Ultimate Guide to Traveling in Japan

Japan captivates with its breathtaking contrasts, from towering skyscrapers and temples to vast bamboo forests and mountains adorned with blossoms. Stretching across five main islands—Hokkaido Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Okinawa—Japan spans 3,000 km from north to south, yet cultural connections unify even the neon-lit streets of Tokyo with the distant subtropical islands of Okinawa.

No other nation blends ancient traditions with modern life as seamlessly as Japan. Visitors seeking traditional experiences will find them in the geisha-led tea ceremonies of Kyoto, the female Ama divers of Sh, and the shrine-filled pilgrimage routes of Kumano. Culinary delights abound, with Japan boasting the highest number of Michelin stars, and even the simplest izakaya can serve flavors astonish.

This rich diversity can be overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors. Beyond the urban galleries and, shinkansen bullet trains connect to the far north, where sea eagles soar over ice floes and red-crowned cranes dance in marshes, all the way to-period castles, UNESCO-listed villages of thatchedassho houses, and welcoming small communities just beginning to embrace tourism. There truly is no place like it

The best time to visit Japan.

Japan is a stunning destination year-round, and the time to visit depends on your interests. The peak season is from March to May, ideal for witnessing the breathtaking cherry blossoms in full bloom, although the timing varies by region. In the warm summer months (June to August), the Japanese Alps and northern areas provide a refreshing escape. For hiking enthusiasts, September to November perfect, with mild temperatures and vibrant autumn foliage. If you're seeking a winter wonderland, consider visiting in January or February, which also coincides with exciting fire festivals like Wakakusa Yamayaki in Nara

Getting around in Japan

Japan boasts one the most advanced rail systems globally, with its shinkansen (bullet trains) providing a quick and eco-friendly alternative to air travel. The most economical choice is the Japan Rail Pass, available in seven-, 14-, and 21-day options These passes can be purchased in advance online or through a travel agency, allowing unlimited travel on most JR trains across the country. Additionally, various regional rail passes offer unlimited travel within specific areas.

For more rural destinations, Japan has an extensive network of buses, including night services, although driving might be more for road trips. Exploring rural regions in Hokkaido, Kyushu, Okinawa, and the remote peninsulas is easier with a rental car, which is affordably priced; however, you may need an authorized translation of your driving license.

Spanning over 3,000 km from one end to another, internal flights are often the most straightforward way to travel Japan's five main islands. Numerous routes exist as well, with the Kagoshima to Naha (Okinawa route being particularly useful, albeit time-consuming, taking around 25 hours to reach the southern islands by boat.

International airports

The biggest international airports on Honshu are Tokyo’s Narita (NRT), 80km east of the capital, and

Haneda (HND; 20km);

Kansai (KIX), about 40km from the centre of Osaka;

and Chubu Centrair (NGO), about 50km from Nagoya.

Hokkaido, New Chitose (CTS) lies 50km from Sapporo;

Kyushu, Fukuoka Airport is the main entry point;

and in the far south, Naha (OKA) is the hub for the Okinawa Islands.

Health & safety

Japan poses no significant health risks for visitors and is recognized as one of the safest countries globally regarding crime. The typhoon season generally spans from May to October, with August and September being the most active months. Additionally, earthquakes and tremors are frequent due to Japan's position on moving tectonic plates, but most are mild and go unnoticed. If you plan to drive along the more secluded mountain roads in Hokkaido or Tohoku during winter, be cautious, especially if you're unfamiliar with such conditions or lack winter tires or snow chains.

Observe traffic rules strictly: drive on the left, yield to pedestrians, and adhere to speed limits. Familiarize yourself with emergency protocols for natural disasters like earthquakes and typhoons, using resources like the Japan Safe Travel Information website and Safety Tips app.

Internet and Communication

Mobile data packages for visitors in Japan are available for purchase, with options such as prepaid SIM cards offering unlimited data valid for 8 to 31 days. These SIM cards are provided by Japan's primary mobile operators like SoftBank, ensuring 4G internet speed for tasks such as loading maps and ordering taxis. It's important to note that these SIM cards are data-only and do not include call or text services.
Public WiFi in Japan is widely accessible, with free hotspots available in major cities, international airports, hotels, and various establishments like coffee chains and convenience stores. For more comprehensive coverage, especially in remote areas, renting a personal hotspot or pocket WiFi device is recommended. These devices offer unlimited data and can connect multiple devices, ensuring internet access across Japan.

Japan Travel Tips

1. Plan Ahead for Popular Attractions: Many popular attractions in Japan, such as the Ghibli Museum, Ghibli Park, and teamLab Borderless, require advance reservations. It's important to book tickets well in advance to ensure entry.
2. Temple and Shrine Etiquette: When visiting temples and shrines, be respectful by following local customs such as bowing, washing hands, and avoiding loud behavior. Walk on the sides of paths, not the center. At shrines, bow twice, clap twice, and bow once more. At temples, do not clap, just bow and pray. Some areas may be off-limits to visitors.
3. Tattoo Restrictions in Onsen: Many public baths and hot springs (onsen) in Japan prohibit entry for people with visible tattoos due to historical associations with crime. However, some onsen are now tattoo-friendly. Look for these or consider using special tattoo cover-up patches. Private baths are also an option.
4. Respectful Bowing: Bowing is a common form of greeting in Japan. A slight bow is sufficient for casual greetings, while a deeper bow is used for formal occasions or to show deep respect.
5. Shoes Off Indoors: It is customary to remove shoes when entering homes, traditional inns (ryokan), and some temples. Look for provided slippers or indoor shoes.
6. Earthquake Preparedness: Japan is prone to earthquakes. Remember to Drop, Cover, and Hold during a quake. Stay indoors to avoid falling debris, and seek higher ground if near the coast.
7.Drone Use Regulations: Drone use in Japan requires registration for drones over 100 grams. Flying is restricted near airports, emergency zones, above 150 meters, and over densely populated areas. Always check local regulations and obtain necessary permissions.
8.Carry a Trash Bag: Public trash cans are scarce in Japan. Carry a small trash bag to dispose of your waste until you find a proper disposal point.

Japan Travel Locations

With so much to see and do, a two-week itinerary in Japan is the perfect time to explore the most beautiful places in Japan. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene temples of Kyoto, and the stunning natural landscapes of Hokkaido, your journey will be filled with unforgettable experiences. So, pack your bags and embark on an adventure to discover the beauty of Japan for yourself.

Japan Trip Planning Guide:

Plan a Great Japan Trip in 10 Easy Steps

Planning a trip to Japan can be overwhelming: There’s too much information and not enough time to sort it out. However, if you break it down into 10 steps, you’ll find that it’s pretty easy. Here’s our step-by-step guide to planning a trip to Japan.

Here are the 10 Steps to Follow:

1. Choose your travel dates.
2. Determine the duration of your stay.
3. Select your destinations.
4. Purchase plane tickets.
5. Book your accommodations, including hotels and ryokan.
6. Decide on the Japan Rail Pass (JRP).
7. Choose the appropriate luggage.
8. Obtain a SIM card, eSIM, or pocket Wi-Fi.
9. Get a digital Suica card (if you have an iPhone) or a physical IC card.
10. Schedule your tours and activities

1) Decide when to go

Spring (March to May) and fall (mid-September to early December) are best.
Cherry blossom season (end of March and early April) is great but crowded and expensive.
Fall foliage season (mid-October to the end of November) is also great but crowded and expensive.
Winter (December to the end of February) is not too cold and it’s cheap and uncrowded.
May and June are warm and not too crowded or expensive.
July and August are too hot and humid for most people, but you can get great deals.

2) Decide how long to stay

Your work and holiday schedule might make up your mind for you.
If you have a choice, 10 to 14 days is ideal for most first-timers.

3) Decide where to go

For your first visit, you should visit Tokyo, Kyoto and 1 or 2 other places.
Other places might include an onsen/ryokan in the country, Naoshima (the “art island”), Kanazawa, Takayama or Hiroshima/Miyajima.
You might also do a few days on one of the big treks: Kumano Kodo or Nakasendo.
If you want to get off the beaten track, consider Kyushu, Shikoku or northern Honshu.

4) Buy plane tickets

Once you decide when to go and how long to stay, it’s time to buy plane tickets.
For most people, flying into Tokyo makes sense.
Tokyo has two airports: Narita and Haneda.
If you have a choice, fly into Haneda, but both airports are perfectly fine.

5) Reserve hotels and ryokan

All major Japanese cities have plenty of hotels to choose from.
You might also try a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) for a night or two.
Kyoto is a good place to try a ryokan.
You’ll find the best rates and largest selection of hotels and ryokan on Trip.com.
For Tokyo and Kyoto, it’s really important to decide where in the city to stay.
See Where to Stay in Tokyo and Where to Stay in Kyoto for more details.

6) Decide on a Japan Rail Pass (JRP)

The JRP has increased in price.
It’s not a good deal for most travellers.
It only makes sense for budget travellers who plan to do a lot of train travel.

7) Get the right kind of luggage

You will do most of your long-distance travel on Japan’s shinkansen (bullet trains).
Shinkansen don’t have much luggage space.
Japan has fast, cheap and reliable overnight luggage shipping services.
To take advantage of Japan’s unique transport and shipping systems, you need specific luggage.
A light shoulder bag for necessities and a wheelie bag for the rest is the way to go.

8) Get a SIM, eSIM or Pocket Wifi

You will probably want mobile data while in Japan.
If you have a new-ish unlocked phone, an eSIM is the way to go.
If your phone is locked to a specific carrier, your only choice is a pocket wifi.
A physical SIM is the way to go if you have an unlocked older phone.
See the link below for the best eSIMs, SIM cards and pocket wifi.

9) Get a digital Suica (if you have an iPhone) or a physical IC card

An IC (integrated circuit) card is the best way to pay for almost everything in Japan.
You can pay at many restaurants and shops with an IC card. You can also pay for all local transport, taxis, vending machines and coin lockers with an IC card.
An IC card saves you from having to handle cash.
If you have an iPhone with a MasterCard or Amex card linked to your Apple Wallet, you can get a digital IC card (Suica or Pasmo card) on your phone.
If you can’t get a digital IC card, you can buy a Welcome Suica or Pasmo Passport card when you arrive in Tokyo.

10) Book tours and activities

Once you’ve got all the above-taken care of, it’s time to book some tours and activities.
I offer walking tours of Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara, among other places.
Other things you might book include Sumo Stable Tours, cooking lessons, tea ceremonies and amusement park tickets.

10 Essential Travel Hacks and Tips for Japan

Here are 10 Japan travel hacks and tips that will make your trip almost infinitely better.

1. Skip the lines upon your arrival in Japan.

So, how can you bypass airport queues? It's simple: use a prepaid transport card (such as a Welcome Suica or Pasmo Passport) instead of a train ticket. From Narita, this card will cover your basic fare on the Narita Express orisei Skyliner, and you can purchase a reserved seat/express ticket with cash at the platform. From Haneda, the card will cover your fare on the Tokyo Monorail or the Keikyu Line. You can easily obtain a Suica card (designed specifically for tourists) from a vending machine located outside the JR turnstiles at Narita. If there’s a long line for Welcome Suica cards, head to a regular ticket counter (not the larger travel services offices) to pay cash or credit for a one-way ticket into the city. Keep in mind that obtaining Suica (and Pasmo) cards in Japan is becoming more challenging due to IC chip shortages. However, the tourist versions, Welcome Suica and Pasmo Passport, are still available at the airport (and at some other locations for the Pasmo Passport). If you have an iPhone with Apple Wallet linked to a MasterCard or American Express, you can also get a digital IC card on your phone.

2. Purchase a Welcome Suica or Pasmo Passport card

Bypassing lines at the airport is just the beginning of the many advantages of using a prepaid transport card, such as the Welcome Suica or Pasmo Passport. These cards can be utilized for most daily expenses in Japan, including local transportation (buses, subways, trains, and many taxis), convenience stores, vending machines, coin lockers, and a variety of shops and restaurants. The exceptions where you might not use your transport card are for hotels, ryokan, shinkansen, and high-end restaurants and stores.

In short, a prepaid transport card is essential in Japan. Keep in mind that these cards are not limited to specific cities, so you can use them throughout Japan (the same goes for the Kansai version, Icoca). Note that due to IC chip shortages, Suica and Pasmo cards are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain in Japan.

However, the tourist versions, Welcome Suica and Pasmo Passport, are still available at the airport and some other locations for the Pasmo Passport. Check this page for more information. If you have an iPhone with Apple Wallet linked to a MasterCard or American Express card, you can also acquire a digital IC card on your phone.

3. Use Japan’s luggage delivery (takkyubin) services

Dragging heavy luggage through train stations and onto crowded trains is a sure-fire way to make your journey miserable (and to mark you as a newb in Japan). If your suitcase won’t fit into an overhead bin on a plane, it won’t fit on the shinkansen. The only exception is the space behind the last row of seats, but you need a special ticket to put your suitcases there.

The solution? Use Japan’s fantastic luggage delivery (takkyubin) services. For about $20, they’ll ship your suitcase overnight to most destinations in Japan. So, you can send your suitcase from the airport to your hotel in Tokyo, or from your hotel in Tokyo to your hotel in Kyoto etc. You just need a smaller knapsack or laptop bag to carry your phone/laptop, charger, travel documents, meds and perhaps a change of clothes.

4. Stay in nicer rooms in cheaper hotels

This killer hack can save you thousands on your trip and allow you to stay in luxurious rooms for mid-range prices: Instead of paying a premium for an international luxury brand, just move up to a better room in a good mid-range Japanese brand. When you run the numbers, it’s a no-brainer.

This also works great in Tokyo at places like the Okura Tokyo, the Cerulean Tower and the Mimaru chain.

You can compare the different room rates and the availability of accommodation for your specific dates on Expedia.com .

5. Travel light

I'm always amazed by how much luggage some travelers bring to Japan, as if they're preparing for an expedition to Mount Everest. The truth is, you can find almost anything you've forgotten in Japan. Need clothes? Just stop by Uniqlo. Looking for electronics or camera gear? Check out Bic Camera. Over-the-counter medications and cosmetics? Any local drugstore has you covered. The only items that might be tricky to find are prescription medications (available at hospitals and clinics) and larger-sized clothes, especially shoes. If you stay in places with washing machines, you can easily explore Japan in warm weather with just a backpack. A wheelie bag suffices even in winter proving you really don't need a full-sized suitcase. The ideal way to travel in Japan is with a wheelie bag for your larger items and a smaller bag for your essentials.

6. Use taxis when it’s practical

Some individuals seem strongly against taking taxis in Japan. However, there are situations where it is the most sensible option. For instance, while exploring Arashiyama (like the Bamboo Forest) on the west side of Kyoto, you may want to visit another nearby attraction, such as Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion). Public transport could take over an hour, with least one transfer, costing several hundred yen per person. In contrast, a taxi ride will take about 20 minutes and cost approximately Y2500 for the entire vehicle. If three adults share the fare, it becomes only slightly more expensive than public transport, but the key advantage is the time saved; you didn’t come to Japan to waste your valuable time waiting at a crowded bus stop.

7. Fly domestically

Japan’s trains are fantastic and there’s nothing like a long shinkansen ride with a hot cuppa and a good book. But some rides are just too long. For example, to go by train from Tokyo to Kagoshima (southern Kyushu) takes 7 hours on the fastest trains (which you cannot ride with a Japan Rail Pass), while the flight takes 1 hour and 50 minutes. Likewise, trains from Tokyo to Sapporo (Hokkaido) will take a minimum of 8 hours, while a plane will take 1 hour and 40 minutes. Keep in mind that flying domestically in Japan is WAY more pleasant than in North America or Europe, and with Japan’s new low-cost carriers, it can be amazingly cheap.

You can quickly look up domestic flights on a flight comparison website to find the best deals.

8. Stay at the airport

If you're arriving late in Japan and prefer to avoid the hassle of travelling into the city, consider spending your first night at an airport hotel. This is especially convenient at Haneda and Kansai airports, where you'll find excellent and reasonably priced hotels located right within the terminals. It's highly advisable for families with young children or travellers coming off a long flight. If it's your first visit to Japan, experiencing it well-rested will surely enhance your initial impressions. , if you have an early flight home, staying at the airport can make your departure day much smoother. How often have you struggled to wake up at 4 am (if you managed to sleep at all) for an early morning flight? Instead, imagine enjoying a restful night and boarding your plane feeling refreshed. This option is also fantastic for domestic flights from Haneda to other parts of Japan. Check for airport hotel availability for your specific on Expedia.com.

9. Dine at restaurant floors

Some of the finest dining experiences in Japanese cities can be discovered in restaurant floors, known as resutoran-gai in Japanese. You’ll find these restaurant floors in department stores, shopping and entertainment complexes, train stations, and office buildings. In cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, many top restaurants have locations within department store food floors, often providing a more relaxed atmosphere compared to their street-level counterparts. With specials showcased at the entrance and English menus readily available, you can explore a diverse selection of Japanese favorites, along with Indian, French, and Italian cuisines. So, head to the nearest restaurant floor and savor the experience!

10.Utilise the shower and nap rooms at the airports

This is a tip I've relied on during layovers in Japan while travelling to Southeast Asia or Australia and during long waits before my flights to the States. All major Japanese feature shower and nap rooms, typically located on both sides of passport control (air side and land side). These shower/nap rooms are compact hotel-like spaces equipped with attached shower and bath units. You can inform the staff of your desired wake-up time, they will reliably wake you up, allowing you to rest without worrying about missing your flight. Access is charged by the hour and usually costs just a few thousand yen a couple of hours. Honestly, you'll find it much more comfortable to sleep in one of these nap rooms than in even the finest airport lounge.