Japan

Explore the beauty of Japan with our helpful travel guide. Learn about Japan's weather and the best time to plan your visit. Discover easy ways to get around the country and which top cities and destinations you shouldn't miss. Find out what delicious Japanese foods you must try during your trip. Uncover Japan's hidden gems that most tourists don't know about.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

Hokkaido: July to September offers pleasant temperatures for outdoor activities. Winter (December to February) brings heavy snowfall, perfect for skiing.

Tohoku: Late April to early May for cherry blossoms. October for vibrant autumn colors across mountain ranges.

Kanto (Tokyo): March to May for mild weather and cherry blossoms. October to November for autumn foliage.

Kansai (Kyoto, Osaka): Late March to May and October to November for comfortable temperatures and seasonal beauty.

Chugoku: April to May and October to November for mild weather and fewer crowds.

Shikoku: April to May for spring flowers. October to November for autumn colors and comfortable hiking.

Kyushu: March to May and October to November for pleasant temperatures.

Okinawa: February to April and October to November. Typhoon season typically runs from May to October.

How to Get to Japan

Japan's main airports serve as efficient gateways to different regions of the country. Tokyo is served by two airports: Narita and Haneda, both providing access to the capital city. Kansai International Airport connects travelers to Osaka, while Chubu Centrair International Airport serves Nagoya.

For visitors heading to Kyushu Island, Fukuoka Airport is the primary entry point. New Chitose Airport serves Sapporo in Hokkaido, providing access to northern Japan. Hiroshima Airport connects travelers to Hiroshima in western Honshu.

All major Japanese airports feature:

• -Reliable train connections to city centers
• -Multilingual staff to assist visitors
• -Various services and shopping options

These transportation hubs are designed to provide straightforward access to Japan's major destinations.

How to Get Around

When travelers step off the plane in Japan, they enter a country where trains arrive to the minute and where getting lost becomes part of the adventure. 

The Shinkansen, Japan's bullet train, zips between cities at 320 km per hour (186 mph), making the journey from Tokyo to Kyoto shorter than some morning commutes. These sleek trains pull into stations, doors open, and within minutes they're gone again, a dance of efficiency that happens every day across the country.

In cities like Tokyo and Osaka, subway maps might look like rainbow-colored spaghetti at first glance, but they connect neighborhoods and attractions with remarkable precision. Locals and visitors alike stream through stations, tapping cards at gates that beep in acknowledgement before they join the flow toward their destinations.

When trains can't reach a place, buses fill the gap. They wind through mountain villages and stop at temples perched on hillsides, taking passengers where railway tracks don't extend. 

Between islands, ferries cut through blue waters, offering glimpses of coastlines from a different angle.

Some travelers rent cars to explore countryside roads at their own pace, stopping at small noodle shops that have no English menus but serve bowls steaming with local specialties. 

In cities, however, most find themselves abandoning driving in favor of:

• -Monorails gliding above street level
• -Nostalgic trams that have rattled along the same routes for decades

A small plastic IC card—Suica or PASMO—becomes a traveler's best companion, eliminating the need to buy individual tickets for each journey. One tap and you're on your way.

For those ready to experience the quiet efficiency of Japanese rail travel, services like Shinkansen JR Central or Shinkansen JR West connect the dots between Japanese destinations, turning travel time into part of the memory.

Local Food Scene

In Tokyo's Shinjuku district, small ramen shops fill the air with the scent of rich broth and fresh noodles. At Fuunji, people line up for tsukemen, thick noodles dipped in concentrated soup. Morning light streams through Tsukiji Outer Market as fishmongers slice fresh catches and cooks grill skewers. Food stalls offer samples on toothpicks, and the narrow paths fill with people eating as they walk. 

Over in Osaka, families have prepared okonomiyaki for generations. At Mizuno in Dotonbori, the cooks flip these savory pancakes on hot grills right before your eyes, the cabbage sizzling as the batter turns golden brown.

In Kyoto, Nishiki Market tells food stories from centuries past. Over 100 vendors call out to passersby, offering everything from pickled vegetables sitting in wooden barrels to squid grilled until it caramelizes at the edges.

Regional specialties across Japan offer distinct flavors:

• Northern Hokkaido's cold waters yield seafood that locals eat hours after catching. 
• In Hiroshima, cooks layer okonomiyaki with one ingredient at a time rather than mix them.
• Fukuoka's tonkotsu ramen simmers for days, creating a broth that coats your lips with collagen.
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Notable restaurants worth visiting:

• Tokyo
• -Tempura Kondo serves vegetables and seafood in batter so light it shatters like glass.
• -Sukiyabashi Jiro and Den require patience, sometimes months of waiting, but offer experiences that stay with diners for years.
  
• -At Sushi Saito, each piece comes with instructions: eat immediately, no additional soy sauce needed.
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• Kyoto
• -Honke Owariya has served soba noodles since the 1700s, and the recipe has been passed through sixteen generations. 
• -Chefs at Kikunoi present kaiseki meals as a narrative, each dish representing the current season. The three Michelin stars mean you'll need to book well ahead. 
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Hidden Gems to Visit

1. Shikoku Henro Pilgrimage

The 1,200 km (745 miles) Shikoku Henro winds through 88 temples, each connected to the story of Monk Kūkai. While tourists crowd into Kyoto's popular sites, pilgrims on this path find quiet moments and unexpected kindness from locals, who offer "o-settai"— small gifts or assistance to travelers. In April and May, cherry trees scatter pink petals along the trail, while October and November paint the landscape red and gold.

To begin this journey, arrive at Tokushima Station and catch a local bus to Temple 1, Ryōzen-ji. The complete path takes about two months to walk, but even a few days on selected sections reveals the heart of this tradition.

2. Yamadera Temple

A thousand stone steps lead upward through the forest to the Yamadera Temple. The climb might leave you catching your breath, but the view across the valley makes every step worthwhile. The poet Matsuo Bashō once paused here, inspired to write a haiku that still captures the temple's stillness.

In mid-October, the surrounding trees burn bright with autumn colors, while summer wraps the mountain in deep green. From Yamagata Station, the JR Senzan Line takes about 40 minutes to Yamadera Station. A short walk leads to the temple entrance. The morning air, cool and clear, offers the best experience before other visitors arrive.

Scenic Routes

The trains of Japan quietly tell stories as they wind through the country's changing landscapes. From mountains capped with snow to seas stretching to the horizon, each journey reveals pieces of Japan that roads simply can't reach.

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• Hakone to Tokyo: The train pulls away from Hakone's steaming hot springs and mountain paths, gradually trading forests for buildings as Tokyo approaches. On clear days, Mt. Fuji stands watch in the distance. In autumn, red and gold leaves frame the tracks. The Romance Car train's large windows frame each scene like moving paintings.

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• Nagano to Kanazawa: This route cuts through the heart of the Japanese Alps. Small villages appear and disappear between mountain passes. In winter, snow blankets everything in quiet white. By spring, tiny mountain flowers dot the slopes. The JR express trains let passengers take it all in from comfortable seats.

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• Sapporo to Otaru: The tracks hug Hokkaido's coastline. One side: mountains. The other: the endless Sea of Japan. Summer brings blues and greens, while winter transforms the seaside into ice sculptures. The rapid trains' windows frame the water like a moving seaside gallery.

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• Tokyo to Nikko: Watch as the city thins and mountains rise. The train climbs toward Nikko's ancient temples and shrines hidden among forests. When autumn comes, the mountains wear their red and gold coats. The train makes the journey part of the destination.

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• Kumamoto to Aso: The train enters a world shaped by volcanoes. The tracks circle part of a massive crater, with views that can't be captured in photos. Spring brings fields of wildflowers, while clear autumn days show the raw power of the landscape. From the JR train windows, the caldera unfolds like a living geology lesson.

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Events, Festivals and Local Markets

In February, giant snow creatures rise from the streets of Sapporo. At the Sapporo Snow Festival, artists transform blocks of snow and ice into castles, animals, and famous buildings. As night falls, colored lights bring these creations to life, making them glow against the dark winter sky.

The Gion Matsuri fills Kyoto with history every July. Since 869 CE, this festival has continued its traditions. Huge wooden floats, some two stories tall, roll through the old streets on wooden wheels. The sound of traditional flutes and drums fills the air as locals in historical costumes guide these massive structures through narrow turns.

Early August brings the Nebuta Matsuri to Aomori. Paper lantern floats, shaped like fierce warriors from Japanese myths, parade through town. The warm glow from within makes their faces come alive. People chant and jump alongside them, and you can join in too.

In mid-August, the streets of Tokushima fill with dancers for Awa Odori. A million people gather to watch and participate. The dancers wear traditional hats and move with distinctive steps, arms raised high, calling out "The dancers are fools, the watchers are fools, if all are fools, why not dance?" Try joining in; that's what the festival is all about.

Best Places to Visit

1. Tokyo

In Tokyo, old and new exist side by side. A businessman in a tailored suit might pause at a centuries-old shrine before heading to his office in a glass skyscraper. Around one corner, electronic stores flash with screens and gadgets; around another, a small shop sells handmade paper as it has for generations.

Spring brings pink cherry blossoms that dust the city like snow, while autumn paints the trees in gold and crimson. These seasons offer comfortable temperatures that make exploring easier.

Throughout the year, Tokyo keeps moving. Early risers can watch tuna auctions at Toyosu Market, where massive fish sell for thousands of dollars. Sumo wrestlers compete in tournaments three times yearly, their ancient sport drawing cheers from modern crowds. The Imperial Palace opens its doors regularly, letting visitors walk where emperors once walked alone.

How to get to Tokyo

• Flight: Tokyo is served by two international airports - Narita and Haneda
• Train: Connected to major Japanese cities via the Shinkansen bullet train network
• Cruise: Some international cruise lines dock at Yokohama Port, close to Tokyo

2. Kyoto

Kyoto tells stories through its streets. Here, a wooden temple stands where it has for centuries. There, an apprentice geisha hurries to an appointment, kimono rustling. The city holds over 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, each with histories that stretch back through time.

The city changes with the seasons. In spring, pink cherry trees frame temple entrances. In autumn, red maple leaves carpet moss gardens. Winter brings occasional snow that softens temple rooflines, while summer fills the air with the sounds of festivals.

Visitors can watch artisans practice traditions passed down for generations. At Gion Corner, performers demonstrate tea ceremonies with movements refined over centuries. The Kyoto Imperial Palace reveals its secrets during public tours. At Nishiki Market, vendors call out their wares as they have for hundreds of years.

How to get to Kyoto

• Train: Most convenient access is via Shinkansen to Kyoto Station
• Bus: Highway buses connect Kyoto with major cities, including Tokyo and Osaka
• Airport: Kansai International Airport is the closest major airport, with direct transport links

3. Osaka

In Osaka, food tells the city's story. Street vendors flip savory pancakes on hot grills. Cooks deep-fry skewered foods in copper pots. Restaurants serve octopus dumplings that steam in the winter air. The city earned its nickname as "Japan's kitchen" through centuries of good eating.

People say Osaka residents spend all their money on food, and walking through the streets, it's easy to see why. The city welcomes visitors with open arms and full plates year-round, though spring and fall offer the most pleasant temperatures.

Comedy runs through Osaka's veins. The ROR Comedy Club keeps the tradition alive with weekly shows that make even non-Japanese speakers laugh. Along Dotonbori, the heart of the food district, street performers entertain crowds gathered beneath massive moving signs. Meanwhile, Osaka Castle stands as a reminder of the city's powerful history.

How to get to Osaka

• Train: Shinkansen services connect Osaka to major cities
• Airport: Kansai International Airport serves international flights
• Ferry: Ferry services connect Osaka to various domestic destinations
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Tips for Traveling to Japan

VISA & ENTRY

• Most Western tourists get 90-day visa-free entry
• Passport must be valid 6+ months beyond stay
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• CULTURAL ETIQUETTE

• Bow when greeting; remove shoes indoors
• No tipping; queue orderly; speak quietly
• Carry trash until finding bins

MONEY MATTERS

• Cash-reliant society; carry ¥10,000-¥30,000 daily
• 7-Eleven ATMs accept foreign cards
• IC cards (Suica/PASMO) work for transit/small purchases
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HEALTH & SAFETY

• Emergency: 119 (ambulance), 110 (police)
• Travel insurance essential
• No special vaccines required
• Pharmacy: look for "yakkyoku"

TRANSPORTATION

• Japan Rail Pass (purchase before arrival)
• Google Maps works reliably for transit
• IC cards work nationwide
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