Japan Travel – Frequently Asked Questions
Planning a trip to Japan often starts with a bout of excitement, with so many possibilities that feel easily accessible thanks to the country’s exceptionally efficient fast-train network.
It is common for first-time trips to include Tokyo and Kyoto, often as the two main points of entry and exit. The two are connected by the Shinkansen in about 2.5 hours, with trains departing every few minutes during rush hour. That same efficient transportation network often makes it possible to add a third destination, even on a week-long trip, with the usual suspects being Hiroshima, Nara, Osaka, or Hakone – places that can be worked into the itinerary even as day trips, or Nagasaki for those willing to wander a little further.
If you have more than a week in the country, that is when things, and the research phase, start getting a little more interesting, and also a bit more confusing. You quickly realize that this relatively small country is home to hundreds, if not thousands, of places worthy of a visit, ranging from hiking trails and hot springs to the countless small islands surrounding the main archipelago. Every choice starts to feel like giving up another equally tempting one.
Then there are the bigger questions: when is the best time to visit Japan (and whether summer is really that awful – spoiler alert: it is even worse than you think), alongside lighter ones, such as what books might help you better understand the country.
And then there’s the Shinkansen, Japan’s beloved fast-train network, run by five different companies, offering multiple pass options that are difficult to assess, alongside a web of intermediary booking sites that complicates things further.
In this post, I try to answer the most common Japan travel-related questions I receive, while sharing Japan travel tips drawn from both travel and everyday life here. Where relevant, I link to longer posts that explore each topic in more detail, and I recently put together an index of posts focused on Japan-trip planning. I hope you have a wonderful trip to Japan, and that once you land, you can finally leave most of the planning worries behind and just enjoy the experience.
When is the best time to visit Japan?
It is definitely not summer. The level of summer humidity in Japan, which usually starts in July after almost two months of a grueling rainy season (though this has been getting shorter and shorter each year), is unlike anything you have likely experienced before – even Singaporeans, one of the most humid countries on earth, complain. So, unless you plan to visit Hokkaido for mountain hiking or head down to Okinawa for a beach-type vacation, summer is not a good period for a sightseeing-heavy visit to Japan.
My favorite season in Japan is late November, thanks to the gorgeous fall colors that descend upon cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Kanazawa around this time, along with relatively mild, uneventful weather. However, given the rising popularity of kōyō (fall color viewing) in recent years, the season has become discouragingly expensive, almost at cherry-blossom period levels.
So if crowds and budget are a concern, I believe late February is another spectacular option, with fewer visitors, better hotel rates, plenty of snow in the northern regions, and cities like Tokyo and Kyoto basking in the winter sun, with the added bonus of plum blossoms, which can be just as spectacular as sakura.
For a more detailed, season-by-season analysis: When is the Best Time to Visit Japan?
How expensive is Japan, really?
You might have heard that Japan’s economy is not at its best. Since I know so little about economics, I’ll stick to the obvious: the Japanese yen is not at its strongest, making Japan a relatively affordable destination for people from countries with strong currencies, in a way that has overturned decades-long images of the country as one of the most expensive in the world (while it was not the case about a decade ago, Tokyo, where I live, is also now much more affordable than my home city – Istanbul).
In addition, Japan’s tourism sector has grown substantially over the last few decades, with more options designed to cater to independent and solo travelers. Hostel options are richer than ever and are no longer limited to major destination cities like Tokyo or Kyoto. With a little bit of research, you can find wonderful stays even in the most rural parts of the country (these are some of my favorite hostels in Japan).
Train passes (despite the steep price increase of the nationwide Japan Pass) have also evolved and become more heavily regionalized, with more affordable options suitable for almost all itineraries.
If your trip includes more remote destinations such as Okinawa or Hokkaido, Japan’s two main air carriers, ANA and Japan Airlines, also offer special visitor fares, often at heavily reduced prices (or even free when purchased with an international ticket) compared to their standard domestic flights.
For more on how to reduce your expenses in Japan, see: Traveling Japan on a Budget.
Do I need the Japan Rail Pass?
Most probably, no. The answer to this question before October 2023 would have been a very straightforward yes, as the price of the one-week nationwide Japan Rail Pass (which allows unlimited rides for a predefined period on all trains operated by Japan Rail, including Shinkansen — more on that below) was roughly equal to a round-trip Shinkansen ticket between Tokyo and Kyoto. But now, with the weekly pass starting at 50,000 Japanese yen for ordinary Shinkansen cars, you will have to work hard to make the cost worthwhile.
Friends who had recently visited for a month discovered that the price of the three-week Japan Rail Pass equaled the cost of individual tickets for their trip, which covered Tohoku all the way down to Kyushu. In other words, even for an ambitious, multi-region itinerary, the pass no longer offers the clear savings it once did, and careful route-by-route calculations have become unavoidable.
After the nationwide price increase of the Japan Rail Pass, regional passes (many of which also cover the Shinkansen, where available) have become the more sensible option for many travelers. The JR East Pass (replaced the JR East Tohoku Pass in March 2026), for example, has emerged as one of the most beloved passes in recent years, making travel through Japan’s most enigmatic region, Tohoku, far more affordable.
What is the Shinkansen, and is it worth using on a short trip?
The Shinkansen is Japan’s network of high-speed bullet trains operated by five different companies, connecting major cities across the country at speeds of up to 300 km/h, and it is worth using on almost any trip. Available on all main islands except for Shikoku, it is fast, reliable, and comfortable (quiet), and it takes you straight into the heart of your destination, unlike air travel. I usually prefer a five-hour Shinkansen ride to a one-hour flight, as the overall time trade-off is minimal once you factor in airport transportation and the general discomfort of flying.
So while the offerings of low-cost domestic carriers like Peach Air and Jetstar Japan may look very attractive, with ticket prices starting at 2,900 Japanese yen between Osaka and Tokyo, they come with the additional burden and cost of airport travel. Also, their flights usually depart from Narita Airport in Tokyo, which is a bit farther from the city than Haneda. There is also the downside of missing out on the Shinkansen experience – one of the country`s most beloved activities.
For a more detailed look at how the Shinkansen works and when it makes sense to use it, you can read my dedicated Shinkansen post, including information on regional passes that may, depending on your specific itinerary, be a better option for your trip than the nationwide pass.
Are Tokyo and Kyoto must-visit destinations for a first trip?
I live in Tokyo, and I adore it. But as a visitor, the city can feel overwhelming. It is vast and crowded, though exceptionally well-organized, and offers an almost endless number of choices. When I first visited Japan in 2012, I skipped Tokyo altogether and instead spent ten days in Kansai, based in Kyoto and taking day trips to places like Kurama/Kibune, Nara, Koyasan, and Osaka.
While I believe that Tokyo, despite being one of the largest metropolises in the world, still manages to remain unique in its subtle, understated ways (you can read my love letter to the city here), it does require a bit of planning for a first-time, sightseeing-focused visit. I usually suggest dividing your days by neighborhood and structuring them around a few anchor points, such as museums, temples, or well-known districts. This approach helps the city feel more manageable and allows you to make better use of your time.
As for whether one should visit Kyoto, my answer is a clear yes. Japan’s former capital, and its longest-serving one, inevitably attracts enormous interest and has become something of a poster child for overtourism. Still, I would find it difficult to place any other place I’ve experienced in Japan into a proper context without having seen Kyoto first. So, if this is your first trip to Japan, I think Kyoto should be included, even if only for a few days.
The good thing is that, despite the ever-increasing interest, the city and its surroundings offer enough variety to still find quieter experiences. One option I particularly recommend is the Kyoto Trail, an 80-kilometer network of hiking paths that circles the city through the surrounding hills and mountains, offering a very different perspective on the city’s landmarks.
Where should I go besides Tokyo and Kyoto?
Here, the choices are genuinely endless. I have been living in Japan for more than five years and travel around the country whenever I can, and there are still relatively “mainstream” destinations I haven’t yet visited. Still, if you have around two weeks in Japan, I think that, with a bit of careful planning, it is entirely possible to design an itinerary that includes historic cities, natural landscapes, hiking routes (including sections of well-known pilgrimage trails), rural areas, and even an off-the-beaten-path island. You can also easily work one or two side trips to your Kyoto and/or Tokyo-focused itinerary, picking from one of these easy-to-access options.
Beyond Tokyo and Kyoto, there are several alternative cities that offer depth without constant crowds. Kanazawa is compact and rich in traditional culture, from preserved samurai districts to one of Japan’s most celebrated gardens. Hirosaki and Matsumoto both center on striking original castles and offer easy access to nature, while Nagasaki stands out for its layered international history and lively culture, framed by its coastal setting.
If you want to enjoy Japan’s mountains (which cover 70% of its land), there are many easily accessible, not particularly demanding hiking trails (in addition to highly challenging ones).
For those interested in pilgrimage routes, the Shikoku 88-Temple Pilgrimage, at more than 1,000 kilometers, is best experienced over a longer trip. However, parts of the Kumano Kodo – the UNESCO-blessed pilgrimage route of Japan – are much easier to incorporate into a shorter itinerary. Several routes are accessible from the Osaka and Kyoto area and offer a strong sense of the pilgrimage experience in just a few days. On a recent two-week trip, friends spent a night along the Nakahechi Route of the Kumano Kodo, hiking over two days, and felt it was well worth the detour.
Japan is, after all, an island nation made up of tens of thousands of islands, large and small. Visiting one of these outer islands is also a wonderful alternative, offering a glimpse into a deeply rural side of the country, often accompanied by striking ocean scenery and, in some cases, dramatic mountain landscapes, as on Yakushima. In this post, I wrote about my favorite islands in Japan, including, of course, the ever-lovely Okinawa.
For a more destination-focused guide-style post, you can also see Japan Travel Guide: Islands, Hot Springs, Hiking Trails, and Cities.
What is an onsen, and why is it such a big part of traveling in Japan?
Onsen are natural hot springs, typically rich in minerals, that are used for bathing. The water is geothermally heated, emerging naturally from the ground, and its mineral composition is often believed to have therapeutic benefits. Bathing in an onsen follows a set of customs, such as washing thoroughly before entering the bath, and is more about relaxation than swimming.
Onsens are a big part of traveling in Japan because they are also a big part of daily life here, and they are immensely enjoyable. Thanks to the country’s geothermal nature, with its many active volcanoes, there are thousands of hot springs spread across Japan. Some regions, such as Kyushu, are particularly well known for their onsen culture, but every island and prefecture has its own hot spring areas.
If it fits your itinerary, I would highly recommend adding at least one night at an onsen ryokan in a dedicated hot-spring town. These stays often bring together some of the best elements of travel in Japan in a single night: attentive yet understated hospitality, seasonal local cuisine, and, of course, access to the hot springs themselves. Some of these facilities also feature rustic architecture, giving the experience the feeling of having stepped into a historical novel.
These are some of my favorite onsen experiences in the country, ranging from ocean-side baths to one accessible only to hikers, and including mixed-gender options (it is not as crazy as it sounds).
Planning a trip to Japan?
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Is the cherry blossom (sakura) season worth the crowds?
Cherry blossom season, sakura, which usually takes place in late March in Tokyo and Kyoto, has become increasingly unpredictable in recent years, with peak dates shifting by one to two weeks (for the frequently updated official Sakura Forecast). If the main purpose of your trip is to experience sakura, the weather gods may, unfortunately, disappoint you.
Visually, I tend to prefer the autumn foliage season over sakura, mainly because of the greater variety of colors, the trees, and the longer duration, with more chances and venues to enjoy the spectacular nature event with a little fewer crowds.
Having said this, and at the risk of stating the obvious, Tokyo and Kyoto (I last year visited Kyoto during the infamous peak sakura weekend and wrote about the experience here: Three-Day Sakura Trip to Kyoto) are far from the only places in Japan where you can experience cherry blossoms. Sakura appears in Okinawa as early as January, gradually moving north, reaching Hokkaido in May, and coloring the entire country along the way. So there is almost always a time and place to experience sakura in relatively less-crowded settings.
So my point is this: Sakura is beautiful, and the culture surrounding it, particularly hanami picnics and the collective sense of joy it brings to the country, are truly special. My only real hesitation lies in its unpredictability. If your travel dates are fixed and sakura is the main focus of your trip, things can get a little stressful.
What books help you understand Japan before you travel?
I would not be so bold as to say that truly understanding Japan is entirely possible; I am certainly not there myself. Still, these are some of the books that have helped me relate more deeply to my travel experiences and to everyday life here, and to uncover aspects of the culture I would not have grasped on my own or through observation alone.
Some of the books on this list, which are presented in geographical order, also make excellent travel companions and, in certain cases, even serve as informal destination guides: Reading Japan: From Hokkaido to Okinawa.
What should I know about dining in Japan?
I should probably start with a small confession: I am about as far from a foodie as one can get, though I did still attempt to write a post about some of my favorite eateries in Tokyo.
So while I will definitely not offer any advice on what to eat while visiting Japan, I can say that dining tends to be much easier and more enjoyable with a bit of advance planning. In cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, using apps such as Tabelog or TableCheck to plan some of your dinners, or even lunches, can make a real difference, as walk-in dining can sometimes feel unexpectedly stressful.
Dining spaces in Japan are often very small, which is part of their charm. Homes are also usually very compact, so many locals eat out frequently. As a result, popular restaurants fill up quickly, and many offer set lunch or dinner courses that need to be selected in advance. Knowing this ahead of time can save time and make the experience feel far more relaxed.
Also, while this is much less of an issue in Tokyo, many dining venues in Kyoto still operate on a cash-only basis, often with signs posted at the entrance – sometimes only in Japanese – so checking payment options in advance can be helpful.
These are some of my most commonly referred-to Japan travel tips, and I hope you have a wonderful trip to Japan and find the experience worth the trouble.
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Letters from Japan:
From the subscriber archive:
Hiking Kumano Kodo: the Nakahechi Route
Hiking Japan: From Okinawa to Hokkaido
Shibu Onsen and the Snow Monkeys of Nagano
Tohoku Onsen Hopping: Four Nights, Four Hot Springs
Tokyo Eateries: the Non-Gourmet Version
Autumn Colors Trip to Aomori: Itinerary Suggestion
Cycling the Shimanami Kaido in Two Days
Japan Trip Planning Q&A Series (three posts)
Winter Trip to Biei in Hokkaido (four posts)
Walking the Goto Islands (eight posts)
