Japan

The Ultimate Japan Travel Guide

Japan — a travel hub that feels like home

“For those with restless, curious minds, fascinated by layer upon layer of things, flavors, tastes and customs, which we will never fully be able to understand, Tokyo is deliciously unknowable. I’m sure I could spend the rest of my life there, learn the language, and still die happily ignorant.”
— Anthony Bourdain

Japan, aka:

  • Nihon (written as 日本)

  • Nippon (also written 日本)

  • The Land of the Rising Sun

Japan Facts — Quick Hits

  • There’s 1 vending machine for every 25-30 people

  • Japan averages 1,500 earthquakes per year

  • There are over 8.5K trains stations in Japan

  • Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station is the busiest station in the world

  • Japan is known for its safety, convenience and politeness

  • Japan has 125 million people

  • Japan also has a big aging population problem

  • Japan is an island nation — with over 14,000 in total!

  • Over 25 million people visited Japan in 2023

Japan has 8 regions and 47 prefectures

Popular Destinations in Japan

Honshu Island (main)

  • Tokyo

  • Yokohama

  • Nikko

  • Sendai

  • Hakone

  • Lake Kawaguchiko

  • Osaka

  • Kyoto

  • Nara

  • Hiroshima

Up North

  • Sapporo

  • Niseko

  • Hakodate

More South

  • Fukuoka

  • Nagasaki

  • Kagoshima

  • Okinawa

*Japan is full of beautiful places (way more than just these ‘top spots’).

Visiting these other areas can be more sustainable too by boosting local economies and lessening the burden of over tourism in places like Kyoto.

So don’t forget to visit the lesser known spots in Japan too!

“I often compare the experience of going to Japan for the first time…to what Eric Clapton and Pete Townshend…must’ve gone through the week that Jimi Hendrix came to town. You hear about it, you go see it — a window opens up in to a whole new thing. And you think, ‘What does this mean? What do I have left to say? What do I do now?”

— Anthony Bourdain

How to Travel Japan — Hella Tips

  • Get the JR Pass if you’re using the bullet train and plan to explore many places across Japan

  • Get the Welcome Suica if you’re staying in the city — it’s a train card you can also use at shops and restaurants, just like a debit card

  • Know what to do and where to go in case of a natural disaster, which are more common in Japan — another solid reason to grab some travel insurance!

  • Grab a Japanese SIM card or add an international plan to your phone carrier — internet access is essential for getting around Japan

  • Try for Haneda Airport if you’re flying into Tokyo — it’s closer

How to Get Around Japan

The trains in Japan are amazing. So prepare to get spoiled!

The railways in Japan are super easy to get used to, but here’s what to know:

  • Trains are the most common, affordable and convenient way to get around Japan and its cities

  • JR (Japan Railway) is the most common train line company in Japan

  • Grab a Welcome Suica — it works on all train lines

  • Use Google Maps for directions (works perfectly for me)

  • Remember to check the times for your last train! (which is usually around midnight on weekends)

Best Times to Visit Japan

The spring and the fall are definitely the best times to go to Japan.

The weather is perfect and you can enjoy the cherry blossoms in spring and the leaves changing in fall.

But these are also the busiest and most expensive times to visit. So you may consider going during Japan’s shoulder or low seasons, which are during the summer and the winter.

Also be aware of stormy seasons, which are most active from June to mid-July (for rainy season) and around September (for typhoon season).

Top Experiences in Japan

Things to do

Foods and Drinks to Try

  • Sushi

    • I love going to kaitenzushi (conveyor belt sushi)

    • Kura Sushi (くら寿司) is a popular chain

  • Ramen

  • Shabu-shabu

  • Tempura

  • Okonomiyaki

  • Takoyaki

  • Gyoza

  • Soba

Explore more:
➤ Unique Things to do in Tokyo
➤ Best Japan Tours on Viator (*affiliate link)

What to Pack for Japan

You’ll need a passport to enter Japan (duh). But for many countries (including the US), you don’t need to worry about applying for a visa — you automatically get a short-term tourist visa, good for 90 days, on arrival.

You can see a list of countries that don’t need a visa to enter Japan as a tourist here. And you can check some more general info about visas directly on the Japanese MOFA site. But always do your own research based on your country and circumstances.

Beyond visas, there’s also individual stuff you may want to bring, based on your needs and brand preferences, such as:

  • Deodorant

  • Toiletries

  • Prescribed medications

  • Good walking shoes

  • etc.

You might need a universal charger if you have lots of stuff with three prongs, since most Japan plugs are two-pronged. But you can also buy these converters at an electronics store after you arrive.

Japan has pretty much everything you would ever need — you just need to be brand-flexible. There are plenty of pharmacies, shops and stores where you can find most necessities. So don’t feel like you need to bring everything with you. I always like to under pack too (to save space for souvenirs!).

But what you bring to Japan also depends on the season.

Summers

Japanese summers are super hot — like tropical-humidity hot. So you’ll mostly want to pack your typical summer stuff (shorts, shirts). But I also recommend bringing at least one sweater — even the summer time AC gets cold!

Fall / Spring

The fall and the spring in Japan are breezy and nice. The weather is perfect! Again, these are the best times to visit. For autumn, the crisp weather takes a while to kick in (especially recently), with temperatures usually starting to cool off around mid-late October. If you’re up somewhere like Hokkaido though, it’s sooner.

Winters

Japan’s winters are cold. Even Tokyo will get the one-off snowstorm. If you’re farther up north or in the mountains (like Nagano or Hokkaido), then you’ll obviously get more snow. But be sure pack the warm clothes and some waterproof shoes or boots.

Accommodations in Japan

  • Ryokans ($$$) — traditional Japanese hotels

  • AirBnB ($-$$$) — these are convenient and full of great deals (I always use the app for trip reservations)

  • Sharehouses ($-$$$) — you get a private room, shared facilities and meet other travelers and locals; perfect for long-term stays in Japan

  • Hotels ($$) — hotels are everywhere and available at all price points

  • Hostels ($) — lots of options for the budget traveler (like capsule hotels or the Tokyo Guest House Ouji Music Lounge, which is perfect for musicians)

Budgeting for Japan

Budget Travel

You can do Japan cheaply, especially with the weak yen. If you stay at hostels or longer-term share houses, avoid touristy places and restaurants, walk more than take trains and opt for free things, you can easily spend a week in Japan for less than $1,000 (not including flights or other planning expenses).

Here are some inflated numbers of essentials as an example (for a 7-day trip in Tokyo):

  • 7 nights at a hostel

    • $30 x 7 =$210.00

  • Daily food

    • $50 x 7 =$350.00

  • Transportation

    • $20 x 7 =$140.00

Total: $700

That’s $300 to spare! And remember, these prices are inflated (especially the food).

Some Average Costs

  • Meal at mid restaurant: ¥1000

  • Meal at McDonalds: ¥760

  • Domestic beer pint: ¥450

  • One-way train ticket: ¥220

  • Tall black coffee at Starbucks: ¥390

Luxury Travel

Hot spring resorts, luxury hotels, fancy dinners, popular attractions (like Go-Karting) and shopping in spots like Ginza or Daikenyama cost a lot more than budget experiences. So plan ahead if you’re into any of that!

Essential Japanese Phrases 

Japan is pretty English-friendly, but learning some key phrases will go a long way.

So here are some of the top Japanese expressions to know:

  • Daijoubu(?) [dye-jo-bu]

    • I’m okay; no thank you; it’s okay; are you okay?

  • Sumimasen [su-mee-mah-sen]

    • Excuse me

  • Arigatou (gozaimausu) [ah-dii-ga-toe go-zai-yuh-mahs]

    • Thank you (very much)

    • *the “R” sound in Japanese is more like a soft “D”, similar to Spanish

  • Dozo [doh-zoh]

    • Please, go ahead; for you

  • Hai [high]

    • Yes

  • Toire/eki wa doko desu ka? [eh-key wah doh-koh days kah?]

    • Where is the toilet/train station?

  • Eigo o hanashimasu ka? [eh-go oh hah-nah-she-mahs ka?]

    • Do you speak English

  • Eigo menu wa arimasu ka? [eh-go menu wah ah-di-mahs ka?]

    • Do you have an English menu?

Explore more:
➤ Learn to Speak Japanese Online (*affiliate link)

Key Etiquette in Japan

Train Etiquette

  • Avoid eating on the train

  • Don’t be loud and obnoxious

  • Avoid talking on your phone while riding the train

  • Give up your seat for elderly, pregnant or injured passengers

  • Line up to the left and right before entering, letting people exit first

Home / Indoors Etiquette

  • Always take off your shoes (even at some restaurants — you’ll seen an obvious shoe shelf)

  • Don’t put your feet on tables or chairs

Public Etiquette

  • Don’t jaywalk — wait for the walk signal

  • Keep your trash — don’t litter

  • Know the escalator protocol

    • In Tokyo/Kanto, stand to the left

    • In Osaka/Kansai, stand to the right

Hot Springs Etiquette

  • Be clean — rinse before getting in public baths

  • Don’t be drunk

  • Go naked — don’t wear your towel in the bath

  • Don’t bring glass containers or food

  • Tattoos are hit or miss — research beforehand

Food Etiquette

  • Always say kanpai! (cheers) before sipping your first drink with Japanese locals and friends

  • Slurping your noodles is okay and even expected

Want more? Epic.

Check out my guide on how to plan a trip to Japan!