Japan Travel Guide
Japan rewards a little planning more than almost any other country. The trains run to the minute, the food is extraordinary at every price point, and you can go from a neon crossing in Tokyo to a moss garden in Kyoto in under three hours. This guide covers the classic Golden Route (Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka) plus Hiroshima, Kanazawa and Okinawa: when to go, 7, 10 and 14-day itineraries, whether the JR Pass still pays off after the price rise, where to stay, and the etiquette that actually matters.
Best time to visit Japan
Spring (late March – May)
Cherry blossoms usually peak in Tokyo and Kyoto in the last week of March and first days of April. It's the most beautiful and the most expensive time: book hotels 4–6 months ahead. Avoid Golden Week (29 April – 5 May), when Japan itself travels.
Autumn (October – early December)
The best all-round season: dry, clear and mild. The maples turn red in Tokyo and Kyoto from mid-November to early December, when Kyoto is as busy as in spring.
Summer (June – September)
Rainy season runs from early June to mid-July, followed by 33–35 °C and heavy humidity. Typhoons are most likely from August to September. The upside: festivals, fireworks and the Mount Fuji climbing season (July to early September).
Winter (December – February)
Cold, dry and often sunny in Tokyo and Kyoto, with shorter queues at the big sights and clear views of Fuji. Powder snow in Hokkaido and the Japan Alps. Many places close from 29 December to 3 January.
Japan weather by month
Approximate average daytime highs in Tokyo and sea temperatures around Okinawa (°C). Kyoto and Osaka are a degree or two warmer in summer and colder on winter nights; Hokkaido is much colder.
| Month | Tokyo | Okinawa (sea) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10° | 22° | Crisp and sunny, the clearest month for Fuji views. Ski season in Hokkaido and Nagano. |
| February | 10° | 21° | Coldest stretch; plum blossoms at the end of the month. Sapporo Snow Festival. |
| March | 14° | 22° | Cherry blossoms usually open around the 20th in Tokyo; spring break crowds begin. |
| April | 19° | 23° | Sakura peaks early in the month, then moves north. Golden Week starts on 29 April. |
| May | 23° | 25° | Warm and green, very pleasant after Golden Week. Okinawa's rainy season begins. |
| June | 26° | 27° | Rainy season on the main islands: humid, grey, but hydrangeas and fewer tourists. |
| July | 30° | 29° | Rainy season ends mid-month, then heat. Fuji climbing opens; Gion Matsuri in Kyoto. |
| August | 31° | 29° | Hottest and most humid. Obon holidays mid-month; peak typhoon risk begins. |
| September | 27° | 28° | Still hot early on, typhoons possible. Good beach month in Okinawa once storms pass. |
| October | 22° | 27° | Dry, sunny and comfortable: arguably the best month to travel. |
| November | 17° | 25° | Autumn leaves peak in Kyoto and Tokyo from mid-month. Book early. |
| December | 12° | 23° | Leaves linger into the first week. Illuminations in the cities; New Year closures from the 29th. |
Where to go in Japan
Tokyo3–4 days
Treat it as a collection of towns. Shibuya and Harajuku for the crossing, Meiji Shrine and street fashion; Shinjuku for skyscraper views and the tiny bars of Golden Gai; Asakusa for Senso-ji; Ueno for museums; teamLab and Toyosu on the waterfront. Day trips: Nikko, Kamakura.
Kyoto3 days
About 2,000 temples and shrines. Fushimi Inari's torii tunnels, Kiyomizu-dera and the lanes of Higashiyama, Arashiyama's bamboo grove, the Golden Pavilion. Start at 7 am and the famous spots are yours; by 10 am they're packed.
Osaka1–2 days
Japan's kitchen: takoyaki and okonomiyaki in Dotonbori, Kuromon Market, the castle and the Shinsekai district. Less polished and more playful than Tokyo, and the best base for Nara, Kobe and Himeji.
NaraDay trip
45 minutes from Kyoto or Osaka. More than 1,000 deer roam Nara Park, and Todai-ji's hall shelters a 15-metre bronze Buddha. Buy deer crackers only from the official vendors and keep paper maps out of reach.
Hiroshima & Miyajima1–2 days
The Peace Memorial Park and Museum deserve a quiet morning. Then take the JR ferry to Miyajima, where Itsukushima Shrine's great torii stands in the water at high tide. Stay overnight on the island to see it after the day-trippers leave.
Hakone & Mount Fuji1–2 nights
Hot springs, a ropeway over the sulphur vents of Owakudani and a boat across Lake Ashi, all on the Hakone Freepass. For the classic pagoda-and-Fuji view, go to the Fuji Five Lakes (Kawaguchiko) instead. Fuji hides in cloud on many days, so keep a night flexible.
Kanazawa1–2 days
Kenrokuen, one of Japan's three great gardens, the geisha teahouses of Higashi Chaya and the Omicho fish market. 2.5 hours from Tokyo on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, with far fewer crowds than Kyoto.
Okinawa3–5 days
Subtropical islands two and a half hours' flight from Tokyo or Osaka: coral reefs, white beaches, Churaumi Aquarium and a distinct Ryukyu culture. Best from April to June and in October; rent a car to explore.
Japan itineraries: 7, 10 and 14 days
All three routes fly into Tokyo and out of Osaka (Kansai), which saves a day of backtracking. Book an open-jaw ticket.
7 days: the Golden Route
Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka. Fast but doable.
- Days 1–3Tokyo
Asakusa and Ueno, Shibuya and Harajuku, Shinjuku at night. Day 3: teamLab or a day trip to Kamakura.
- Day 4Shinkansen to Kyoto
Sit on the right (seat E) for Fuji. Afternoon in Higashiyama and Gion.
- Day 5Kyoto
Fushimi Inari at dawn, then Arashiyama and the Golden Pavilion.
- Day 6Nara, then Osaka
Morning in Nara Park and Todai-ji, evening eating your way through Dotonbori.
- Day 7Osaka and departure
Osaka Castle or Kuromon Market, then the Haruka or Nankai train to Kansai Airport.
10 days: add Hakone and Hiroshima
The best first-trip balance of cities, nature and history.
- Days 1–3Tokyo
As in the 7-day route.
- Day 4Hakone
The Freepass loop: mountain railway, ropeway, Lake Ashi. One night in a ryokan with dinner and onsen.
- Days 5–7Kyoto and Nara
Two full days in Kyoto at a relaxed pace plus a Nara day trip.
- Day 8Hiroshima and Miyajima
Peace Park in the morning, Miyajima in the afternoon, overnight on the island or in Hiroshima.
- Days 9–10Osaka
Back east by shinkansen, with an optional stop at Himeji Castle on the way.
14 days: Kanazawa or the beach
The 10-day route plus the Japan Sea coast, then a choice of ending.
- Days 1–4Tokyo and Hakone
Add Nikko or a Fuji Five Lakes night if the weather is clear.
- Days 5–6Kanazawa
Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo. Kenrokuen, Higashi Chaya, and a day trip to the thatched village of Shirakawa-go.
- Days 7–10Kyoto and Nara
Via the Thunderbird and Hokuriku Shinkansen (change at Tsuruga). Add Uji for matcha or a temple stay on Mount Koya.
- Days 11–12Hiroshima and Miyajima
As in the 10-day route.
- Days 13–14Osaka, or fly to Okinawa
End with Osaka's food, or add three beach days by flying Osaka–Naha.
Where to stay in Japan
Location beats size: Japanese hotel rooms are compact, so pick one a short walk from a major station. For one night, try a ryokan, a traditional inn with tatami rooms, hot baths and a multi-course dinner.
Tokyo hotels
Shinjuku or Shibuya for nightlife and connections, Ginza or Tokyo Station for easy shinkansen departures, Asakusa for a traditional feel and lower prices.
See hotelsExpedia →
Kyoto hotels and machiya
Around Shijo and Kawaramachi for restaurants and walks to Gion; near Kyoto Station for day trips. Kyoto's accommodation tax rose in 2026 and is charged at check-in.
See hotelsExpedia →
Osaka hotels
Namba for Dotonbori and direct trains to Kansai Airport; Umeda for JR connections and Shin-Osaka's shinkansen.
See hotelsExpedia →
Hakone ryokan
Choose a room with a private open-air bath (rotenburo) if tattoos or shared baths are a concern. Dinner and breakfast are usually included.
See hotelsExpedia →Buying through these links supports these guides.
Is the JR Pass worth it? Trains in Japan
The 7-day Japan Rail Pass costs ¥50,000 on the official JR website (¥80,000 for 14 days, ¥100,000 for 21). Overseas agents charge more from 1 October 2026 (¥53,000 for 7 days), so buy it on the official site. A one-way Nozomi from Tokyo to Kyoto is about ¥14,170, so a simple Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka trip costs roughly ¥29,000 in individual tickets. On the classic Golden Route, the pass no longer pays off.
It does pay off if you cover long distances within 7 or 14 days: Tokyo to Hiroshima and back, or a loop through Kanazawa, Tohoku or Kyushu. Remember the pass doesn't cover the fastest Nozomi and Mizuho trains without a supplement (¥4,960 from Tokyo to Kyoto), nor subways and private lines.
- Buy tickets as you go: The smartEX app sells Tokaido and Sanyo shinkansen tickets (Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka–Hiroshima) with foreign cards. Ticket machines at stations take cards too.
- Regional passes: If you're based in the west, the JR West Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass (5 days) covers Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Himeji, Hiroshima and the Miyajima ferry for a fraction of the national pass.
- Big luggage: On the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu shinkansen, bags over 160 cm in total dimensions need a reserved oversized-baggage seat. Easier: send your suitcase ahead with a luggage delivery service (takkyubin) from your hotel for a few thousand yen.
- Fuji views: Heading from Tokyo towards Kyoto, the mountain appears on the right-hand side, about 40 minutes after departure. Book seat E.
IC cards, cash and cards
Get an IC card on day one. Suica and PASMO are on sale again as physical cards, the Welcome Suica for visitors is sold at Haneda and Narita, and iPhone users can add Suica, PASMO or ICOCA to Apple Wallet in a minute. The cards work on almost every train, subway and bus in the big cities, nationwide, plus in convenience stores, lockers and vending machines.
Credit cards are accepted in most hotels, chains, department stores and taxis, and contactless card payment at train gates is spreading (Osaka Metro is one example). Cash still matters at small restaurants, temples, shrines, market stalls and in the countryside. 7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs reliably accept foreign cards.
- No tipping: Tipping isn't part of Japanese culture and can cause confusion. Good service is included.
- Tax-free shopping changes: From 1 November 2026, visitors pay the full price including 10% consumption tax and claim the refund when leaving Japan, after customs checks the goods. Keep purchases unused and with you, and allow extra time at the airport.
- Departure tax: Japan's international tourist tax rose to ¥3,000 on 1 July 2026. It's included in your flight ticket.
Etiquette that actually matters
- Shoes: Take them off where you see a raised entrance, tatami or a row of slippers: homes, ryokan, some temples, restaurants and fitting rooms. Separate toilet slippers stay in the toilet.
- Trains: No phone calls, quiet conversation, backpack on your front or on the rack. Queue in the marked lines on the platform.
- Rubbish: Public bins are rare. Carry a small bag and dispose of rubbish at your hotel or at a convenience store.
- Onsen: Wash thoroughly at the shower stools before entering, bathe without swimwear, and keep your small towel out of the water. Tattoos may be refused at public baths; many ryokan offer private baths.
- Gion: Some private lanes in Kyoto's Gion are closed to visitors, and photographing geiko and maiko without permission is not welcome. Follow the signs.
- Chopsticks: Never stand them upright in rice or pass food from chopstick to chopstick; both are associated with funerals.
Cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, rainy season and typhoons
The Japan Meteorological Corporation and weathernews publish cherry blossom forecasts from January. Full bloom usually arrives in Tokyo in the last days of March and in Kyoto a few days later, lasts about a week and moves north to Hokkaido by early May. Plan a 10-day window and move with the front rather than betting on one date.
Autumn colour works the other way round: from Hokkaido in October down to Tokyo and Kyoto from mid-November to early December. Kyoto's evening temple illuminations are a highlight of both seasons.
- Rainy season (tsuyu): Early June to mid-July on Honshu, May to June in Okinawa. Showery rather than constant: pack an umbrella and plan museum days.
- Typhoons: Most likely from August to September. They can cancel flights and ferries for a day or two, so avoid tight connections and consider travel insurance.
- Holiday peaks: New Year (29 Dec – 3 Jan), Golden Week (29 Apr – 5 May) and Obon (mid-August): trains and hotels fill up and prices rise.
What to eat in Japan
- Ramen: Tonkotsu in Fukuoka, miso in Sapporo, shoyu in Tokyo. Many shops sell tickets from a machine at the door.
- Sushi: Conveyor-belt sushi is excellent and inexpensive; for a counter omakase, reserve weeks ahead. Tsukiji Outer Market is great for breakfast.
- Okonomiyaki: Osaka mixes everything into the batter; Hiroshima layers it with noodles. Try both and pick a side.
- Izakaya: Japanese pubs with small plates: yakitori, karaage, edamame. A small table charge (otoshi) with a starter is normal.
- Kaiseki: The seasonal multi-course dinner served at ryokan and fine restaurants in Kyoto.
- Convenience stores and depachika: Onigiri, egg sandwiches and bento from 7-Eleven or Lawson, and the food halls in department store basements, make superb cheap meals.
Before you go
Entry and visa
Citizens of the UK, the US, the EU, Canada and Australia can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. UK citizens can extend to six months at an immigration office. Japan plans an online travel authorisation (JESTA) by 2028; it isn't needed yet. Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs site before you book.
Visit Japan Web
Register your immigration and customs details online before the flight and you'll get QR codes that speed up arrival.
Flights
Nonstop flights from London Heathrow to Tokyo take about 14 hours (BA, JAL, ANA). From the US there are nonstops from the West Coast, New York, Chicago, Dallas and more. Haneda is closer to central Tokyo than Narita.
Plugs
Japan uses two-pin Type A sockets at 100 V. US plugs fit; UK and European plugs need an adapter. Phone and laptop chargers handle the voltage, but high-power hair tools from the UK may not work.
Data
Buy an eSIM before you fly or rent pocket Wi-Fi at the airport. Google Maps is excellent for trains, platforms and exits.
Getting around Japan
Shinkansen
Tokyo–Kyoto in 2 h 15 min, Tokyo–Hiroshima in 4 h. Trains run every few minutes on the main line; reserve seats in peak seasons.
Local trains and subways
Tap your IC card and go. Google Maps shows the exact platform, car number and exit.
Domestic flights
Peach, Jetstar, ANA and JAL fly to Okinawa, Hokkaido and Kyushu, often cheaper than the train on long routes.
Renting a car
Only worth it in Okinawa, Hokkaido or the countryside. You need an International Driving Permit (1949 Geneva Convention) alongside your licence; Japan drives on the left.
How much does a trip to Japan cost?
Budget
¥10,000–15,000 / day (about $65–100)- Hostels, capsule hotels, business hotels
- Ramen, konbini and food-court meals
- IC card for trains, free temples and parks
Mid-range
¥20,000–35,000 / day (about $130–230)- 3–4-star hotel near a station
- Izakaya dinners and a sushi lunch
- Paid sights, occasional shinkansen
Comfort
¥50,000+ / day (about $330+)- Ryokan with kaiseki dinner
- Omakase and fine dining
- Green Car trains and private guides
What to pack for Japan
Type A plug adapter
Japan's two-flat-pin sockets fit US plugs but not UK or European ones. This compact adapter covers them.
View on AmazonAmazon →Zipped cross-body bag
Keeps your passport (needed for tax-free purchases and the JR Pass), IC card and coins at hand on long days of trains and temples.
View on AmazonAmazon →SPF 50+ sunscreen
For Okinawa's strong sun and humid summer days on the main islands, when there's little shade between sights.
View on AmazonAmazon →Buying through these links supports these guides.
Book before you go
Mount Fuji day trips from Tokyo sell out in spring and autumn. If you don't want to juggle buses and weather, a guided day with pickup is the easiest way to see the lakes and the mountain.
Japan eSIM
Be online from the moment you land, ready for Google Maps and train apps at the airport.
Get an eSIMAiralo →Buying through these links supports these guides.
Good to know
Reserve the popular stuff
teamLab, the Ghibli Museum, Shibuya Sky and top restaurants release tickets weeks ahead and sell out.
Carry cash for shrines
Temple entry, goshuin stamps and offerings are cash only. Keep ¥5,000–10,000 and some coins.
Hotel check-in
Hotels must copy your passport at check-in. Check-in is usually from 3 pm, but bags can be left in the morning.
Water
Tap water is safe everywhere. Refill a bottle; vending machines are on every corner too.
Translation
Download Japanese in Google Translate for offline use. The camera mode reads menus and signs.
Travelling smoothly
Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. Lost items are usually handed in; ask at the nearest koban (police box) or station office.
Japan travel FAQ
Is the JR Pass worth it in 2026?
Only for long distances. At ¥50,000 for 7 days, it doesn't pay off for Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka alone (about ¥29,000 in single tickets). It does if you add Hiroshima and back, or Kanazawa, Tohoku or Kyushu within the week.
How many days do you need in Japan?
7 days covers Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka. 10 days adds Hakone and Hiroshima comfortably; 14 days lets you add Kanazawa or a few beach days in Okinawa.
When is cherry blossom season in Japan?
Usually the last week of March to the first week of April in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Blossoms reach northern Japan in late April and Hokkaido in early May. Check the forecasts published from January.
How much does a trip to Japan cost?
Allow about ¥20,000–35,000 per person per day for a mid-range trip, plus flights and long-distance trains. Budget travellers manage on ¥10,000–15,000.
Do I need a visa for Japan?
UK, US, EU, Canadian and Australian citizens don't need a visa for tourist stays up to 90 days. Other passports should check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Do you tip in Japan?
No. Tipping isn't expected in restaurants, taxis or hotels. A small table charge at izakaya is normal.
Do I need cash in Japan?
Less than before, but yes. Cards and IC cards cover most things in cities; small restaurants, temples and rural areas still expect cash. Withdraw at 7-Eleven ATMs.
Tokyo or Kyoto first?
Fly into Tokyo and out of Osaka. Tokyo eases you in with English signage and easy transport, and you avoid backtracking at the end.
Planning a trip to Japan?
If you'd like help with your route, hotels and budget, get in touch.
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