Visiting Japan
Few countries reward a visit quite like Japan. It is a place of extraordinary contrasts held in easy balance — bullet trains and ancient temples, neon-lit cities and silent mountain shrines, exacting tradition and restless invention. For the first-time visitor it can feel daunting on paper and turn out, on arrival, to be one of the most welcoming, orderly and rewarding countries in the world.
It is also far easier to travel than its reputation suggests: trains run to the second, the food is superb at every price point, and an entire culture of quiet courtesy smooths the way. This guide brings together the practical groundwork and the highlights to help you plan a first trip with confidence.
It is also, for the well-prepared visitor, one of the most navigable cities in the region.
AUTHOR EXPERIENCE
We have yet to visit Japan and hope to go there in 2027. The information in this guided is based on carefully curated sources, research and what is known about visitor reviews of their Japan experiences. The content will be updated in the light of further research and personal experience.
Visited: –
Stayed In: –
Perspective: Independent Traveller
best for:
First-time Asia visitors who like order
Time needed:
10–14 days
Budget:
£££ (less than you'd expect)
getting around:
The world's best rail network
language:
Japanese (English signage common)
Best time:
March–May & October–November
Understanding the geography
Japan is divided into eight regions, and they map neatly onto how people actually travel. Most first trips concentrate on three of them — the “Golden Route” running from Tokyo through the centre of the country to Kyoto and Osaka. The rest, along with the southern islands of Okinawa, are where a second trip or a longer one tends to go. Understanding how the country fits together makes it far easier to decide where to range and what to add.
The Golden Route core — where most first trips happen
Japan region
Kanto and the East
Tokyo
Yokohama
Hakone
Nikko
The dense, dynamic east, centred on the vast metropolis of Tokyo. Most visitors arrive here, pairing world-class food, shopping and nightlife with easy escapes to the hot springs of Hakone and the shrines of Nikko.
Japan region
Chubu and Central Honshu
Takayama
Kanazawa
Shirakawa-go
Nagano
Mountainous central Japan, crossed on the route between Tokyo and Kyoto — and home to the Japanese Alps and the lakes beneath Mount Fuji. Old merchant towns, thatched farmhouse villages, hot springs and, in winter, some of Asia’s best snow. The city of Nagoya is its main gateway.
Japan region
Kansai and the old capitals
Kyoto
Osaka
Nara
Himeji
Japan’s cultural heartland. Kyoto holds the greatest concentration of temples, gardens and geisha districts; Nara its ancient Great Buddha and tame deer; Osaka the country’s most exuberant food scene; and Himeji its finest original castle.
Beyond the Golden Route — for a second trip, or a longer one
Japan region
Hokkaido
Sapporo
Hakodate
Niseko
Furano
The wild, snowy north, and a destination in its own right. Powder skiing at Niseko, lavender fields at Furano, hot springs and outstanding seafood, with cool, green summers that make it a favourite escape from the heat further south.
Japan region
Tohoku
Sendai
Aomori
Hiraizumi
Matsushima
The rural northern frontier of Honshu — deep snow, samurai history, vivid summer festivals and the pine-clad islands of Matsushima Bay. Among the least-touristed and most rewarding parts of the country.
Japan region
Chugoku
Hiroshima
Miyajima
Okayama
Kurashiki
The western tip of Honshu, best known for Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial and the “floating” torii of Miyajima just offshore — with the garden city of Okayama and the canal quarter of Kurashiki nearby.
Japan region
Shikoku
Matsuyama
Takamatsu
Naoshima
Iya Valley
The quiet fourth main island, across the Inland Sea. Ancient Dōgo Onsen at Matsuyama, the 88-temple Buddhist pilgrimage, the contemporary art islands around Naoshima, and the remote river gorges of the Iya Valley.
Japan region
Kyushu
Fukuoka
Nagasaki
Beppu
Kagoshima
The subtropical southwest, and Japan’s most volcanic region. The ramen and energy of Fukuoka, the poignant history of Nagasaki, the steaming hot springs of Beppu, and the smoking Sakurajima volcano above Kagoshima.
Japan region
Okinawa
Naha
Ishigaki
Miyako
Kerama Islands
A far-southern chain of subtropical islands with white-sand beaches, coral reefs and a distinct Ryūkyū culture all its own. Officially part of the Kyushu region but — over 1,000 miles from Tokyo — very much a separate trip.
Places you don't want to miss
Tokyo
The world’s largest metropolis, and far more navigable than it looks. From the crossing at Shibuya and the temples of Asakusa to quiet back-street izakaya and immaculate department-store food halls, Tokyo rewards both the planner and the wanderer.
Kyoto
A thousand years of capital history in temples, gardens, wooden machiya townhouses and the lantern-lit lanes of Gion. Rise early to see Fushimi Inari’s vermilion gates or the bamboo grove at Arashiyama before the crowds arrive.
Mount Fuji and Hakone
Japan’s sacred, near-perfect volcanic cone, best admired from the hot-spring resorts and lakes of the Hakone area or glimpsed from the bullet train. Climbable in summer; iconic year-round.
Hiroshima and Miyajima
The Peace Memorial Park and Museum are a sobering, essential experience, paired with the serene island of Miyajima and its “floating” torii gate just offshore.
The Bullet Train (Shinkansen)
Not just transport but an experience: smooth, punctual and effortless, gliding between cities at 300 km/h with Mount Fuji sliding past the window. A Japan Rail Pass can make extensive travel better value.
A Ryokan and Onsen Stay
A night in a traditional inn — tatami floors, futon bedding, a multi-course kaiseki dinner and a soak in a hot-spring bath — is one of Japan’s defining experiences, and worth building into any itinerary.
About Japan
A Unique Place
Japan manages to be deeply traditional and relentlessly modern at once, often on the same street. Visitors are frequently struck by how clean, safe and orderly everything is, by the quiet helpfulness of strangers, and by the sheer quality of everyday things — a convenience-store meal, a train conductor’s bow, a perfectly wrapped purchase.
Hong Kong is one of the world’s most distinctive urban destinations. While many visitors arrive expecting a city of skyscrapers, shopping malls and neon-lit streets, they quickly discover a territory that is far more varied. Beyond Victoria Harbour lie mountains, beaches, fishing villages, islands and extensive country parks that cover around 40% of Hong Kong’s land area.
Japan Today
Tourism has rebounded dramatically since the country reopened, and popular spots such as Kyoto now grapple with overtourism. Travelling slightly off the headline route, visiting major sights early or late, and being a considerate guest all make for a better trip. Cash still matters more than in many countries, though cards and IC transit cards are increasingly accepted.
A Few Myths (and Realities)
Myth: Japan is impossibly expensive
Reality: Flights and some hotels aside, daily costs can be very reasonable — superb meals for a few pounds, cheap and efficient transport, and a Rail Pass that can pay for itself quickly.
The language barrier makes it impossible
Reality: English signage is widespread on transport and at major sights, translation apps work well, and politeness carries you far. Independent travel is very doable
Myth: It's all neon cities
Reality: Beyond the metropolises lie mountains, hot springs, farmland, temple towns and subtropical islands — some of Asia’s finest landscapes and quietest corners.
Getting there
Japan’s main international gateways are Tokyo (Narita NRT and Haneda HND), Osaka (Kansai KIX) and, increasingly, regional airports. Internal travel is then easiest and most enjoyable by the superb rail network.
Flight times
Typical direct flight times to Tokyo. Last reviewed: June 2026.
| Departure City | Typical Flight Time |
|---|---|
| London | 12–14 hrs |
| Sydney | 9–10 hrs |
| Auckland | 11–12 hrs |
| San Francisco | 10–11 hrs |
As a rough guide, return economy fares from London run around £550–£1,100 depending on season. Fares from Sydney, Auckland and San Francisco vary widely — verify current prices before booking.
Accommodation
Japan offers an exceptional range — from capsule hotels and efficient business hotels to traditional ryokan inns and international luxury. Rooms are often compact by Western standards but immaculately kept. Book well ahead for cherry-blossom season (late March–April) and autumn colour (November), when demand and prices peak.
Entry requirements
Japan is straightforward to enter for most visitors. Citizens of the UK, Ireland, most EU countries, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can enter visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism on a valid passport, receiving “Temporary Visitor” status on arrival.
Completing Visit Japan Web before you land isn’t compulsory but speeds up immigration and customs via a QR code. Looking ahead, Japan plans to introduce JESTA, an ESTA-style pre-travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, but it is not expected to launch until around 2028 — so it does not affect trips now. As always, confirm your own position before booking.
Check current Japan entry requirements with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you travel →
Weather
Japan has four distinct seasons, and timing your visit well makes an enormous difference. Spring and autumn are the most celebrated — and the busiest.
| Season | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Mar–May | Cherry blossom season (late Mar–Apr). Beautiful and mild, but the most crowded and expensive window. |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | Hot and humid, with a rainy spell in June and typhoons possible later; festival season and great for Hokkaido. |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | Superb. Clear skies, comfortable temperatures and spectacular autumn colour in November. |
| Winter | Dec–Feb | Cold, crisp and dry in much of the country; world-class snow in the north and atmospheric, quiet temples. |
For the best balance of weather and (relative) calm, aim for late spring after the blossom peak, or autumn.
Major Festivals
- Cherry Blossom season / hanami (late Mar–Apr)
- Golden Week (late Apr–early May)
- Gion Matsuri, Kyoto (Jul)
- Obon (Aug)
Autumn leaves / kōyō (Nov)
Golden Week and Obon are major domestic holidays — wonderful to witness, but transport and hotels fill fast, so book ahead.
A Final Word
Japan has a rare ability to exceed expectations. The trains run to the minute, the food astonishes at every price, and a deep culture of courtesy makes independent travel a pleasure rather than a challenge. Build in a ryokan night and a slow day or two beyond the Golden Route, time your visit for spring or autumn, and it tends to become the trip people most want to repeat.
External Links
The Japan National Tourism Organization for comprehensive visitor resources.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the latest visa and entry guidance.
The Japan Meteorological Agency for weather, typhoon and earthquake information.
Part of a series of guides on Visiting Japan.
Visiting Japan: FAQs
Do I need a visa to visit Japan?
No — UK, Irish, EU, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passport holders can visit visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism. A planned JESTA pre-authorisation isn't expected until around 2028. Completing Visit Japan Web before arrival speeds up immigration.
Is Japan expensive to visit?
Less than its reputation suggests. Long-haul flights and some hotels are the big costs, but meals, transport and everyday spending can be very reasonable — and a Japan Rail Pass can make extensive train travel better value.
How many days do you need in Japan?
Ten to fourteen days suits a first trip, comfortably covering Tokyo, Kyoto and a few stops in between with time for a day trip or a hot-spring night. A week can still take in the Tokyo–Kyoto "Golden Route" at a faster pace.
When is the best time to visit Japan?
Spring (late March–May) for cherry blossom and autumn (October–November) for the colours are the most beautiful, though also the busiest. Both offer mild, comfortable weather.
Is it hard to travel Japan without speaking Japanese?
No. English signage is common on transport and at major sights, translation apps work well, and the famous courtesy of locals smooths the way. Japan is very manageable for independent English-speaking visitors.