The regions
Tokyo
Vast, hyper-organized, and endlessly layered — the modern-Japan anchor of any trip.
Kyoto
A thousand years of temples and tradition, best explored slowly and early.
Osaka
Japan's food capital, with a looser, louder energy than Tokyo or Kyoto.
Hiroshima
A moving, essential stop — and a genuinely pleasant city beyond the memorial.
Hokkaido (Sapporo)
Japan's wild north — powder snow in winter, lavender fields in summer.
Okinawa (Naha)
Subtropical islands with a distinct culture from mainland Japan.
When to go
Cherry blossom season (late March–early April) is spectacular but also the most crowded and expensive window of the year — book 6+ months out if that's the draw. Autumn foliage (November) is, in our opinion, the better trade: comparable beauty, noticeably fewer crowds, more predictable timing.
- Cherry Blossom Season (Hanami)Late Mar–early Apr, varies by region and year
Not a single event but a whole-country mood — parks fill with picnicking crowds under the blossoms, especially on weekends.
- Gion Matsuri, KyotoJuly, month-long with a main parade July 17
One of Japan's great festivals — worth timing a Kyoto stay around if you're visiting in summer.
Before you go
Japan is more cash-reliant than its tech reputation suggests — many small restaurants, shrines, and rural shops are cash-only. Withdraw yen from 7-Eleven ATMs, which reliably accept foreign cards even when others don't. Tipping isn't practiced and can actually cause confusion — don't leave it.
No special vaccinations required. Emergency numbers: 110 (police), 119 (ambulance/fire). Pharmacies are widespread but English-language support varies — a translation app is genuinely useful here, more than in Europe.
Rent a pocket wifi or get an eSIM before arrival — coverage is excellent nationwide, including on the shinkansen (bullet trains). Airport counters make pocket wifi pickup easy if you'd rather sort it on arrival.
Pack for whatever season you're visiting, but bring slip-on shoes regardless — you'll remove them constantly, at temples, some restaurants, and any traditional accommodation.
Getting around
The shinkansen network is the best in the world for a reason — Tokyo–Kyoto is about 2h15, Tokyo–Osaka about 2h30. A Japan Rail Pass can be worth it for a multi-city itinerary; do the math on your specific route before buying, it's not automatically the best value since 2023's price increase.
Rarely necessary and often counterproductive in cities — trains are faster and parking is expensive. Worth considering only for rural Hokkaido or parts of the countryside with limited rail service.
Culture & etiquette
Quiet is the default on trains — phone calls and loud conversation are genuinely frowned upon, not just old-fashioned advice. Bowing is common but a nod suffices for visitors; the real universal rule is to follow the pace and volume of whoever's around you.
- Konnichiwa (hello)
- Onegaishimasu (please / a polite request)
- Okaikei onegaishimasu (the check, please)
- Arigatou gozaimasu (thank you)
Budget guide
| Category | Mid-range | High-end |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ¥15,000–28,000 | ¥45,000+ |
| Food & drink | ¥6,000–10,000 | ¥18,000+ |
| Getting around | ¥2,000–4,000 | ¥8,000+ (private transfers) |