Japan Trip Planning Guide: Where to Go and How to Plan
Japan blends dense modern cities, quiet temples, regional food and efficient transport. For a first visit it helps to pick a few bases rather than trying to see everything. Our Japan travel guide covers the basics; this page is the planning hub for the guides below.
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Most first trips combine Tokyo with the Kyoto and Osaka area, which are linked by well-known rail routes. Read our Tokyo travel guide and Kyoto and Osaka guide to compare them.
Other regions, from Hokkaido to Kyushu and Okinawa, reward return visits. Distances are larger than they look on a map, so choose fewer places and spend more time in each.
When to go
Spring (cherry blossom season) and autumn (foliage) are popular and busy, so book flights and rooms early. Summer is hot and humid, and winter brings snow to northern areas and clear skies to many cities.
Exact bloom and foliage dates vary each year, so check forecasts closer to your trip.
Getting around and paying
Japan's trains are famous for punctuality. Our transportation guide covers rail, local transit and IC cards. Cash is still useful in some places, so carry some even if cards are widely accepted.
Entry requirements depend on your passport, so check official government sources before booking.
Budget and first-timer tips
Costs vary a lot by season and style. See Japan on a budget for ways to save without guessing at numbers, and first-timer tips for etiquette and practical habits.
Key takeaways
- Pick two or three bases, not ten.
- Book early for blossom and foliage seasons.
- Check entry rules with official sources.
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