Japan
Essentials
The answers you need first
Best for
Cities, food, temples, design, rail travel and nature
Ideal first trip
10–16 full days
Main language
Japanese
Currency
Japanese yen
Police
110
Fire and ambulance
119
Main transport
Rail, metro, buses and walking
Visitor hotline
050-3816-2787
01
Is Japan right for your trip?
Japan is a strong choice for travellers who want efficient public transport, distinctive cities, regional food, historic sites and a high level of everyday organisation.
The country works especially well for independent travel because rail networks, urban transport and clear station systems connect many of the places first-time visitors want to see.
It is not one uniform experience. Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hokkaido, Okinawa, the Japanese Alps and rural regions have different climates, transport patterns and travel rhythms.
- Excellent for first-time independent travellers.
- Strong choice for food, architecture, design, museums and cultural travel.
- A car is unnecessary for the classic Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka route.
- English signage is common in major transport hubs but less consistent elsewhere.
- Ten full days is the practical minimum for a balanced first visit.
02
When should you go?
Spring and autumn are popular for comfortable weather, but the best season depends on region, crowds and the experience you want.
Cherry blossom timing changes by year and location. Autumn colour also moves gradually across the country. Summer can be hot and humid in much of central and southern Japan, while winter brings snow to northern and mountain regions.
Golden Week, New Year, Obon and major public holidays can affect prices, availability and transport demand.
- March to April: cherry blossom season, high demand and variable bloom timing.
- May: generally pleasant after Golden Week.
- June: rainy season in many regions.
- July to August: hot, humid and festival-heavy in much of the country.
- September to November: autumn travel, with typhoon risk earlier in the period.
- December to February: winter cities, skiing and seasonal landscapes.
Important
Do not book a trip around one fixed blossom date without checking current forecasts. Seasonal timing varies by year and region.
03
What must you check before entering Japan?
Visa requirements depend on nationality, passport type, residence and intended length of stay.
Japan has visa-exemption arrangements for many nationalities, while other travellers need a visa or may be eligible to apply through the JAPAN eVISA system.
Entry rules should always be checked against the exact passport and place of residence before booking non-refundable travel.
- Check whether your passport is visa-exempt.
- Check whether JAPAN eVISA is available for your nationality and country of residence.
- Confirm the permitted length of stay.
- Carry accommodation and onward-travel details.
- Review customs and medication rules before departure.
- Check requirements for minors travelling alone or with one parent.
04
How many days do you need?
Ten to sixteen full days gives enough time for Tokyo, Kyoto and one or two additional destinations without turning the trip into constant transit.
The most common first-trip mistake is adding too many one-night stops. Japan’s transport is efficient, but repeated hotel changes still consume time and energy.
- 7 days: choose Tokyo plus one nearby region, or Kyoto and Osaka.
- 10 days: Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka at a practical pace.
- 14 days: add Hiroshima, Kanazawa, the Japanese Alps, Hakone or another region.
- 21 days: combine major cities with rural Japan, Hokkaido, Kyushu or Okinawa.
05
What is a realistic first-time route?
A classic first route combines Tokyo and Kyoto, with Osaka or one additional region depending on interests.
Use open-jaw flights when practical—for example, arrive in Tokyo and depart from Osaka—to reduce unnecessary backtracking.
- Days 1–5: Tokyo.
- Days 6–9: Kyoto.
- Days 10–11: Osaka or Nara.
- Days 12–14: choose Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Hakone, the Japanese Alps or another regional stop.
06
How does transport work?
Japan’s rail and urban transport systems are extensive, but different operators, ticket types and station layouts require basic preparation.
Major cities use a mix of national railway services, private railways, subways, buses and local operators. An IC card simplifies many ordinary journeys and small purchases.
Long-distance travel often uses the shinkansen, limited express trains or domestic flights. Not every rural route accepts the same IC card.
- Use an IC card for most local urban journeys.
- Use route-planning apps to compare operators and transfer points.
- Check the final train time before late-night plans.
- Allow extra station time in Tokyo, Osaka and major interchange stations.
- Reserve seats for high-demand trains and holiday periods.
- Check luggage rules before using the shinkansen.
07
Do you need a Japan Rail Pass?
A national rail pass is useful only when the exact long-distance itinerary costs more than individual tickets.
Do not assume the pass automatically saves money. Compare the price against the exact shinkansen and limited-express journeys you intend to take.
Regional passes can be better value when the trip is concentrated in one area.
- Price the exact route before buying.
- Check which trains and seat types are included.
- Compare national and regional passes.
- Do not include ordinary metro journeys as if they were all covered.
- Account for airport transfers separately.
08
How should you handle luggage?
Travelling with smaller bags makes stations, hotel changes and crowded trains much easier.
- Use luggage forwarding between major hotels when useful.
- Reserve oversized-luggage space where required on selected shinkansen services.
- Do not block train aisles or doors with large cases.
- Check whether the hotel accepts forwarded luggage.
- Carry one day of essentials in case forwarded bags arrive later.
- Use station lockers only after checking size and operating hours.
09
How should you choose accommodation?
Station access is usually more valuable than being close to one famous attraction.
- Choose a station with direct links to the areas you will visit most.
- Check the actual station exit and walking route.
- Review room size before booking.
- Confirm whether breakfast, taxes and service charges are included.
- Check luggage-storage rules before arrival and after checkout.
- Verify tattoo policies for onsen or public baths.
- Check whether traditional accommodation includes shared facilities or fixed meal times.
10
How do payments, cash and tipping work?
Card and contactless acceptance has expanded, but cash remains useful, especially in smaller businesses and rural areas.
- Carry Japanese yen for small restaurants, temples, lockers and local transport.
- Use ATMs in established convenience stores, banks or post offices.
- Carry a second payment card.
- Do not tip in ordinary restaurants, taxis or hotels.
- Place cash or cards in the payment tray when provided.
- Check whether a machine accepts notes, coins or IC cards before ordering.
11
What should you know about food?
Japanese food is highly regional, and some of the best meals are simple, specialised and inexpensive.
- Try regional dishes instead of repeating only sushi and ramen.
- Use department-store food halls, markets and specialised restaurants.
- Learn basic allergy phrases in Japanese.
- Check whether restaurants require one order per person.
- Do not assume every restaurant can accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Reserve high-demand restaurants well in advance.
- Slurping noodles is acceptable; tipping is generally not expected.
12
Which etiquette rules matter most?
Most visitors do not need perfect knowledge of Japanese etiquette, but a few habits prevent common problems.
- Queue where marked and wait for passengers to exit first.
- Keep phone calls quiet or avoid them on public transport.
- Carry rubbish until you find a bin.
- Remove shoes where requested.
- Do not eat while walking in places where it obstructs others.
- Ask before photographing people or private spaces.
- Follow temple, shrine, bathhouse and accommodation rules.
- Do not block narrow streets, station gates or shop entrances.
13
What should you know before visiting an onsen?
Public bathing follows specific rules, and tattoo policies vary by facility.
- Wash thoroughly before entering the bath.
- Do not wear swimwear unless the facility specifically allows it.
- Keep the small towel out of the bathwater.
- Check tattoo rules before arrival.
- Do not enter after heavy alcohol consumption.
- Respect quiet behaviour and posted instructions.
- Check whether the bath is gender-separated or private.
14
What are the real safety risks?
Japan has low levels of everyday violent crime, but travellers still need to prepare for natural hazards, nightlife scams and ordinary theft.
- Keep valuables secure in crowded stations and nightlife areas.
- Avoid unverified touts and entertainment venues with unclear pricing.
- Use official taxis and recognised transport.
- Know the hotel evacuation route.
- Move to higher ground after a strong coastal earthquake if instructed.
- Follow railway, hotel and local-authority directions during emergencies.
- Police: 110.
- Fire and ambulance: 119.
- Japan Visitor Hotline: 050-3816-2787.
15
How should you prepare for earthquakes and severe weather?
Earthquakes, typhoons, heavy rain, volcanic activity and tsunami warnings can affect transport with little notice.
- Install or bookmark official safety information.
- Keep your phone charged.
- Save accommodation details offline.
- Check transport operators directly after a disruption.
- Follow evacuation instructions immediately.
- Do not travel toward a closed or affected area.
- Keep water, medication and a portable battery accessible.
16
What should you know about phones and internet?
Reliable mobile data is essential for navigation, translation, train planning and emergency alerts.
- Arrange an eSIM, SIM card or portable Wi-Fi before or after arrival.
- Download offline maps and translation tools.
- Save hotel names and addresses in Japanese.
- Keep a portable charger.
- Do not rely entirely on station Wi-Fi.
- Store tickets and reservations offline.
17
Which regions should you consider?
Choose one additional region based on season and interests rather than trying to cover the entire country.
- Tokyo and Kanto: major city culture, museums and day trips.
- Kyoto and Kansai: temples, historic districts, Osaka and Nara.
- Chubu: Japanese Alps, Kanazawa, Takayama and Mount Fuji access.
- Hokkaido: winter sports, summer landscapes and regional food.
- Tohoku: quieter travel, nature, festivals and hot springs.
- Chugoku: Hiroshima, Miyajima and historic towns.
- Shikoku: pilgrimage routes, countryside and slower travel.
- Kyushu: volcanoes, hot springs, food and regional cities.
- Okinawa: subtropical islands, beaches and distinct history.
18
What do travellers usually discover too late?
These planning mistakes most often make a first Japan trip harder.
- A national rail pass does not automatically save money.
- Large stations can require significant transfer time.
- Many hotel rooms are smaller than expected.
- Not every rural service accepts the same IC card.
- Last trains can depart earlier than nightlife visitors expect.
- Popular restaurants and attractions may require advance booking.
- Cash is still useful.
- Luggage can make frequent hotel changes exhausting.
- Cherry blossom timing cannot be guaranteed months in advance.
- Japan is easier when the itinerary includes fewer bases.
19
Before you go checklist
Complete these checks before departure.
- Confirm visa rules for your passport.
- Check passport validity and permitted stay.
- Compare individual rail tickets with pass prices.
- Arrange an IC card or compatible mobile option.
- Reserve high-demand trains, attractions and restaurants.
- Check luggage rules and forwarding options.
- Download offline maps and Japanese addresses.
- Carry cash and a second payment card.
- Purchase travel insurance.
- Save emergency numbers 110 and 119.
- Save the Japan Visitor Hotline: 050-3816-2787.
- Install or bookmark official disaster information.
- Check medication import rules.
- Review onsen and accommodation policies.
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