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Asia / East Asia

Japan

Tokyo neon, Kyoto temples, and alpine onsen. As part of East Asia in Asia, Japan suits travelers drawn to big cities and historic. Use this guide to plan where to go, when to visit, and how to structure your days.

Japan

Start exploring.

Best time to visit: Mar – May, Oct – Nov

Tokyo

Tokyo pairs well with nearby highlights on a East Asia route through Japan.

Kyoto

Kyoto pairs well with nearby highlights on a East Asia route through Japan.

Osaka

Osaka pairs well with nearby highlights on a East Asia route through Japan.

Hakone

Hakone is a favorite stop for travelers exploring Japan, with plenty to see on foot or by local transit.

What it is known for
facts
  • Cherry blossom season hanami picnics in parks
  • Kyoto's geisha district and golden Kinkaku-ji
  • Mount Fuji views from Hakone and the Five Lakes
  • Tokyo neon districts of Shibuya and Shinjuku
  • Sushi, ramen, tempura, and kaiseki multi-course meals
key City
name
Tokyo
label
Capital
why
The world's largest metro area blends ancient shrines with bullet-train hubs linking Kyoto, Osaka, and the Japanese Alps.
Places to visit
  • area
    Tokyo
    attractions
    • name
      Senso-ji Temple
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Free entry; visit early morning for fewer crowds.
    • name
      Shibuya Crossing
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Tokyo Skytree
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Meiji Shrine
      duration
      45 minutes to 1.5 hours
      book Ahead
      Usually walk-in; modest dress required. Donations welcome at active worship sites.
  • area
    Kyoto
    attractions
    • name
      Fushimi Inari Shrine
      duration
      2-3 hours
      book Ahead
      Free entry; full torii trail takes 2-3 hours round trip.
    • name
      Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Kiyomizu-dera
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
  • area
    Osaka
    attractions
    • name
      Osaka Castle
      duration
      2-3 hours
      book Ahead
      Book timed entry 2-4 weeks ahead for popular palaces in peak season.
    • name
      Dotonbori
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Universal Studios Japan
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Shitennoji Temple
      duration
      45 minutes to 1.5 hours
      book Ahead
      Usually walk-in; modest dress required. Donations welcome at active worship sites.
  • area
    Hakone
    attractions
    • name
      Lake Ashi
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Owakudani Valley
      duration
      1-2 hours
      book Ahead
      Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.
    • name
      Hakone Open-Air Museum
      duration
      1.5-3 hours
      book Ahead
      Book timed entry 1-2 weeks ahead for major museums; same-day often fine off-season.
    • name
      Hakone Shrine
      duration
      45 minutes to 1.5 hours
      book Ahead
      Usually walk-in; modest dress required. Donations welcome at active worship sites.
Itineraries
  • title
    Japan Highlights Express
    duration
    5 days
    locations
    • Tokyo
    • Kyoto
    • Osaka
    highlights
    • Full day discovering Tokyo
    • Full day discovering Kyoto
    • Full day discovering Osaka
    best For
    Weekend warriors and short trips
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in Tokyo
      description
      Land in Tokyo, check into your stay, and take an easy orientation walk. Try a well-rated local restaurant to start your Japan trip.
    • day
      2
      title
      Explore Kyoto
      description
      Dedicate the day to Kyoto: main landmarks, neighborhoods, and a signature local experience before continuing your route.
    • day
      3
      title
      Osaka and farewell
      description
      Spend your final day in Osaka visiting any missed sights, picking up souvenirs, and preparing for departure.
  • title
    Classic Japan
    duration
    7 days
    locations
    • Tokyo
    • Kyoto
    • Osaka
    • Hakone
    highlights
    • Cover Tokyo and Kyoto
    • Explore Osaka
    • Explore Hakone
    best For
    Urban explorers and culture fans
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in Tokyo
      description
      Land in Tokyo, check into your stay, and take an easy orientation walk. Try a well-rated local restaurant to start your Japan trip.
    • day
      2
      title
      Explore Kyoto
      description
      Dedicate the day to Kyoto: main landmarks, neighborhoods, and a signature local experience before continuing your route.
    • day
      3
      title
      Explore Osaka
      description
      Dedicate the day to Osaka: main landmarks, neighborhoods, and a signature local experience before continuing your route.
    • day
      4
      title
      Hakone and farewell
      description
      Spend your final day in Hakone visiting any missed sights, picking up souvenirs, and preparing for departure.
  • title
    Japan Beaches & Coast
    duration
    5 days
    locations
    • Tokyo
    • Kyoto
    • Osaka
    highlights
    • Coastal day in Tokyo
    • Coastal day in Kyoto
    • Coastal day in Osaka
    best For
    Sun seekers, swimmers, and coastal road trips
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in Tokyo
      description
      Check in near the shore and take a relaxed walk along the waterfront. Swim or sunbathe if conditions allow, then settle into a seaside dinner in Tokyo.
    • day
      2
      title
      Kyoto coast
      description
      Spend the day on Kyoto's shoreline: Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, with time for cafés, boat trips, or sunset views.
    • day
      3
      title
      Osaka and farewell
      description
      Enjoy a final beach morning in Osaka, visiting Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, Universal Studios Japan before you depart Japan.
  • title
    Japan Countryside
    duration
    7 days
    locations
    • Tokyo
    • Kyoto
    • Osaka
    • Hakone
    highlights
    • Rural stop: Tokyo
    • Rural stop: Kyoto
    • Rural stop: Osaka
    • Rural stop: Hakone
    best For
    Nature lovers, hikers, and slow travel
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Arrive in Tokyo
      description
      Reach Tokyo, drop bags at a rural stay, and take a short walk through nearby villages or trails to get oriented.
    • day
      2
      title
      Kyoto countryside
      description
      Explore Kyoto at an easy pace: Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Arashiyama Bamboo Grove with a focus on open landscapes away from the crowds.
    • day
      3
      title
      Osaka countryside
      description
      Explore Osaka at an easy pace: Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, Universal Studios Japan with a focus on open landscapes away from the crowds.
    • day
      4
      title
      Hakone and farewell
      description
      Wrap up with a slow morning in Hakone, stopping at Lake Ashi, Owakudani Valley, Hakone Open-Air Museum before heading home.
  • title
    Japan Monuments & Hot Spots
    duration
    7 days
    locations
    • Tokyo
    • Osaka
    • Hakone
    • Kyoto
    highlights
    • Must-see: Senso-ji Temple
    • Must-see: Shibuya Crossing
    • Must-see: Osaka Castle
    • Must-see: Dotonbori
    best For
    Sightseeing, history buffs, and first-time landmark hunters
    days
    • day
      1
      title
      Icons of Tokyo
      description
      Start in Tokyo with Senso-ji Temple, Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Skytree, buying timed tickets ahead when possible and finishing with a walk through the historic center.
    • day
      2
      title
      Osaka monuments
      description
      Focus on Osaka's tourist favorites: Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, Universal Studios Japan with breaks for local food between sights.
    • day
      3
      title
      Hakone monuments
      description
      Focus on Hakone's tourist favorites: Lake Ashi, Owakudani Valley, Hakone Open-Air Museum with breaks for local food between sights.
    • day
      4
      title
      Kyoto landmarks and farewell
      description
      Catch any remaining must-sees in Kyoto, including Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, before your departure.
When to go & typical weather
summary
March through May and October through November showcase Japan at its best, with cherry blossoms or autumn maples framing temples in Kyoto and Tokyo. Mild temperatures suit walking tours, onsen towns, and hiking in the Japanese Alps without summer humidity or typhoon disruption.
typical Weather
Tokyo Mar-May/Oct-Nov: highs 15-24°C (59-75°F), lows 6-16°C (43-61°F), 90-120 mm rain. Kyoto similar. Hokkaido: 5-10°C cooler. Okinawa Oct-Nov: highs 26-28°C (79-82°F), warm sea.
details
  • Golden Week (late Apr-early May) and Obon (mid-Aug) spike domestic travel.
  • Jun-Jul rainy season (tsuyu) brings daily showers; Aug-Sep typhoons hit south and coast.
  • Jan-Feb is cold but ideal for Sapporo snow festival and powder skiing in Nagano.
  • Cherry blossom peak shifts northward Mar-Apr; fall color peaks Oct-Nov in Tohoku.
most Affordable
period
Jan – Feb
summary
Post-New Year winter lull offers Japan's best hotel value when Tokyo and Kyoto discount between holiday peaks and before cherry blossom season surge.
details
  • Tokyo hotels discount 30-40% in Jan-Feb after New Year.
  • Kyoto ryokan offer winter promotions.
  • JR Pass utilization easier with less crowded trains.
  • ANA and JAL fares often lowest in late January.
most Expensive
period
Apr
summary
Cherry blossom season and Golden Week drive Japan's highest hotel and transport prices when Kyoto and Tokyo rooms sell out at peak hanami demand.
details
  • Cherry blossom peak (late Mar-Apr) Kyoto hotels sell out at premium rates.
  • Golden Week (late Apr-early May) spikes nationwide travel demand.
  • Osaka and Tokyo accommodation equally expensive during sakura peak.
  • Shinkansen reserved seats scarce and pricier in peak weeks.
Airports & arrivals
summary
Tokyo Narita and Haneda, plus Osaka Kansai, receive most international visitors.
airports
  • name
    Narita International Airport
    code
    NRT
    location
    Narita, serving Tokyo
    distance From Center
    60 km (37 mi) east of central Tokyo
    transfer Note
    Narita Express reaches Tokyo Station in about 60 minutes
  • name
    Tokyo Haneda Airport
    code
    HND
    location
    Tokyo
    distance From Center
    15 km (9 mi) south of central Tokyo
    transfer Note
    Keikyu and Tokyo Monorail reach the city quickly
  • name
    Kansai International Airport
    code
    KIX
    location
    Osaka Bay
    distance From Center
    50 km (31 mi) southwest of central Osaka
    transfer Note
    Haruka train reaches Tennoji in about 45 minutes
Getting around
overview
Japanese rely on JR and private railways, dense metro networks, and buses; taxis remain common where trains do not reach.
trains
  • name
    JR East
    description
    Japan Railways group runs shinkansen and regional lines nationwide.
    ticketing
    Use IC cards or buy tickets at station machines.
  • name
    JR Central
    description
    Tokaido Shinkansen and regional lines through central Japan.
    ticketing
    Reserve seats online or at JR ticket offices.
ferries
    subways
    • name
      Tokyo Metro
      description
      Underground network linking Tokyo wards and major hubs.
      ticketing
      Tap Suica or Pasmo cards at ticket gates.
    • name
      Osaka Metro
      description
      City metro serving Osaka, Umeda, and Namba districts.
      ticketing
      Use ICOCA or single-ride tickets at gates.
    public Transit
    • name
      Toei Bus Tokyo
      kind
      public
      description
      Municipal buses fill gaps where trains do not reach in Tokyo.
      ticketing
      Pay with Suica, Pasmo, or cash on board.
    ride Share
    • name
      Japan Taxi
      kind
      taxi-app
      description
      Official taxi app aggregating licensed fleets in major cities.
      ticketing
      Book and pay through the Japan Taxi app.
    Rail passes
    name
    Japan Rail Pass
    description
    All-in-one pass for foreign tourists on JR trains nationwide, including many shinkansen routes, airport links, and selected buses and ferries operated by JR.
    ticketing
    Buy an exchange voucher before travel and activate in Japan; reserve seats for popular shinkansen departures.
    Currency
    code
    JPY
    name
    Japanese yen
    symbol
    ¥
    note
    Carry some japanese yen in cash for taxis and markets; card acceptance is strongest in major cities and tourist areas.

    Convert your travel budget ↗

    Visas & official entry links
    Local customs
    summary
    Japan values harmony, queue discipline, and seasonal ritual, from bowing to shoe removal. Cities are precise; rural onsen towns have strict bath rules. Speaking quietly on transit is a near-universal expectation.
    customs
    • Bow slightly when greeting in service settings.
    • Remove shoes where genkan entry areas or tatami rooms indicate.
    • Onsen bathing requires full rinse before entering shared pools.
    dos
    • Carry cash; many small shops are cash-first.
    • Use IC cards for trains and buses in major cities.
    • Say sumimasen and arigato in shops and restaurants.
    • Queue orderly for trains, elevators, and popular restaurants.
    • Carry a modest wrap for onsen tattoos if required by facility rules.
    donts
    • Do not talk loudly on phones in trains and buses.
    • Do not tip at restaurants; it can confuse staff.
    • Do not stick chopsticks upright in rice bowls.
    • Do not eat while walking in formal shopping streets in Kyoto.
    • Do not fly drones in crowded urban areas without registration.
    Useful travel phrases
    language
    Japanese
    phrases
    • english
      Please
      local
      お願いします
      pronunciation
      Onegaishimasu
    • english
      Thank you
      local
      ありがとう
      pronunciation
      Arigato
    • english
      Yes
      local
      はい
      pronunciation
      Hai
    • english
      No
      local
      いいえ
      pronunciation
      Iie
    • english
      How much?
      local
      いくらですか?
      pronunciation
      Ikura desu ka?
    • english
      Where is the nearest restaurant or bar?
      local
      一番近いレストランかバーはどこですか?
      pronunciation
      Ichiban chikai resutoran ka ba wa doko desu ka?
    • english
      Where is the airport?
      local
      空港はどこですか?
      pronunciation
      Kuko wa doko desu ka?
    • english
      I need help
      local
      助けが必要です
      pronunciation
      Tasuke ga hitsuyo desu
    • english
      I need a hospital
      local
      病院が必要です
      pronunciation
      Byoin ga hitsuyo desu
    • english
      Call the police
      local
      警察を呼んでください
      pronunciation
      Keisatsu o yonde kudasai
    Longer stays
    visa Summary
    U.S. citizens may enter Japan visa-free for tourism and short business stays, typically up to 90 days depending on passport type. Work visas, spouse visas, highly skilled professional visas, and permanent residence require employer or family sponsorship and residence card registration. Japan adjusts visa categories and income thresholds periodically, so confirm with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Services Agency.

    Practical tips.

    • Buy a JR Pass or regional rail pass before arrival if you plan long-distance shinkansen trips during a short visit.
    • Carry cash because many ramen shops, shrines, and rural inns still do not accept credit cards.
    • Reserve popular restaurants and teamLab tickets online because walk-in waits can exceed two hours in Tokyo.
    More travel tips ↗

    Locate Japan.

    Location map of Japan

    Before you go.

    Check current entry requirements and travel conditions with official sources before booking. Read the current U.S. State Department advisory for Japan ↗