The country on the tip of everyone’s tongue: Japan. Riding the wave of a record-breaking tourism boom, with over 40 million visitors expected in the coming year, it’s no surprise the country was named best country in the world by Condé Nast Traveler readers. But ask a number of these travellers why they’re drawn to the country, and chances are, they won’t be able to give you a clear-cut answer. Everyone wants to go, but no one seems to know exactly why. Maybe it’s because Japan is so multi-faceted, full of striking contrasts and quiet contradictions, that it’s impossible to pin down just one. Still, it’s worth narrowing down what draws you in; it helps us tailor your itinerary to perfection. Is it for its awe-inspiring landscapes? Its traditional, wonderfully time-forgotten accommodation options? Fresh sushi and authentic kaiseki meals? Or the culture, which ranges from futuristic skyscrapers and bullet trains to geisha tea ceremonies and onsen bathing.
Whether you’re planning your first trip or just starting to explore the idea, this Japan travel guide will help you navigate the essential must-see sights and make the most of your adventure in the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’.
The country on the tip of everyone’s tongue: Japan. Riding the wave of a record-breaking tourism boom, with over 40 million visitors expected in the coming year, it’s no surprise the country was named best country in the world by Condé Nast Traveler readers. But ask a number of these travellers why they’re drawn to the country, and chances are, they won’t be able to give you a clear-cut answer. Everyone wants to go, but no one seems to know exactly why. Maybe it’s because Japan is so multi-faceted, full of striking contrasts and quiet contradictions, that it’s impossible to pin down just one. Still, it’s worth narrowing down what draws you in; it helps us tailor your itinerary to perfection. Is it for its awe-inspiring landscapes? Its traditional, wonderfully time-forgotten accommodation options? Fresh sushi and authentic kaiseki meals? Or the culture, which ranges from futuristic skyscrapers and bullet trains to geisha tea ceremonies and onsen bathing.
Whether you’re planning your first trip or just starting to explore the idea, this Japan travel guide will help you navigate the essential must-see sights and make the most of your adventure in the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’.
Simply put, it depends on what you want to see. If it’s for the cherry blossoms (sakura), it’s March to May. If it’s for the changing leaves (momijigari), it’s September to November. Prepare for crowds, it is Japan’s busiest tourist season, but the rewards far outweigh the disadvantages, with various festivals popping up across the country to celebrate its kaleidoscope of colours. If you are looking to steer clear of crowds however, then a trip in May, after Golden Week, is for you. The weather during this period is mostly mild and sunny, perfect for exploring historic temples and shrines, visiting ornate gardens and indulging in out-of-this-world cuisine.
We recommend a 10-day itinerary for your first trip. Ideal for experiencing the highlights of the popular ‘Golden Route’ (Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka), it still leaves time for you to visit smaller, semi-rural cities such as Hakone, Kanazawa and Nara, where sacred deer still wander through its historic streets. Or, if you have a little more time to spare, head to the Japanese Alps to hike and spend time in hill-top heritage towns and spot snow monkeys. A 2-week itinerary provides a well-balanced introduction to Japan, allowing you to explore at a comfortable pace without feeling rushed or overwhelmed while still leaving plenty to uncover on a future trip.
Japan also deserves thoughtful, early planning, typically 9-12 months in advance. Top accommodations like ryokans can book up weeks or even months in advance, especially during sought-after seasons. The same can be said for its guides, who are equally in-demand and need booking months in advance. Fluent in English and trained to an exceptionally high standard, they’re invaluable if you’re looking to get off the beaten track, uncover eateries well beyond the tourist trail and gain insights that go far beyond what meets the eye.
True top tip: Exclusive tour guides with private transport are notoriously expensive (for good reason). To keep the cost down, have your guide travel with you on public transport, teaching you how to navigate its major cities as you learn about their colourful history.
The starting point for most Japanese trips, Tokyo offers a seemingly unlimited choice of culture, entertainment and dining. Spend 4 or 5 days immersing yourself in its diverse neighbourhoods, from the historic Shitamachi district, which harks back to Edo times, to Shinjuku where the stylish mingle with salarymen at Golden Gai, a cluster of tiny bars and pubs that perfectly capture the essence of Tokyo’s postwar nightlife. Enter the ancient world of Sumo wrestling with a visit to a heya or stable where wrestlers spend years training before witnessing them in action at the Ryogoku Kokugikan stadium. Stop by the Senso-ji temple, where locals gather around its incense-burning cauldron—said to benefit good health—and marvel at its 5-storey pagoda and specialty shops lined along the nearby Nakamise-dori shopping street. Travellers hoping to avoid the crowds should arrive early, but even those with a passing interest in Japanese culture will find plenty to enjoy here.
Consider Japan’s second city a time capsule of geishas, samurais and kabuki. Though its 17 World Heritage sites, including the iconic Kinkaku-ji Temple, serve as timeless reminders of the country’s history, it’s in early spring when Kyoto truly comes alive. Widely regarded as the sakura (cherry blossom) capital of the country, the pastel-hued blanket that envelops the city is truly something that must be seen to be believed. The same can be said for its food, especially at the 400-metre long Nishiki Market. Gaze at its 100-plus stalls stacked high with local delicacies, including pufferfish sashimi and grilled eel skewers. Sample kintoki carrots and Kyoto-grown kamo-nasu aubergines along the way and experience dining at its finest at Sojiki Nakahigashi, where freshly foraged mountain vegetables make up its Michelin-star menu.
Parting the Earth and sky with remarkable symmetry, rising 3,776 metres above sea level, Mount Fuji will stop you in its tracks. Omnipresent across much of Honshu, including Tokyo, Yokohama and the Pacific, the snow-covered peak is a venerated pilgrimage site and sacred symbol of Japan. Set your sights on its summit, which can be reached over the course of 2 days, or marvel at it from the comforting confines of a relaxing ryokan or hot spring resort in nearby national parks. From the picturesque Fuji Five Lakes region, you can fish, boat, float, hike and camp all within view of the summit, and in the small city of Fujiyoshida, get that all important shot from one of the country’s most famous viewpoints, the five-storied Chureito Pagoda.
It’s easy to get caught up in Japan’s major cities, especially on your first visit, which is why we recommend taking a few days in between at its smaller, slightly off-the-beaten-track towns. Tucked away in the Japanese Alps and shrouded in centuries-old traditions, Takayama offers a window into Japan’s rich Edo history. Spend a morning immersing yourself in its beautifully preserved old town, Sanmachi Suji, exploring it by traditional rickshaw. And an afternoon at Hida Folk Village, home to dozens of traditional Edo gassho-zukuri farmhouses and a museum full of ancient artefacts. The highlight of this alpine town, however, are its bi-annual festivals, which see dozens of yatai (festival floats) make their way down the river and onto land for shrine parades. Ranked one of Japan’s 3 most beautiful festivals, it is certain to impress.
One of the draws of visiting Japan is staying in its accommodation offerings. As diverse as the country itself, spanning rustic ryokans and remote onsens to high-tech hotels, it offers up the opportunity to immerse yourself in all facets of Japanese life. Known as omotenashi, it reflects a deeply rooted cultural ethos; an unspoken commitment that no detail is too minor if it enhances the guest experience. It is a microcosm of the country itself and something you’re guaranteed to feel in any of the country’s hotel options.
It’s in ryokans (Japanese-style inns) where you’ll feel omotenashi the strongest. Once coaching inns where feudal lords and their samurai would stay on their way to Tokyo (Edo) to visit the shogun, their interior paper walls (shoji), tatami flooring, futons and ornate alcoves (tokonoma) are now a symbol of traditional Japanese hospitality. Watch staff lay out and pack away your futon bed every morning and evening, don the traditional dress—a yukata (casual kimono) and wooden sandals—and indulge in a kaiseki dinner, a multi-course meal known for its meticulous preparation and emphasis on seasonal flavours.
Ryokans often come with onsens (natural hot springs); a millennium-old practice and tradition where locals of all ages come to relax the mind and body. Follow their strict etiquette and you’ll probably find it one of the most restorative experiences.
If you’re planning on pairing urban lights with scenic, countryside heights, you’ll most likely find yourself bedding down in a minshuku. Typically located around hot springs, in smaller cities, by the sea or high in the mountains, they are considered the rural ryokan, complete with Japanese-style tatami rooms, futon beds and Japanese-style baths. But unlike their cosmopolitan counterparts, minshuku tend to offer a more basic style of accommodation, often with shared toilet facilities and breakfast service only. Book a night at a shakubo (temple lodgings), which offer a similar level of comfort, and experience life as a Buddhist monk. Dine with them, sampling their staples such as konnyaku (devil’s tongue jelly) and koyadofu (freeze-dried tofu), and participate in morning prayers.
Experience Japan’s penchant for the ultra-modern in its cities’ sky-reaching, design-led hotels. Slip into soulful slumbers in Janu Tokyo, home to a 4,000 square-metre, 4-floor spa and enjoy the view at Palace Hotel Tokyo, where sprawling rooms, large balconies and a moat-side terrace offer unparalleled views over the Imperial Palace and its gigantic garden.
True top tip: pepper nights at ryokans between stays at Western-style hotels. You’ll appreciate the varied dining options, modern amenities like room service, toiletries and laundry, along with Western beds—especially after a few nights on a futon.
With 9 Shinkansen lines stretching across Hokkaido, Honshu and Kyushu, Japan is a nation connected by tracks. Taking a bullet train is a given and an essential part of your Japanese adventure (as their name suggests, they are by far the quickest way to get around). Even those who don’t consider themselves train enthusiasts will find something captivating about the experience. Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto (known as the country’s ‘Golden Route’), where you’ll be treated to the scenic smorgasbord of Mount Fuji, Lake Hamana and the historic Kiyosu Castle, where Oda Nobunaga famously began his quest for dominance. On the Hokuriku Shinkansen, which connects Tokyo to Tsuruga via endless rice fields and views over the Sea of Japan, it’s all about high-altitude adventure in cities like Nagano and the Japanese Alps, perfect for hiking or spotting its resident snow monkeys.
The fun doesn’t stop once you step onto the platform though. Stop in Kanazawa and board the sightseeing train, Hanayome Noren, which runs north to Wakura Onsen and treats guests to a masterclass in hospitality; local and seasonal Kaga meals, a distinctive crimson interior featuring rotating seats and walls adorned with artful Hokuriku-inspired designs.
If you’re visiting Japan in autumn, you’ll arrive just in time for momijigari. Similar to spring’s hanami ‘flower viewing’, this seasonal tradition centres around the appreciation of changing maple leaves, and is best seen from above. Journey east of Nagano to Niigata’s Hakkaisan Ropeway where a 7-minute cable car ride over Mount Hakkai and its crimson carpet of endemic trees awaits. Or venture south of Kanazawa to experience koyo ‘red leaves’ on four wheels along the spectacularly sinuous Hakusan Shirakawago White Road. Stop on route at its many waterfalls, riverside hot spring and scenic hiking trails. Offering superlative-stupefying views and experiences that other few tourists experience, it’s a reminder that travel is truly about the journey.
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