Japan
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Sky Ariella is a professional writer from New York with an insatiable craving for exploring the world. After a post-college adventure around 6 Asian countries, she dove head-first into a writing career and travel lifestyle. Sky currently lives in Mexico City with her dog Bear. When she’s not whipping up content for Travel Lemming, she writes for Booking, Zippia, and her blog.
Why We Love Japan: Japan is a country of beautiful contrasts with futuristic aspects and traditional features. It’s a very tourist-friendly destination that makes it easy for foreigners to experience everything. Century-old temples, robot-run hotels, some of the best food on the planet, and more – it’s all waiting in Japan. Best of all, it’s possible to explore Japan whether you’re a budget or luxury traveler. The legendary activities, hospitable culture, and culinary scene has made Japan one of the most-visited places in the world.
Best of Japan
🏙️ Destinations
Japan is home to some of the most famous cities in the world and each of them has something unique to offer visitors:
- Tokyo – Tokyo is the bustling capital of Japan with a population of more than 14 million residents. [Source]
- Kyoto – This city is famous for its 1,600 temples and cultural attractions, such as the Fushimi Inari Gates.
- Osaka – Osaka is the food capital of Japan and best known for having a lively nightlife scene.
- Kobe – A solid day trip from Kyoto or Osaka that’s renowned for its high-quality beef and beautiful onsen spas.
- Hiroshima – This city overcame tragedy to become a scenic destination where dishes like Okonomiyaki were created.
✨ Things to Do
Enjoy a wide range of attractions in Japan from visiting cultural sites to eating local cuisine and getting lost in the video game culture.
- Visit Senso-Ji Temple – The oldest temple in Tokyo with over 1,300 years of history at the end of Nakamise Shopping Street.
- Meet the deers in Nara – A city less than an hour from Kyoto where visitors can feed and interact with friendly, free-roaming deer.
- Walk through Fushimi Inari – A spiritual mountain hike through a shrine with around 10,000 bright red Torii gates.
- Party in Dotonbori – An Osaka entertainment district with neon signs, street food, and plenty of nearby bars and clubs.
- Play games in Akihabara – A Tokyo neighborhood distinguished for its electronic shops, anime culture, and massive arcades.
For more, see our complete guides to things to do in Tokyo and Kyoto.
🗺️ Where to Stay
Every Japanese neighborhood provides a drastically different flavor than even its close neighbors. There are party-heavy districts and peaceful, budget-friendly areas to choose from:
- Shinjuku, Tokyo – A lively neighborhood with many accommodations and inviting nightlife that’s excellent for solo travelers.
- Namba, Osaka – A centrally-located district right next to the city’s famous Dotonbori Canal.
- Nakagyo, Kyoto – An ideal area for first-time visitors in the middle of Kyoto near a variety of attractions from local markets to castles.
- Asakusa, Tokyo – A budget traveler’s dream with affordable hotels, restaurants, and cultural attractions.
- Sannomiya, Kobe – A district in the heart of the city with endless shops and restaurants for trying the local delicacy of Kobe beef.
For more, see my complete guides to where to stay in Tokyo, in Osaka, and in Kyoto.
🛎️ Best Hotels
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Japanese hotels go above and beyond to make their guests feel comfortable. While there are thousands of stellar hotels, these are a few of the best in the entire country:
- Imperial Hotel Tokyo – A luxurious 5-star hotel in the heart of Tokyo that’s great for a honeymoon with welcoming staff and a full spa.
- MOGANA – An elite hotel in the Nakagyo ward of Kyoto with large modern rooms and delicious breakfast.
- Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel – A high-end Shibuya hotel with top-notch views over Japan’s capital city.
- Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka – This central Osaka hotel has stunning rooms and useful amenities for an affordable price.
- Ryokan Motonago – A Michelin-recommended ryokan (traditional Japanese B&B) in Kyoto where you feel like part of the family.
🚗 Best Road Trips
Visitors can rent a car in Japan if they have their International Driver’s Permit (IDP) and there are plenty of road trip options:
- The Shikoku Pilgrimage – An ancient 1200 km (745 miles) route that brings you to 88 Buddhist temples across the Japanese island of Shikoku.
- Mount Fuji Region – The area around Mount Fuji provides plenty of cute towns and viewpoints to appreciate the iconic summit
- Rollercoaster Road – A very short route that includes a stretch of wavy road that makes it feel like you’re at a theme park.
- Venus Line – An 80 km (50 miles) journey that passes gorgeous natural attractions like Mt. Tateshina and Shirakaba Lake.
🌸 Best Spots For Blossom Season
From April to May, one of the most popular things to do in Japan is experience the colorful blossom season. Here’s where to go during blossom season:
- Himeji Castle – An elegant 15th-century fortress about 1.5 hours from Osaka that’s filled with cherry trees.
- Mount Yoshino – A UNESCO Site with thousands of cherry trees that turn the hillsides rosy during sakura season.
- Jōnangū Shrine – A small Shinto shrine with magical energy and gorgeous plum trees that turn pink during blossom season.
- Shinjuku Gyo-en – A 144-acre park with tons of plant species that’s one of the best places to see the bloom in Tokyo.
- Imperial Palace – This main home of the Emperor in Tokyo has sprawling gardens that are stunning in spring.
🕉️ Best Temples
Temples are a key piece of Japanese culture. They can be awe-inspiring for visitors who have never seen this type of intricate architecture before:
- Senso-Ji – This Tokyo temple is one of the oldest in all of Japan and it’s surrounded by cute shops.
- Kinkaku-Ji – A golden Buddhist temple in Kyoto that sits atop Mirror Pond. It’s a perfect photo spot in Japan.
- Kiyomizu-dera – A magnificent wooden temple on Mount Otowa with views over Kyoto and gorgeous foliage in the fall.
- Shitennō-ji – The biggest temple in Osaka that was built over 1,400 years ago and is renowned for its distinct ancient style.
⛰️ Best Mountains
Mount Fuji is Japan’s best known mountain peak. However, there are actually many gorgeous mountains across the country:
- Mount Fuji – As the famous and tallest mountain in Japan, it’s easy to find a tour around the Mount Fuji area.
- Mount Kita – The second highest mountain peak in Japan at 10,476 feet tall with lots of intermediate hikes.
- Mount Yufu – An active volcano with a wide range of hiking trails and hot springs.
- Mount Hakodate – A Hokkaido mountain with spectacular views over the nearby bay and city.
🎢 Best Theme Parks
Theme parks may not be the first activity that comes to mind on a trip to Japan. There are lots of family-friendly amusement parks across in the country, though:
- Tokyo Disney Resort – This Japanese variation of the iconic theme park was modeled after California’s Disneyland.
- Tokyo DisneySea – The only Disney park in the world that is based on ocean myths and it’s like entering a new world.
- Universal Studios Japan – This Osaka theme park is best known for its immersive Super Nintendo World.
- Fuji-Q Highland – An exciting amusement park with tons of rides for all ages and glimpses of Mount Fuji in the background.
Japan Travel Advice
🗓️ Best Time to Visit
Japan goes through all four seasons. Your experience will change drastically depending on what time of year you visit:
- 🍂 Fall – The changing leaves of autumn from mid-September to November makes this a beautiful time to visit.
- 🌞 Summer – Summer spans from June to early September and there are the most events during this season.
- ❄️ Winter – The winter from December to March is the cheapest time to visit Japan, but the weather is more unpredictable.
- 🌼 Spring – Late March through May is the best time to visit Japan. The weather is lovely and flowers are in full bloom.
🚌 Getting In & Around
There are hundreds of major cities and tiny towns to explore across Japan. There are plenty of different ways to access all of them:
- ✈️ Airports – The main international airports are Haneda and Narita in Tokyo and Kansai in Osaka.
- 🚗 Driving – Visitors can rent a car and drive if they hold a valid International Driving Permit.
- 🚇 Public Transit – Trains and buses are the best way to get around. Public transportation in Japan is efficient and affordable.
- 📲 RideShare – Go and Uber are the most popular rideshare apps in the country.
- 🚴♀️ Biking – Riding a bike is a common way to get around inside major cities and bike rentals are affordable.
- 🚶♀️ Walking – Even major cities like Tokyo are extremely walkable.
👉 Tips & Things to Know
- 🛂- You must carry your passport – Visitors are required to have their passport at all times [Source]. You can be detained if you do not have it.
- 🧳- Use luggage shipment – Hotels and convenience stores will ship your bags to your next hotel for less than $15 per bag depending on the size.
- 🚆 – Download a digital Suica card – Add a local public transit card to your Apple Wallet, so you can upload funds instantly and avoid long lines.
- 👠 – Wear slippers indoors – Wearing outdoor shoes inside is considered very taboo in Japan. Hotels will typically provide a pair of slippers.
- 💬 – Learn key phrases in Japanese – Knowing how to say thank you (arigato gozaimasu) and excuse me (sumi-masen) will get you far in Japan.
👉 Tips and travel hacks for Japan
🧳 What to Pack
- ☂️- Travel Umbrella – Japan’s rainy season is from May to July, but it can differ between regions. Be prepared as storms are common.
- 🎧- Headphones – Silence is expected on public transportation, so headphones will keep you entertained.
- 👟- Walking Shoes – The best way to experience Japan is on foot and you’ll need a pair of comfortable shoes for the task.
- 💊- Medications – While lots of over-the-counter meds are available in Japan, take anything you may need with you to avoid issues.
🤓 Facts & Info
- Population (2024) – 124 million
- Capital – Tokyo
- Language – Japanese
- Currency – Japanese Yen
- Largest Metro Areas – Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo
- Time Zone – Japan Standard Time (UTC +9)
- Airports – Narita International Airport (NRT), Haneda Airport (HND), Kansai International Airport (KIX), Chubu Centrair International Airport (NGO)
- Colleges & Universities – University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Osaka University, Nagoya University
- Nickname – The Land of the Rising Sun
- Demonynm – Japanese
- USPS Abbreviation – JP
💵 Costs & Budgeting
- Cost of Living Country Rank – #21 [Source]
- 3 Star Hotel Room – $105/night
- 1 Bedroom Apartment Rental – $100/night
- Rental Car – $50/day
- Public Transit Ticket – Depends on Distance Traveled (About $4 to Haneda Airport from Tokyo center)
- Take Out Meal for Two – $15
- Sit Down Dinner for Two – $30
- Draft Beer – $2.88
FAQs About Visiting Japan
Is Japan safe for tourists?
Japan is officially ranked as the 9th safest country on the planet. It is an extremely welcoming place to tourists and it’s completely safe to visit. However, you should still stay aware of your surroundings.
What does a US citizen need to travel to Japan?
United States citizens will need a valid passport and a return ticket or proof of onward travel to visit Japan. These are the main requirements as Americans are allowed to travel in Japan visa-free for up to 90 days.
Can I use my debit card in Japan?
Most visitors will be able to use their debit card to withdraw Japanese Yen at ATMs. The best place to do this is at convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Family Mart. This transaction will usually charge a foreign transaction fee depending on your bank.
Do you tip in Japan?
Tipping is not customary or expected in Japan. The offer may even be turned down in many circumstances because it can be seen as rude in Japanese culture.
Meet Our Japan Travel Expert
Sky Ariella
Sky Ariella is a professional writer from New York with an insatiable craving for exploring the world. After a post-college adventure around 6 Asian countries, she dove head-first into a writing career and travel lifestyle. Sky currently lives in Mexico City with her dog Bear. When she’s not whipping up content for Travel Lemming, she writes for Booking, Zippia, and her blog.
📰 Japan Travel Guides
Japan can be one of the easiest countries in the world to explore as long as you go to the country prepared. Don’t forget to read our more in-depth guides to make sure you know everything about traveling in Japan before your trip:
- 60 Best Things to Do in Tokyo (By a Local)
- Japan Packing List (26 Things You Might Forget to Bring)
- 45 Best Things to Do in Kyoto
- Where to Stay in Osaka (5 Best Places & Areas)
- Where to Stay in Kyoto (Best Places & Areas in 2026)
- Where to Stay in Tokyo (Best Places & Areas in 2026)
- The 26 Best Things to Do in Kanazawa
- Where to Stay in Kanazawa (5 Best Areas & Places)
- The Perfect Itinerary for One Week in Japan