Japan Travel Guide: When to Visit, Where to Go & What to Eat

If there’s any country in East Asia you need to explore in your lifetime, it’s Japan. Whether you’re hunting for temples among cherry-blossom-lined streets in Kyoto, slurping on ramen in a narrow Tokyo alleyway or soaking away all your stress in a traditional onsen among fine alpine views, finding a more intriguing place than the Land of the Rising Sun is next to impossible.

Japan is both everything and nothing as you expect it to be. Roaming through the neon-flooded avenues of Osaka or Tokyo or awakening your spirits at a Kyoto temple quickly proves that the stereotypes you’ve always dream about aren’t so far off.

But it’s in the less obvious moments that’ll you truly fall in love with this country. Carve down perfect pistes in Hokkaido’s Niseko, ply through the mystical bamboo forests of Arashiyama or get entranced by the snow-dusted roofs in the fairytale village of Shirakawa-go, and you’ll see why Japan comes out on top among travellers of all persuasions.

Not sure how to start planning your trip to Japan? Get started with this Japan travel guide!

Looking to explore in other countries in the region? Check out our East Asia Travel Guide for more destination ideas & tips!

When to visit Japan

Like much of the northern part of East Asia, Japan is blessed with a four-season climate. Like most things in Japan though, simply knowing that isn’t so useful in figuring out the best time to visit Japan!

In general, winters in Japan are cold while summers are hot and humid. Although the summer months see the lion’s share of tourists, it’s not necessarily a great time of year to travel here. Summer in Japan brings loads of rain throughout the country with the monsoons rolling in around August to late September.

For many of the top destinations in Japan including Kyoto, Tokyo and Osaka, the best time to go is in spring or fall. Aiming for late March to early April will put you into the height of cherry blossom season throughout much of Kyushu (it’s a little later in the more northern reaches of the country) where you’ll witness Japan at its most beautiful. The autumn months are equally beguiling as the fall colours swoop in and paint the country in incredible crimson and golden shades.

Not sure when to go to Japan? Get started with these Japan weather guides:

Where to go in Japan

As much as I’d love to grant you a definitive answer for planning the ultimate Japan itinerary, in a country with such immense breadth and diversity it’s not so easy.

Fortunately, sticking to the basics in Japan often proves ridiculously fulfilling. Visiting even just a few of these best places to visit in Japan will send you home with a deeper appreciation of the country, and keep you on the edge of your seat waiting to plan your next trip to continue exploring!

Need some ideas? Here are a few Japan trip planning resources to start out with:

Fukuoka (Hakata)

While Kyushu’s largest city of Fukuoka doesn’t quite have the same name recognition as other places in Japan, it’s quickly becoming a must-visit for travellers looking for a more well-rounded appreciation of the country. Today’s modern city, the eighth most populous in Japan, was born from two towns separated by the Naka-gawa River: the ancient castle town of Fukuoka and the merchant town of Hakata.

Confusingly, both names still appear on maps, a point that’s worth knowing should you need to navigate via shinkansen (bullet train) to the city’s main transport hub of Hakata Station.

Although it’s hardly as filled with attractions as other more “classic” Japanese destinations, Fukuoka immediately presents itself to traveller as friendly and welcoming place. There’s a good mix of things to see & do here from temples, shrines, and gardens to modern museums. Like many-a Japanese city though, Fukuoka tends to win visitors over most with its food, especially its most famous culinary export, Hakata ramen.

Not sure how to start planning your trip to Fukuoka (Hakata)? Here are a few resources:

Hiroshima

If you’re anything like most travellers, I can almost guarantee that the thought of visiting Hiroshima has yet to cross your mind. Unlike other Japanese cities that charm visitors with ancient temples & shrines, Hiroshima is (in)famous for something a little different: being the first city in the world to experience an atomic bomb attack.

Despite getting reduced to rubble in 1945, Hiroshima’s come back in a big way. It’s as vibrant an urban environment as any in Japan, chock-loaded with superb restaurants and a infectious joie-de-vivre.

Although “atom-bomb tourism” still runs deep as visitor filter through to top sites like Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome, the best experiences in Hiroshima might just be giving yourself a couple days to let the city get under your skin.

Not sure how to start planning your trip to Hiroshima? Here are a few resources:

Kanazawa

Looking for the stereotypical Japanese cultural travel experience without the crowds? Forget Kyoto and beeline to the lovely city of Kanazawa in the Hokuriku region of central Honshu. Kanazawa bursts with interesting attractions, from its well-preserved districts dating back to the Edo period to its namesake castle and famous gardens.

While its nickname “Little Kyoto” might be a tad misleading (I mean, what city can realistically compete with Kyoto?), there’s more than enough to do in Kanazawa to fill out a few days of your Japan trip.

Enjoy the culinary delights of Omicho Market, the natural beauty of Kanazawa Castle Park & Kenroku-en Garden or the dazzling modern installations at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art to get a well-rounded sense of why Kanazawa slots in as one of the top places to visit in Japan.

Not sure how to start planning your trip to Kanazawa? Here are a few resources:

Kyoto

No Japanese city captivates like the former imperial capital of Kyoto. Over two thousands temples and shrines dot the landscape in and around Kyoto creating a cornucopia of Japanese history and culture that could seemingly take an entire lifetime to discover.

Even beyond the obvious cultural treasures, Kyoto is simply a magical place to visit. Sipping tea on the atmospheric streets of Higashiyama, eating kaiseki among cherry trees in Gion, or strolling through the otherworldly bamboo grove at Arashiyama should prove that Kyoto is not a just a great Japanese travel destination, but a great one period. Nary a lifetime should pass without the experience of enjoying Kyoto at least once.

Not sure how to start planning your trip? Here are a few resources from our Kyoto Travel Guide:

Nagoya

Thanks to its reputation as an industrial powerhouse, Japan’s fourth-biggest city of Nagoya may seem to offer relatively little to travellers. Look beyond the glass and concrete though and you’ll quickly discover a city surprisingly teeming with blissful green spaces, glorious temples, modern museums, and, like any self-respecting Japanese city, its own namesake castle.

And while it’s hard to prioritize a visit to Nagoya over other more “interesting” Japanese destinations, the city makes for a superb base to explore the surrounding region including Shirakawa-go, Ise Island, and the Kiso Valley.

Not sure how to start planning your trip to Nagoya? Here are a few resources…

Nara

If you’ve got any interest in Japanese history (you wouldn’t likely be here if you didn’t!), then be sure to add Nara onto your list of must-see places in Japan. As the country’s first permanent capital, Nara holds some of Japan’s most prized cultural possessions, rivalled perhaps only by Kyoto in its glorious historical underpinnings.

Like in Kyoto, ancient temples & shrines are scattered around Nara ranging from Todai-ji Temple, home to a famous 15-metre-high bronzed Buddha statue, to the magical Kasuga-Taisha Shrine whose network of network of lantern-lined paths and moss-covered stones can enlighten even the fussiest of travellers.

Perhaps even more famous in Nara, though, is the city’s rampant deer population. The centrepiece of the city, Nara Park, is home to thousands of free-roaming deer who prance between its temples & shrines with ease to create a majestic & unforgettable experience to tack onto your trip.

Ready to start planning your trip to Nara? Here a few resources to help you out:

Nikko

Outside of Japan’s trifecta of top cities, there’s a hardly a destination more worthy of a visit than Nikko. Located just a few hours from Tokyo, this popular mountain retreat dazzles travellers with incredible alpine scenery that hides some of Japan’s most mystical temples & shrines.

Nikko’s expansive UNESCO World Heritage area encompasses over 100 buildings nestled seamlessly into the mountainscapes as if sprouted directly from them. The three main shrines & temples here—Toshogu Shrine, Rinnoji Temple & Futarasan Shrine—are among Japan’s finest and deserve quiet contemplation and time to fully absorb their glory.

Besides its religious underpinnings, Nikko is home to a wealth of natural attractions. Waterfalls like Kegon & Ryuzu compete with other stunners like Mount Nantai & Lake Chuzenji for your attention. When relaxation, rather than active travels, is on the agenda, the Nikko area also features some famous hot springs towns like Yumoto Onsen and Kinugawa Onsen that are built for soaking your cares and stressors away.

Ready to start planning your trip to Nikko? Here a few resources to help you out:

Osaka

It’s unlikely you’ll feel an immediate kinship with Osaka, the second biggest city in Japan. Unlike Kyoto, a city who wears its charms on its sleeve, getting to know and enjoy Osaka won’t be so instant.

At the surface, you’ll probably instantly be let down by Osaka’s colourless and drab architecture. And it’s not exactly shocking: Most of Osaka was destroyed during World War II, and purposefully rebuilt with more attention to function and speed than aesthetics.

Hitting the streets of Osaka though, you’ll feel a different pulse. You’ll soon find that Osaka is as lively as cities come. Simply walking among the neon-flooded canal among the hordes in Dotonbori confirms that the city’s faceless façade is just that.

What’s most appealing about Osaka, however, is its penchant for warming your heart via your stomach. This is a city that takes its food seriously. Some of Japan’s best culinary experiences await in both Osaka’s restaurants and on its streets whether you’re looking to try the city’s claim-to-fame soul food okonomiyaki or other Japanese classics like tonkotsu ramen or udon.

Ready to start planning a trip to Osaka? Here are some resources from our Osaka Travel Guide:

Otaru

Little known outside of Japan, Otaru is one of the northernly island of Hokkaido’s most popular places to visit. This lovely fishing town sweeps you back to the turn-of-the-century when the Japanese first colonized & developed the island.

As you walk around Otaru, particularly along its namesake canal, it’s not hard to get a sense of Hokkaido’s humble beginnings. Many of the early-20th-century warehouses and shipping company offices along the canal have been converted to restaurants & art galleries while still maintaining a firm grip on the town’s history.

Although Otaru’s a wonderful destination year-round, travellers will become particularly enchanted with the Hokkaidan town during the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival. This popular ten-day winter festival, held annually in February, sees the town bursting with snow sculptures and lights to create an inviting atmosphere that’s warm up your soul during the chilly Hokkaido winter.

Ready to start planning a trip to Otaru? Here are some helpful resources:

Sapporo

Few travellers stick around Japan long enough to carve out time for Sapporo, the fifth-largest city in Japan and the capital of its most northerly island of Hokkaido. With just a century and a half under its belt, Sapporo doesn’t boast the long ancient history of other Japanese cities, but it’s no less fascinating in spite of it as a trip here will quickly uncover.

Like any big city in Japan, Sapporo is serious about its food & drink. The culinary pleasures here are plentiful, none more justifiably famous than the city’s famous miso ramen. Sapporo also gave birth to Japan’s beer industry with its namesake brew still staking claim among the world’s most recognizable brands.

Besides all the treats within the city itself, Sapporo sits in the backyard of Hokkaido’s true calling: its hot springs & mountains. When the non-stop urban buzz finally runs you down, relaxation & quieter days are but a quick train ride away.

Ready to start planning a trip to Sapporo? Here are some helpful resources:

Takayama

One you’ve hit up the top sites of the Kyoto-Osaka-Tokyo triangle, perhaps no destination will take your appreciation of Japan to the next level better than Takayama. This 17th-century town, nestled in the airy alpine landscapes of the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture in central Honshu, offers up one of Japan’s finest smatterings of Meiji-era architecture within its well-preserved old quarter.

Even though Takayama’s no longer off-the-beaten-path for travellers (and getting more popular by the day), it’s historical charms are no less appealing.

If you’ve got some extra space in your Japan travel plans, spend a day or two exploring Takayama proper before strapping on your hiking shoes and using the well-equipped city as your home base to explore Hida and the other the surrounding alpine regions.

Ready to start planning a trip to Takayama? Here are some helpful resources:

Tokyo

Truly one of the world’s most fascinating cities, Tokyo is bound to leave an impression. Whether it’ll be good or bad, I can’t tell you with certainty. Love it or hate it, the raging pulse of Tokyo is something that every traveller needs to experience at least once in their lifetime.

For anyone not enthralled by hyper-urbanism, Tokyo might not instantly knock your socks off. The city represents chaos at its finest. Crammed subways, traffic jams, and never-ending streams of passer-bys are a way of life here.

It’s hardly in such moments you’ll truly come to appreciate Tokyo. Instead, dabble in the city’s finer pleasures—whether it’s nibbling on yakitori in Yurakucho, enjoying a picnic in Shinjuku Gyoen or strolling among towering evergreens at Meiji Shrine—before you pass judgement. You might just surprise yourself when you discover a city that’s both everything and nothing like you expected it to be.

Ready to start planning your trip? Here a few resources from our Tokyo Travel Guide:

Asakusa

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Ginza

Shibuya

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Shinjuku

Yokohama

Despite holding the distinction as the nation’s second-largest city, Yokohama charms visitors with an unexpectedly laid-back urban atmosphere that feel worlds away from the buzz of the neighbouring capital. Coming from Tokyo, less than 30 minutes up the track, travellers are often surprised at how uncomplicated & subdued the Yokohama experience is in comparison.

While Yokohama doesn’t have the breadth of attractions of cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka or Nara, there’s more than enough here to warrant at least a quick day trip. As you’d expect out of most Japanese cities, Yokohama’s a fantastic place for foodies to sink their teeth into some tasty dishes, none more famous than the city’s coveted ramen. Beer aficionados will find their bliss equally fulfilled inside the city’s burgeoning craft beer scene, slotted in among Japan’s finest.

Ready to start planning a trip to Yokohama? Here are some helpful resources:

What to eat in Japan

There’s hardly a more varied cuisine on the planet than Japanese. As much as we’ve come to associate Japan with its most famous culinary export, sushi, seafood detesters will breathe easy when they discover that there’s far more to Japanese cuisine than first meets the eye.

Here are a few of the best Japanese foods to seek out:

Yakitori: Tasty skewers of grilled chicken and vegetables that are often served as a snack alongside beer and sake drinking sessions.
Sushi: Japan’s most famous food comprised of raw fish over rice lightly seasoned with rice vinegar. Most common types you’ll find are nigiri (served over small serving of rice), maki (served in seaweed-wrapped rolls), and sashimi (served without rice)
Ramen: Although originally from China, Japanese ramen is among the tastiest in the world. Among the most popular varieties is tonkotsu ramen, topped with fried pork cutlet and served with delicious rich broth.
Tempura: Lightly battered and deep-fried portions of seafood and vegetables.
Soba: Thin buckwheat noodles usually served in a warm broth.
Shabu-shabu: Thin slices of beef cooked in a hot broth at the table. Taste shabu-shabu at its most refined with beautifully marbled wagyu beef from Kobe.
Okonomiyaki: A savoury pancake filled with a variety of ingredients, often pork and cabbage. In the popular Osaka style, they’re usually topped with ingredients like seaweed, bonito flakes, pickled ginger, and mayo.

Looking for more ideas for what to eat in Japan? Check out these Japanese city food guides!

Transportation in Japan

Getting there

By air: Most international visitors enter Japan through Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT) or Osaka’s Kansai International Airport (KIX). Several airlines fly to Japan from North America, Europe, and Australia including All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan Airlines, JetStar and United.

Getting around

There’s no doubt that Japan has one of the best developed transportation systems in the world. It’s fast, efficient, and well-organized making it easy for travellers to get from point A to point B.

By train: One of the must have experiences in Japan is to travel by shinkansen (bullet train). These state-of-the-art trains are a modern wonder, and are the quickest, most convenient, and most comfortable way to travel between Japanese cities. They’re also, as you’d imagine, quite expensive.

PRO TIP: If you’re planning to use the train system extensively in Japan it’s probably not a bad idea to invest in a Japan Rail Pass. Check out our complete Japan Rail Pass guide here to see whether or not it’s worth it to pick up a JR Pass for your itinerary.

By bus: There’s also an excellent network of buses operating throughout Japan. If your travel budget is tight, bus travel is a good option to counter expensive long-distance bullet trains.

As expected though, buses are far slower and less comfortable than the trains. They are, however, sometimes the only option to reach more off-beat destinations.