchiko having Tokyo as the base?

We haven’t been in November but we definitely would. You will likely see the autumn colours too (generally peak around mid-Nov), which would be beautiful.

It will likely be colder than Tokyo, but as long as you are prepared with warm clothes it should be enjoyable.

And yes, it is possible as a day trip from Tokyo – many people go by train or on bus tours. Just be aware that Mt Fuji is often hidden in cloud, so if you stay overnight you increase your chances to see it. But you could also try to choose a clear day for your day trip. Enjoy!

Our Lake Kawaguchiko travel guide has more details.

Thank you for creating this! I’m making my way through reading all of your posts. I will be visiting Japan for 14 days for the first weeks in April with my husband, a 7 year old, 10 year old and my two of my adult siblings. We’ll be a big group but I’m very excited as this is my first time and have always dreamed of going. Wondering if you have any advice for the younger kids or any kid entertainment? Thanks again!

Travelling with kids isn’t our area of expertise so I don’t have any specific recommendations except for Tokyo Disney, which we love. Tokyo DisneySea is our favourite park—it’s the only one in the world and has plenty to offer for kids and adults. Enjoy!

Absolutely love this perspective on travel! It beautifully captures the essence of what it means to explore the world. Travel isn’t just about ticking off destinations; it’s about slowing down, immersing yourself in new cultures, savoring moments, and absorbing the rich tapestry of life that the world has to offer. 🌍✈️🌏

Thank you so much for this! I have started notes and saved the page so that I can come back and check out all the links. :) I am wanting to take my 14 (would be 15 then) daughter alone (we do girl’s trips every year without dad) to Japan. She loves all things Cherry Blossoms! We try and do her spring break time (next year will be the first week of April), but I am concerned about that being too short of time period. Could we do it? If that is all the time you had, would you have a ‘base in Tokyo and then do some excursions from there (which is how we like to travel)? I am also worried about the language barrier and us being able to navigate since sometimes Google translate will not work. Thanks again!

Hi Jennifer, With one week I would focus on Kyoto, which is a better location for cherry blossoms and also has so many beautiful temples and gardens. It’s more traditional Japan (although there is a modern part too). Ideally, you’d fly into Kansai Airport which is closest.

If you have to fly into Tokyo, you could spend a few nights there before taking the shinkansen train to Kyoto (the quickest one is just over 2 hours).

If you really want to see the more modern side of Japan or don’t want to take the train, then Tokyo would be a great base. You can still see plenty of cherry blossoms there.

We don’t speak Japanese (although we are trying to learn this year) and have always managed. The Japanese are very helpful and will always try to help you out, even with a language barrier. And there are an increasing number of signs in English. Just make sure you have data on your phone as Google Translate and Maps are super helpful (you can download Japanese offline in Translate too).

Be sure to book accommodation far in advance for the cherry blossom season (ideally 6 months+).

Enjoy Japan! Erin

Hi Erin, My husband & I are travelling to Japan in August as he is competing in the world masters swimming competition. We have to be in Fukuoka for the competition and then he have 9 days to explore the country ending up in Tokyo for our flight home. Could you advise what we should do at this time of year. Do you think it is sensible to base ourselves in Kyoto and then take daily trips from there using the JR Pass, (do you recommend we get the Green pass). Your advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanking you in advance.Pia

Hi Pia, that’s exciting!

If you don’t want to move around too much then I do think Kyoto is a great base. There’s so much to do (including festivals in August) and lots of possible day trips. You could finish up with a couple of nights in Tokyo.

If you want to add some extra places you could stop in Hiroshima on the way to Kyoto for the peace memorial and nearby Miyajima Island. It’s a quick journey on the bullet train from Fukuoka.

You’ll need to work out your route first to see whether a rail pass is worth it. It probably won’t be worth it for day trips but could work out worthwhile including the shinkansen up from Fukuoka and on to Tokyo.

We’ve never used a green pass but if you want a bit more space you could consider it.

Also bear in mind that around the Obon holiday (13-16 August) the trains will be busier than usual so book your seat in advance.

Enjoy Japan!

Hi Erin – great post, thanks for your comprehensive insight! My partner and I are heading to Tokyo for NYE and planning on heading from there to Kyoto around the 2nd for a couple of nights. I understand that Japan can be very quiet during the first week of January. Do you have any experience travelling at this time? If so, do you have any suggestions about how to make the most of the trip while the country is a bit quieter? Thanks in advance :)

Hi Sarah, We haven’t been to Japan at New Year. The important thing to bear in mind is that many businesses will be closed on some or all days between 29 Dec and 4 Jan. So make sure you look at the hours of any restaurants and attractions you want to visit and work around them.

I think Kyoto will be lovely at a quieter time of year especially as it does get so busy. There are so many temples and shrines to explore and they stay open over NY. Enjoy!

Wonderful website and tips. I know one of your dont´s is rent a car, but we are hoping to visit Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and Takayama, and have found no easy way to get there from Tokyo or Kyoto on train. Do you have any recommendation on how to do that?

Many many thanks¡

Hi Natalia. You can get to Takayama from Kyoto or Tokyo easily by changing trains in Nagoya. The journey from Nagoya to Takayama is beautiful.

The other villages can be reached by bus from Takayama (Shirakawa-go is easiest), but yes, a car would give you more flexibility to explore the countryside around here.

Maybe look into renting a car for a few days in Takayama? Just remember you’ll need an international driving licence, which you’ll need to get in your home country.

While a car could be useful in the countryside, I wouldn’t want to drive in the cities and the train between cities is probably quicker.

I’ve written a bit about Takayama in our 2 week itinerary: https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/japan-2-week-itinerary/

Have a wonderful trip to Japan! Erin

Hello Enrin, your tips makes me very enthousiatic to plan a 4week trip to Japan. Is that a good way to tour? (Will be half september-half oktober).

forgot to say ;-) we plan to travel with a campervan: is that a good way to tour?

That’s a great time to visit and a nice amount of time to explore. I don’t think a campervan or any rental car is the best way to travel though. Driving (and finding parking) in the cities is a challenge and it’s much easier to travel by train.

A campervan would only be advisable if you want to focus on rural areas like Hokkaido.

Remember you’ll need an international driving licence, which you’ll need to get in your home country.

Hello Great Blog. full of advices How do you suggest to travel the “alps” from Kanazawa that one can reach by train to takayama and around ? would that be the place where you rent a car?

You can visit places like Kamikochi by bus from Takayama so a car isn’t essential.

Hi Erin, would like to ask is hiring tour guide better or do it yourself to see all nice place in Japan?

It depends how you prefer to travel. I definitely think it’s possible to travel by yourself. A compromise might be to hire a guide for a day (or join a tour) in Kyoto and/or Tokyo.

Good Day Erin. Just doing beginning research for our yearly trip this year, and we are considering Japan. Your excellent article is the first I started with. We like to spend minimum of 2 weeks, usually longer at our destination. You suggest that using public transportation throughout the country and not to rent a car. My husand and I are seniors. My husband has difficulty (pain) after walking a short distance (100 yards). Would this destination be a wise choice for us? Before going further in my research an answer to this question is most appreciated. Regards

Hi Diane, yes, trains are definitely the best way to visit Japan’s cities. You could hire a private driver for day tours within places like Kyoto, though, which could minimise the need to walk as much when sightseeing.

It would probably be best to minimise the places you visit (such as Tokyo and Kyoto or even just Kyoto) as train stations are quite large and do involve walking. If you fly into Kansai airport you could take a taxi to Kyoto and see a lot based there.

Perhaps renting a wheelchair is worth considering. There is also an overnight luggage delivery service where you can send your bags between hotels to make train travel easier.

As we don’t have any experience of travelling Japan with mobility issues, I would look for advice from those who have. Here’s one post that might be useful: https://www.japan-guide.com/forum/quereadisplay.html?0+132386

Diane: As someone who recently travelled to Japan having had double knee replacement surgery less than 12 months previously, I can offer a little insight! While I agree that travelling by train is a fantastic way to get around Japan (I covered a LOT of miles!) you should be aware that not all train stations have lifts or escalators. Many stations in Tokyo have quite long flights of stairs which can be a challenge to anyone less able or in pain, especially when you have luggage. Even when there is a lift, it’s typically right at the end of the platform (often the “wrong” end for where you want to be), so I would do some research before deciding how much urban train travel you will do; it’s less of an issue when taking the shinkansen to cover a reasonable distance. I much prefer trains to coaches, but I did use buses in places and that was fine. On the topic of car hire, I probably wouldn’t bother myself but I know someone who travels widely across Japan with a couple of kids and she swears by it, not least because they can easily reach locations that would otherwise be a hassle to get to. She doesn’t use one in the cities though. Lastly, I don’t think you should be put off going to Japan – it’s an amazing country and I found everyone to be unfailingly helpful. No problem is insurmountable!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Sue.

Hello Erin,

Would you recommend visiting Jaoan with a 1.5 year old? Do the onsens have babysitters?

We don’t have any experience travelling with kids but our friends took their toddler and loved it. The onsens don’t have babysitters as far as I know.

Thank so much for all the amazing info! Heading to Japan in June for two weeks with my daughter. It’s especially wonderful to know there are some great vegan/vegetarian options.

Hi Erin… I stumbled onto your website as I’ve started looking into planning for a trip in 2024 for my daughter’s High school Senior trip. Is Mid June a good time weather wise? Super hot? Also, are there food/restaurants that are gluten free for Celiacs? You mentioned beaches are those places more expensive than the cities? I will check out all your links too. TY for all the info, this will truly help.

It will be hot but if that’s the only time you can go, I wouldn’t let it stop you and it’s cooler than July and August.

I don’t have any experience being gluten free in Japan but our friend has written this guide: https://www.legalnomads.com/gluten-free/japan/

Beaches shouldn’t be more expensive than the cities but it depends where you go. We haven’t spent much time at the beaches.

Have a wonderful trip!

hi Erin, lovely website with a lot of good information. Do you list of places to visit / see – for a 4 week trip. We wanted to do the North part of the country as well. thanks for any tips and help. We are vegetarians as well but saw that you all managed to get delicious looking vegetarian food : ).

We haven’t actually made it very far north as there’s always so much to do in the central part. See our guide to the best places to visit in Japan for our favourite places: https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/best-places-to-visit-in-japan/

And yes, vegetarian food in Japan is great if you plan in advance (use the Happy Cow app).

Thanks for the info Erin. Cultural.differences are amusing at least.

Thank you so much for this guide Erin! It’s really helpful. I’m planning a 2-3 week trip to Japan around September. However, I’ve read and seen a lot of people saying to avoid this time of year due to typhoon season. Would you recommend visiting Japan around this time despite the typhoons that might hit?

We’ve been in September and enjoyed it. We did get some rain but nothing that disrupted our trip. I wouldn’t let it stop you visiting.

Hello Erin! Great information. Thank you! What percentage of small businesses (resturants, clubs, rooms, etc) are open this month (March)? What percentage may be open in May? Should I wait until September to experience Japan? Take care,

Everything should be open now so any month this year is good to visit!

How easy is it to navigate in Tokyo and Kyoto with a group of 8? We’re concerned about everything from attractions to train travel to being able to eat together. This is a trip to celebrate our friends’ 40th birthday and logistics just seem to be overwhelming!

Hi Laurie We’ve only visited Japan as a couple, but I’d say it might be a bit challenging in a big group. Many restaurants are quite small and trains can be crowded (although you can book seats together for the longer trip between Kyoto and Tokyo).

I’m sure it would be possible if you plan in advance (book some restaurants etc) and maybe break into smaller groups for some of the time. Perhaps discuss what everyone definitely wants to do and do those things together, but then have some time doing your own thing.

Good luck with it and enjoy Japan!

I’ll be visiting Japan for 10 days in March! Could you give me a little insight on the paying methods there? How much cash should I bring/have on hand? Do they mostly accept cash or do most places accept credit cards?

Thanks in advance!

Hi Susan When we visited Japan previously we needed cash for most places. We just withdrew from an ATM (the ones at 7-11 were most reliable for foreign cards) when needed so we didn’t exchange any cash in advance. Just make sure you use a card that doesn’t charge international transaction fees (this will depend which country you are from).

But I have heard that since Covid more places accept credit cards and contactless payment methods, so I’m really hoping there’s less of a need for cash now. I would still recommend always having some with you just in case.

Hello . I want to visit Japan with my 13 year old granddaughter in June. I have never been in Japan, but have traveled widely. We plan to visit Kyoto and its environs mostly but want to spend couple days in Tokyo. We do not speak Japanese but will find a way to learn some. We are coming from the US, but my home country is Finland (very Japan friendly :)). We definitely want to get bullet train passes and need to learn about cell phone communication. And we are both into adventure and are looking forward to seeing Japan. Thank you for any advice you can give us.

I plan to visit Japan soon, spiritualy a home I have never been to yet. This is due to my work and my partners need for beach and sun. I’m hoping I can convince her soon to travel with me there. Or it’s over… the Japanese have a way of life with nature that we miss here in the UK….. I have so much respect for the people of Japan. We could learn a thing or two….. I plan to beg konami tsukamoto to mentor me in order I can preserve British trees as she does her native species…… much respect.

Excellent post Erin. You’ve included some great examples of things specific to Japan that it would be great to know in advance for new travellers.

I especially liked your recommendation not to try and cram too much in and whiz around the country. This is a common mistake people make when visiting Japan. Also, not wearing socks with holes in! Once you’ve done this in Japan, you’ll never do it again LOL!

Also, an upvote for your suggestion to visit Takayama – a wonderful place that has a charming historical district that’s like stepping back in time.

Good information given u

I’m doing a project on Japan for school, your posts on Japan were all SUPER helpful- thank you so much!

Glad it helped!

Hello We are looking to travel to Tokyo with out 2 year old in October. We were told that we would need to book travel guides for us to have a visa to enter in Japan. As great as that all sounds, it’s also more then we intend to spend for our trip. How true is needing the visa to enter Japan? Should we do a tour guide for a couple days? If that is allowed.

Hi Vee, As things currently stand, Japan’s borders are still closed to independent travellers. You can only enter the country as part of a package tour that is very restrictive (you can’t do any exploring alone), and, yes, it would be expensive. You would need a guide for the whole trip.

There is a chance borders will reopen by October but really there’s no way of knowing right now. If you decide to go ahead and book in the hope they do reopen, I would make sure everything has free cancellation.

So I’m trying to plan a trip to Japan with my family next year July (4kids) but I keep hearing super expensive, anyways nanny suggestions on where or how to plan n book.? Also my chance do you have any info on Tokyo Disneyland?

yes, japan can be quite expensive but if you plan your stay well and get a rail pass if you’re hopping between cities then you should be able to manage it :)

Should we rent a car or is public transportation the preferred mode of transportation for tourists?

Public transport is easier to deal with. I wouldn’t rent a car unless you are going somewhere remote.

Is it better to custom plan everything? Like book 2-3 week stay and go whichever places we want to visit ourselves or get a package that offer planned trips?

I think it’s best to book everything yourself, but it really depends on how much experience you have travelling and how much time you have to plan it all.

I’m going to Shinjuku. Next year in June this has really helped thank you

This helped so much, im going to Japan in 2 years with my dad (to film a documentary) and this helped so much

Thanks Lillee and have a great trip!

I’d love all the great tips, but should add make sure that you keep eyed out on your train timetable…I’d went to the Takayama Festival and didn’t watch my time. I’d miss my train and got stuck in Nagoya for six half hours trying to get back to Asakusa. (Never again?)…watch your JR Rail or Metro timetable. Japan trains are on point.

Oh no, what a nightmare!

Bravo, your article full of good advice with beautiful pictures. A small precision for foreigners who wish to drive in Japan, they have to translate their driving license at a JAF center.

Now this I call a detailed guide! We are hoping to visit Japan next year so I am gathering all the info I can before I start any serious planning. This post was really helpful!

Thanks Julia! Good luck with your planning!

Hi thanks for sharing this Me & my nephew are planning to visit japan for the 1st time this September can you pls recommend any place to stay or eat and should we do tour or should we go on our own ? We kinda nervous abt the trip .

You should be fine without a tour. The train system is very comfortable and efficient and if you buy a rail pass, you don’t even have to worry about buying tickets for each trip. If you ever get confused, the Japanese are very friendly and will help you out.

Here are a few posts that should give you some ideas on where to go with accommodation and restaurant recommendations: https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/japan-2-week-itinerary/ https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/best-places-to-visit-in-japan/

Good luck and enjoy!

Wonderful and very Insightful Information.

I am a solo traveler from India, planning to travel to Japan for this first time, this summer for about 7-8 nights (June’2020), do you recommend going through some tour company or going on my own. How difficult is managing through Japan, without any knowing any Japaneses. Would you have a recommendation for a tour company.

I think Japan is fairly easy to manage without a tour company. The trains are a great way to travel and with a rail pass you don’t even need to worry about buying a ticket each time.

It helps to buy a local SIM card so you can use Google Translate on your phone. The Japanese are also usually very helpful even if they only speak a little English. We only speak a few words of Japanese are always manage fine.

Hello Erin, this is very useful. Thank you for sharing. Can you suggest us an 8 days itinerary for Japan. We’re visiting Japan for the first time and wish to enjoy the natural beauty and culture.

I would probably just focus on Kyoto and Tokyo in that time, perhaps with some day trips. Enjoy!

Hi! I’ve already been to Japan 2 times in the summer. The first time I visited Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and the Island of Shôdoshima. The second time I browsed a bit more around Tokyo and in the countryside (mainly in the Gunma prefecture – gorgeous landscapes!). I am going back in February. Two places I will visit for sure are Yokohama (first stop) and Sendai (2nd stop). And I and am wondering if there are “musts” I should not miss at that time of year (are snow festivals worth it? Or anything else?) and if it would be worth it to go as far south as Hiroshima? I should have about 12 days for Sendai onwards. I haven’t decided yet if I am going to fly back to Canada out of Tokyo (I could fly out from elsewhere too). Many thanks for your help and for sharing all of this! You’re doing a tremendous job!

Honestly this guide is incredible. I’ve booked marked this as I’m currently planning my things to do for March/April 2020! Any website booking recommendations?

Thanks Alyssa! Spring is such a lovely time in Japan.

Do you mean websites for booking accommodation or tours? We use Booking.com for hotels, Airbnb for apartments (in the big cities like Tokyo), and Voyagin for tours. You might find this post helpful: https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/things-to-do-in-japan/

Good afternoon! I’m planning a 1-month trip to japan in two years and would like to know how much money you think I should save up. I already have the places I wanna visit in mind and would just like some bit of info.

Thank you. :)

That’s a difficult question to answer as it depends so much on your travel style. Do you want to stay in hostels or fancy ryokan or a mix of both? Do you want to do expensive tours and activities or are you happy just wandering? Are you happy with cheap ramen or do you want to try a pricey kaiseki meal?

As a rough idea, on this two week itinerary ( https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/japan-2-week-itinerary/ ) we spent about US$120 per person a day which I’d say is a mid-range budget. There is more info in the itinerary post.

“Well there it is” I shouted as I scrolled through this fantastic information resource. An superb honest, unbiased view and answer to all, yes all, my questions. Except one…. Did you get to visit Okinawa? I desperate to get there… I will have 3-4 weeks….

Thank you so much Brian!

Unfortunately, we haven’t visited Okinawa yet. You’ll have plenty of time to add on a flight down there though. Enjoy Japan!

Awesome post! Thanks for sharing the knowledge and keep up the good work.

Thanks Brian!

Those photos of the dog pulling the mans underpants!?! My child was looking at this with me and now he is scarred for life!

Oh dear! You do find some very strange things in Japan.

I really enjoyed the detail you gave on your trip to Japan! This is 100% helpful as someone planning a trip there for the first time.

Thanks and enjoy Japan!

Hi Erin, thank you for taking the time to put all this great info together. One question I have is in regards to Takayama. Did you like it more than Kanazawa and Shirakawa-go, if you went? We originally planned to stop for a night in each place, however, because of availability in Shirakawa-go, we had to switch up our itinerary a little bit. To adjust, we have considered skipping Takayama and just doing Kanazawa and Shirakawa-go, but this makes me think twice. We also have the option of leaving Tokyo a day early (currently booked for 4 full days there) to keep all 3 places in the line-up. Would love to hear your input! Thank you!

I did like Takayama more than Kanazawa. It’s smaller and cuter and is surrounded by countryside. But then I do prefer small towns to big cities so it depends on your preferences. If you can fit it in I would.

We didn’t visit Shirakawa-go in the end. We were thinking of visiting as a day trip on the way between Takayama and Kanazawa but it would have meant having to use buses rather than take the train which we prefer (and we had a rail pass). If we had had time for a night’s stay there it would have been better I think.

Whatever you choose you’ll have an amazing time though!

Thank you so much for your post! It’s incredibly informative :)

I have one question, I am a woman traveling alone is there anything I need to consider? I have heard that Japan is a safe country, as you have the real-life experience, I’d love to hear what you think!

Thank you for your time, and excellent blog post!

I don’t think you need to worry – Japan is a very safe country. Have a great trip!

Nice list, and pretty accurate- thanks for sharing all the info!

I have to say though- DO try non-Japanese food. Things off the top of my head: bread from the local bakeries, 600¥ cake from fancy department stores, Starbucks (the seasonal things!). Pork buns in Yokohama, Pirozhki in Kamakura… The list is endless. Of course eat all the Japanese food too, because it’s amazing too.

But, I’m also so sorry you had such a bad experience (I’ve been there too)! The size of the nan though? Oh-my-god, right? :)

I do think non-Japanese food has improved a lot in recent years. We had some fantastic Italian food on our last trip (as vegetarians it’s a good backup option for us!).

Which places do you wish you would have stayed longer?

Kyoto (even though we had three weeks there!) and Tokyo.

Great list! It’s made me even more excited to get to Japan now!

I love saying ‘moshi moshi’ – i used to hear it when I worked in an international call centre – it’s so much better than plain old ‘hello’!

Excellent post – interesting, funny and very informative! Currently planning my Japan trip, this was a lot of help :)

Have an amazing trip to Japan!

I am visiting my daughter in Singapore and on the way back to the US my wife and I are visiting Japan (3Jun-8Jun). It is only for 5 days so unfortunately our time there will be very short. Originally I wanted to climb Fuji but the guided trip company I emailed claimed they only had a 1 day guided trips and crampons were required. Although we love to hike this may be too much for such a short trip. If anyone has hiked Fuji in crampons in 1 day I would love to hear about the experience. I still want to see Fuji up close, Kyoto, old family member used to live in Nagoya so would like to stop by there and perhaps Hakone. I just started looking for any special events that take place in the first week of June. Looking forward to this trip and a longer one next time.

Hi there :) Loved your post. I’m from Portugal but I’m a Japan fan. Went to Tokyo las year on March but this time I’m planning on 3 weeks travel around Japan. Can you help me? I already have the places to visti but I need help spliting the time… Oh and if yo see any of the plaes below that arenot woth to visit or less mportant please I’d aprreciate if you tell me: – Chiba – Nikko – Nagano and Matsumoto – Kawagoe – Kanagawa – Mt. Fuji (just planning on going near to have a view – Lake Kawaguchiko) – Magome – Takayama – Nagoya – Kyoto – Nara – Osak – Himeji – Hiroshima – Miyajima – Tokyo (and surroundings)

Thank you so much if you can help me.

Kind regards

Hi guys! I’m planning a trip to Japan in January with mum (I know it’s cold over there, but that’s the only break we’ve got!). We’re planning for a stay for around 8 days, any tips on where to go? I heard that an ideal short trip will consist of arriving at Tokyo and departing at Osaka, is that true? I really don’t know much about Japan so any advice is appreciated!

I would focus on Kyoto and Tokyo and take the train between them. Maybe include a day in Osaka if you can get a flight out from there.

We’ve written lots more about Japan: http://www.neverendingvoyage.com/japan-round-up/

Good advice. I hope to use this on my up come trip.

This is a great post! It is very helpful. I am planning to go to Tokyo this June. I will be staying in Shibuya/Shinjuku area. I don’t know which hotel to stay in and where to go first. Do you have any advice for the first time traveler? Thank you very much! :)

I am planning a trip in March 2015. Reading your website has got me extra excited already

Hi Matthew, I’m planning to travel to Japan at the beginning of March 2015 as well. If you got any great idea, we can discuss. Thanks

I am planning a trip to Kyoto to see where Reiki was started, your insights are great. Thank you

Are you house sitting for a friend or do you use a website to find/sign up for sitting jobs?

We used mindmyhouse.com

Hi guys, great blogs-thank you for sharing it. We’re planning to do a trip in December 2013 14-27/12.

Could you advise which cities we should visit using the shinkansen. We have 14 days to spend with the first 3 days in Tokyo, so it’ll leave us with 11 days in other cities.

I am confused with the the shinkansen map and which one we should take and which cities we can visit that is on the way. We are targetting to return to Tokyo on the last 3 days to do some shopping.

It is basically that 8 days, we need to use to the cities that can be visited using the shinkansen line.

Thank you in advance for your help

Hi Hemmy. I wrote up an itinerary I followed with a one-week JR Pass that might be of some help. It includes other useful tips for planning as well. Find it at:

http://www.lengthytravel.com/saving-on-travel-in-japan-with-a-jr-rail-pass-my-itinerary-tips-and-cost-savings/

Hi Jeff, thank you for your prompt reply. I really appreciate it. You’re really helpful

This site is really helpful about Japan and shows a route map: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2018.html

I would definitely recommend Kyoto and probably Hiroshima as well. These are the details of where we visited: http://www.neverendingvoyage.com/japan-round-up/ .

Have a great trip!

Hi I was wondering if you could help. Basically I want to pay my mum and dad back for being such brilliant parents and helping me bring up my little boy. My dad went to Japan about 40 yrs ago he has always wanted to go back. I want to plan a surprise trip next year to Japan. I’m planning about 10 or 14 days away but not too much travelling maybe a few days in 3 places and ending up in Tokyo for 4 days to finish . Can you recommend anywhere that would be a must. I am completely lost as am not familiar with hotels or places etc. Any help would be brilliant Thanks nadya :)

It really depends what you are interested in but I’d definitely recommend Kyoto as well as Tokyo. Have a read through our Japan posts and see what you like the sound of. Good luck with it.

Thanks had a look and they’re into history so definitely Kyoto . Cheers for ur help Nadya

I going to Japan next year and through out my researches I always came across those dos an don’ts and I have to say this is really nice and short one but has a lot of information in it, which is something I really like! Keep up the good work ;D

Thanks and have a great trip.

Hello, i am starting a trip around the world in february. I start in Tokio and end in Canada in december. How many days do i need to see Tokyo and are there some real good hidden secrets? Gr. Bert

That’s a difficult question. There is so much to do in Tokyo you could spend a few days or months. We didn’t spend that much time there so can’t really advise.

Hello, with one of your Dos its not mushy mushy its moshi moshi aka (もしもし). I’ve been leaning japanese for about 9 years now i was wondering id you could correct it please

ありがとうございます　（＾＿＾）

Done. Thanks for letting us know.

Your topic is amazing, I learned a lot but can you tell me what money should i required for 1 month to travel in Japan.

It’s hard to say but you can see our budget post for an idea of what we spent: http://www.neverendingvoyage.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-travel-in-japan/

Very nice and interesting article plus points. Japan is a place I really have wanted to go forever!

I am planning a 10 day trip with my two teenage girls. We really want to see Tokyo well. I keep hearing about Kyoto is it worth seeing, it seems far from Tokyo (8hrs) and expensive to get to?

I don’t think it’s that far if you get the bullet train. You can look up train times and prices on this website: http://www.hyperdia.com/ . You might also want to consider a rail pass if you are planning to visit other places. Compare the prices on that site with the rail pass.

Great Post. I lived in Japan for a few years and loved it. I would suggest going to any matsuri (festival) that are going on during your stay. There is lots of culture to be seen at those events. Plus there is good food. Depending on the location you’re at in Japan, during August or September, there are festivals for Obon.

In the planning stages for 9 days in Japan during June 2012 (flights booked). Can anyone help me with how long to see Hiroshima/Miyajima and whether we should base in Osaka or Kyoto to do the Osaka / Kyoto / Nara and possibly Takayama?

Hi Leonie, Two days would be enough for Hiroshima/Miyajima. I would chose Kyoto as a base as we much preferred it to Osaka and there’s more to see there. You can easily visit Osaka and Nara as day trips. We didn’t go to Takayama but it is quite a bit further away so it’s up to you how much you want to rush around. You could definitely find enough to do in Kyoto with a week.

Very useful! I wish I could go soon!!! Do you recommend any specific time in the year?

We were there in summer which suited us as we like hot weather. It is more scenic in the spring or autumn as you have the cherry blossoms or autumn leaves. The spring is peak season though. My friend went in the winter and loved it as the snow is beautiful, you can ski, and you can warm up in onsens (it was too hot for those when we were there). It really depends what you are looking for but anytime has something to offer.

I think Japan is going to be my next trip abroad, and this list is extremely helpful. I love that it addresses those smaller opportunities and moments and not just the big sites to see. Bookmarking right now!

Glad you found it helpful. Yes, for us travel is always more than just about the big sites. So far we are really enjoying Japan and soaking up the cultural differences.

Oh I forgot one of the highlights of Kyoto (besides the monkey park) is a trip on a little train that takes you outside of Kyoto and up into the mountains to Kurama and Kibune. You can then do a walk up over the hills from one village through to one of the big shrines at the other village. There are onsens at the end to rest in. A really lovely walk out in the countryside and the train trip is so much fun.

Sounds wonderful!

We stayed in Kyoto in 2008 for a week and went back there last year for a quick day during a week long trip to Osaka. The best thing about Kyoto is it’s location to other places for day trips – Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Himiji (although the castle is covered in scaffolding). You can get a cheaper Kansai Japan rail pass for four days (about $80?) to get to all these places.

Make sure you get to the Nishiki Market for fresh food – our post at is a big band width one with loads of pictures and we have more posts on our trip last year. Also, the rice burger at MOS burger is vegetarian and yum.

We will be in Tokyo from Sep 23 for a week of exploring Tokyo and surrounds. Thanks for the onsen tips nearby, will be looking for some there.

Thanks for all your tips Alison. Your post on the Nishiki market is fantastic – we will definitely visit although I’m not sure I’ll know what most of the things are! Looks like we’ll be in Tokyo around the same time as you!

Oh yeah, JTB (Japan Travel Bureau) has an excellent series of booklets on different topics. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to have Kindle versions, but probably worth the price to pick up one or two. For example: http://www.amazon.com/Look-into-Japan-Your-Pocket/dp/4533013813/ref=pd_sim_b_1

I love Kyoto though it has been years since I was in Japan and longer since I was specifically in Kyoto. My recollection is that it was easier to find English speakers there, though I tend to agree the not speaking the local language is harder in Japan than many places. To make up for that though, the people are probably more willing to be helpful than anywhere else I have ever traveled. Anyway, the number of incredible temples in Kyoto is impressive. Also, if you will be there for the fall foliage (Kouyou in Japanese) you will indeed be fortunate as it is incredible in Kyoto.

I would also point out that Japan is definitely one of the safest places in the world to visit.

Also worth mentioning is that Japan is a country where many towns and cities are famous for something very specific (knives, a certain type of food, pottery, etc.) so always try to find out what a place you are visiting is famous for.

I can’t recall how far away it is from Kyoto, but I think not too far is a place called Takayama which is one of my favorites. Especially if you can make it to the Fall festival which is one of the most impressive festivals in all of Japan, though there are many all around the country and throughout the year. Good festival street food is always available too, though I can’t recall if any of it is vegetarian friendly.

Many famous things in Japan come in 3s – 3 famous gardens, 3 famous shrines, etc. One of the 3 famous shrines is Ise Jingu which is a bit south of Nagoya and one of my favorites if you get a chance to see it. Nara is also quite special and not too far from Kyoto.

Speaking of food, you’ll have no trouble satisfying a sweet tooth as there are many good bakeries to be found, especially in the train stations. And, a popular chain of restaurants called Mister Donut is good and ubiquitous. You may also be surprised by how many people get a quick meal at the local convenience store.

If I think of anything else I’ll add it later. Ganbatte ne! (“good luck”)

Thanks so much for the advice Jeff! Unfortunately we are only in Japan until the end of September so I think we’ll miss the foliage. I had been considering Takayama though so glad to hear you like it.

Great post and very informative. The Japan Rail pass is a must if you plan to to a lot of traveling and the 100 yen shops are great for souvenirs.

Japan Australia

Am really hoping to make it to Japan sometime in the next 12 months – bookmarking this!

Hopefully we’ll have lots more posts about Japan when we get there next month.

Hi, it’s Mariko, came to check out your blog. Interesting article but I can’t keep my mouth shut on a few things. Please DO try non-Japanese food in Kyoto… we have such a great selection of Brazilian, Nepalese, Indian, Thai, Chinese, Italian restaurants it would be a shame if you stuck to only Japanese food. Also, Kyoto is probably the vegetarian capital of Japan if there ever was one. There are a lot of veggie and vegan places as well as a special kind of buddhist vegan meal that you have to pre-book, but is very nice.

A lot of people speak English here (not necessarily GOOD English, but…) . Almost everywhere in Japan there are English translations of Japanese signs (subway, trains, buses etc. ).

….I swear I’m not a jerk! I just want your information (and the info for anyone else who reads this) to be up to date. Don’t hate me, Amy!

It sounds like Kyoto is a lot more cosmopolitan than other parts of Japan. We are really looking forward to trying the vegetarian food, especially the Buddhist meals.

Thanks for your comment and of course you’re not being a jerk, :o)! The post is based on our 3 week experiences in Japan so obviously would never be definitive in anyway. I’m sure that other non-japanese food is great (apart from the Indian curry we had in Fukuoka!) but I guess my point for fellow travellers is that Japanese food is so delicious why waste your stomach and yen on other food during your stay!

I’m sure too that many people do speak english, in our encounters this was rare even in Tokyo, but again Japanese is such a beautiful language why not go ahead and dive in and try to speak it!

Lastly too, in our 3 weeks there were indeed occasional english transport signage to be found, but we also had many experiences standing at a bus/ subway terminals not having any clue as to where to go or what to pay. Again though, this isn’t a bad thing, sometimes the best thing about being intrepid travellers is being able to figure things out!

I certainly don’t hate you (!), in fact I apologise if you found anything in the article to be of offence. I certainly did not mean to, and again after only 3 weeks in your amazing country, the list was only ever meant to be a broad guide to anyone else going to visit.

All the best,

Totally agree about the non-Japanese food!! I loved Japanese pizza so much I would go back just for that :D

Awesome Amy my husband and I who have never been overseas before have chosen Japan as our first overseas destination for our honeymoon and soaking up any information we can get ?

Glad everyone likes the post! Love your story too Erin! I remember our friend Noriko said that, after living in Manchester for awhile, she was glad to return to her homeland of convenience!

Oh, how I want to see Kyoto! Bamboo grove, old temples, aaaah…

I know about this website: http://www.vegietokyo.com/info4vegie/articles/article2.html Though it’s for Tokyo mostly. Hope it’s helpful :) Have fun on your trip!

Thanks for that – the article is really useful.

100 Yen shops are soooooo brilliant. Get some tabbi socks too. Shinkansen, though expensive, are so worth it – you can travel vast distances so quickly and it is a breath of fresh air to use any Japanese public transportation after the British version! Gavin and I were due at Tokyo airport one cold wintery day. Woke up at 4.30am to catch our bus to Tokyo (4 hours away) to find snow knee deep. Freaked out, how would we get to Tokyo now? Needn’t have worried – Japanese workers were all out clearing the roads and our bus rolled in right on time.

Really good post, Amy you sure squeezed a lot into your 3 weeks! Erin x

I love that story! I can’t wait to try the bullet trains and enjoy everything being super-efficient and on time.

Really great posts, I have been to Japan several times and you are spot on!

Oh I love Japan so much and I haven’t even been there yet! This is a great list – it solidified everything I was thinking about our upcoming trip to Japan. My 3 years of Japan in college might finally pay off…haha.

I’m excited to hear about your 3 weeks in Kyoto too!

When will you be in Japan Ashley? We can’t wait for our trip too. Kyoto seems like the perfect place to base ourselves.

Won’t be there until January! But super excited cause I’ve wanted to visit fooooorever.

Great tips! Thanks for sharing!

GREAT post – you’ve got a little bit of everything here =) Let me know if you need any ideas on Tokyo – I spent about 10 days in and around that area last year =)

Any highlights of your trip in Japan that you can share would be much appreciated!

Toni, I am going to Japan for 10 days at the end of June. Can you give me the scoop of MUST SEE sites that you really liked?

I DO :) would love some recommendations if still relevant

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Best of Japan in 14 days

Day 1 and 2 - Tokyo

Day 3 - Side trip to Nikko

Day 4 - Tokyo to Hakone

Day 5 to 7 - Kyoto

Day 8 - Side trip to Nara

Day 9 - Kyoto to Miyajima via Himeji

Day 10 - Miyajima to Kanazawa via Hiroshima

Day 11 - Kanazawa

Day 12 - Kanazawa to Shirakawago

Day 13 - Shirakawago to Takayama

Day 14 - Takayama to Tokyo

The above itinerary is somewhat fast-paced. Tourists preferring a slow pace of travel should consider spending more time at some of the destinations along the way.

Questions? Ask in our forum .

2 Weeks in Japan – An Alternative Itinerary

Updated December 4, 2020

// By Margherita

Oh Japan! One of our favourite travel destinations EVER! This guest post is brought to you by Martina from The Global Curious – if you’re planning to spend 2 weeks in Japan but want to escape tourist traps, this alternative Japan itinerary should be just what you need!

Regardless of your travel expertise, deciding how to spend 2 weeks in Japan is tough! There’s just SO much to do and discover. Of course, you could easily follow the classic itinerary. But mind you, when trying to figure out your own version of a perfect Japan trip, you’ll likely end up suffering from Backpacker’s Indecision.

One of the most common ways for touring Japan is to buy the JR Pass – Japan Rail Pass – and hop on a bullet train every morning to go on a day trip. Believe it or not, there are other ways to come face to face with the land of the rising sun.

In this article, you’ll find a bit of an alternative 2 weeks itinerary to Japan. No JR Pass and Shinkansen bullet trains, just your classic public buses and local trains. You’ll still visit some of Japan’s main highlights but will also find off-the-beaten-path destinations – plus a dose of hiking and nature!

If you’re planning to visit Fukuoka as well, make sure you bookmark our post about the best day trips from Fukuoka !

How to Get to Japan

With Japan’s 2 main international airports located around Tokyo , this is where most visitors begin their trip. Narita Airpor t receives about 50% of the international flights. Haneda Airport also operates overseas flights from the US and neighbouring countries, and it’s the main domestic airport in Japan. 

It’s also possible to reach Japan by ferry from South Korea , China, and Russia. There used to be a ferry connecting Taiwan and Japan, but it’s not operating anymore.

How to Travel Around Japan

Japan rail pass.

The JR Pass is an extensive travel pass covering both Shinkansen -bullet trains-, local trains, buses, and ferries all over Japan. It is, for most types of itineraries, the best way to get around, especially if you are planning to go on day trips, or cover long distances.

The JR Pass is valid for 7 days – 269 USD -, 14 days -428 USD – and 21 days -549 USD. The main drawback is that you  must purchase your pass before your trip starts.  It’s not possible to pick up the pass once you are in Japan as it is sent to your address overseas, so it’s essential to plan ahead!

You can also get it from an authorised re-seller outside Japan. The point is, you need to have the pass before arriving in the country.

Another thing to consider before purchasing the JR Pass is that it’s  valid only for consecutive days instead of travel days.  This means that once you activate the pass, you can use it as much as you can for 7, 14, or 21 days in a row.

You  won’t need the JR Pass for this 2 weeks itinerary  to Japan as some trips are not fully covered. Some visitors find it hard to get around without the pass, so simply avoid trips not included in it.

In a way, by going to spots ‘beyond’ the JR, you’ll be beating the crowds a bit!

If you still wanted to get the JR Pass but just realised you are not able to get it on time, then let this article come to your travel-planning rescue!

Japan’s Transport Network

A great tip for getting around Japan is simply to search for directions on Google Maps. All the travel network is loaded there: costs, options, frequency. You can absolutely trust the information.

What’s more, public transport workers are extremely efficient. If you get lost, just ask them, they will even run next to you to get you into the right train -true story. 

Apart from Shinkansen trains -bullet trains- there are also local trains, buses, and ferries. It’s possible to rent a car, but the cost of road tolls on the main highways can be extremely expensive.

Best Time to Visit Japan

Long story short: Japan is astounding year-round!

You can go on a skiing adventure over winter , relish on the cherry blossoms during spring , or count autumn’s intense shades of red.

The one season that’s a bit neglected by travellers is summer ! Fair enough. It gets boiling hot. Still, summer is a fantastic time of the year to visit. Especially over July as you get to enjoy the country’s unique summer festivals .

Currency and Types of Payment

Japan’s currency is the Japanese Yen. 1000 ¥ equal, roughly, 10 USD. 

When it comes to paying with an international credit card, you’d be surprised to know that  foreign cards are not so widely accepted.  They are quite cash-based, so it’s better to either exchange currency or withdraw cash from an ATM to get around easily.

What Makes This Japan 2 Weeks Itinerary Special?

As mentioned before, this itinerary doesn’t use the Japan Rail Pass. 

Also, Hiroshima is not included in this trip. Many people visiting Japan use the JR Pass to visit Hiroshima for a few hours. This itinerary will, instead, focus on a balance between main sights, nature, and sacred places.  

Japanese culture is extremely rich, and a visit to the southern regions -where Hiroshima is- deserves a trip on their own.

 As you’ve read at the beginning, it’s tough sometimes to decide and pick priorities when planning a trip! So forget everything you’ve read about how to travel in Japan and check this itinerary with an open mind -you won’t regret it.

What to Pack for This 2 Week Itinerary in Japan?

We followed this itinerary over summer -it was part of a 6 weeks trip actually- but you can do it year-round. 

Some of the hikes we did, like a section of Mt Fuji and the Nakasendo Trail from Nakatsugawa, are not included in this trip. If you were visiting between July to early September, you can do the Mt Fuji ascent and even spend the night there. 

As there’s going to be a bit of hiking in this itinerary , you’ll need some outdoor gear staples like your hiking boots , and, obviously, your  backpack.

2 Weeks Japan Itinerary 

Day 1 – arriving in tokyo.

After arriving at either Narita or Haneda airports, hop on any of the many trains and buses heading to Tokyo. The trip from Narita takes about one hour. From Haneda, it’s about twenty minutes to one hour.

Of course, it will depend on your arrival time how much you get to enjoy the first day of your trip. But start big and go  check out Shinjuku,  Tokyo’s nightlife hub.

A great option to kickstart your Japanese travels is to book a free walking tour of Shinjuku or take a walking tour with a local , where you’ll learn about the history of this cool, quirky, and also shady neighbourhood.

The Shinjuku night tours usually end at Omoide Yokocho, a group of alleys crammed with Izakaya pubs -sort of tapas, Japanese style. You can also take Izakaya tours if you don’t feel like exploring independently.

The magic happens when you sit at one of these informal eateries with only ten seats or so and order assorted grilled nibbles that are beyond delish. Finish it up with a sip of sake, yay! Welcome to Japan!

Day 2 – Shibuya, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, and Takeshita Street

Kick-off day 2 at the  Shibuya crossing . This intersection is the  busiest in the world ! All traffic stops every couple of minutes to allow over 2500 people to cross in all directions at the time.

The most shocking thins about this crossing is how silent it is despite the crowds -pay attention, you’ll see! 

You’ll spend most of this day wandering the streets of Shibuya, leading to  Takeshita Street, in the Harajuku district.  Takeshita Street is packed with people, costumes, fun stores, bubble tea shops, and sushi-train restaurants. You could spend the whole day here just loving Japanese ingenuity and pop culture.

Devote 1 or 2 hours to wander the forests of the  Meiji Shrine.  This will probably be your first of many visits to a Shinto Shrine.

If you are in for something truly unique but lack the budget or time to go to the Tokyo Robot Restaurant, visit the  Kawaii Monster Cafe.  Think Andy Warhol, Alice in Wonderland, and Hello Kitty on steroids. Then multiply it by 10. There you go!  Book a time-slot online  as it will save you time on the line.

Day 3 – Akihabara, Ueno, and Asakusa

Anime and games aficionados will be in heaven in any of  Akihabara’s huge stores and exhibits. We highly recommend taking a tour of Akibahara to discover Otaku culture – or else you can just wander around these huge department stores independently!

However, the day must go on and  Ueno’s park  is -just near Akihabara- a great stop. Both neighbourhoods can be toured with a free walking tour that will take you to the main highlights of both. History buffs will enjoy a stroll around Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s historic districts.

Enjoy the last few hours left in Tokyo as it’s time to head to Kyoto on the night bus.

If you don’t have the Japan Rail Pass, you’ll likely  head to Kyoto by bus.  Several companies offer the night service from Tokyo to Kyoto. We chose  Kosokubus  and purchased 2 tickets for a total of 55 USD. Plus, we also saved one night of accommodation.

As this itinerary focuses on nature sights, you won’t be hanging out in cities too much. Still, if you have more time to spare or want to get to know Tokyo to the core , then be my guest! 

Day 4 – Sightseeing Kyoto

Let’s have an easy day today. If you took the night bus, you’ll arrive in Kyoto around 6/8 am. You can leave your backpack in the lockers at the station, or head to your accommodation and drop your luggage there.

Take the morning to stroll around town, and have brekkie at the  Nishiki Market . You can also join Kyoto’s free walking tour or visit one of the city’s main highlights.

One of my personal spots was  Kinkaku-Ji, The Golden Pavilion . In all honesty, it’s quite touristy, but it’s unique. It’s not possible to go inside the temple, so follow the crowds circling around the temple’s pond. Allow about 1 hour for your visit.

Head to  Gion at nighttime . This area, known as the ‘Geisha neighbourhood,’ encompasses all the charm of ancient times. Traditional Japanese lanterns, red bridges crossing the Kamo river, and people buzzing around looking for a dining spot will draw you into the beauty of Japan.

Day 5 – Visiting Kyoto’s Most Famous Temples

Choose 2 or 3 temples and shrines  and devote your day to exploring these. There are 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kyoto , so pick wisely!

After a hearty breakfast and a restful night,   start exploring the  Higashiyama Ward , one of Kyoto’s historic districts. Many temples and shrines -like Kiyomizu-Dera- are within walking distance, so plan to spend quite a bit of your day here.

Once you are ready to keep going, make your way south and visit the  Fushimi-Inari Shrine.  This is my personal favorite spot in Kyoto. You can hike up to the summit of Mt. Inari-san walking under a gazillion Tori gates surrounded by sculptures, little shrines, trees, and just total forest-magic. 

This shrine is very touristic, but you’ll leave the crowds behind as you ascent. Doing the whole hike can take up to 3 hours, but you can come back at any stage, so just do as you please.

Consider this your  first experience combining a bit of hiking with sacred sites . Both are very important in the Japanese ancient culture of pilgrims and spirituality.

Fushimi-Inari is always open and it’s free of cost. Head there in the late hours of the afternoon and catch the beautiful  sunset views from the hills.

If you want to know more about this fascinating city, check out our Kyoto off the beaten path post!

Day 5 – Heading to Osaka and Exploring the City

Time to wave Kyoto goodbye and head to Osaka! 

You’ll travel by train from Kyoto Station to Shin-Osaka station. Of course, this can vary according to where you’ve booked your accommodation. 

For a quick, easy, and cheap Shinkansen experience, buy your tickets for about 30 USD and hop on a 12-minutes trip. If you rather stay on the cheap -hola!- get a 5 USD train ticket and enjoy a 23-minutes ride.

Osaka is very easy to navigate! I personally prefer it to Tokyo. It’s really funky, and the food is glorious, regardless of your budget. 

Most itineraries include the  Osaka Castle  but, you must know it’s a replica. The people I talked to said the entrance fee is not worth it. So just head there if you are keen, walk around the castle’s precinct, and learn about its history and relevance.

Spend the rest of your day enjoying Osaka’s eclectic and quirky vibes! Explore the streets of  Shinsekai.  Snack your way across the town’s  covered markets . Take the mandatory pics at  Doton-Bori.  Have your ramen fix at famous  Ichiran  and just have fun!

If you visit in July, check out the dates for the  Tenjin Matsuri , and try to plan around it. The Tenjin Matsuri is one of the 3 most important festivals in the country, and, simply put, a surreal experience. You’ll see.

Day 6 – Day Trip From Osaka to Koyasan

In most travel guides, you’d find the option of a day trip from Osaka to Nara. However, even though Nara is lovely and famous for good reason -the town’s sacred deers- it didn’t blow my mind. 

This is why if you want to get to know the heart of Japan, even if only on a 2 weeks trip, you should definitely head to Koyasan.

Koyasan is not as touristy, and it’s still considered to be a bit off-the-beaten-path. This 2 hours trip is not fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass, so many people skip it as an option.

But not you!

In a few words, Koyasan -aka Mt Koya- is one of Japan’s most sacred places, sitting on the mountains of the  country’s spiritual heart, the Wakayama Peninsula . Plan to spend the whole day here, visiting the area’s sights at your own leisure.

The main highlight here is the  Okunoin Cemetery , where Kobo Daishi, founder of the millenary Shingon Buddhism, rests in eternal meditation.

The cemetery is nestled amongst the mountains and the forest. It holds over 200,000 graveyards, and after your traverse its length, you’ll encounter a series of stunning temples, shrines, and monks in meditation.

Koyasan sits 64 km south of Osaka. The best way to get there is to get the  Nankai Railways’ Pass  that connects the city with Koyasan. The pass includes round-trip train rides, the cablecar, local buses to get around Koyasan, and ticket discounts. You can buy it at the station counter on the same day of your trip, cash only.

Day 7 – Going from Osaka to Tanabe 

Time to get ready for hiking some sections of the Kumano Kodo ! As promised, this Japan 2 week itinerary will take you to nature spots where you can get to know the Japanese culture and its ancient traditions.

On this day, you’ll go from  Osaka to Tanabe . Tanabe is a city within the Wakayama Prefecture, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. In all honesty, the city is quite dull and even a bit grim. Still, it’s the perfect base for exploring one of Japan’s most regarded natural and spiritual treasures: the  Kumano Kodo.

The Kumano Kodo is the name of a  pilgrimage route network  that has been traversed by people from all walks of life for over 1000 years. 

This is the only route, apart from the Camino de Santiago that’s been recognised as UNESCO World Heritage. Many original tracks still remain, but the most popular one is the  Nakahechi route.  The trail starts in Tanabe and finishes in Nachi Taisha, just by the glorious Nachi Falls.

So on this day, you’ll focus on arriving in Tanabe , resting a bit, and getting ready for day 8! 

Organizing Your Kumano Kodo Experience

It can be confusing to organise this leg of the trip as buses stop on different parts of the trail. There are also many side trips, and people do it either as a day or a multi day trip. There are no campsites, but you can book accommodation along the way. 

The walk is not just nature. You’ll also go through small beautiful villages, Tori gates, little shrines, big shrines, hot springs, hills, forest, and all the magic of Japan. 

For this itinerary, we won’t focus on the overnight options of the trail, but on doing some of the hikes on the west side of the Nakahechi route, with base in Tanabe , and then heading to the east of the Kii Peninsula and do one of the sections closer to it.

To go from Osaka to Tanabe, you can take the train from Shin-Osak a and be there in about 2.5 or 4 hours. The faster options takes 2.5 hours and cost around 45 USD. 

However, you could also  take the Osaka Loop Line from Osaka Station  -not Shin-Osaka- and then combine with the  Kinokuni Line.  The trip will take nearly 4 hours, and costs about 30 USD.

Try to arrive early-ish so you can go confirm all the details of your trip at the  Kumano Travel Support Center.

In there, you can get the local bus schedule and ask any questions about logistics, hiking distances, and circuits.

The Nakahechi route remains as the most important as it links the trail’s main 3 shrines:   Hayatama Taisha,    Nachi Taisha, and Hongu Taisha.

Day 8 – Hiking the Kumano Kodo – Day 1

Rise and shine fellow hikers! Again, with so many awesome places to visit in the Kumano Kodo, you can either walk for hours or take it easy and focus on some of the main sights.

I’ll share what we did this day to give you an idea. We took the  local bus from Tanabe to Hosshinmon Oji.  Our bus driver crashed with a car, so we lost about 3 hours that day, hence couldn’t do all we had planned. Life happens! 

In any case, I’d suggest you take your time. There’s a lot to learn across the trail about the history and myths of Japan. Once we got to Hosshinmon Oji, we walked 11 km to  Yumomine Onsen  and stopped by  Hongu Taisha . About a 3 hours hike traversing forests and rolling hills. 

By all means, whatever you do,  don’t skip Yumomine.  This is one of the most important stops along the hike. Yumomine is a  tiny onsen village , considered to be Japan’s spiritual hot spring. These hot springs were discovered nearly 2000 years ago. Pilgrims have been using them since then to perform purification rituals.

To top it all up, you can take a bath in the tiny  Tsuboyu Onsen.  This is a little rock bath covered by a shed on the river bank. This specific tiny spot is also a UNESCO World Heritage site as it was the first discovered in the country.

Day 9 – Hiking the Kumano Kodo – Day 2

Hopefully, you’ve planned your days a little bit with the help of the staff at the Kumano Kodo Tourist Center. 

For this day, choose another section of the trail. A great option is to go from   Takijiri-Oji  -the beginning of the Nakahechi route- and finish in   Tsugizakura-Oji.  This would be a long day, so pick wisely if you’ll start from the very beginning, or rather skip a few km. Check out the bus schedules! Their stops at some times of the day seem to be a bit random.

Takijiri-Oji is only 15 km from Tanabe. The section you did yesterday was closer to the middle of the trail, and this one will take you through the start of the pilgrimage trail. Unfortunately, we missed this day because of an infected wisdom tooth – again, life happens!

Note that the local bus network is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass.  The cost of the buses varies depending on where you hop on and off, ranging from a couple USD to about 25 USD, one way.

Day 10 – Heading to Nachi-Katsuura (aka Kii Katsuura)

Today, it’s time to see a different face of Japan. The trip from Tanabe to Kii Katsura will take you through a rugged coastline, fishing villages, and beautiful beaches.

It’s a 2.5 hr train ride, with a cost of about 15 USD. We were lucky to make friends at the guesthouse in Tanabe and got to do the trip by car, stopping along the way.

Once you get off the train, you’ll discover a sleepy little fishing town with 2 best-kept secrets – this is onsen -hot spring- heaven!  And it’s also home to the most important  Tuna fish market in Japan.

If you were hiking all day yesterday, then take this day to relax , unwind, and relish in some well-deserved thermal action. Some hotels and guesthouses have their own natural hot springs.

We stayed at a simple but cute guesthouse next to the train station, and they had a lovely onsen Japanese style bath -yay! Otherwise,  head to Nanki Katsuura Onsen,  just 2 km from the port and center. 

Head to the cute fish market by the port -open till 4 pm every day except Tuesdays- and get your sashimi-fix for the day. If you are a sushi fan, then this is the place to try premier raw tuna fish, at a backpacker price.

Day 11 – Visiting Nachi Falls 

I actually found about the Kumano Kodo thanks to a Lonely Planet cover featuring a big pagoda with a waterfall on the background . If you’ve been doing your research about Japan, for sure you’ve seen this marvel.

The Nachi Falls is part of the  Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine.  To get there, simply head to  Diamon-Zaka  -about 8 km out of town. You’ll see a cobblestone staircase that climbs among 800-year old cedar trees.

After climbing the 267-steps staircase, you’ll come across another staircase leading to the shrine’s entrance. There’s a lot to see here, and, as this is quite a popular site, you’ll come across a fair share of people. I’d recommend spending about 3 hours soaking all this beauty in.

Once you are back into town, if it’s still day time, devote 1 or 2 hours to  walk along the coastline  heading outside town. 

Day 11 – Heading to Takayama

This is the day you’ll travel the most as you’ll traverse nearly 400 km going from Nachi Katsuura to Takayama. 

There’s no direct transport for this route, so you’ll have to combine trains and buses. It takes from 7 to 8 hours and the trip costs between 80 USD to 120 USD.

Don’t be discouraged by the long ride! The scenery along the road is really beautiful, especially once you start going uphill. 

It was so hard for me to pick the next destination after Wakayama! I’m leaving out another of my favorite places, the trail between Nakatsugawa, Magome, and Tsumago. This is called the Nakansendo Trail. I recommend you check it out before making a final call on your 2 weeks itinerary to Japan.

In the end, I decided to include Takayama , as from there you’ll visit the traditional villages of gasshō-zukuri houses , which are simply unique. Plus, I fell in love with Takayama.

Day 12 – Visiting Shirakawago and Gokayama

Get an early start today! To reach the traditional gasshō-zukuri villages, nestled deep in the mountains, you’ll need to take the bus departing from the  Takayama Nohi Bus Center station. 

It’s a 1-hour ride, not included in the Japan Rail Pass. It’s possible to book in advance. However, if you can’t book beforehand, make sure to be at the station about 1 hour before you intend to start your trip. Although quite remote, these World Heritage villages are very popular.

Make sure to check the whole bus schedule to plan your visit with ease. Otherwise, you could spend hours waiting for the next bus.

Both  Shirakawa-go and Gokayama are regions within the Gifu and Toyama Prefectures.  Each of them hosts small villages made up of thatched roofs. If you thought you’d nail your IG with this 2 weeks trip to Japan, wait till you get here. The views are otherwordly. 

You’ll likely spend the whole day exploring the area, nature, and jumping from village to village. If time and budget allow, you may want to book a stay and spend the night at a traditional guesthouse!

Day 14 – Exploring Takayama

After an intense day surrounded by nature and tradition, I’d strongly recommend you take time to explore Takayama. 

Renting a bicycle is a great way to explore Takayama’s parks, temples, and shrines, some of the loveliest we saw during our trip. Stop by a traditional tea house, and spend an afternoon eating your heart out in any of the historical district fabulous eateries. 

Takayama’s old town is a little bit like Kyoto , but we liked it much more!

Day 15 – Back to Tokyo

Oh well…you may not be too excited to leave Japan, but life goes on, and now you have a huge pile of amazing memories to bring home.

On this day you’ll make your way back to Tokyo -assuming you’ll leave the country flying out from there. The only direct and easy way to go from Takayama to Tokyo is to  take the Keio or Nohi Bus.  You can purchase your ticket online -costs about 60 USD to 70 USD. It’s a 6 hours trip.

Another option is to travel by train via Nagoya. There are no direct services, and you wouldn’t be saving any time. So I highly recommend going for the bus option.

Final Thoughts on This Japan 2 Weeks Itinerary

You could clearly shuffle things around, but I assure you this is a nature-packed itinerary where you will bond with this unique country, its culture, beliefs, and ways of living.

One of the main issues we had when planning our trip was to discern between so many amazing places -plus figuring out how to get around without the pass. Luckily, now you have an alternative Japan itinerary for your trip -yay!

Japan is a place to experience wholeheartedly. I hope I’ve contributed my grain of sand to make you fall in love with it , even before your arrival. 

How to Plan a Trip to Japan: a Step By Step Guide

By: Author Kris

Posted on Last updated: December 6, 2023

Wonder how to plan a trip to Japan? If you don’t know where to start, or how to plan a trip to Japan, you have come to the right place.

Planning a trip to Japan, a country with a completely different culture, an unintelligible language, and several stretched-out megacities, can be a little overwhelming.

But let me reassure you immediately, it is very easy to travel independently in this country.

Japanese are welcoming, helpful, and well-organized. You will find yourself at home in this country in no time.

In this Japan travel blog post,  we will explain step by step how to get started with your Japan trip planning.

We share a lot of travel tips for Japan, how to get to the country of the rising sun, where to stay, all of the best things to do for first-timers, and everything else you need to know to craft a perfect holiday. 

We have some example itineraries to get you started, we will cover what to pack and the best travel time. 

We also mapped some things against a timeline so you know how far in advance you should take care of some of the more important things.

This step-by-step guide is also handy if you are only planning a trip to Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka.

Ready? Let’s start working on this amazing Japan trip!

There is a really good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

When to Visit Japan

A good item to start your planning with is to record your travel period.  Once you’ve decided on a certain period you can start looking for flights.

Below is an overview of the different seasons in Japan with the pros and cons of each season.

Best Time to Travel to Japan

Japan is a long and narrow, stretched-out country.   It has a mountainous region in the North that attracts skiers in winter.  The Southern island of Okinawa is a popular beach location and scuba divers are raving about its untouched colorful underwater world.

The most popular tourist hotspots of Tokyo and Kyoto are located between those two regions. 

The best time to travel to Japan obviously depends on your interests and the region you want to visit.

The best time to travel to Japan for first-time visitors who want to see the highlights of the country is Spring and Autumn.

We would advise against traveling in summer because the cities are very hot and humid in this season.

The Sakura is a bonus of traveling in Spring, the cherry blossoms are an attraction in and by themselves.

Here are some more details about the different seasons.

Spring is an excellent season to visit Japan.  Certainly, if you can arrange your plans to coincide with the so-called Sakura, the famous cherry blossoms.

The cherry trees start blooming in the South of Japan and gradually transform the entire country into a colorful floral display.

The northern peninsula of Hokkaido is the last to showcase its beautiful colors.

It’s difficult to predict exactly when the flowers will bloom. 

You can check the predictions and forecasts on the site of the Japanese tourist board and the Japanese Meteorological Corporation.  The predictions become more accurate as the date approaches and they’re not really useful at this stage of your travel planning.

The period can vary a few weeks every year. It’s best to plan your trip across the country in a southerly direction.  It guarantees that you will see the blossoms at their best in at least one location.

We witnessed this glorious natural phenomenon in Tokyo , Kyoto, and Osaka. The cherry blossoms attract huge numbers of people all over the country, the Japanese even organize Hanami in the parks. (A Hanami is a flower-viewing party)

You can see cherry blossoms all over the world, but the atmosphere in Japan during this time of year is one you won’t find anywhere else.

The Sakura blossoms draw in large crowds, so this is a busy and somewhat more expensive time to travel to Japan.

Right after the Sakura Season is another busy travel week, the “Golden Week”.  It is formed by 4 national holidays, the first of which is Emperor day on April 29.  The other days are Constitution day on May 3, Greenery day on May 4, and Children’s day on May 5.

Many Japanese take advantage of this period to explore their own country, which makes the popular tourist attractions much busier than usual. This, in turn, causes the hotel rates to increase as well.

Temperatures will range from 15 degrees Celcius to 25 degrees Celcius.  In March and April, you may experience an occasional shower, during May it starts raining more often and more heavily.

Insider tip: Did you know that we also have a travel planner that you can download and use for your trip planning? Check out our  Japan travel planner ! This document will help you plan your trip smoothly. 

Summers in Japan are warm with temperatures that often exceed 30 degrees Celsius.  The humidity makes the wind chill even higher and unenjoyable if you’re not used to tropical climates.

The cities are always crowded and the combination of this bustling activity and such a high temperature can make exploring these concrete jungles unpleasant during this season.

June and July statistically know the most rainfall. This applies to most of the country, only the northern peninsula of Hokkaido is mainly spared from the downpours. 

The rainy season starts and ends a month earlier in Okinawa where most rainfall is measured in the months of May and June.

It doesn’t rain every day in the rainy season.  Some days are dry, while some days have light rain and other days come with massive downpours.

It’s difficult to predict, but as a rule of thumb, one can say that it will rain roughly every other day.

The benefit of traveling through Japan during this time of year is that the popular tourist sites, where otherwise you’d be part of a huge crowd, are much less busy.

Even after the rainy season has come to an end the weather remains hot and humid. 

The official typhoon season starts in May, but the typhoons that can disrupt everyday life are most common in the months of August and September.

Only a few severe storms reach the Japanese mainland and the storms are also very predictable.  This means that it is not necessary to avoid this period. It’s sufficient to watch the weather forecast to know when you shouldn’t go outside.

That being said, heavy rainfall does have the potential to cripple public transportation, while temples and amusement parks are sometimes closed during strong winds or sudden floods.

Many Natsumatsuri are organized in Summer. 

A Natsumatsuri is a summer festival.  It’s a cause for Japanese women to get their colorful Yukata out of the closet.  Huge crowds gather around the food and drink stalls and watch the fireworks together.  

If you’re in Japan during Summer you must definitely join these celebrations.

If you’re not a fan of warm and humid summer weather, you could still always go to Hokkaido. This is the only region with summer temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit).

Fall is another great time to travel to Japan.

Japan is home to many expansive parks and forests, and the fall colors transform them into a gorgeous and colorful palette.

The fall foliage craze is no match for the popularity of the Sakura but that couldn’t stop the Japanese from giving it a special word: Koyo.

The best period to admire the amazing Koyo colors depends on the weather conditions and the location.  Japan is fairly big and the peak period differs significantly between the different regions.

Japan’s official tourism website has an Autumn leaves guide. You can track the Koyo predictions just like you can track the cherry blossoms.

Autumn temperatures start around 26 degrees Celcius.  When you visit Japan in October, you’ll normally still be able to enjoy pleasant temperatures that exceed 20 degrees Celsius. During the month of November, the temperature drops below 20 degrees Celcius to 15 degrees Celcius.

Although November is a bit cooler, it still counts plenty of sunny days to enjoy.

This makes both October and November pleasant and comfortable months to travel to Japan.

Winter announces the low season in most parts of Japan.  Only Hokkaido, with its many ski resorts, experiences a peak in tourism during this season.

Temperatures in Hokkaido range around 0 degrees Celcius.  In central and South Japan it is around 10 degrees Celcius. 

Some melting snow may fall in Tokyo during January and February, but the snow typically doesn’t stick around very long.

This is an atypical time to visit Japan, but the country does have some fun things to offer in winter. Great examples are the snow monkeys that you can see bathing in the onsen. You can also visit idyllic villages such as Shirakawa-go that are very enchanting when they’re covered by a layer of fresh snow.

The Japanese brighten up these cold months with various winter festivals featuring ice sculptures and fairytale-like lights. The most famous of those is the Sapporo Snow Festival.

General Do’s and Don’ts in Japan

It is clear that etiquette is still an important element of everyday life to the Japanese. They are some of the most courteous, helpful, and respectful people we’ve come across.

That was one of the aspects that made our trip so unforgettable.

You are certainly not supposed to comply with all their etiquette rules as a tourist, but the least you can do is try to return the favor.

Soaking in an onsen is one thing you absolutely must do while in Japan, but please read a little about basic onsen etiquette before you do.

Also, try your best at learning a little Japanese so you can say thank you and please when the locals help you out when you ever get lost in one of the huge train stations. (it happened to us a few times)

If you’re staying in a Ryokan, something we also recommend, it’s also good to read a little in preparation so that you know what to expect.

A Ryokan stay is an excellent way to experience Japanese tradition but you will enjoy it so much more if you understand the typical customs that come with such a stay.

They will provide you with slippers and a Yukata to wear around the property and Ryokans usually also have an onsen.

Are you afraid to cut a silly figure? Don’t let this stop you from staying a Ryokan and remember that you can always ask the owners about their house rules.

Intrigued by what we write above? Here you can find all our ryokans posts:

• Best Ryokan with private onsen in Kyoto
• Best Ryokans in Osaka
• 20 best Ryokans with private onsen in Hakone
• Best Ryokans in Kanazawa

Different cultures have different eating etiquette and it won’t come as a surprise that Japan also has a number of rules about eating with chopsticks. If there’s one thing you absolutely must remember, it’s that you shouldn’t place your sticks vertically in food, which is associated with death.

Did you come here expecting a list of things absolutely not to miss in Japan? We’ve got that too. Here is our Japan bucket list and famous landmarks you shouldn’t miss !

How Many Days in Japan

There’s no easy answer to this question. As Japan lovers, we recommend that you go as long as possible. 🙂

Japan is a country of contrasts. From the bustling city of Tokyo to the stillness of a Zen garden, from the neon-lit nightlife to the serene beauty of Kyoto. There is enough variation in the various sights so that traveling around Japan isn’t boring or repetitive.

To truly appreciate Japan, and its people, we recommend taking at least two weeks to explore this fascinating country.

We have carefully mapped out 5-day, 7-day, 2-week , and 3-week itineraries specifically aimed at first-time visitors.

If you want to make a city trip, check out Tokyo is the perfect destination for a 4 or 5-day city trip .

And if you have a week you can visit Tokyo and make some side trips to nearby places such as Hakone and Nikko or even Kyoto and Osaka.

Check out this list of example itineraries for various destinations in Japan

Japan Trip Cost

Japan is not the cheapest country to explore but some good planning can save you a lot of money.  Hotels will take the largest chunk out of your travel budget.  You can save a lot of money by booking these several months in advance.

Transportation is the second-largest cost item.  Oftentimes you can save on this by using local discount passes or special tourist passes.  The most well-known is the Japan Rail Pass but we also cover other passes on our site such as the Tokyo Metro Pass (Tokyo Subway Ticket) and the Hakone Free Pass .

Food is relatively cheap in Japan.  We spent an average of €12 per day per person on food.  (That is excluding breakfast which was usually included in our hotel rate)

We go into much more detail about the cost of these  3 items in our Japan Travel Guide .

Your Japan Trip Planning

Once you know when you will be traveling you can start working on your Japan itinerary.

Here we share a complete timeline.

The Timeline for Your Japan Trip Planning

6 months in advance

Book international flights

Get travel insurance Plan your itinerary Check if you need a Visa

About 3 months in advance

Book your Japan Rail Pass Book domestic flights

1 month in advance

Internet in Japan Book Tours and other Fun Experiences

1 week in advance

What to pack

6 Months in Advance

Join our japan facebook group.

Be sure to become a member of our  Japan Travel Planning and Tips Facebook group. 

The purpose of this group is to help you plan an amazing vacation to Japan. 

You can ask questions and exchange tips with fellow travelers.

Cheap Flights to Japan

We recommend that you start looking for flights as soon as your travel dates are fixed.  Prices for flights fluctuate continuously and it’s hard to predict when is the best time to buy. 

Tickets can be booked one year out until the very last day and over the course of this period, the price follows a stretched-out U curve.

Prices start high to drop gradually to a low point, and from there on they start rising again.

Everybody knows it’s expensive to wait until the very last minute but nobody knows the exact low point.

Usually, this is 4 to 6 months out for intercontinental flights.  We recommend tracking the price of your flights before you book. 

These days such tracking functionalities are available on all major booking sites (some sites call them price alerts). 

You can also use the insights provided by websites such as Momondo to get a clue about what the price will do.

Here are some tips to find cheap flights to Japan

• Use travel comparison sites such as Momondo , Skyscanner , and Kayak to instantly compare the prices on hundreds of sites.  Direct flights are almost always more expensive.  
• Japan has 2 excellent airlines. Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA).  Both are recognized by Skytrax as 5-star airlines for their outstanding service.  You will notice that, because of this award, their flights are often more expensive.
• Chinese carriers often offer rock-bottom prices to Japan with a stop in Shanghai or another Chinese hub.  We flew with China Eastern and thought the service was equally good as what we have experienced on many other European carriers.
• Japan counts several airports.  Make sure to compare prices to all these airports when you’re looking for flights: Narita and Haneda in Tokyo, Kansai and Itami Airport in Osaka, and Chubu Airport in Nagoya.
• Twice yearly we compare several travel booking sites to see which one offers the best flights.  You can check the results here .

Travel Insurance

Flights to Japan are no longer as expensive as a few years ago but they still take a big chunk out of your budget. 

That’s why we recommend taking out  travel insurance as soon as these are booked.

Insurances only cover accidents that occur after taking out and you don’t want to lose this money in case things suddenly turn awry. 

Such accidents happen when you least expect them.

We once couldn’t leave on vacation because one of us slipped on an icy terrace and severely bruised an ankle.

Our travel insurance saved us a lot of money back then because it was a complete family trip that needed to be canceled.

Travel Insurance is something that can be overlooked when you prepare for your vacation.

We were glad we had it back then because, in all honesty, we didn’t always think about it before then. 

Since then we always make sure that our travel expenses are covered.

Travel Insurance for Japan

Japan is a safe and civilized country. The country has an excellent healthcare system that is free for most residents but the costs of medical treatments can be extremely high for foreigners. 

Drawing up a travel insurance policy may seem expensive at first but it can potentially save you a significant sum, significantly more than the small insurance fee. 

We explain what to look for in your travel insurance policy here .  Don’t just go with the cheapest option, make sure to look at what’s covered and to what amount.  Cheaper policies usually come with low limits which can result in high out-of-the-pocket expenses for you.

Most travel insurance policies are usually aimed at residents of a specific country.

Have a look at what’s available in your country and compare this with what’s offered by SafetyWing and HeyMondo travel insurance.

Both are good and trusted insurance companies and offer really good protection for a very affordable rate!

Passports and Visas

Most people won’t need a visa when traveling to Japan, at the time of writing residents of 68 countries were exempt from a visa for short-term stays .   

If you’re a resident of another country, such as China, the Philippines, or Vietnam amongst others, you will need to apply for a Visa before traveling to Japan.

Your passport needs to be valid for the duration of your stay and not longer.  It needs to contain one empty page for the entry stamp.

Health Declaration

Currently, everybody who enters Japan needs to have a health declaration. This declaration can be completed online on the Visit Japan Web site. You need to create an account, enter your passport and flight details, and add proof of vaccination (or a recent test certificate).

At the time of writing Japan requires visitors to have at least 3 vaccinations or a test certificate from a test taken a maximum of 72 hours before boarding the flight. (Check the links for the full official guidelines. We always recommend checking the official website as this information can change anytime.)

In the next step, you can add the customs declaration.

This will result in 2 QR codes, one for the health officer and another one to show at customs. the codes will appear at the latest 6 hours after entering the data.

The Japanese government highly recommends using the online application but it is not mandatory. Just having proof of your vaccination or test results is also OK to be allowed in the country.

We recommend using the application as there have been reports of airlines denying boarding passengers without the QR codes. This is overzealous and incorrect on the part of these airlines, but it can give you serious problems.

Plan your travel itinerary

This may be the hardest part of your Japan trip planning but it’s also the most fun and rewarding part.  

A good place to start your travel planning is our Japan Guide .  This guide contains a mix of inspirational posts about the country complemented by very practical travel information to help you explore the land of the rising sun.

Our articles will keep you busy for several hours. if you still think you miss something have a look at the wide range of books that Lonely Planet has about Japan .  

Below is our advice on the things you shouldn’t miss if this is your first trip to Japan.

We have wrapped them up in short here. More on these highlights can be found here .

Japan Highlights – Top Japan Destinations

Tokyo : Japan’s bustling capital is an amazingly fascinating city of which you will never grow tired. You will need 4 to 5 days to get an impression of the various districts. Each district has its own appearance and charm. 

9 Best Ryokans in Tokyo With Private Onsen (2024 edition)

Samurai Restaurant, the new Robot Restaurant

Mt. Fuji tour from Tokyo: 9 best tours and tips (2024 guide)

How to use Tokyo’s public transport

10 Best Ryokans in Tokyo You Need To Stay At

10 Best Airbnbs in Tokyo: 2024 Guide

17 Best Onsen Hotels in Tokyo You Need To Stay At

A thrilling Tokyo itinerary for 4 days

Where to stay in Tokyo for the first time?

The Hakone day trip guide that covers everything (2024 edition)

Best Private Mt Fuji Tour: 7 Flexible and Customizable Tours

Planning a Tokyo to Mount Fuji day trip: All you need to know

BEST Tokyo itinerary 7 days suggestions for Tokyo + surroundings

12 best Airbnbs in Tokyo for families in 2024

EPIC Tokyo Itinerary: 5 Days of Unforgettable Adventures

Where to find cheap Robot Restaurant Tickets

The best places to visit in Tokyo

Best sakura spots in Tokyo you don’t want to miss

Kyoto :  Kyoto is most tourists’ favorite.  Prepare for temples galore, the city counts no less than 1600 temples.  2 days won’t be enough to visit them all but it should be sufficient to see the highlights of Japan’s cultural capital. 

You may want to add a third day if you don’t want to feel rushed.

19 Amazing Ryokans in Kyoto in The Best Areas (2024 Guide)

How to find the best Airbnb in Kyoto

15 Best Kyoto Onsen Hotels You Need To Stay At

16 BEST Ryokan with Private Onsen in Kyoto (2024 Edition)

Where to stay in Kyoto: Best areas and hotels for 2024

The BEST Kyoto 2-day itinerary for first-timers (2024 edition)

25 Amazing Things to Do in Kyoto at Night

15 of the coolest hotels in Kyoto

Things to do in Gion at night

Osaka :  Osaka is Kyoto’s neighbor.  Both cities are just 30 minutes away by train.  Despite it being so close many tourists skip Osaka and only visit Kyoto. 

We absolutely loved Osaka, it’s also called Japan’s Kitchen, so we strongly recommend reserving 2 days to explore this city.

10 Best Osaka Capsule Hotels You Should Stay At

18 Osaka Hotels With Onsen For A Perfect Stay

Best Osaka Ryokans with Private Onsen (2024 Guide)

How To Find the Best Airbnb in Osaka (2024 Guide)

10 Best Osaka Food Tours For 2024

16 Best Ryokans In Osaka You Need to Stay At (2024 guide)

EPIC Osaka 2-day itinerary: Perfect for first-timers (2024 edition)

Where to stay in Osaka: our best recommendations (2024 guide)

EPIC 1-day Osaka itinerary: Lots of highlights in 1 day

16 BEST things to do in Osaka at night

12 of the coolest hotels in Osaka you have to see

Hiroshima : A city with a dramatic past.  We were touched by the stories in the peace museum and also loved nearby Miyajima with its picturesque floating Torii gate and the free-roaming deer.

You can find more info on what to see and what to do in Hiroshima here.

Mt. Fuji :  Japan’s iconic volcano is a sight for sore eyes.  On clear days the mountain can be seen from the capital but you better not count on that to happen. 

In the following articles we explain the best ways to see the mountain with a tour or independently .

Is The Hakone Freepass Worth It in 2024? The Ultimate Guide

14 Amazing Mt Fuji Hotels with Private Onsen

Best Ryokans in Mount Fuji You Need To Stay At

16 Best Hakone Ryokans You Need To Stay At

Hakone 2-Day Itinerary: Epic Hakone Itinerary+ Tips (2024 Guide)

12 Wonderful Airbnbs in Hakone (2024 Guide)

20 Best Ryokan in Hakone with Private Onsen (2024 edition)

The snow monkeys : Being animal lovers this was a true highlight of our trip.  The best time to see these cute monkeys is in Winter or early Spring when they’re bathing in the onsen.  but it’s also fun to see them in Summer or Autumn. You can visit on your own or join a guided tour from Nagano Station.

Check prices and availability:

Snow monkeys tour GetYourGuide

Snow monkeys tour Viator

Visit an onsen :  Living in Japan can be stressful.  They have long working hours, a high work ethic, and also something known as Tatemae which means you must be an upstanding, ideal citizen to everyone except maybe your close family.  Japanese like to visit an Onsen to find relief after a stressful day.  We also enjoyed the warm water after a full day of walking around in the immense cities.

Samurai restaurant : The Samurai restaurant is the new name of the robot restaurant. The robot restaurant was infamous because it was the epitome of Japanese kitsch, you either hated it or you loved it.  That is still the case today. Attending this crazy neo-Japanese cabaret show might be one of the highlights of your trip.

Check prices and availability: Samurai Restaurant tickets

Or read our full post about the restaurant here. 

Kaiseki dinner : The Japanese kitchen is well-balanced and widely known to provide numerous health benefits. A Kaiseki dinner is Japan’s gastronomy at its best.  It’s a multi-course meal made of local fresh ingredients presented in a beautiful pleasing way.  It’s a real culinary treat.

Kyoto is a great place to enjoy a Kaiseki dinner. The below-mentioned tour combines a guided walk through Gion with a Kaiseiki diner.

Check prices and availability: Kyoto Evening Gion food tour

A traditional tea ceremony : This is another enjoyable Japanese tradition.  It originated in Zen Buddhism and it is bound to strict rules.  A lot of places offer tea ceremonies, we suggest doing some homework and not entering the first tea house you pass.  Not all ceremonies are equally good. 

This is a well-appreciated tea ceremony in Kyoto .

Check prices and availability: Kyoto tea ceremony

Stay in a Ryokan :  A Ryokan is a traditional Japanese family hotel.  Staying in one can be a real treat as the hosts are usually very accommodating and breakfast and dinner are mouth-watering. 

Opt for a small ryokan for the best experience.

The success of Ryokans has attracted larger properties with dozens of rooms but these are nowhere as charming as the small traditional Ryokans where it feels like you’re really a guest staying with the family.

Rent a Kimono :  Ideal if you want some great pictures of your trip. Don’t worry that you will stick out, the Japanese put on these traditional clothes for all kinds of festive occasions.  We counted loads of Japanese that were taking pictures of the cherry blossoms in their colorful Kimonos. 

Here is one address in Kyoto where you can rent a kimono for a day .

Check prices and availability: Kimono rental

Example Japan itineraries

Here are some example itineraries.  You can copy them exactly or you can use them as a basis to start with.

Sapporo Winter Itinerary: Enjoy Sapporo in Winter in 2 or 3 Days

What to Do in Hiroshima? Best Activities in 2024

The Perfect 14-Day Japan Travel Itinerary for First Timers

4 Best Japan 7-Day Itinerary Suggestions For First Timers (2024 Guide)

A wonderful Kanazawa itinerary for 2 days

EPIC 3-week itinerary for Japan (perfect for first-timers)

The best Japan 5-day itinerary suggestions for first-timers

Hotels in Japan

Accommodation in the larger cities of Japan can be expensive. 

Kyoto takes the cake with prices that can reach $800/night and higher for a standard room in a 4-star hotel in the high season. 

Prices in Tokyo and Osaka skyrocket as well in peak season, albeit slightly less.

It’s good practice to be prepared and book your rooms as soon as you’ve got your Japan itinerary fixed.

Don’t be put off by the above prices. If you plan in time and compare different hotels, you can also book very good hotels for quite a bit less. We traveled through Japan during the cherry blossom season, an expensive period to be in Japan, and paid on average €105/night for our hotels. 

We stayed in a combination of Ryokans and 3 or 4-star hotels. All were well-maintained and very clean.

Best Booking Sites for Japan

It’s easy to book the hotels for your trip online.  These are the sites we used:

Booking.com

Who doesn’t know Booking.com ? What else do I need to say?   

Less popular but equally trustworthy is Agoda. It is also part of the Booking.com group.  Agoda originated in Asia and it will sometimes show better rates for Asian hotels.  We also found some Ryokans on Agoda that couldn’t be booked on Booking.com

Apartments and Houses

Hotel rooms in Japan can be on the small side.  Certainly in the megacities of Tokyo and Osaka. 

If you’re traveling with children or friends it might be better to look for an apartment instead.  We recommend renting through VRBO, Booking, and Airbnb.

And don’t worry, Airbnb is completely legal in Japan.

Here is an overview of the best Airbnb’s in Tokyo. If you are traveling to Tokyo with your family, check out this post. 

If you are looking for apartments and houses in Kyoto, click here. 

Those that are traveling to Osaka can find a selection of apartments and houses here. 

Special Accommodations

We already shortly talked about ryokans in this article, here are some other options for an original overnight stay in Japan.

As written above a stay in a Ryokan, a traditional Japanese family hotel can be a real treat.  In a Ryokan, you sleep on a futon on the floor, believe me when I say that it is much more comfortable than it sounds. 

Ryokans can be booked on both Booking.com and Agoda.

A Minshuku is very similar to a Ryokan. The term Minshuku is not as widely known as many people probably just refer to these hotels as Ryokans. Opinions differ as to what a Minshuku is. Sometimes you will see it described as a low-budget Ryokan. According to us, it is better seen as a small-scale Ryokan.

All Ryokans used to be small family-run properties but these days you can find some large Ryokans with dozens of rooms. These offer luxurious accommodations with top-notch service but don’t have the homely feeling of what a Ryokan used to be about.

To experience this you have to opt for a smallish Ryokan or a Minshuku.

Very few hotels call themselves Minshuku as not many tourists know this term. Usually, they are also listed on booking platforms as Ryokans.

Temple Stay

Here you will stay at a temple. 

The room is comparable to that found in a ryokan.   

A healthy vegetarian dinner is usually included in your stay and we suggest you retire early as you’re also invited to participate in the morning prayers that start at 6 am sharp. 

You can also enrich your stay with meditation classes offered by Buddhist monks.

Temples that offer temple stays can be found in Kanazawa and Kyoto but the most popular place by far for this experience is Koyasan.  We left our temple a little disappointed, it all felt too touristy and not authentic but your mileage may vary.

There are special sites that specialize in temple stays but you will also find these temples on Booking.com and Agoda.

Check prices and availabilty: Booking.com

Check prices and availability: Agoda

Capsule Hotels

Capsule hotels, also known as pod hotels, originated in Japan. 

They were originally only aiming at busy businessmen that were looking for a place to crash for a few hours.

Many still only cater to men but some now welcome both genders, still strictly separated in separate parts of the hotel.

The capsules in the hotel are usually the size of a bed with just enough space to sit upright.  The capsules are stacked side-by-side and are usually two units high.  In the capsule is a small TV and power sockets, all other amenities like toilets and showers are communal.

Over the years capsule hotels have become more popular among tourists, on the one hand for the unique experience but backpackers also love them because they’re cheap. 

The tourists were the driver for them to start with Woman sections and Kiba hotel in Tokyo now even has pods with a double beds for couples.

Capsule hotels can be booked on Booking.com and Agoda.

Check prices and availability: Booking.com

Staying in a Machiya can be a unique experience. Machiya are vacation rentals and ideal in case you’re traveling with friends or family. The properties almost always have a full kitchen to prepare your own meals.

What distinguishes a Machiya from a regular holiday home is that they are located inside a traditional townhouse. The townhouses have been restored, respecting all elements of Japanese traditions. Some come with some Western comforts but all have a traditional Japanese interior.

Several Machiya can be found in Kyoto .

What you Should Know When Booking Accommodation

• Rooms in Japan tend to be small.  Certainly in the major cities.  The less you pay the smaller your room will be.  In our experience, the price is a good indicator of the size of the room.
• Regardless of whether we stayed in cheap Ibis or Comfort Inn hotels or more expensive Hilton and Marriott properties, our rooms were always spotlessly clean.
• Capsule hotels will require you to check in and check out every day irrespective of the length of your stay.  Your bags will also need to be stored in lockers.  Make sure you arrive prepared with all you need for the night in a separate small bag.  It’s not really practical if you need to start digging in your suitcase right there.

21 Amazing Hokkaido Ryokans with Private Onsen

Ryokan in Kanazawa: 9 BEST Traditional Japanese Inns To Stay At

15 of the coolest hotels in Tokyo you must stay in (2024 edition)

Getting Around Japan

Now that you know what you will be visiting in Japan it’s time to glue all this together.  There are 3 means to get around Japan.

Below is a short summary of the 3 options.  Click here for more information on getting around Japan .

The train is by far the most convenient way to get around Japan.  It’s also the most popular among tourists.  Japan’s train network consists of several companies. 

The formerly state-run JR is the largest company and also the one to offer the Japan Rail Pass. 

This pass is exclusively available to tourists and is often a good way to save on your transportation. 

See further in this article for more about the Japan Rail Pass.

Highway buses offer a cheap alternative to the more expensive trains.  Buses are a slower and less comfortable means of transportation but can save a few bucks in your travel budget.

There is a dense network of bus routes operated by several different companies. 

Not all companies have an English website, to book buses, it’s best to use the website of Japan Bus Online .

Rental Car or Campers

It’s also possible to rent a car or a van. 

While this probably won’t be more affordable than getting around by train it may offer you more flexibility.

Avoid large cities though where your car will be more like a liability than an asset.

Organized tours

These tours are great alternatives if you just won’t succeed to plan your trip or if you rather just enjoy your holiday without needing to worry about all the details.

There is a range of group tours, but there are also tours where you still travel independently according to a pre-organized itinerary.

TourRadar is the place to go for an all-encompassing overview of the available tours.

It is an online marketplace for tour operators. 

It shows an overview of all available tours and it avoids having to separately search the website of each tour operator. 

You will find tours from popular international household names as well as a broad selection of Japanese niche operators.

They have a very user-friendly website. Several filters allow you to limit the selection to your liking and the reviews can give you a good impression of what to expect from the tour.

Below is an overview of some excellent 5 and 7-day tours that can be found on TourRadar.

How to Choose the Best 7 days Japan Tour Package (2024 Edition)

How to choose the best Japan tour package

Best Self-Guided Tours in Japan: 10 Amazing Tours For 2024

How to choose the best 5 days Japan tour package? (+tips and tours)

3 Months in Advance

Japan rail pass.

The train is a super-convenient way to get around Japan. 

I’m a big fan of car rentals as these give you a lot of freedom during your trip and even I made an exception in Japan.

When planning our Japan trip I carefully checked the train schedules and prices and compared this with what it would cost to rent a car. 

Renting a car is not cheap, Japan counts many toll roads and fuel prices are on the high side.  What won me over is how easy it was to get everywhere with the trains.

Trains aren’t particularly cheap in Japan either but they run on time and even the most secluded stations seem to be serviced several times a day.

That brings us to the Japan Rail Pass , is it worth buying one or not?  The answer is, it depends.

Those rail passes are not cheap.  It would be a shame if you draw conclusions too quickly and buy one if you don’t need it. The rail pass makes it easier to travel by train but it’s too expensive to buy it only for comfort. 

It’s only really worth buying one if you will save on your tickets or if the difference is marginal.

We explain how you can calculate if, and how much, you will save on your tickets in this article .  I really encourage you to do the math before you buy your Japan Rail Pass.

Is the Japan Rail Pass still worth it in 2024: Tips and Tricks

Domestic Flights

The efficient Shinkansen that traverse the country in all directions make flights almost unnecessary. 

Still, there remain a few locations that are more quickly reached by plane than by train. 

Most notable is, of course, Okinawa, an island south of Japan’s main island that can only be reached by boat or plane.  Another journey, which is also faster by plane, goes to Hokkaido.  The island is north of Japan’s main island.  It’s possible to ride the Shinkansen to Sapporo but the aircraft on average cuts the travel time in half.

Japan counts a wide range of low-cost carriers.  You have Jetstar, Peach Aviation, Vanilla Air, and Fuji Dream Airlines to name just a few.  The prices for the flights are usually very good thanks to this fierce competition.

There’s also no need to book these flights long in advance. 

Somewhere between 3 months and 3 weeks in advance should be OK unless you are looking for flights in peak travel periods like Golden Week.

Use travel comparison sites such as Momondo , Skyscanner and Kayak to instantly compare the prices of all the low-cost carriers.

Check what’s included with your ticket.  Some low-cost carriers have carry-on only fares, others use 15kg as the standard baggage allowance.  (For comparison: Regular carriers usually allow 20-23kg for each piece of baggage).

1 Month in Advance

Staying online in japan.

A local SIM card or a Pocket Wifi device is an invaluable asset if you would like to discover Japan independently. 

We did use our phones intensively to avoid getting lost, to find local restaurants, and to check the train or subway schedule.

There is a whole range of other Japan apps that can help you to travel deeper.

We cover the advantages of staying online in more detail in the below articles. 

You can choose between a pocket WiFi device and a local tourist SIM card.   Both have their pros and cons which we also discuss.

The BEST pocket WiFi rental for Japan (2024 guide)

What’s the best tourist SIM card for Japan (2024 guide)

Tours and other Fun Experiences

Tourism has boomed in Japan and popular attractions can fill up several days in advance. Most notable is Teamlab Borderless where tickets are sometimes sold out several weeks in advance.  

To avoid missing out on fun experiences like these it is best to book your tickets well in advance.

In many cases, it will not only give you peace of mind but will also save you a few bucks.  Often online tickets are cheaper than the price at the door.

Most activities and tours can be booked with either GetYourGuide or Klook. 

Booking Sites for Japan Activities

Here is some information about the booking sites we use most for bookings in Japan.

GetYourGuide

Millions have already booked their tours with GetYourGuide. 

What we love about GetYourGuide is its outstanding customer service. 

They’re just a call or an e-mail away and will respond quickly and professionally. 

Most activities booked on GetYourGuide can be canceled for free until 24 hours in advance which leaves you with enough flexibility in case your plans might change.

Check prices and availability: GetYourGuide

Viator is just like GetYourGuide a middleman that brings tourists in contact with local tour companies. Viator was independent until 2014 when it was acquired by TripAdvisor. It is a reputable company with a wide range of tours, even bigger than GetYourGuide.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for on GetYourGuide, maybe you should check out Viator.

Most activities can be canceled for free until 24 hours in advance. This way you can book your activity knowing that your schedule is still flexible in case your plans need a change.

Check prices and availability: Viator

Klook is a major Asian ticket-booking site aimed at independent travelers.

They offer more activities in Japan than any other booking site.  In many cases, tickets on Klook are cheaper than the official prices at the door.

This might have you wonder if Klook is legit.  It is! 

The site is completely trustworthy, it has already been featured in several reputable business magazines (such as Forbes ) and we have used it, as well as thousands of other users , without any problems. 

Not all activities offered by Klook can be canceled 24 hours in advance.

Pay attention to this when booking if your plans are not 100% fixed.

Check prices and availability: Klook

Fun Activities

Here’s a list of things you might consider booking in advance:

Robot Restaurant ( renamed the Samurai restaurant): Tickets online are usually cheaper than at the door.  Read our review to see what this show is about.

teamLab Borderless : A very popular experience in Tokyo unlike anything else you have seen before.

Tokyo Skytree : Amazing 360-degree views of Japan’s capital.  This ticket allows you to skip the line.

Traditional Tea Ceremony in Kyoto : An introduction to the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

Ghibli Museum : The Ghibli Museum contains a world-famous collection of art pieces

Sumo Tournament or Sumo Practice : Sumo tournaments are only held 3 times per year.  If you can attend one we certainly recommend it.  If you are not in Japan during the tournaments it is still worthwhile to attend a practice session.

Amusement Parks

Tokyo Disney and DisneySea : Tokyo Disney is very much like Disneyland anywhere else in the world.  DisneySea, on the other hand, is a unique and very well-designed theme park with some amazing rides.

Universal Studios : Another amazing theme park in Osaka.  Your ticket includes access to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Minion park.  To spend your time efficiently you can upgrade your pass to skip the line at 4 attractions or 7 attractions .

Fuji-Q : This theme park is located at the base of Mount Fuji, one of Japan’s famous landmarks.   It has some record-holding rollercoasters and several anime-themed attractions.

Airport Transportation

Do you already know how you will get from the airport to your hotel?  We definitely recommend that you plan this in advance so that you arrive in the country stress-free. 

Here’s more info on how to get to Oska from the airport or on how to get to Tokyo from the airport .

Tokyo Tokyo Narita – Skyliner Express Ticket The N’ex train is covered by the JR Pass.  If you have no JR pass this train is a good alternative.

You can also book a private or shared transfer .

Osaka Kansai – Nankai Line rapi:t The JR Haruka is covered by the JR Pass.  If you have no JR pass this rapit train from the Nankai line is a good alternative.

You can also use the Osaka Limousine bus or a private or shared transfer .

Discount Passes

Hakone Free Pass A good discount pass to explore Hakone and see Mt. Fuji

Tokyo Subway Ticket (Tokyo Metro Pass) The cheapest option to get around Tokyo (unless you plan on using your JR Pass in the capital).  If you pre-order your metro pass it will be ready at the airport and you can use it to get to your hotel.

1 Week in Advance

What to pack for your japan trip.

We’re almost there.  It’s time to start packing.

The most important things are of course your passport and an open mind. 

Once those are taken care of you can have a look at our Japan Packing List , a handy list that covers everything from the official stuff, to travel gear to make your trip more comfortable as well as what to wear in the various seasons.

Great, you reached the end of this post!  I hope this means you’re all done and can start counting down to this amazing adventure.

Don’t forget to join our Japan Facebook group if you haven’t already done so.  In this group, you can exchange tips with fellow Japan Travelers to fine-tune those last details of your trip.

Let’s wrap it up by wishing you a Japan vacation of a lifetime!

Let's travel around Japan!

Japan is an island country in East Asia. Japan learned the culture from China in ancient times and from Western countries in the modern times. In the long history, Japan has formed its original culture.

You can experience such interesting Japan in any place. If you know more knowledge about Japan, you will enjoy your Japan trip more. Please check this website as a travel guide and visit Japan!

Japan is located to the east of the Eurasia Continent.

It consists of four main islands and many other smaller islands.

The largest island is Honshu and includes main cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, etc.

Other islands are Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku, and these are connected with Honshu by undersea tunnel or bridge.

To the south of Kyushu, small islands are dotted on an arc‐shaped line. The main island is Okinawa.

The main area of Japan belongs to the temperate zone. But, Hokkaido belongs to the subarctic zone, and Okinawa islands belong to subtropics.

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GUIDE Traveling by Rail

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Guide for traveling in Japan by train

Japan's penetrating railways and world-famous Shinkansen (Bullet Trains) interconnect almost every city and corner with lightning speed, convenience, and safety.

Trains in Japan are punctual and reliable

Japan's railways offer impeccable punctuality, safety, and diversity when it comes to travel and transportation in Japan. Whether you're looking for bullet-fast transport between cities, inner-city transport, or a leisurely scenic and cultural journey through Japan, there are options for every taste and itinerary.

Railway types

They say what's important isn't just the destination but also the journey. To break it down, there are three main types of railway systems in Japan, with differing advantages and options.

Japan's leading railway company, Japan Railways (JR), has a well-organized and well–established railway network throughout the country. Among its comprehensive network, the JR-operated Shinkansen, also known as the Bullet Train, connects most of the main cities throughout Japan with world-renowned comfort and speed.

The subway systems are the key to zipping around the major metropolises and their outskirts. These vast and punctual networks are super convenient for moving around cities.

Operated by private companies or municipal governments, various private local railways are convenient means of transport in local areas.

Long distance and regional travel

Train travel gets you directly into the heart of your destination city, saving time and money on travel to and from airports and lengthy check-ins.

The JR-operated Shinkansen, also known as the Bullet Train, is by far one of the speediest and most comprehensive networks for getting around Japan. For more details, please refer to the information in each region on the Shinkansen List below.

Inner-city travel

The subway systems and inner-city sections of JR are the keys to zipping around the major metropolises and their outskirts. These vast and punctual networks will take you almost directly to your destination with minimal wait and hassle. Please refer to the subway maps of major cities nationwide provided below.

There is a wide range of other travel options to suit your tastes

JR and other private local railways have express services, luxurious sightseeing trains, and locally themed carriages for travel both between and within regions. There's a huge range of travel alternatives for families, luxury seekers, cultural enthusiasts, and those with limited time or money.

The Shinkansen and longer-distance local railways generally have different classes with reclining seating, fold-down tables, and onboard services that mimic that airline-style "trip" experience. Grabbing a ekiben (packed meal) and beverage to enjoy onboard is a popular pastime and a great way to savor the passing scenery. Kiosks selling various bento boxes can be found on platforms at major stations.

Travel (IC) cards, mobile Apps, and train passes

IC cards such as the Suica and Pasmo can be used across most train systems, ensuring smooth, seamless transfers without the hassle of purchasing individual tickets for each ride.

While credit card tap payments at the ticket gates have not been introduced yet in Japan as of 2022, mobile app versions of major IC cards are readily available. These can be set up to link with your credit card in advance and will allow you to use your smartphone instead of physical cards.

For sightseeing, one-day and multiple-day passes offered in many cities and regions are another economical way to cover an area in a short period of time. The Japan Rail Pass with unlimited rides throughout the country is also a cost-effective option for foreign tourists traveling longer distances.

Some mobile payment systems are not compatible to non-Japanese models of mobile phones or smartphones, so the mobile payment may not be accepted depending on mobile phone models.

Reservations

Shinkansen reservations can be made at ticket counters, online, or via a smartphone app. The JR-EAST Train Reservation, SmartEX, allows you to connect your reservation to your IC card. This means you can simply tap your IC card at the Shinkansen ticket gates to receive your reserved ticket, eliminating the need to pick it up in advance. Check our page on local railways for other reservation options.

Things to note

When reclining your seat on the Shinkansen or limited express trains, make sure you consider the person behind you. A simple “excuse me” goes a long way.

Eating on trains is a pastime reserved for long-distance travel. Note that it is generally frowned upon on local subways or trains.

Even within the same area and station name, different railway companies will arrive and depart from different locations of your destination or departure city. Therefore, choosing the train route most convenient to your destination is recommended.

Stations generally have elevators and staff to help people with wheelchairs or physical disabilities on and off the trains. If you need assistance, ask the station staff at the ticket gates.

* The information on this page may be subject to change due to COVID-19.

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The time of year is an important factor to consider when arranging your transport around Japan. Peak travelling seasons are the few days either side of New Year, the Golden Week holidays of late April and early May, and the mid-August Obon holiday ( for further details of public holidays). During these times the whole of Japan can seem on the move, with trains, planes and ferries packed to the gills and roads clogged with traffic. Book well in advance and be prepared to pay higher fares on flights, as all discounts are suspended during peak periods.

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Small Group Tour: Secrets of Japan

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Small Group Tour: Highlights of Japan

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Domestic travel agencies , such as JTB, can book all types of transport and are also useful sources for checking travel schedules. The staff in these agencies have access to the jikokuhyō timetable, an incredible source of information, updated monthly, on virtually every form of public transport in Japan. There’s always a jikokuhyō available for consultation at stations, and most hotels have a copy too. If you’re going to travel around Japan a lot, get hold of a JR English timetable for all the Shinkansen and many major express train services, available from JNTO offices in Japan and abroad and at major train stations. Also incredibly useful is the Hyperdia Timetable , an online resource maintained by Hitachi Information Systems, which will provide a whole range of travel options, including transfers by air, bus, train and ferry between almost any two points in Japan.

The vast majority of services on Japan’s brilliant rail network are operated by the six regional JR (Japan Railways) companies: JR Hokkaidō , JR East , JR Central , JR West , JR Shikoku and JR Kyūshū . JR is run as a single company as far as buying tickets is concerned. Smaller rail companies, including Hankyū, Kintetsu, Meitetsu, Odakyū and Tōbu, are based in the major cities and surrounding areas, but in the vast majority of Japan it’s JR services that you’ll be using.

Individual tickets can be pricey, especially for the fastest trains, but many discount tickets and rail passes are available to cut the cost. If you plan to travel extensively by train, the various Japan Rail Passes provide the best overall deal, while the discount tour packages by the Japan Travel Bureau’s Sunrise Tours arm are also excellent value. If you have lots of time, and are travelling during the main student holiday periods, the Seishun Jūhachi-kippu is also an excellent buy.

Rough Guides tip: make sure to read our article about choosing the right Japan Rail Pass .

For many visitors, riding the Shinkansen (新幹線) or Bullet Train (so-called because of the smooth, rounded design of the earliest locomotives) is an eagerly anticipated part of a trip to Japan. You’ll barely notice the speed of these smooth-running trains, which on the top-of-the-range E5 series can reach 320kph. They are also frighteningly punctual – two seconds late on the platform and you’ll be waving goodbye to the back end of the train – and reliable: only the severest weather conditions or earthquakes stop the Shinkansen.

There are six main Shinkansen lines. The busiest route is the Tōkaidō-Sanyō line, which runs south from Tokyo through Nagoya, Kyoto, Ōsaka and Hiroshima, terminating at Hakata Station in Fukuoka (the Tōkaidō line runs from Tokyo to Shin-Ōsaka Station, while the Sanyō line continues from there to Fukuoka).

The Tōhoku line is the main northern route, passing through Sendai and terminating at Shin-Aomori. This line will extend through the Seikan Tunnel to Hakodate by 2015. The Akita line runs from Tokyo to Akita on the north coast, while the Yamagata line to Shinjō, in the middle of the Tōhoku region, splits off west from the Tōhoku line at Fukushima.

The Jōetsu line heads north from Tokyo, tunnelling through the mountains to Niigata along the Sea of Japan coast, with the Nagano line (also known as the Hokuriku line) branching off west at Takasaki to end at Nagano. There are plans to extend this line from Nagano to Kanazawa by 2014. The Kyūshū line connects Kagoshima with Hakata.

To travel by Shinkansen you’ll pay a hefty surcharge on top of the basic fare for a regular train. Three types of Shinkansen services are available: the Kodama (こだま), which stops at all stations; the Hikari (ひかり), which stops only at major stations; and the Nozomi (のぞみ; available on the Tōkaidō–Sanyō line only), the fastest service, for which you’ll have to pay an extra fee (and which you’re not allowed to take if you’re travelling on most types of rail pass). If you’re travelling from Tokyo to Fukuoka, the Nozomi shaves an hour off the six-hour journey on the Hikari , but for shorter hops to Nagoya, Kyoto or Ōsaka the time saved isn’t generally worth the extra expense.

On the train there are announcements and electronic signs in English telling you which stations are coming up. Get to the door in good time before the train arrives, as you’ll generally only have a few seconds in which to disembark before the train shoots off again.

Other trains

Aside from the Shinkansen, the fastest services are limited express ( tokkyū ; 特急) trains, so-called because they make a limited number of stops. Like Shinkansen, you have to pay a surcharge to travel on tokkyū and there are separate classes of reserved and non-reserved seats (see Train classes and reservations). Less common are the express , or kyūkō (急行), trains, which also only stop at larger stations but carry a lower surcharge. The rapid , or kaisoku (快速), trains are slower still, making more stops than a kyūkō , but with no surcharge. Ordinary , or futsū (普通), trains are local services stopping at all stations and usually limited to routes under 100km.

The above categories of train and surcharges apply to all JR services, and to some, but not all, private rail routes. To further confuse matters, you may find that if you’re travelling on a JR train on one of the more remote branch lines, you may be charged an additional fare due to part of the old JR network having been sold off to another operating company.

There are only a handful of overnight sleeper trains – the main services are from Tokyo and Ōsaka to Aomori and Sapporo; if you have a Japan Rail Pass and want a berth for the night, you’ll have to pay the berth charge (couchette cabin sleeping four to six: ¥6000–10,000; private double or single room: ¥6000–38,000 depending on the class of cabin), plus the surcharge for the express or limited express service. A few overnight trains have reclining seats, which JR Pass holders can use without paying a surcharge. Reservations are necessary.

There are several SL (steam locomotive) services across the country, which run from spring through to autumn, mainly on weekends and holidays. These leisurely trains, with lovingly restored engines and carriages, have proved a huge hit with tourists and you’d be well advised to book in advance. Among the more popular routes are the Senmō line between Kushiro and Shibecha, along with the SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen-go service in winter; the Yamaguchi line between Ogōri and Tsuwano in Western Honshū; and the Mōka line from Shimodate to Motegi via Mashiko in Tochigi-ken.

Buying tickets

JR tickets can be bought at any JR station and at many travel agencies. At major city stations there will be a fare map in English beside the vending machine. Otherwise, if you’re buying your ticket from the ticket counter, it’s a good idea to have written down on a piece of paper the date and time you wish to travel, your destination, the number of tickets you want and whether you’ll need smoking or non-smoking seats. A fall-back is to buy the minimum fare ticket from the vending machine, and pay any surcharges on or when leaving the train.

To make advance reservations for tokkyū and Shinkansen trains, or to buy special types of tickets, you’ll generally need to go to the green window, or midori-no-madoguchi , sales counters, marked by a green logo. In order to swap your exchange voucher for a Japan Rail Pass, you’ll have to go to a designated ticket office; they’re listed in the booklet you’ll receive with your rail pass voucher and on the rail pass website.

Japan Rail passes

If you plan to make just one long-distance train journey, such as Tokyo to Kyoto one way, a Japan Rail Pass will not be good value. In all other cases it will be and you should invest in one before you arrive, since the full Japan Rail Pass can only be bought outside Japan (other types of passes can bought inside the country though). For unfettered flexibility, the comprehensive Japan Rail Pass is the way to go, while regional Japan Rail Passes are good deals if they fit with your travel itinerary. All the prices quoted below are for ordinary rail passes (green car passes cost more) and note that you will have to be travelling on a tourist visa to buy any of these passes.

The traditional Japan Rail Pass allows travel on virtually all JR services throughout Japan, including buses and ferries, and is valid for seven (¥28,300), fourteen (¥45,100) or 21 (¥57,700) consecutive days. The major service for which it is not valid is the Nozomi Shinkansen; if you’re caught on one of these, even unwittingly, you’ll be liable for the full fare for the trip. As with all JR tickets, children aged between 6 and 11 inclusive pay half-price, while those under 6 travel free.

The JR East Pass covers all JR East services, including the Shinkansen. This pass is particularly good value if you’re aged between 12 and 25. For five days’ consecutive use, the price is ¥20,000 (¥16,000 for 12- to 25-year-olds), while a ten-day pass is ¥32,000 (¥25,000 for 12- to 25-year-olds). Even better value is the flexible four-day pass (¥20,000/¥16,000), which is valid for any four days within a month from the date when the pass is issued. JR-West offers a couple of local travel passes while both JR Hokkaidō and JR Kyūshū offer a pass for their respective networks.

If you buy any of these passes abroad, the cost in your own currency will depend on the exchange rate at the time of purchase – you might be able to save a little money by shopping around between agents offering the pass, because they don’t all use the same exchange rate. You’ll be given an exchange voucher which must be swapped for a pass in Japan within three months . Once issued, the dates on the pass cannot be changed. Exchanges can only be made at designated JR stations; you’ll be issued with a list of locations when you buy your pass. Again, note that passes can only be issued if you’re travelling on a temporary visitor visa ; JR staff are very strict about this and you’ll be asked to show your passport when you present your exchange voucher for the pass or when you buy a pass directly in Japan. Also, note that if you lose your pass it will not be replaced, so take good care of it.

Rail Pass holders can get a discount, typically around ten percent, at all JR Group Hotels; check the list in the information booklet provided when you buy your pass.

Train classes and reservations

On Shinkansen trains and JR tokkyū (limited express) and kyūkō (express) services, there’s a choice of ordinary, or futsū-sha (普通車), carriages or more expensive first-class Green Car, or guriin-sha (グリーン車), carriages where seats are two abreast either side of the aisle (as opposed to three). There may be a choice between smoking, or kitsuen (喫煙), and non-smoking, or kin’en (禁煙), cars; all JR East Shinkansen services are entirely non-smoking. On Nozomi Shinkansen it’s also possible to buy standing-only tickets for a small discount.

Each train also has both reserved, or shitei-seki (指定席), and unreserved, or jiyū-seki (自由席), sections. Seat reservations cost between ¥300 and ¥500, depending on the season; they are free if you have a rail pass. You cannot sit in the reserved section of a train without a reservation, even if it’s empty and the unreserved section full, although you can buy a reservation ticket from the train conductor.

If you don’t have a reservation, aim to get to the station with thirty minutes to spare, locate your platform and stand in line at the marked section for the unreserved carriages; ask the platform attendants for jiyū-seki, and they’ll point the way. If you have a reservation, platform signs will also direct you where to stand, so that you’re beside the right door when the train pulls in.

Discount ticket shops

In most big cities, usually in shopping areas near stations, you can find discount ticket shops, or kinken shoppu (金券ショップ), which sell, among other things, cheap airline and Shinkansen tickets. These shops buy up discount group tickets and sell them on individually, usually at around twenty percent cheaper than the regular prices. These are legitimate operations, but you’ll need to be able to read and speak some Japanese to be sure you’ve got the ticket you need, and there may be some days when travel isn’t allowed. With the Shinkansen tickets you can’t make seat reservations at a discount shop, so you’ll need to go to a JR ticket office to arrange these.

Other discount tickets

The Seishun Jūhachi-kippu (青春１８きっぷ) is available to everyone regardless of age, but only valid during school vacations. These are roughly March 1 to April 10 (sold Feb 20–March 31), July 20 to September 10 (sold July 1–Aug 31) and December 10 to January 20 (sold Dec 1–Jan 10). For ¥11,500 you get five day-tickets that can be used to travel anywhere in Japan as long as you take only the slow futsū and kaisoku trains. The tickets can also be split and used individually by different people. If you’re not in a hurry, this ticket can be the biggest bargain on the whole of Japan’s rail system, allowing you, for example, to use one of the day tickets (value ¥2300) to travel from Tokyo to Nagasaki (total journey time 23hr 36min). The tickets are also handy for touring a local area in a day, since you can get on and off trains as many times as you wish within 24 hours.

Kaisūken (回数券) are usually four or more one-way tickets to the same destination. These work out substantially cheaper than buying the tickets individually (so are good for groups travelling to the same destintation). Among other places they are available on the limited express services from Tokyo to Matsumoto and Nagano-ken.

Furii kippu (フリー切符) excursion-type tickets are available for various areas of Japan, usually with unlimited use of local transport for a specified period of time. The Hakone Furii Pass , offered by the Odakyū railway company, covering routes from Tokyo to the lakeland area of Hakone, is particularly good value. If you plan to travel in one area, it’s always worth asking the JR East Infoline or the tourist information offices if there are any other special tickets that could be of use.

Eating and drinking on trains and at stations

On long-distance trains there’ll almost always be a trolley, laden with overpriced drinks and snacks, being pushed down the aisle. You’re generally better off both financially and in culinary terms packing your own picnic for the train, but useful fallbacks are the station noodle stands and the ekiben, a contraction of eki (station) and bentō (boxed meal). At the station noodle stalls you can get warming bowls of freshly made hot noodles, usually soba or the thicker udon, for under ¥500. Ekiben, often featuring local speciality foods, are sold both on and off the trains and come in a wide range of permutations. If you have time, pop into a convenience or department store close to the station for a more keenly priced selection of bentō.

The big two domestic airlines are All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL). Both carriers offer substantial discounts for advance bookings with an extra discount if the booking is made entirely online. Other local airlines include: Skymark , with cut-price routes between Tokyo and Fukuoka, Kōbe, Naha and Sapporo and Kōbe-Naha; Air Do for discount services on routes from Tokyo to destinations in Hokkaidō; Skynet Asia Airways for flights between Tokyo and Kyūshū, including Kumamoto, Miyazaki and Nagasaki; IBEX Airlines for flights from Ōsaka’s Itami airport to Sendai, Fukushima, Oita and a few other destinations; and Starflyer for Tokyo–Ōsaka–Kita–Kyūshū flights. The busiest routes apart, there remains little competition as far as prices and quality of service are concerned.

If you’re not using a rail pass, discounted plane fares are well worth considering. For example, to travel by train to Sapporo from Tokyo costs ¥22,780 and takes the better part of a day, compared with a discounted plane fare which can fall to as low as ¥9000 from Tokyo to Shin-Chitose airport, near Sapporo, a journey of ninety minutes. Discounts are generally not available during the peak travelling seasons.

Both JAL and ANA offer discount flight passes to overseas visitors, which are definitely worth considering if you plan to make several plane trips. JAL has the oneworld Yokoso and the Welcome to Japan passes. The former, only available to those using oneworld carriers to fly into Japan (including JAL, BA and Qantas), allows you to make up to five flights at ¥10,000 per sector; the latter, available to anyone regardless of which airline used, allows two flights for ¥26,000, three for ¥39,000, four for ¥52,000 and five for ¥65,000. ANA offers the similar Star Alliance Japan Airpass , with up to five flights available on each pass at ¥11,550 per flight; and the Visit Japan fare with up to five flights available from ¥13,000 per flight (with a minimum of two flights). These fares are excellent value if you plan to visit far-flung destinations, such as the islands of Okinawa, where standard one-way fares from Tokyo cost over ¥30,000. These tickets are not available during peak travelling seasons such as July and August and the New Year and Golden Week holidays.

Japan has a comprehensive system of long-distance buses , or chōkyori basu (長距離バス), including night buses ( yakō basu ) between major cities. Fares are always cheaper than the fastest trains, but the buses are usually slower and can get caught up in traffic, even on the expressways, Japan’s fastest roads, especially during peak travel periods. Most bus journeys start and finish next to or near the main train station. For journeys over two hours, there is usually at least one rest stop during the journey.

Willer Express is one of the largest long-distance bus operators and offers some great deals. A seven-hour overnight service from Tokyo to Kyoto, for example, can cost as little as ¥3500 compared to ¥12,710 (non-reserved seat) on the Shinkansen which takes two hours and forty minutes. There are hundreds of small bus companies operating different routes, so for full details of current services, timetables and costs make enquiries with local tourist information offices. Buses come into their own in the more rural parts of Japan where there are few or no trains. With a handful of exceptions, you don’t need to book tickets on such services but can pay on the bus. JR runs a number of buses, some of which are covered by the various rail passes. Other private bus companies may also offer bus passes to certain regions; again check with local tourist offices for any deals.

One of the most pleasant ways of travelling around this island nation is by ferry . Overnight journeys between Honshū and Hokkaidō in the north, and Kyūshū and Shikoku in the south, are highly recommended. If you can’t spare the time, try a short hop, say to one of the islands of the Inland Sea, or from Niigata to Sado-ga-shima.

On the overnight ferries the cheapest fares, which entitle you to a sleeping space on the floor of a large room with up to a hundred other passengers, can be a bargain compared with train and plane fares to the same destinations. For example, the overnight ferry fare from Ōarai, two hours north of Tokyo, to Tomakomai, around an hour south of Sapporo on Hokkaidō, can be as low as ¥8500. Even if you pay extra for a bed in a shared or private berth, it’s still cheaper than the train and you’ll have a very comfortable cruise as part of the bargain; see sunflower.co.jp for details. Ferries are also an excellent way of transporting a bicycle or motorbike (though you’ll pay a small supplement for these) and many also take cars.

Ferry schedules are subject to seasonal changes and also vary according to the weather, so for current details of times and prices it’s best to consult the local tourist information office. Contact the Japan Long Distance Ferry Service Association for more information; there are links on the website to the sites of major long-distance ferry services; tickets can be booked on some sites.

While it would be foolhardy to rent a car to get around Japan’s big cities, driving is often the best way to tour the country’s less populated and off-the-beaten-track areas. Japanese roads are of a very high standard, with the vast majority of signs on main routes being in rōmaji as well as Japanese script. Although you’ll have to pay tolls to travel on the expressways (reckon on around ¥30 per kilometre), many other perfectly good roads are free and regular petrol averages around ¥105 a litre. For a group of people, renting a car to tour a rural area over a couple of days can work out much better value than taking buses. It’s often possible to rent cars for less than a day, too, for short trips.

There are car rental counters at all the major airports and train stations. The main Japanese companies include Mazda Rent-a-car; Nippon Rent-a-car ; Nissan Rent-a-car and Toyota Rent-a-car . Budget, Hertz and National also have rental operations across Japan (although not as widely spread). For local car rental firms’ contact numbers, see the Listings sections in the relevant city accounts. Rates, which vary little between companies and usually include unlimited mileage, start from around ¥6500 for the first 24 hours for the smallest type of car (a subcompact Minica, seating four people), plus ¥1000 insurance. During the peak seasons of Golden Week, Obon and New Year, rates for all cars tend to increase.

Most cars come with a GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) navigation system. It’s sometimes possible to get an English-language version CD to work with the GPS – ask for this when you book. Input the telephone number for a location (say the number of the hotel you’re staying at or a museum you want to visit) and the GPS system will plot the course for you.

Since you’re unlikely to want to drive in any of the cities, the best rental deals are often through Eki Rent-a-Car , which gives a discounted rate by combining the rental with a train ticket to the most convenient station for the area you wish to explore. Eki-Rent-a-Car’s offices are close to stations, as are often those of other major car rental firms.

To rent a car you must have an international driver’s licence based on the 1949 Geneva Convention (some international licences such as those issued in France, Germany and Switizerland are not valid), as well as your national licence. Officially, if you have a French, German or Swiss licence (regular or international) you are supposed to get an official Japanese translation of the licence – contact your local Japanese embassy for further info. You may get lucky and find a car rental firm that doesn’t know or ignores this rule, but don’t count on it. If you’ve been in Japan for more than six months you’ll need to apply for a Japanese licence.

Driving is on the left, the same as in Britain, Ireland, Australia and most of Southeast Asia, and international traffic signals are used. The bilingual Japan Road Atlas (¥2890) published by Shōbunsha includes many helpful notes, such as the dates when some roads close during winter. If you’re a member of an automobile association at home, the chances are that you’ll qualify for reciprocal rights with the Japan Auto Federation , which publishes the English-language Rules of the Road book, detailing Japan’s driving code.

The top speed limit in Japan is 80kph, which applies only on expressways, though drivers frequently exceed this and are rarely stopped by police. In cities, the limit is 40kph. There are always car parks close to main train stations; at some your vehicle will be loaded onto a rotating conveyor belt and whisked off to its parking spot. Reckon on ¥500 per hour for a central city car park and ¥300 per hour elsewhere. If you manage to locate a parking meter, take great care not to overstay the time paid for (usually around ¥300/hour); some have mechanisms to trap cars, which will only be released once the fine has been paid directly into the meter (typically ¥10,000–15,000). In rural areas, parking is not so much of a problem and is rarely charged.

If you’ve drunk any alcohol at all, even the smallest amount, don’t drive – it’s illegal and if you’re stopped by the police and breathalyzed you’ll be in big trouble.

Although you’re unlikely to want to cycle around the often traffic-clogged streets of Japan’s main cities, a bike is a great way to get from A to B in the smaller towns and countryside, allowing you to see plenty en route. Cycle touring is a very popular activity with students over the long summer vacation. Hokkaidō, in particular, is a cyclist’s dream, with excellent roads through often stunning scenery and a network of basic but ultra-cheap cyclists’ accommodation.

In many places you can rent bikes from outlets beside or near the train station; some towns even have free bikes – enquire at the tourist office. Youth hostels often rent out bikes, too, usually at the most competitive rates. You can buy a brand-new bike in Japan for under ¥20,000 but you wouldn’t want to use it for anything more than getting around town; for sturdy touring and mountain bikes, hunt out a specialist bike shop or bring your own. Although repair shops can be found nationwide, for foreign models it’s best to bring essential spare parts with you. And despite Japan’s low crime rate, a small but significant section of the Japanese public treats bikes as common property; if you don’t want to lose it, make sure your bike is well chained whenever you leave it.

If you plan to take your bike on a train or bus, ensure you have a bike bag in which to parcel it up; on trains you’re also supposed to pay a special bike transport supplement of ¥270 (ask for a temawarihin kippu ), though ticket inspectors may not always check.

If you’re planning a serious cycling tour, an excellent investment is Cycling Japan by Brian Harrell, a handy practical guide detailing many touring routes around the country. There’s also useful cycling information on the following sites: japancycling.org , kancycling.com and outdoorjapan.com . If you’re up for a two-month pedal from Hokkaidō to Kyūshū, see the website for Bicycling for Everyone’s Earth (BEE).

There’s always a risk associated with hitching . That said, Japan is one of the safest and easiest places in the world to hitch a ride, and in some rural areas it’s just about the only way of getting around without your own transport. It’s also a fantastic way to meet locals, who are often only too happy to go kilometres out of their way to give you a lift just for the novelty value (impecunious students apart, hitching is very rare in Japan), or the opportunity it provides to practise English or another foreign language.

As long as you don’t look too scruffy you’ll seldom be waiting long for a ride. It’s a good idea to write your intended destination in large kanji characters on a piece of card to hold up. Carry a stock of small gifts you can leave as a thank you; postcards, sweets and small cuddly toys are usually popular. Will Ferguson’s A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Japan and his entertaining travel narrative Hokkaidō Highway Blues are useful reference books.

Japanese addresses are described by a hierarchy of areas, rather than numbers running consecutively along named roads. A typical address starts with the largest administrative district, the ken (prefecture), accompanied by a seven-digit postcode – for example, Nagasaki-ken 850-0072. The four exceptions are Tokyo-to (metropolis), Kyoto-fu and Ōsaka-fu (urban prefectures), and Hokkaidō – all independent administrative areas at the same level as the ken, also followed by a seven-digit code. Next comes the shi (city) or, in the country, the gun (county) or mura (village). The largest cities are then subdivided into ku (wards), followed by chō (districts), then chōme (local neighbourhoods), blocks and, finally, individual buildings.

If a building has a name and/or holds several different businesses or homes on different floors you’ll find the floor number generally listed according to the US fashion with the first floor (1F) being the ground floor and the second floor (2F) being the first floor above ground. B1F, B2F and so on, stands for the floors below ground level, Some addresses, where the block is entirely taken up by one building, will only have two numerals. If an address has four numerals, the first one is for a separate business within a certain part of the building.

Japanese addresses are written in reverse order from the Western system. However, when written in English, they usually follow the Western order; this is the system we adopt in the guide. For example, the address 2F Maru Bldg, 2-12-7 Kitano-chō, Chūō-ku, Kōbe-shi identifies the second floor of the Maru Building which is building number 7, somewhere on block 12 of number 2 chōme in Kitano district, in Chūō ward of Kōbe city. Buildings may bear a small metal tag with their number (eg 2-12-7, or just 12-7), while lampposts often have a bigger plaque with the district name in kanji and the block reference (eg 2-12). Note that the same address can also be written 12-7 Kitano-chō 2-chōme, Chūō-ku.

Though the system’s not too difficult in theory, actually locating an address on the ground can be frustrating. The consolation is that even Japanese people find it tough. The best strategy is to have the address written down, preferably in Japanese, and then get to the nearest train or bus station. Once in the neighbourhood, start asking; local police boxes (kōban) are a good bet and have detailed maps of their own areas. If all else fails, don’t be afraid to phone – often someone will come to meet you.

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How to get around Japan without upsetting the locals

“If you see a step up, it’s time to change your shoes,” said Llew Thomas, our tour leader, as we entered the guesthouse. Wooden geta sandals were lined up in a row but slipping into them was no easy feat. It required balance and dexterity to remove our boots and step up without touching the mud-flecked entrance floor again. Wearing the right footwear in the right place is huge in Japan; there are even special plastic sliders for the lavatory.

Most tourists avoid the shoe thing by staying in international-style business hotels, but anyone curious about Japan should enter the world of the ryokan. At these traditional inns, often family-run, you sleep on the floor on a futon (or three), soak in a public bathhouse, and eat a 12-course supper of largely unidentifiable seasonal delicacies. Horse sashimi anyone?

On a first visit, it helps to have a guide to decode Japanese etiquette and much else that will confound a Westerner. Which was how I found myself, an inveterate independent traveller, joining a guided walk across the Kunisaki peninsula, a beautiful rural corner on the island of Kyushu .

There were five of us waiting for Llew at Fukuoka station: all keen walkers, all 50-plus, and all eager for cultural immersion. Literally. Our first night was spent in Yakabei, famed for its thermal hot springs. Llew ran us through the onsen bathhouse rules and kit. Or rather no kit as nudity is de rigueur. He laughed when he saw the panic on our faces. “Don’t worry; they’re single-sex these days.”

Provided with a tiny wash towel, we were to lather up, scrub and rinse every inch of our bodies while crouched on a toy stool. Only then should we enter the bath itself. Tonight’s was one of Kyushu’s finest: a cascade of mist-shrouded rock pools set in a bonsai garden beneath the stars. It was a blissful way to soak away the aches of a day on the trail.

The Japanese do love a uniform. After bathing guests are encouraged to dress in identical long wide-sleeved yukata gowns, a neat solution to the problem of what to wear to dinner. “Make sure you wrap it around you left over right,” said Llew. “Right over left is for the dead.”

Ryokan are renowned for providing seasonal local delicacies and each artfully arranged dish had us reaching for our phones. Pickled and tempura vegetables, raw fish and tofu in its many forms always featured as did wagyu beef and river fish, which we cooked ourselves on personal hotplates.

In homage to the love and care that Japanese farmers devote to growing rice, it is served at the end of the meal and should be eaten on its own. “Adding soy sauce or miso broth is an insult,” Llew warned us, “though, if you must, you can add some pickles.” I didn’t feel the need; Japanese rice is a revelation. Who knew white rice could taste this good?

Llew, a Brit who came to Japan to teach English in the 1990s, now runs Walk Japan, occasionally escaping the office to guide this tour of the deeply spiritual Kunisaki peninsula.

Buddhist monks arrived here from China in the sixth century and found their philosophy of enlightenment complemented the pragmatic Shinto animistic beliefs of the local rice farmers. These early ascetics saw the petrified lava flows radiating from the peninsula’s volcanic core as a mandala of their most sacred text, the Lotus Sutra. They built temples and shrines in auspicious locations deep in the forests, connected by pathways that wound through the rugged volcanic terrain. 

It was a stiff climb that first day up stone-cut steps lined with moss-covered statues of Buddhist deities (originally there were 69,380, one for each character of the Sutra’s text). Shinto shrines stood alongside Buddhist temples and a fallen tree shaped like a dragon was said to harbour a powerful spirit.

Three white-robed women appeared ahead of us, strands of sedge woven through their hair, the mark of pilgrims. I lagged behind to watch as they read a prayer on the steps of the wooden shrine before dancing around a sacred gingko tree and disappearing back into the forest like ethereal beings.

Our destination was the 12th-century Fuki-ji temple, a designated national treasure and one of the country’s most beautiful wooden buildings. The temple’s guesthouse had very comfortable straw-matted rooms and, as dawn broke, we padded out in our slippers to join the young priest in praying for the health of the nation before taking part in a short meditation.

Sitting beneath the smoke-blackened beams of the temple’s main hall facing the original statue of Amitabha, Buddha of compassion and wisdom, I could feel the allure of its spiritual embrace.

But there’s a pragmatism to religious practice in Japan today. Our priest swapped his robes for jeans and T-shirt to make soba noodles for our supper and drive us to the start of our next walk. His family has taken care of Fuki-ji for 35 generations, almost since it was built. His mother was pushing him to marry, he said, but it was hard to find a wife to live in such a remote place. 

It was encounters like these that made our tour so insightful. On another occasion we visited a community café that served a lunchtime buffet of salads and soups to whomever dropped by. Housed in a log cabin among the rice fields, the cook had spent five years in Alabama and was eloquent on the social burdens of returning home to a community where so many elders needed help.

A series of stunning ridge-top walks between valleys filled with ripe golden rice brought us finally to Ota village where another Brit, Paul Christie, the chief executive of Walk Japan, has lived for 20 years farming rice, restoring old houses, and keeping the community alive by training local people to help run his travel company.

He took us to visit Mrs Wakisaka whose family has grown shiitake mushrooms in the woods here for generations. Portraits of her ancestors lined the walls of her historic farmhouse, set above the family’s ornate Shinto shrine. She was delighted to see us. She had missed serving tea and sweetmeats to foreigners, she said; they made her life more interesting. For us it was a fascinating glimpse into a timeless way of life, one that is fast disappearing as the young leave for the city. We left loaded down with satsumas, the first of her autumn harvest. 

Etiquette training completed, Llew waved us off on trains that would take us to the start of solo adventures. I headed for Nara, Japan’s eighth-century capital, which is smaller, less visited and more atmospheric than Kyoto. Narrow lanes of traditional shop-houses led to peaceful temples with their original statuary and to sake distilleries, bonsai gardens and magnificent parkland filled with deer so tame you can feed them oatcakes by hand.

Sights are easy to navigate on your own; exploring Japan’s food and drink culture is more pleasurable with others. An internet search led me to Japan Tour Adventure run by Remi, a charming Frenchman with fluent English who organises walking and cycling tours of Nara. His four-hour food and drink tour started with a sake tasting before trying kakinoha , preserved fish sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves, slurping a bowl of Nara’s best ramen noodles, and relaxing in a fashionable craft beer brewery where he patiently answered our questions about Japan’s food culture and much else.

By the time I reached Tokyo I felt like an old travel hand aided, it must be acknowledged, by the wonders of the smartphone which gives instant access to mapping, translation, guidebooks and transport timetables. But even the best apps are no substitute for learning from experience, through immersing yourself in a culture, and quizzing a human guide who can help unlock the mysteries of the Japanese way.

Walk Japan ( walkjapan.com ) pioneered cultural walking tours for groups of up to 12. Its 10-day guided Kunisaki Trek costs £2,500 including all meals. Easier walks for first-timers include sections of the historic Nakasendo Way used by nobles and merchants to travel from Kyoto to Tokyo. “Basho: Narrow Road to the North”, led by Basho expert John McBride, is a good choice for amblers.

Japan Tour Adventure ( japantouradventure.com ) is one of many small companies running guided excursions for independent travellers. Get your guide ( getyourguide.co.uk ) and Tripadvisor are good starting points for finding them.

10 top tips for first timers

Get a local sim card .

Sakura sells an unlimited data SIM for £44 for 15 days or £60 for 30 days. Book online in advance of travel and collect on arrival at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.

Take the train

Superfast 300kph (186mph) Shinkansen trains are the best way to travel between cities. Departures are frequent and there’s no need to book ahead, announcements are made in English (even on local trains), and they are always on time. For a frustrated user of Great Western Railways, this was the stuff of dreams.

Even the Japanese use Google Maps to find train times. Put your destination station into the app’s search facility and tap “directions”. Add your departure point for a list of train departures, often including the platform. 

Cash is still king

Japan has yet to fully embrace foreign credit cards and contactless payment technology, especially at smaller establishments. Banks rarely have ATMs; instead they’re found in the ubiquitous 7-Eleven and Lawson convenience stores (press “international cards” to start the process). Post offices also offer foreign exchange services.

Get an IC card

These useful prepaid, rechargeable cash cards sold at larger railway stations can be used to pay fares on public transport countrywide as well as in vending machines, convenience stores and some restaurants.

Download Google Translate 

Translations of Asian scripts have improved markedly over the past few years. Tap on the camera symbol to help decipher restaurant menus, or tap “conservation” to ask someone a question.

Use luggage forwarding

Superfast trains have very little space for suitcases so locals prefer to use a takuhaibin (luggage forwarding) service. They’re utterly reliable and can be accessed through hotels, post offices and most convenience stores (look out for the yellow Yamato Transport logo of a cat carrying a kitten in its mouth).

And if you buy something bulky on your travels, the shop will happily use the service to forward it to your final hotel for around £10. 

Making hotel reservations

My go-to is booking.com . It has the widest choice of establishments at all price points, both hotels and ryokan , and reservations link to map locations for taxi drivers. Airbnb is good for stays in private homes and smaller traditional inns and hostels.

The shoe thing

As you will be removing your shoes many times a day, bring slip-on footwear; the Japanese improvise by wearing trainers two sizes too big. They also wear socks with sandals (showing bare feet is rare) so keep a pair handy to wear with house shoes as a courtesy to others.

Eat it all up

It’s considered rude not to finish all the food on your plate and that includes every grain of rice. On the other hand it’s considered polite to slurp up your noodles to show your appreciation. 

There’s no tipping

Japan is one of the few countries in the world where tipping is not expected. And don’t worry about being ripped off by taxi drivers. Invariably they wear a smart uniform and white gloves, will open the door with a bow, and always put the meter on as they set off. 

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How to travel in Japan as an English speaker

September 10, 2017 //  by  Mae-Gene //   14 Comments

Why, hello there! This post might contain affiliate links, which means I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you!) if you purchase from them. 

I always get asked about how hard it is to travel in Japan as an English speaker.

Without fail, I constantly hear “but how do you get around?” or “I’d love to go to travel to Japan, but I don’t know any Japanese!”

While most Japanese people speak Japanese in their everyday lives, many learn English as a second language or understand a bit of English. As flights from Australia to Japan have reduced in price over the last couple of years, I’ve had a couple of friends visit who don’t know any Japanese. And while learning some key phrases can enhance your experience, you can get away knowing zero Japanese!

Personally, I don’t speak much Japanese, and I only picked up my current language skills during my recent 2-month trip. Before this, the most I could say was “Arigatou Gozaimasu” which means “thank you very much.” My ability to get around Japan solo with my limited Japanese skills is a testament to how accessible Japan is English speaking travelers.

To help those who are planning on visiting, I’ve put together a couple of travel tips for English speakers, after all, having visited  so many times with minimal language skills, I’ve picked up a couple of things!

1. Staff at the train station, your hotel or tourist information centers will speak some English 

If you need to ask for directions or are not sure where you’re heading, the staff at train stations, hotels or tourist information centers are your best bet. These are the people who are likely to be multilingual or practice their English language skills on a daily basis. I’ve even visited a hotel where I wasn’t a guest to ask for directions on where the bus stop was. The staff there was more than happy to help me (and honestly, who could say no to helping a lost person??)

Out of politeness, I always asked if they spoke English first. This is a personal preference, most of the time you can be sure if they deal with visitors on a daily basis they will know some English. Make sure to speak slowly and don’t be afraid to write things down. How many of us have studied a second language in school, only to have our written or reading skills to be stronger than our listening or spoken skills? Another thing to remember is that sometimes, the way you pronounce words or names can be different. Writing things down can help you communicate what you’re looking for.

Floating torii gate on Miyajima Island, Japan

2. Before you ask for directions at the train station, check the signs first

Many of the major train stations in Japan have an illuminated board, displaying a map of the train station and surrounds, with a list of nearby destinations. You will find most if not all nearby locations on this list – I’ve found museums, bus terminals, shopping centers, parks and hotels listed on this map. The lists are very comprehensive and chances are the place you’re headed to is on here! If there’s no one around to ask for help, or if you haven’t had much luck with the station staff, this map is a life saver!

3. Not all bus drivers speak English 

Most of the bus drivers I came across in Japan didn’t know much English. In some of the super  touristy areas, you might strike it lucky, but most of the time, local bus drivers don’t speak much English. There is a silver lining to this – most of the major bus routes (that is the local buses that you take to tourist destinations) have English announcements. For major tourist destinations, there will be an announcement on where to disembark. Listen for these announcements, or ask your fellow passengers for help and advice.

View of Tokyo (Check out my budget traveler’s guide to Tokyo !)

4. Download Google Translate + buy a SIM card or rent a wireless router

If you are worried about being able to read signs or menus, I would highly recommend that you download the Google Translate app. This will allow you to take photos of signs and translate them to English or your native language. You do need the internet for this to work, so you can either connect to free wifi (widely available in major cities) or buy a SIM card.

For me, this was a major lifesaver. When shopping it helped me read ingredient lists (there’s nothing more awkward than accidentally buying your vegetarian aunt packaged food with shrimp paste in it). Google Translate also came in use in some of the restaurants in Hokkaido where they didn’t have English menus.

5. Most (if not all) touch-screen machines have an English option

If you’re buying train tickets or buying food at a restaurant from a touch screen, there will be an option to translate the menu in English. I am yet to find touch screen menu that didn’t have an English option!

When you’re buying train tickets, you don’t even need to speak to a person – the English menus on these machines are easy enough to navigate. This is similar to restaurants and is a great way to try new food. When you order form these machines in restaurants, you pay with cash (they very rarely accept credit card) and you will receive your change and a little ticket. Just hand your ticket to the waiter or waitress when you enter and you’re all set!

6. Learn a couple of basic phrases

While we’re not all multi-lingual masters (and I am particularly bad with learning languages), it does help to know a couple of phrases. The further you travel from major cities, the less likely you will be to find English speakers. Don’t let this deter you, however, you have to travel pretty far out and far from tourist spots to have this happen!

Some useful phrases are:

Thank you = Arigatou Gozaimasu

I don’t understand = Wakarimasen

Excuse me, do you speak English? = Sumimasen, Ee-go wakarimasu ka?

Toilet = Toire

If you want to learn more phrases before you head to Japan, I’ve put together a guide to all the phrases you need to know before you visit Japan !

I’ve also created a survival phrase guide that you can download and print to take with you. While this guide doesn’t have all the phrases (you might need a dictionary if you want that!) what it does have is the most useful ones that you will need when in Japan.

Click the image below to download:

You definitely shouldn’t be afraid of trying these phrases out. Most people are just excited to hear others make such an effort to learn their language! I am yet to have anyone laugh at my extremely poor language skills. The effort to speak some Japanese is appreciated, even if you have to revert to English for everything else!

Japan is an incredibly fun country to visit, and you definitely shouldn’t be put off by the language barrier. It is incredibly easy to get around, even if you know zero Japanese (take it from someone who has done it – multiple times!)

If you know who to ask for help (like the friendly station staff, hotel receptionists or tourist information staff), you will have no problems. Also, make sure to remember to download Google Translate and you’ll be prepared for any situation!

Are you planning a trip to Japan? What’s been your biggest challenge when planning your trip?

Or have you already been to Japan? Did you have any language problems?

Leave me a comment and let me know!

About Mae-Gene Yew

I'm obsessed with eating copious amounts of sushi and hiking in New Zealand. But on most days you can find me in my home city of Melbourne dreaming of my next adventure, working my lil' corner of the internet (this blog!) or gettin' ready to strap on my hiking boots. Read more...

Reader Interactions

September 10, 2017 at 3:19 am

Love this! It’s so true, it’s not as hard as people think it will be. Although the further away from major cities you travel the less likely English is spoken or understood so it’s good to be able to read a little Japanese at least. I went for 2 weeks a few years back: had zero language troubles and the absolute BEST time! Thanks for sharing your advice 🙂

September 10, 2017 at 8:15 am

Alyse, I’m so glad to hear you had an amazing time in Japan! It’s daunting at first, especially if you’ve never heard spoken Japanese before, but can definitely be done! And that’s a really good point about English not being very common the further out you go. I found that I only had problems when I was very far away from major cities (basically areas that weren’t served by JR trains). This may be more of a recent phenomenon though!

September 10, 2017 at 5:40 am

Looks amazing! Thanks for sharing.

September 10, 2017 at 8:16 am

Thank you for commenting Yana!

September 10, 2017 at 6:01 am

I hadn’t even thought of touch screens in restaurants. Great to know too that stations have such useful information. A trip to Japan is definitely on my bucket list, and thanks for sharing this really helpful info for first timers like me.

September 10, 2017 at 8:17 am

Bernadette, I hope you get a chance to visit Japan! It’s such a fun country to visit and is super easy to get around if you don’t speak Japanese. I’m glad you found the info useful!

September 10, 2017 at 8:32 am

A wireless router is always a good idea especially when you need Google Maps. I just returned from Tokyo and I agree that learning a few phrases really is useful! This article is great cuz we can definitely use this in other countries too!

September 11, 2017 at 12:37 am

Hi Amanda, I’m so glad you found this useful! You make such a good point – navigating countries that don’t speak your language involves really similar advice. I hope you had an amazing time in Tokyo!

September 10, 2017 at 11:45 am

Japan seems like a lovely country. Not knowing the local language never stopped me from travelling to certain countries. You have some great tips in this article for those who have their doubts.

September 11, 2017 at 12:39 am

Hi Eniko, I would highly recommend a trip to Japan if you ever get a chance. I’ve loved every trip I’ve had there. I’m glad you enjoyed my tips, I try not to stop the language barrier from deciding on where to travel to next!

September 11, 2017 at 3:07 am

My friend’s Uncle married a Japanese lady and settled in Japan. The children speak fluent Japanese even with the dad 😀 while language is not an exact barrier, it is always a good practice to be aware of what is prevalent in the land. Great post you got there lady 😉

September 15, 2017 at 7:18 am

That’s amazing to hear that your friend’s cousins are fluent in Japanese! I definitely wish I had taken my language classes when I was in school more seriously. Thank you for reading, I’m glad you liked it!

November 1, 2019 at 11:00 pm

Thanks for the very useful tips and hints, I am going in early Jan 2020 for two weeks, principally from Tokyo to Nagasaki with some multi day stops on the way. Just doing the Japan Rail Pass exercise as to best Aus provider etc, do you hold a position on this aspect of travelling in Japan

Thanks again for a great resource

November 2, 2019 at 1:13 am

It sounds like you’ve got a great trip planned! I’m a bit confused as to your question – are you asking whether this is a good way to travel Japan, or are you after suggestions on the best place to purchase the JR pass in Australia?

If the former, yes – I highly recommend traveling via JR pass! It can sometimes be cheaper to purchase your tickets separately (not using the JR pass) but this is highly dependent upon your itinerary. It sounds like you’ll be doing quite a number of stops so without knowing your exact itinerary, it sounds like it would be a worthy investment.

As for the best place to purchase from Australia, unfortunately, it’s been a number of years since I’ve purchased a JR pass from here (the last time I was in Japan for so long, I wasn’t able to use one!) My tips would be: make sure you’re purchasing from a valid JR pass reseller, and when you get your pass double-check that all details on the pass are correct (e.g. your name on the pass should exactly match that on your passport).

I hope this helps and hope you have a wonderful time! Let me know if you have any other questions 🙂

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How to plan a free and easy trip to Japan on a budget

After closing to the world since the start of Covid in early 2020, Japan has reopened to all travelers on 11 October 2022. Finally, you can visit Japan without booking through travel agencies or worrying about daily arrival limits, quarantines, Covid tests (if you are fully vaccinated).

Are you as excited as me? Yes! The freedom to rediscover Japan! I miss Japan and everything about Japan. I have received many questions about how to plan a free and easy trip to Japan. To celebrate Japan’s reopening, I have put together this step by step guide with money-saving travel hacks so you can see the best of Japan on a budget.

Table of Contents

Where to visit in Japan?

The first step in your Japan trip planning process is the most difficult step as you have to decide where to visit and plan your itinerary.

Japan is home to 47 prefectures that are spread over 8 main regions: Hokkaido , Tohoku , Kanto (Tokyo) , Chubu , Kinki/Kansai (Kyoto and Osaka) Chugoku , Shikoku , Kyushu  ( Okinawa ).

Most of the links I have provided in this guide are from my favorite website Japan-guide.com . I have been using this website for years as they provide concise and informative travel content. Other useful websites include the JAPAN by Japan website by Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) and Cheesie’s Cheeserland blog .

Thanks to the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program , I spent 2 life-changing years in Okinawa and managed to explore Japan and visit 31 prefectures. I am more familiar with Okinawa and the Kyushu region and I usually recommend them to travelers who have been to the “Japan’s trinity of tourist attractions” in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka and are looking for new places in Japan to visit.

Inspired by Rick Steves’ Europe travel guides and the super useful overview he uses to recommend must-see sights in Europe, I have adapted his method for Japan to recommend top destinations for first-time and repeated travelers.

I used to pack many places during my trip. But these days, I prefer to spend more days to explore one place and not do a “fast and furious” trip to tick off bucket list attractions. Here are my recommendations and travel tips! Well, this list may change as I see more of Japan.

One week in Japan (for first-time travellers)

• Tokyo (3 days)
• Kyoto (3 days)
• Osaka (1 day)
• If you have more days, add day trips to Yokohama, Hakone (to view Mount Fuji), and even Disneyland from Tokyo. And add day trips to Nara and Kobe in Kansai (Kyoto and Osaka are in this region).

One week in Japan (for repeated travellers)

• Sapporo, Otaru, Asahikawa (for the amazing  Asahiyama Zoo  if you are traveling in winter and with children), ski resorts like Niseko or Rusutsu, Furano and Biel.
• If you have more than one week, add Abashiri for the spectacular drift ice in winter, Kushiro and Shiretoko for hiking, and Hakodate (the most northern part of Hokkaido).
• Highlights: Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Yufuin, and Beppu.
• If you have more than 1 week, add Kumamoto (Mount Aso), Kagoshima (4-5 days at  Yakushima  for the best hiking experience, Sakurajima, and sand onsen at Ibusuki), Miyazaki for the Takachiko waterfalls, Amakusa islands, Saga (Ureshino onsen), and Kitakyushu.
• Road trip all over Okinawa mainland and trips to outer islands like the Kerama islands.
• If you have more than 1 week, add far-flung islands like Miyako and Ishigaki to your summer adventures.
• Check out my guides to Okinawa:  Top 15 things to do in Okinawa  ,  islands to visit from Naha  , and the  ultimate guide to everything about Okinawa .
• Setouchi islands (see my  guide to Naoshima ), Tokushima (in August for the famous Awa Odori festival), Ehime (Matsuyama, Dogo Onsen), and Kochi (Iya Valley).
• If you have more than 1 week, try the scenic cycling route  Shimanami Kaido  from Hiroshima (Chugoku) to Imabari (Shikoku).
• Highlights: Hiroshima, Kinosai Onsen, and Tottori.
• If you have more than 1 week, add Shimane (famous Izumo Grand Shrine), Matsue, Yamaguchi, and Okayama.
• Highlights: Kanazawa (a “quieter Kyoto”) and Gifu (Shirakawago, Takayama).
• If you have more than 1 week, add Nagoya, Fukui, Mie (Izu Peninsula), and Matsumoto.
• If you are travelling in winter, amazing ski slopes in Nagano/Hakuba area.
• Wakayama (Mount Koya, temple stays, and hiking), Himeji, and Lake Biwa.

When to visit Japan?

Japan welcomes travelers all year round! The changing seasons make travel around Japan very interesting as you can enjoy a variety of sights and experiences in spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Here’s a summary of what you can enjoy when you visit Japan in different seasons. If you have the flexibility to choose when to visit Japan, you can visit during popular flowering and festival periods.

Japan in Spring (March to May)

• Plum blossom season   marks the start of spring! Most people do not know about the beautiful plum trees bloom and plum festivals that take place in from February to March.
• Cherry blossom season   starts from end March to April. The flowers start blooming from the south with the dark pink cherry blossoms in Okinawa appearing in early February to the flowers blooming in Hokkaido in April
• Popular spots in Tokyo and Kyoto are packed. Head to other regions further away from the big cities like Tohoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu for spectacular sakura viewing spots without the crowds.
• Check out the super useful  Japan-guide.com’s Cherry Blossom Forecast and Reports  .
• The Japanese have very accurate Sakura Navi (桜ナビ) so you can search for the Japanese sites like  this  (using Google Translate) and get accurate and timely updates about the progress of the flowers blooming (like 50% bloom or full bloom (sakura mankaiさくら満開).
• Avoid the  Golden Week  (a period of 4 national holidays in Japan when domestic travel is at the peak) from end of April to the first week of May.
• Try to avoid the  rainy season  (tsuyu 梅雨) starts in Okinawa in early/mid May and lasts for a month till early/mid June.

Japan in Summer (June to August)

• In early summer, most parts of Japan have the  rainy season  from early June to early/mid July. While it may be inconvenient to travel during the rainy season, you can enjoy lush vegetation and the  blooming season of hydrangeas .
• July and August are busy periods for summer celebrations with local festivals and fireworks. The Japanese festivals are out of this world so make sure you check the  festival calendar  and participate in some festivals!
• July is the famous flower viewing season in Hokkaido.
• Mount Fuji  is open for climbing during July and August.
• The hot weather and clear blue skies perfect for beaches and island hopping. Summer destinations like Okinawa are packed.
• Take note that the August to September is the peak season for  typhoons  (sometimes the typhoons can also hit anytime from May to October). Watch out for the weather reports.
• Travel activity is high in August due to summer school holidays.

Japan in Autumn (September to November)

• September is still considered summer in some prefectures in the south as the weather is warm for sea activities and island-hopping in Okinawa, Kyushu, and Shikoku areas.
• Autumn starts in mid/late September in the north of Japan where the leaves start to turn colors in Hokkaido. November is the best period to see autumn colours. Check out the autumn leaf viewing spots  here .

Japan in Winter (December to February)

• December heralds the start of winter and winter/Christmas illuminations decorate most cities. There are many Christmas festivals and markets so do some research about their locations and check them out.
• From mid December, the Japanese start to prepare to celebrate the Japanese New Year (oshogatsuお正月). Join the festivities by watching the first sunrise of the year (hatsuhinode 初日の出) and visiting the first shrine or temple (hatsumode 初詣), on the 1st of January (or on New Year’s Eve).
• Some shops and attractions close for oshogatsu (from end December to early January). Find out more about  visiting Japan during New Year here  .
• Ski season starts from December and January, and February is the best time for winter sports and viewing winter sceneries.
• February is the closest month so fantastical winter festivals are in action.

Check out Japan-guide.com ’s informative guide about when to visit Japan with tips about the weather, recommended activities, and more.

How to get to Ja pan?

Once you have selected the places/prefectures and confirmed on your travel dates, it’s time to book your air tickets to Japan.

Step 1 : Use Skyscanner to have a quick overview of the types of airlines flying to your destinations and the range of air fares.

Step 2: After you have selected your desired flight, book your air tickets directly on the airline website.

Airports in Japan

To Tokyo : Narita Airport (NRT) (handles most of the international flights), Haneda Airport (HND) (handles mostly domestic flights and increasing number of international flights)

To Kyoto/Osaka : Kansai International Airport (KIX)

To Hokkaido T: New Chitose Airport (CTS)

To Kyushu : Fukuoka Airport (FUK)

To Okinawa : Naha Airport (OKA). Check out this guide on how to get to Okinawa .

Here are some general tips based on my experiences traveling to Japan from Singapore and my budget saving strategies. Remember to always book your air tickets in advance (as early as you can to secure good fares)!

Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airlines (ANA ): These two national air carriers are great but I find their air fares quite high. I only flew JAL to Japan from Singapore when my air tickets were paid for (thanks to the JET program and travel prizes).

Singapore Airlines (SIA ): It’s always nice to fly SIA but air tickets can be more expensive. One good to way to fly SIA is to redeem flights using KrisFlyer miles. My best flight was redeemed with 48,000 miles for return flight to Narita Airport-Changi Airport. This was thanks to my Citibank PremierMiles card.

The credit cards I recommend for earning miles for flight redemption:

• Citi PremierMiles Credit Card : Use my code ( s1152801010N) to get up to 30,000 Citi Miles (which can be easily converted to KrisFlyer miles).
• Citi Rewards Credit Card: Use my code ( s1152801010N) to get up to 30,000 Citi Thank You Points (which can be easily converted to KrisFlyer miles).
• American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card: Use my link and earn 5,000 KrisFlyer miles with minimum spending and 10,000 miles if you are new to AMEX.

Delta Air Lines : I flew once to Narita Airport from Singapore during the Lunar New Year period. Delta offered the cheapest return direct flights and the experience was decent.

Low-cost carriers like Jetstar and Scoot : They offer flights that are value for money and the flight time to Japan from Singapore is not too long for no-frills flights. Jetstar used to have direct flights to Okinawa, Naha Airport (it takes just 5 hours to reach the island paradise) and they may resume the flights soon. Jetstar is running a special “Hello Tokyo Sale” now till 14 October 2022! Enjoy cheap flights from Singapore to Tokyo (via Manila) from $271 SGD!

  Domestic Airlines

There are many airlines running domestic flights all over Japan. Sometimes taking domestic flights to get from one prefecture to another is faster and cheaper than taking train and other modes of transportation.

Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airlines (ANA ): They offer many flight routes and options. The air tickets can cost as low as budget airlines if you buy in advance. Based on my experiences, ANA domestic fares seem cheaper than JAL.

 Skyscanner may not show flights by small budget airlines so you can search for flights and fares on their websites. Some common budget airlines include:

• Jetstar Japan
• Skymark Airlines
• Peach Aviation

Make sure to check the luggage allowance and any hidden fees. If you have big luggage, you have to top up the fares for the budget airlines and sometimes it may be more worthwhile to fly with ANA or JAL.

Find more flight options and tips here .

How to get around Japan?

Japan has a fantastic public transportation network that connects big cities to smaller towns. Depending on the places you are visiting in Japan, you may have to take a range of public transportation from trains to buses and even ferries. Here are my insider tips to traveling around Japan efficiently and cheaply!

Rail passes

Tourists to Japan (short term visitors) are entitled to purchase rail passes and they are convenient and offer great savings if you are traveling around Japan.

There are many types of rail passes available. The most popular rail pass is the Japan Rail Pass that offers unlimited travel on almost Japan Rail (JR) trains nationwide. You should get this pass if you are doing heavy travel for 7, 14, or 21 days. A general tip: The 7-day JR Pass (at 29,650 yen) is worth it if you do at least one return train trip between Tokyo and Kyoto/Osaka plus some shorter trips. Spend some time to select the most suitable the rail pass based on your travel destinations and do some calculations to evaluate if you should buy it.

Many people do not know that there are other passes that are cheaper for region-specific travel. There are 6 JR companies (collectively known as the Japan Railways JR Group) that operate train routes in Japan:

• JR Hokkaido

There’s no JR service in Okinawa! I kind of get annoyed when people don’t do simple research and ask me this!

For example, I used the JR East Tohoku Area Pass to explore the Tohoku region and Nikko for my winter trip, Takayama-Hokuriku Tourist Pass to visit Kansai, Kanazawa, Takayama and Shirakawago, and JR Setouchi Area Pass for the Setouchi Triennale and island hopping around the Seto Inland Sea. Check out all the available rail passes here . Remember to check the eligible train lines for the rail pass and take note of any exclusions.

Don’t forget to experience special sightseeing and themed trains in Japan! This is something uniquely Japan that you can only enjoy in the land of trains. Check out the dazzling network of scenic train lines here . My best train travel memories were crossing the Setouchi sea from Okayama to Takamatsu on the Marine Liner and passing through snow-capped landscapes in Yamagata and Hokkaido. I love themed trains and I have fulfilled my childhood fantasies onboard Anpanman trains in Shikoku and the Asahiyama zoo train in Hokkaido.

How to buy rail passes?

You can buy your rail pass in Singapore before you enter Japan. Here are some places/websites you can purchase from:

• Japan Tourism Bureau (JTB)
• Nippon Travel Agency (NTA)
• Changi Recommends
• Japan Rail Pass (official website by the JR Group)

There are many other websites selling the JR passes. Remember to check if they are legitimate and the current exchange rates. I usually check different websites (or even call the vendors directly) and compare the rates. You can enjoy free travel consultation at Japan Rail Café in Singapore . Check out their informative JR Times website with travel itineraries and guides.

Once you have purchased the rail pass from your selected/verified website, you will receive a voucher. Use the voucher to exchange for the rail pass when you arrive in Japan. Klook has an informative FAQ about how to redeem the rail pass . Use this Klook discount code (Use my special Klook promo code WENDY5OFF to enjoy 5% any Klook purchases (no min. spend; capped at USD $10). ⁣

Buses are everywhere in Japan. Local buses provide convenient travel in cities and towns. In Kyoto, the local buses bring you to more places than the train. There are highway buses for long and medium distance travel. Highway buses that travel overnight are cheaper than express trains even though the traveling time is longer. I took a long distance bus from Tokyo to Nagoya and it was quite comfortable. Find out more about the bus routes and bus companies here .

I love road trips in Japan! My favorite trips in Japan were driving around the Okinawa islands, Kyushu, and even Tottori. Car rental can be affordable in Japan if you travel with your friends/family (because of cost sharing) and you can explore more places. Make sure you have your International Driving Permit (for Singaporeans) to rent vehicles and drive in Japan.

Book rental cars with car companies like Orix Rentacar , Toyota Rentacar , Nippon Rentacar , OTS Rentacar , and more. You can also book with websites like Tabirai and Tocoo that provide a wide selection of car brands and types. I usually book my cars directly with the car rental company that offers the lowest rate (with English GPS navigation system and insurance). I find that the rental rates are cheaper when I book through Japanese websites. Learn more about driving in Japan here .

Do you know Japan has over 6000 islands? So it’s not surprising that Japan as an extensive network of ferry routes that connect Japan to 4 main islands–Honshu (main island), Hokkaido, Kyushu (including Okinawa), and Shikoku–and the smaller outer islands.

I love ferry rides as they are relaxing (as long as the ocean is not too choppy). Find out more about the ferry routes and ferry companies here .

Tips for taking ferry rides in Japan

• Book your ferry tickets in advance for popular routes (especially in summer and during special events/festivals).
• There are different types of ferries like regular, high speed, and slower cargo ship. High speed ferries are usually the best choice as they bring you to the island much faster but they cost more. High speed ferry rides tend to be choppy so prepare your sea sickness pills.
• Car ferries are fun! Some ferries allow you to pay more and bring your car across the ocean to the island so you can just conveniently drive your car around the island.
• Overnight ferries help to save time and money. And they can be quite comfortable. I had a memorable long ferry ride from Shodoshima to Kobe!

Japan is a very cyclist-friendly country! The Japanese love their bicycles (自転車 jitensha) and cycling is a popular activity. There are many scenic cycling routes in Japan great for short cycling expeditions. I highly recommend Shimanami Kaido しまなみ海道. This well known bikeway connects Japan’s main island Honshu to Shikoku and runs through 6 islands and 6 bridges in the Seto Inland Sea. This picturesque route is every cyclist’s dream. Read about my Shimanami Kaido adventure here ! Every time when I write or talk about it, I just want to go back to Japan and do the cycling route again!

Tips for cycling in Japan

• Bicycle rental is widely available in Japan. The most common type of bicycles is the simple bicycle called mamachari or mom’s bicycle that usually comes with a useful basket. You can also pay more for efficient bicycles like mountain and road racing bikes at more specialized bicycle rental shops found in places with popular cycling routes.
• Make use of the convenient and inexpensive takuhaibin (宅配便) delivery service to transfer your luggage for multi-day cycling trips.
• Don’t drink and cycle! Just like drink-driving, drink-cycling is illegal. True story: I met a foreigner in Japan who was fined for riding a bicycle while drunk on an island!

If you are adventurous and seeking a different kind of travel experience, you can walk through Japan! Interested to do a meditative walk through Japan and learn more about the country? Check out this classic book “The Roads to Sata: A 2000-Mile Walk through Japan” by Alan Booth where he shared his experiences walking from the northernmost point of Japan, Cape Soya in Hokkaido, to the southernmost point of mainland Japan, Cape Sata in Kagoshima.

Want more information? Check out Japan-guide.com’s comprehensive overview of transportation in Japan !

Where to stay in Japan?

The rule of thumb is to book your accommodation as early as possible. The earlier you book, the more options and cheaper rates you will find. The cost of accommodation is one of the biggest travel expenses so I tend to plan a lot of time looking around for the best deals. For popular travel periods like the cherry blossom and autumn leaves seasons and during major festivals, you should try to book your accommodation at least 6 months in advance.

Here are some of my travel tips to secure convenient and affordable accommodation ranging from hotels to hostels for your next trip to Japan!

I like to choose hotels near major train stations (not more than 1 km away) for my trip especially for winter travel (dragging luggage on snow-covered pavement is not fun). Hotels can be expensive in city centres in Tokyo so I usually stay in small business hotels (room size about 18-20 sqm) to save money (location trumps room size for me) since I will not be in the room most of the time.

There are many hotel websites that you can use to book to hotels. Quoting Rick Steves again, he advises traveler to use general hotel websites to research for options and rates and book directly with hotels. I sometimes try to do that but if the rates offered by hotel websites like Booking.com are better, I will book with the platform.

Here’s a list of websites I usually use:

• Agoda : I use Agoda the most as they usually offer cheaper rates than other booking platforms. You can earn Agoda PointsMax and use them to offset the cost of your next hotel booking. Their customer service is generally responsive and friendly. Check out their discount coupons !
• Booking.com : I use Booking.com too as I find their rates cheaper than other websites and their customer service is generally responsive and friendly.
• Trip.com : Like the other websites, Trip.com offers competitive rates. Their customer service is quite good too. Join their telegram group to receive regular alerts about discount deals.
• Traveloka : Traveloka is gaining popularity. I have used them to book hotels in Singapore and some countries. Use my exclusive promo code wendywritesTVLK and enjoy 5-10% discount for your hotel bookings!⁣ Join their telegram group to receive regular alerts about discount deals.
• Expedia : I use Expedia when I find good rates (usually because of credit card promotions).

Tips to enjoy discounts when booking hotels:

• Use Skyscanner to compare and find the best hotel rates! Skyscanner shows you all the rates from a range of booking platforms like Agoda, Booking.com, Expedia and more!
• Always check if there are credit card promotions for the websites. Many hotel booking websites have regular partnerships with companies/banks (like AMEX, Mastercard, Standard Chartered, POSB/DBS and more) and they offer discounts when you book using the credit cards.
• Use ShopBack (use my link to enjoy $5 when you sign up) when you book the hotels to enjoy cash back! ShopBack is a cash back reward program that allows online shoppers to receive a small percentage of their purchases on the platform. When you click on the Booking.com link on the ShopBack website or app and book your hotels using the link via ShopBack, you will receive a percentage of your booking price. The cash back percentage can be quite generous from 6 to 14%! I have saved quite lot for my hotel bookings thanks to ShopBack!

I used to stay in hostels around Japan when I traveled solo to save money! I have spent nights in female and even mixed dorms and also in capsule hotel and all my experiences were pleasant. Hostels in Japan are generally clean and safe so if you are backpacking or traveling on a budget, staying in hostels is a good choice. My favorite hostel chain is K’s House ! I enjoyed all my K’s House stays especially in these beautiful hostels: K’s House Fuji View and K’s House Habuka Alps.

A visit to Japan is not complete without indulging in a ryokan stay. Staying in Japanese traditional inn is truly a pampering experience where you can immerse in the Japanese traditions and Japanese-style hospitality “omotenashi.” A typical ryokan experience includes a well-furnished room, lavish meals (breakfast and dinner), and facilities like hot springs. Ryokan stays can be expensive but you are paying for outstanding service, food, and outdoor onsen or even private access to exclusive baths. I have been lucky to I have stayed in some ryokans in Japan and I did not pay too much for my experiences.

Where to book ryokans?

You can book ryokans via the usual hotel websites listed above. But I find that the English websites have limited selection of ryokans and they tend to be quite expensive. Here are some recommended sites:

Jalan : I have used Jalan a number of times. I like their selection of ryokans and they provide different packages for the ryokans (like with or without meals, in-room tubs, and etc.). I usually use Google translate to access their Japanese website as I find that there are more and cheaper options.

Rurubu : This Japanese website is similar to Jalan. You can find a wide range of hotels and ryokans in every prefecture in Japan. If you can’t read Japanese, you can try to navigate using Google translate.

Rakuten : Like Jalan, I use their Japanese website to book for cheaper deals.

There are other websites like Japanican , Japanese Guesthouses , and Ryokan.jp . I have never booked with these websites before but I used them for research and then I look for cheaper deals on other websites.

I have used Airbnb a few times in the past, especially when I traveled in big groups and needed bigger rooms. But I don’t think I can save much when I book through Airbnb when I travel alone or with a companion. So I usually book hotels as I don’t have to worry about check in and out times and security.

Creative sleeping spaces

What if all the decent accommodation options are fully booked for your travel destinations? Well, you can be creative and try to find non-conventional sleeping spaces. Or if you really like to save money and don’t like slight inconvenience and discomfort.

Manga Cafes (Manga kissa まんが喫茶) : 24-hour manga cafes is your resting haven if you like to save money or need a short rest. Manga Cafes offer packages where you can enjoy all the comics you can read, drinks, and a public seat or private mini room. I spent a night in a manga cafe in Takamatsu during the Awa Odori Festival because all the affordable hotels were fully booked during this famous festival period and I didn’t want to pay for an expensive hotel for a few hours of sleep. Let’s just say it wasn’t the most comfortable sleeping experience but it was definitely the most interesting.

Karaoke Rooms : One of the favorite pastimes of the Japanese is singing karaoke! In big cities like Tokyo and Osaka, you can find karaoke chains easily. If you like singing and just need a room with AC to rest for a few hours, book a karaoke room!

Some other unforgettable sleeping experiences during my young backpacking days: Sleeping on a bench in a park at Miyajima during the Miyajima Fireworks Festival as my camping attempt failed and sleeping in Kansai airport to save money as my flight was very early.

How to save money?

Currency exchange and credit cards.

The Japanese yen is quite weak now so it’s good for you if you are holding stronger currencies. I have been changing my Singapore dollars to Japanese yen to prepare for my next trip to Japan.

I found the best exchange rates on Wise and YouTrip .

Wise is a convenient platform to transfer money and change currencies. It is free to register for an account and apply for a Wise debit card (just pay 9 USD for a physical card).

How to use the Wise card in Japan? You just have to top up your account with funds transferred from your local bank. Then you can exchange currencies easily (like Singapore dollars to Japanese yen) using the Wise app. You can store in yen our WISE app and use your WISE debit card (physical card or e-card via your phone’s e-wallet like Apple Pay) when you make purchases/payments in Japan. You can also just use your Wise’s auto convert feature so you don’t have to exchange yen in advance and you can pay using your Wise card and the payment made in Japan will be converted automatically to yen with the lowest possible fees. I love using my Wise card to make payment in Japan.

Join Wise using my link and enjoy fee-free money transfer of up to $900 SGD.

I have been using YouTrip too. It works like Wise and you can exchange up to 150 foreign currencies with no fees. Sign up with this my link to earn $5 SGD. Start saving Japanese yen for your next trip to Japan!

Travel insurance

Remember to purchase your travel insurance once you have booked your air tickets! In this Covid-19 environment, you may want to pay abit more to have Covid-19 coverage just in case if your trip is affected by any Covid-19 disruptions. Here are some travel insurance companies that offer travel insurance for Singaporeans.

1. FWD : I have recently purchased FWD travel insurance for my family. I like that I can enhance your coverage with COVID-19 add-on benefit and they have an app that facilitates claims easily. I have no issues making claims so far. Check out the policy coverage and cost here (use my link to get extra 2% discount on top of their existing promotional code TRAVEL25). If you are planning a more complex trip that requires more coverage, read their policy wordings carefully.

2. Income : I have been purchasing Income travel insurance for many years. Recently, I find that FWD offers more comprehensive travel insurance packages recently. But Income is always reliable and you can add their Covid-19 travel extension .

3. MSIG : They offer some comprehensive travel insurance coverage and rates. However, for my recent trip to Turkey, my luggage was damaged during transit and their claim process/response was so troublesome that I gave up trying to make a claim.

There are many other travel insurance options and you can check out websites like Singsaver and Moneysmart to see a summary of travel products and promotions. Sometimes these aggregator/third party websites offer quite attractive perks and discounts if you purchase through them. However, before you make any purchase through these websites, check the official travel insurance company website to cross-check the policy coverage and final cost.

Some credit cards come with complimentary travel insurance if you use them (like AMEX Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and Citi PremierMiles) to purchase the air tickets. But please note that the coverage offered is very limited. So you are planning a long trip and would like adequate coverage, you should buy a separate travel insurance!

I strongly believe in empowering travelers to know better, travel better! I value privacy and transparency. The article contains affiliate links so I may be compensated to run the website and continue to create content if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you.

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Boutique Japan

Getting Around Japan: A Complete Guide to Train Travel

Japan’s railway system, including its world-renowned shinkansen (bullet train), is famously clean, safe, modern, and efficient. But to a first-time visitor, getting around Japan can also seem a bit confusing — especially at first.

Don’t worry if the idea of navigating Japan by train feels a little overwhelming to you now. After you read this introductory guide to train travel in Japan, you’ll be ready to:

• Use an IC transport card to navigate the Tokyo Metro subways (and buy drinks at vending machines)
• Understand the difference between Japan Railways (JR) and other railway companies operating throughout the country
• Purchase train tickets — and avoid some of the most common mistakes most travelers make –– including how to read shinkansen timetable
• Decide whether to reserve ordinary, Green Car, or Gran Class seats
• Map out your travel plans utilizing a combination of shinkansen , limited express trains, and local trains

There’s no shame in feeling daunted by Japan’s extensive network of trains and rail operators, veritable web of stations, and dozens of different types of trains. But after experiencing Japan’s wonderful rail system for yourself, you’ll find it’s an absolute joy to travel by train in Japan!

Also, as if it weren’t enough that the trains are spotless (and run on time), it’s also worth remembering that Japanese people are extraordinarily helpful. If you are ever lost or in doubt, simply find the nearest station attendant and ask for help — unlike in many countries, they’ll actually be happy to assist (one of the many amazing things about Japan )!

Guide to Train Travel in Japan

If you’re not sure where to begin, we suggest starting at the top. But if you’re wondering about a specific topic, refer to the Table of Contents below:

Types of Trains (Train Categories)

Ic cards (refillable transport passes), how to buy train tickets in japan, how to use train tickets in japan, planning your journey (and japan travel apps), useful rail and transport passes, non-train travel in japan.

Let’s be honest: The terminology below may not sink in for you immediately, but as you read the rest of this article, it should come in handy.

In Japan, as in any other country with a robust rail network, there are various types of trains, ranging from slower to faster. The classifications can get painfully specific in Japan, but for most travelers, it’s not necessary to get into excessive detail.

To avoid overwhelming you, here is a brief summary of the main types of trains you will encounter while traveling around Japan, in order of relative speed:

• Express (急行)
• Limited Express (特急) / Special Express (特急)
• Shinkansen (Bullet Train) (新幹線)

If you want to nerd out, here is an excellent guide to the various types of trains in Japan .

You don’t need to do anything with this information yet. Just keep this in mind as we proceed. All aboard!

Let’s start with the single easiest “travel hack” that will make your trip to Japan smoother and more pleasant: obtaining an IC card.

If there is one thing you can do to make exploring a city easy, it’s getting that city’s version of a transit card. Some well-known examples include London’s Oyster card, Hong Kong’s Octopus card, and New York City’s MetroCard.

In most ways, Japan’s IC cards put them all to shame.

IC cards are rechargeable passes that you can use to pay fares on public transportation. You can also use them to buy drinks and snacks at most conbini (convenience stores) and vending machines.

Japan’s IC cards come by different names across Japan, with several regional variants. Most travelers to Japan are likely to come into contact with the Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA cards, but they are essentially all interchangeable.

For example, if you have a PASMO (issued by Tokyo Metro), you can still use it on trains in other cities (for example, in Osaka). Or say you have an ICOCA (issued by JR West, where Kyoto and Osaka are located): Fear not, as you can use it elsewhere, including in Tokyo, for example.

Imagine being able to use your New York MetroCard in Boston or San Francisco!

You don’t strictly need an IC card. If you prefer inconvenience (why?!), you could simply buy tickets each time you need to hop on the subway.

But if you favor simplicity and ease of travel, an IC card is essential. With an IC card, you can explore much more freely, seamlessly switching between trains and buses, and even different railway companies.

IC cards are also easy to refill. On occasion, you may reach the end of your journey, perhaps after an evening exploring Tokyo nightlife , only to find that you don’t have enough credit to exit the station.

Don’t worry! There are always “fare-adjustment” machines in the vicinity of the ticket gates, where you can top up as needed.

IC cards are ideal for short-distance travel and an essential part of getting around within cities in Japan. Referring back to the types of trains introduced above, IC cards are generally useful for these types of trains:

But for the following types of trains — this includes longer journeys and most intercity travel — you’ll need train tickets, or a rail pass:

Do You Need the Japan Rail Pass?

One of the most persistent myths about traveling in Japan is that the Japan Rail Pass is a must. We won’t bore you with all the details, but the short answer is that it’s not.

Yes, it’s true that the Japan Rail Pass can be the best option in certain circumstances (and it’s often ideal for budget travelers). But for travelers who prioritize convenience and comfort, the Japan Rail Pass is rarely the best option.

For more information on its pros and cons, check out our Japan Rail Pass guide .

Where to Buy Train Tickets in Japan

The easiest place to purchase train tickets is typically at your local station. In Japan, there are countless railway companies, with routes crisscrossing the country. But one railway company stands above them all: Japan Railways .

While traveling around Japan, it is likely you’ll come across other companies including Tokyo Metro, Keikyu, Odakyu, Tokyu, Hankyu, Kintetsu, and many others. But for most long-distance trips — including via the shinkansen (bullet train) — you’ll be on JR.

In major cities, most large stations have a ticket office (at JR stations, they’re called Midori no Madoguchi ) where you can speak with an agent to purchase the tickets you need. While you may feel daunted by the Japanese language barrier , most ticket agents are used to helping non-Japanese speakers, so don’t worry!

If you’d rather try your luck at an automated ticket machine, there is usually an option to go through the process in English. JR West has a useful video and visual guide to purchasing train tickets .

Types of Train Tickets in Japan

Now that you’re ready to buy your tickets, a little train ticket terminology may help you make the right choices.

Reserved Versus Non-Reserved Tickets

If you’re traveling solo, or on a tight budget, then you may want to consider non-reserved seats.

Most bullet trains have a few non-reserved carriages, and finding a seat is usually not too challenging — provided you’re traveling on a busy route with frequent trains, it’s not peak season, and your travel party is small (naturally, if you’re traveling in a party of two people or more, you may not be able to sit together).

For most travelers, reserved seats are the way to go.

Classes of Service: Ordinary, Green Car, and Gran Class

Even ordinary class in Japan is of a very high standard, but if you’re looking for a bit of extra comfort, you may want to consider splurging on Green Car or Gran Class seats.

As you might expect, ordinary car seats are clean (the usual, in Japan), and they’re also surprisingly spacious. But if you’re looking for more space, consider springing for Green Car. In the Green Car, you have a bit more space (ordinary class seats are laid out in 3×2 configurations, while Green Car seats are 2×2).

Generally speaking, even ordinary car seats have electrical outlets, but on the whole, the higher-category seats are most likely to have electrical outlets and heated seats (it can vary by train).

We recommend browsing for ekiben (bento boxes designed for train travel) before departure. In most stations, you’ll find a colorful array of fresh, beautifully packaged meals to enjoy on the train, including local and seasonal specialties.

As for Gran Class: This is a whole different experience altogether. Gran Class cars have their own attendant, and come with lovely bento lunch boxes, and unlimited drinks (including beer, sparkling wine, sake , Japanese whisky , and more). The seats are also extra plush and spacious.

Unfortunately, most bullet trains don’t yet have Gran Class carriages, but more are being added to cater to demand!

For “advanced studies,” check out JR East’s detailed chart on the various types of tickets .

You have tickets in your hand. Now what?

Japan Train Ticket Dos and Don’ts

Tip 1: hold onto — i.e., don’t lose — your ticket(s).

This is not the New York subway! When riding trains in Japan, you always need your tickets for the whole journey.

Here’s how it works:

• When entering the station, insert your ticket at the ticket gate. It will pop back up at the other end almost immediately.
• Walk through the open gate and retrieve your ticket.
• At the end of your journey, insert your ticket into the exit ticket gate.
• This time, you can walk right through (your ticket stays in the machine).

The general rule is: If you haven’t left a station yet, you should still have your ticket on you.

Warning: If you get to the end of your journey and you’ve lost your ticket, there’s a good chance you’ll be asked to pay for the entire journey again.

Another reason you shouldn’t lose your ticket: Train attendants may ask to see your ticket while you’re on the train, so keep it handy.

Tip 2: Deal With Multiple Tickets

This is something that probably won’t make sense to you until you get to Japan … and then you’ll see what we mean!

For many long-distance journeys — for example, on the shinkansen or limited express trains — you’ll be provided with more than one ticket.

One of them is a joshaken (乗車券), or “base fare ticket,” which is essentially the basic fare from point A to point B. The other is a tokkyuken (特急券), or “special fare ticket,” which tells the ticket machine or agent that you’ve paid for the privilege of riding an extra-fast train, such as a bullet train or an express train.

You need both tickets!

The counterintuitive part for most travelers is what to do when passing through the ticket gates. Which ticket do you insert? The answer is both, simultaneously.

Simply insert both tickets into the gate at the same time. The machine will automatically process the tickets, and one or both will pop out at the other end. Retrieve the ticket(s) and proceed to your train.

Then remember tip 1 above. When you reach your destination, you’ll once more put the ticket(s) into the exit ticket gate to be on your merry way.

If you’re ever in doubt, simply ask a station attendant for help!

Tip 3: Know Your Train Number

Your train ticket contains a plethora of information, and much of it may be undecipherable if you don’t read Japanese. But you’ll also find plenty of useful information here, including travel times, plus your train and seat number.

After reaching your departure train’s platform, you’ll want to go ahead and make your way to the proper boarding point. Train and bullet train doors always open at the right place on the platform, and you’ll see car numbers labeled clearly on signs above and on the floor in front of the train doors.

When it comes to shinkansen platforms, keep in mind that they’re extremely long, so it’s not a bad idea to head to your boarding spot a little early … walking from one end of the platform to the other can take as long as 10 minutes or more.

Once you reach your spot, enjoy the delightfully orderly queues before boarding the train and finding your seat.

Of course, the easiest way to plan your travels is by asking an expert: whether a friend in Japan, a ticket agent, or a company such as Boutique Japan.

But if you prefer to do all the legwork yourself, there are some really helpful travel apps we recommend.

Useful Train Travel Apps for Japan

HyperDia is an essential transport app if you’re visiting Japan. It can take a little while to get used to the interface, but once you’ve mastered it, you’ll find virtually everything you need within this app. Search routes, look up hyper-accurate train timetables, and plan away!

Like HyperDia, Jorudan is a super-powerful transport app, with a slightly more intuitive interface.

Google Maps

While not quite as robust as HyperDia or Jorudan when it comes to detailed routes and timetables, Google Maps is still a handy reference tool. It’s also ideal for navigating within a city, as you can compare train times versus estimated travel times via other means (such as taxi or walking).

If you plan to use travel apps, make sure you have reliable Wi-Fi in Japan , too!

Navigating the Subway and Local Trains

The apps mentioned above are great for planning, but what if you’re already at the station — and don’t have Wi-Fi? The best thing to do is probably ask a station attendant, but if you want to map out your own trip, here are some basic tips to keep in mind:

• Determine whether your destination station is a local-only stop, or whether express trains stop there. Train maps will have a color-coded legend, and you can tell which trains (local versus express) stop at which stations.
• Make your way to the departure platform, and consult the signs above to ensure you board the correct type of train. If you’re not sure, ask someone! Most people will be happy to help.
• When the train arrives, make sure it is the train you want. Again, if you’re not sure, don’t hesitate to ask a stranger!

In addition to the famous Japan Rail Pass (mentioned above), many cities and regions in Japan have their own rail and transport passes local to their own area.

They vary by pass, providing unlimited travel over a set period of time in a given region, and might include a round trip to a particular station.

There are too many to list in detail here, but we like the following passes for their ease and convenience in their respective areas.

Tokyo Transport Passes

• Tokyo Metro 24-hour Ticket (600 JPY): Unlimited rides for 24 hours on the Tokyo Metro underground. You’ll recoup the cost with three or four rides on the subway.
• Common One-Day Ticket for Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway (900 JPY): Unlimited rides on both subway lines for 24 hours.
• Tokyo Combination Ticket (1,590 JPY): Unlimited rides on Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, and JR Lines. Valid only on the same day. If you’re traveling extensively around central Tokyo in a single day, this is a good pass to get.

Kansai (Kyoto and Osaka) Transport Passes

• Kyoto City Bus and Kyoto Bus One-Day Pass : With only two subway lines in Kyoto, there’s much in the city that’s accessible only by bus. Most people who rely on public transportation will ride the city buses. At 230 JPY per ride, you recoup the 600 JPY pass in just three rides.
• Subway, Bus One-Day (Two-Day) Pass : Gives you unlimited bus and subway rides within the central Kyoto area. Available in one- or two-day versions.
• Osaka 1-day or 2-day pass: Gives you unlimited rides on the Osaka Metro and Osaka City Bus for one or two days.

Other Destinations

• Hakone Freepass : Whether you choose the 2-day or 3-day pass, this gives you unlimited rides throughout the Hakone area on almost any mode of transport: trains, cable cars, buses, and even the sightseeing cruise boat. You can choose to include a round-trip ticket from Shinjuku Station to Odawara Station.
• Koyasan World Heritage Pass : Valid for two consecutive calendar days, this rail pass gives you a round trip to Mount Koya from one of Osaka’s Nankai Railway stations (such as Namba Station), along with unlimited bus travel on Mount Koya.

While Japan does have an extensive train network, other forms of public transportation aren’t too shabby either. You’ll find buses in most major cities, and some more remote areas in rural Japan are accessible only by bus.

When in major cities, it is incredibly easy to hail a cab. Find a main road rather than a quiet side street, and chances are that a taxi will come drifting past.

Don’t bet on always being able to use ride-sharing apps such as Uber in Japan — due to a strong taxi industry lobby, these companies haven’t made significant inroads into the country. But given the quality of Japanese taxi services — the cars are clean, and the drivers unfailingly polite — we don’t miss ride-sharing apps in cities here. Much.

You can go to most places in Japan by train. Sometimes, though, the travel time and number of transfers make it more trouble than it’s worth.

A good rule: If your train journey looks like it’s going to be more than four to six hours and isn’t a direct train, and you have the option to take a domestic flight, just do it.

Ferries are a more unorthodox but fun way to travel in Japan. It’s an interesting option to look into if you’re keen on traveling to more remote parts of the country — especially if you like slow travel, and have good sea legs!

Need more reasons to get excited about exploring Japan by train? Don’t miss our article on the best time of year to visit Japan .

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Taking the train in Japan - all you need to know

Mar 28, 2024 • 11 min read

Find your way in Japan with our ultimate guide to rail travel © Chay_Tee / Shutterstock

You will fall passionately in love with trains in Japan .

Japanese people didn’t invent rail travel, but they arguably perfected it. Whether you’re on the newest shinkansen (bullet train) zooming across the country at 320km/h (199mph) or an elderly regional railcar, you can count on your train being scrupulously clean, safely operated, highly reliable, famously punctual and generally a joy to ride.

You can see almost the entire country by train, and with a wide variety of rail passes — including the iconic Japan Rail Pass — you can travel across Japan for less than US$50 per day, including the shinkansen.

Signs are in English even at the smallest stations, translation apps and devices are widely used for complicated questions, and staff are genuinely happy to help travelers.

Japan has an enormous number of train lines and kinds of train, but don’t be put off by the sheer volume: it’s surprisingly easy to navigate , even on your first trip, with your phone’s maps app and a sense of adventure.

There are different services on the Japanese train network

Trains run almost everywhere in Japan. The main backbone of the network, and the fastest, is the shinkansen. These bullet trains run from Hokkaido in the far north all the way to Tokyo Station , where you have to change for the shinkansen going to Nagoya , Kyoto , Osaka , Hiroshima and on to Kyushu. For travelers visiting Japan’s main sights , this will be the kind of train you take the most.

The next fastest are Limited Expess trains — “limited” as in “limited stops” — that run between cities and to rural areas on pre-shinkansen conventional lines (the non-high-speed ones). Many run through beautiful parts of Japan, so don’t count them out.

Local trains are the slowest and may even be as small as one single car. “Rapid” trains are fairly rare, and are essentially local trains that skip a few of the smaller stops.

Urban rail, commuter trains and subway lines are widespread in cities. These usually work very similarly to what you might be used to in your home country, although do watch out for limited-stop semi-expresses. The big picture transit maps can look a little intimidating, but most major cities now have a system of colors and station codes in place to help you navigate, and your phone's maps app is great for a quick idea of how to get from A to B.

Confident visitors outside major cities will love Joyful Trains, which are special tourist trains operated largely on weekends and holidays in rural areas. These might be renovated steam trains, or specially themed — JR East’s Koshino Shu’Kura is all about sake, including tastings, while the  JR Kyushu A Train is jazz-themed .

Japan’s train stations are destinations by themselves, with larger and newer stations offering a huge range of restaurants for every appetite and budget, and shops ranging from high-quality handmade artisanal local goods to Japanese malls to 100-yen stores. Convenience stores and pharmacies are also often on hand.

Do look out for special local snacks in the omiyage souvenir shops (these are intended for Japanese travelers to take back to friends and colleagues as presents) and for ekiben local specialty boxed bentō  lunches.

Travel short distances with a prepaid travel card

Coming from overseas, traveling short distances on Japanese railways often feels very inexpensive, while traveling longer distances without a rail pass can feel more costly. Let’s start with shorter distances.

Taking subways and urban rail is simple if you get an IC card – one of the many prepaid stored-value contactless cards – that works in a similar way Oyster in London or Clipper in San Francisco: just tap on and tap off. Most rail operators across Japan will sell you their version, which are almost all interchangeable when it comes to loading and spending them — you can use an ICOCA card from the Osaka region in Tokyo , or a Pasmo from Tokyo in Sapporo . You can also use iPhones to get a virtual Suica card (JR East's version of a prepaid card) via the Wallet app and load it with money using Apple Pay. If you're using an international Visa card, beware that JR East has had issues processing those payments in the past, so you may need to use a different credit card.

Travel long distances with the JR Pass

Over longer distances, the Japan Rail Pass (¥50,000 or about US$335 for seven days — less than US$50 a day!) is generally a good deal if you are planning anything more than simply Tokyo-Kyoto-Hiroshima-Tokyo, and the flexibility it gives you to take an earlier or later train is an added bonus.

You can either buy the ticket online or from an overseas travel agent. Note that you don’t actually buy the pass itself from overseas — you buy a voucher called an Exchange Order, which you then  exchange at a major station (including all international airports) for the pass itself. 

If you don’t have a pass, tickets cost the same no matter what time of day you travel, where you book, or how busy it will be — it’s not like airline tickets where that can change wildly. Most overseas travelers still use paper tickets for everything outside urban travel.

Long-distance travel fares are based on two elements:

• Ticket price, essentially the distance you travel
• Whether you want to reserve a seat or not, and in which class, if that’s available: Limited Express and Shinkansen trains will offer non-reserved seat tickets, a reserved seat in standard class, a reserved seat in the Green Car business class, or in some regions a reserved seat in Gran Class first class.

Tickets can be bought at stations or at JR Travel Service Centers

Use Google Maps or the  Japan Transit Planner from Jorudan to find fares, or for JR trains visit your local JR station (look for the “green window” ticket booking office or a JR Travel Service Center), where you can also reserve a seat. At major airports and in Tokyo, you can expect some basic train-related English to be spoken by "green window" ticket agents. JR Travel Service Center staff tend to be more multilingual. Elsewhere, if you speak no Japanese you may well get lucky with someone who speaks English, and you can always lean on your phone's translation apps. Write down (on a printout or even just on your phone's notes app) the dates, times, destinations and details of the train you want, for example: "12 April, Tokyo-Osaka, 12:00, window seat, Mt Fuji side please."

Unless you’re visiting during a major Japanese holiday or want to take a specific Joyful Train, there’s little need to book before arriving in Japan. You can in some cases book online, but it’s pretty complicated and I wouldn’t recommend it to first time visitors. If you’re confused and want English-speaking advice, head to  one of the stations that specializes in Japan Rail Passes . Only a few trains outside the JR network allow prebooking.

There are many rail passes to choose from

Japan has a wide variety of rail passes available to overseas visitors, from the JR Pass valid across the JR network (with a few exceptions like the very fastest trains west of Tokyo) to regional and commuter passes.

The most useful is the  Japan Rail Pass in its six variants: 7/14/21 days and standard car or Green Car business-class versions. This is probably what you should get your first time in Japan if traveling outside Tokyo.

Adventurous travelers and long-term visitors, or anyone wanting to go deep in a particular region, could also consider:

• The  various regional passes from JR East , including the very useful  Hokuriku Arch Pass for travel the slower way between Tokyo and Osaka via Kyoto and Kanazawa
• The many  JR West Passes , including the  All Area Pass for most of western Honshu
• The  four JR Kyushu passes
• The  three JR Hokkaido passes  
• The  JR Shikoku ALL SHIKOKU pass

You’ll usually need to be visiting with the “temporary visitor” stamp in your passport, and there may be a small discount (a couple of thousand yen or US$5–10) for buying it online or outside Japan. Otherwise, check out the details online or visit a large station, including those at airports: the bigger, the better, and the more likely to have English-speaking assistance.

Train etiquette means not disturbing fellow travelers

Japanese urban trains can be famously crowded during rush-hour, but by and large even Tokyo is no worse than any major global city.

Even if crowded, the etiquette on a Japanese train is to be as quiet as possible and disturb others as little as possible: headphones on quiet, very little chatting, backpack on your front, give up your seat to anyone who needs it more than you.

There is something of a stereotype of loutish tourists yapping away to their traveling companions on long-distance trains. Try not to contribute to it. Separate your trash according to the recycling bins, and always leave the seat as clean and tidy as you found it.

Eating and drinking is fine (even encouraged!) on longer distance trains. General rule: if the seats are subway-style along the sides of the car facing inwards then don’t, but feel free if the seats are airline-style facing forwards. If in doubt, follow the lead of the nearest senior Japanese person.

On-board facilities vary depending on the service

With the exception of the Joyful Train tourist excursion services, Japanese trains don’t have buffet cars any more, although you can see what they used to look like at several of Japan’s excellent railway museums. A shrinking number of trains still have a trolley service offering snacks, sometimes bentō  and a variety of drinks.

Good news, though: any station smaller than the tiniest rural halt will have a convenience store inside or nearby, which will offer bentō , hot meals, snacks, drinks and essentials. Many larger stations have restaurant complexes, while some smaller ones will have delightful smaller options like a soba or ramen shop.

Long-distance trains will usually have toilet facilities, with newer ones (including all shinkansen and some Limited Expresses) having excellent facilities for disabled passengers, people with reduced mobility and often ostomy facilities too.

Shinkansen and newer Limited Expresses offer 2-pin US-style 110V charging ports, while wi-fi is also increasingly available and easy to use.

Most Japanese trains are not set up for luggage bigger than a small carry-on — and “small” here does not include a US-sized rollaboard or anything like a bicycle. On some trains you have to pre-reserve anything bigger. Take advantage of the nationwide luggage shipping services like Yamato  – known as Kuroneko Yamato for its black (kuro) cat (neko) logo – that ships larger bags for between US$10-20.

These are the best seats for great views

Always take a window seat, whether you’re gazing out on Japan’s sprawling megalopolises from an urban train, watching the country fly by at 320km/h (199mph) from a shinkansen, or enjoying picturesque views from a slow rural train.

On the shinkansen, if you want the best mountain views — including the iconic Mt Fuji between Tokyo and Shizuoka — select a window E seat in standard class and a D seat in the Green Car.

Limited Expresses are wonderful for countryside views, with the  Hida from Nagoya to Toyama through the Japanese Alps and the Inaho from Niigata to Akita just two great examples.

Ask for help when navigating busy city networks

Urban trains, commuter rail and subways may have a set of complicated and confusing names with different stopping patterns, especially during rush hour, but this is no worse than figuring out what a “Watford Semi-Fast” is on London’s Tube or how skip-stop works on the subway in New York. As a visitor, just ask station staff or, in a pinch, a fellow passenger — and be prepared to get on the wrong train with a confident smile and a sense of affable adventure.

The majority of trains are wheelchair accessible

A significant majority of intercity, urban rail and subway stations in most major cities (80–90% in Tokyo  according to official numbers ) are accessible for wheelchair users, with elevators, stair-climber lifts, and ramps widespread. 

Older stations, such as the main Tokyo Station, may be complex and accessible only from certain entrances. Tactile strips to assist blind people or those with reduced visual acuity are almost everywhere. 

Accessible Japan is an excellent resource for information, while the very detailed  For Safe and Convenient Accessibility website offers route and station search as well as  contact details for further assistance. Station staff are keen to help wherever they can.

Many trains offer wheelchair positions, level boarding, with ramps available if you need them. Urban rail and subways have priority seating, and Japan developed the  Help Mark badge system for people with invisible disabilities to easily signal their needs. The badge is  free from a number of locations in Tokyo , under $10 from Amazon Japan (consider having it delivered to your first night hotel), or you can DIY your own before leaving home.

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Can't make it to Washington for cherry blossoms? Here's where to see them in Ohio

Looking for cherry blossoms this spring? Well, you don't need to travel to Washington D.C. or Japan to find them. There are plenty around Ohio.

Here's where to see them.

Where to find cherry blossoms in Ohio

Cherry blossoms, and cherry blossom festivals, can be found all around Ohio in the spring.

• Akron: View cherry blossoms along the Towpath Trail between Lock 3 downtown and Channelwood Village on Thornton Street, according to the Ohio Office of Tourism . The trees were planted with support from the Japanese Association of Northeast Ohio to celebrate the cross-cultural exchange between the Akron community and Japan. 
• Athens: Ohio University's cherry trees were a gift in 1979 by Chubu University, located in Kasugai, Japan, in honor of Ohio’s 175 th  anniversary. Photos from the university show the trees starting to bloom as of March 19.
• Cincinnati: Ault Park boasts hundreds of cherry trees, which were expected to be in peak bloom between March 18 and 21, according to Cincinnati Parks . Park lore says a thousand Japanese cherry trees were given to the city as a gift to Mayor Russell Wilson in the 1930s. Since then, parks department staff have planted additional trees in the grove. The Japan America Society planted 121 Somei Yoshino Trees there in 2008.
• Cleveland: More than 100 Yoshino cherry trees can be found at  Brookside Reservation , along "Blossom Lane" according to Ohio Tourism. These were planted in the 1990s, as a gift to the citizens of Cleveland from the Japanese Association of Northeast Ohio. In University Circle, cherry blossoms can be found Wade Lagoon. University Circle Inc. says the blooms are 60% peaked as of March 20. Peak bloom occurs when 70% of the flowers are fully open, the group says.
• Columbus: The Greater Columbus Cherry Blossom Festival will be held from April 6 to 14 at Franklin Park. The park is home to more than 100 cherry trees -- 20 that were a gift from Japan during the 2012 Columbus Bicentennial Celebration and 82 that were planted by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department and the International Voluntary Organizations. Ohio Tourism says cherry blossoms can also be found at Goodale Park , the  Ohio Statehouse and  German Village .
• Dayton: The Operation 2000 Cherry Tree Project is committed to planting 2,000 cherry trees around Dayton. Currently, trees have been planted at Dayton Art Institute , Carillon Historical Park and the Masonic Temple . There are also 150 cherry trees on the grounds of the National Museum of the US Air Force .
• Newark: Flowering cherry trees can be found in the Japanese Garden at the Dawes Arboretum .

Tidal Basin cherry blossoms in Washington DC still in bloom

After reaching peak bloom on March 17, the cherry blossoms in Washington's Tidal Basin have held strong, according to the Washington Post . While the National Park Service does not keep records of bloom lengths at the Tidal Basin, Matthew Morrison, an arborist for the Park Service, said this year’s bloom is about as long-lasting as it gets.

What's the best place to cherry blossoms in Washington, DC?

The Tidal Basin gets much of the attention for its cherry blossoms. But Washington Post writer Fritz Hahn says it's not the best place to see them. Instead, Hahn recommends the National Arboretum , about four miles away from the Jefferson Memorial. More than 70 varieties of cherry trees grow at the arboretum, including three varieties developed there.

Hahn writes that the Tidal Basin is cramped, overly popular with tourists and others who come to take photos, and sometimes flooded. The advantages of the arboretum are fewer people and more variety.

When do cherry trees bloom?

Cherry blossoms start appearing from late March through early April, weather depending, according to Cherry Blossom Watch .

How long to cherry blossoms last?

They can last from four to 10 days, also depending on the weather, according to University Circle's cherry blossom tracker .

The history of cherry blossom festivals

Having a party to enjoy cherry blossoms, which bloom early each spring, is a tradition that traces its origins to Japan. The  Japanese tradition of cherry blossom festivals  is a celebration that is centuries old, according to JR Pass , consisting of holding parties under the short-lived cherry blossoms as they bloom. They can be held day or night and are timed to take place when cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

That tradition carried over to American when, in 1912, cherry trees were planted in Washington, D.C., as a gift from the people of Japan to the people of the United States, according to the National Park Service . This year, those trees reached their peak bloom on March 17, the second-earliest on record. A month-long National Cherry Blossom Festival is held every year.