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Japan

Best time: Mar – May, Oct – Nov
Safety Level 1
Big CitiesHistoric

OVERVIEW

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.

WHEN TO GO

Recommended window: Mar – May, Oct – Nov

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
  • 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.

SEASONAL TRAVEL COSTS

Flight, hotel, and tour prices in Japan shift with demand, holidays, and weather. These windows usually mark the biggest savings and the steepest premiums.

Most affordable

Jan – Feb

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.

  • 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

Apr

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.

  • 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.

BEST KNOWN FOR

Tokyo

Capital

The world's largest metro area blends ancient shrines with bullet-train hubs linking Kyoto, Osaka, and the Japanese Alps.

  • 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

TOURIST HOT SPOTS

The regions and landmarks travelers visit most in Japan, with typical visit times, booking windows, and links to official tickets.

Tokyo

4 highlights

  • Senso-ji Temple

    Typical visit: 1-2 hours

    Book ahead: Free entry; visit early morning for fewer crowds.

    Senso-ji visitor info

  • Shibuya Crossing

    Typical visit: 1-2 hours

    Book ahead: Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.

    Find official tickets

  • Tokyo Skytree

    Typical visit: 1-2 hours

    Book ahead: Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.

    Find official tickets

  • Meiji Shrine

    Typical visit: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours

    Book ahead: Usually walk-in; modest dress required. Donations welcome at active worship sites.

    Find official tickets

Kyoto

4 highlights

  • Fushimi Inari Shrine

    Typical visit: 2-3 hours

    Book ahead: Free entry; full torii trail takes 2-3 hours round trip.

    Fushimi Inari info

  • Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

    Typical visit: 1-2 hours

    Book ahead: Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.

    Find official tickets

  • Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

    Typical visit: 1-2 hours

    Book ahead: Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.

    Find official tickets

  • Kiyomizu-dera

    Typical visit: 1-2 hours

    Book ahead: Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.

    Find official tickets

Osaka

4 highlights

  • Osaka Castle

    Typical visit: 2-3 hours

    Book ahead: Book timed entry 2-4 weeks ahead for popular palaces in peak season.

    Find official tickets

  • Dotonbori

    Typical visit: 1-2 hours

    Book ahead: Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.

    Find official tickets

  • Universal Studios Japan

    Typical visit: 1-2 hours

    Book ahead: Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.

    Find official tickets

  • Shitennoji Temple

    Typical visit: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours

    Book ahead: Usually walk-in; modest dress required. Donations welcome at active worship sites.

    Find official tickets

Hakone

4 highlights

  • Lake Ashi

    Typical visit: 1-2 hours

    Book ahead: Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.

    Find official tickets

  • Owakudani Valley

    Typical visit: 1-2 hours

    Book ahead: Check official hours; book 1-2 weeks ahead if timed entry applies in peak season.

    Find official tickets

  • Hakone Open-Air Museum

    Typical visit: 1.5-3 hours

    Book ahead: Book timed entry 1-2 weeks ahead for major museums; same-day often fine off-season.

    Find official tickets

  • Hakone Shrine

    Typical visit: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours

    Book ahead: Usually walk-in; modest dress required. Donations welcome at active worship sites.

    Find official tickets

PHRASES TO GET AROUND

Ten useful Japanese phrases with pronunciation guides and English translations. Save or screenshot this list before you go.

Japanese

  • Please

    お願いします

    Pronunciation: Onegaishimasu

  • Thank you

    ありがとう

    Pronunciation: Arigato

  • Yes

    はい

    Pronunciation: Hai

  • No

    いいえ

    Pronunciation: Iie

  • How much?

    いくらですか?

    Pronunciation: Ikura desu ka?

  • Where is the nearest restaurant or bar?

    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?

  • Where is the airport?

    空港はどこですか?

    Pronunciation: Kuko wa doko desu ka?

  • I need help

    助けが必要です

    Pronunciation: Tasuke ga hitsuyo desu

  • I need a hospital

    病院が必要です

    Pronunciation: Byoin ga hitsuyo desu

  • Call the police

    警察を呼んでください

    Pronunciation: Keisatsu o yonde kudasai

LOCAL CUSTOMS & ETIQUETTE

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.

Local 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.

Do

  • 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.

Do not

  • 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.

AIRPORTS

Tokyo Narita and Haneda, plus Osaka Kansai, receive most international visitors.

  • Narita International Airport

    NRT

    Narita, serving Tokyo

    From city center: 60 km (37 mi) east of central Tokyo

    Getting in: Narita Express reaches Tokyo Station in about 60 minutes

  • Tokyo Haneda Airport

    HND

    Tokyo

    From city center: 15 km (9 mi) south of central Tokyo

    Getting in: Keikyu and Tokyo Monorail reach the city quickly

  • Kansai International Airport

    KIX

    Osaka Bay

    From city center: 50 km (31 mi) southwest of central Osaka

    Getting in: Haruka train reaches Tennoji in about 45 minutes

GETTING AROUND

Japanese rely on JR and private railways, dense metro networks, and buses; taxis remain common where trains do not reach.

Trains

JR East

Japan Railways group runs shinkansen and regional lines nationwide.

Tickets & use: Use IC cards or buy tickets at station machines.

Visit JR East

JR Central

Tokaido Shinkansen and regional lines through central Japan.

Tickets & use: Reserve seats online or at JR ticket offices.

Visit JR Central

Subways & metro

Tokyo Metro

Underground network linking Tokyo wards and major hubs.

Tickets & use: Tap Suica or Pasmo cards at ticket gates.

Visit Tokyo Metro

Osaka Metro

City metro serving Osaka, Umeda, and Namba districts.

Tickets & use: Use ICOCA or single-ride tickets at gates.

Visit Osaka Metro

Buses & public transit

Japan Rail Pass

Visitor rail pass

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.

Tickets & use: Buy an exchange voucher before travel and activate in Japan; reserve seats for popular shinkansen departures.

View Japan Rail Pass

Toei Bus Tokyo

Public transit

Municipal buses fill gaps where trains do not reach in Tokyo.

Tickets & use: Pay with Suica, Pasmo, or cash on board.

Visit Toei Bus Tokyo

Ride share & taxi apps

Japan Taxi

Taxi app

Official taxi app aggregating licensed fleets in major cities.

Tickets & use: Book and pay through the Japan Taxi app.

Visit Japan Taxi

PRACTICAL TIPS

Before you book, read our Safety travel tips. That guide explains how to read U.S. State Department advisories (including Level 1 for Japan), register for STEP alerts, get embassy help abroad, and what to do if family at home cannot reach you.

  • 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.

MOVING OR STAYING LONGER

Visa rules and money basics for U.S. citizens thinking about a longer stay in Japan. Confirm current requirements with official immigration and consular sources before you move.

Visa & residence

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.

Official sources

Currency

Japanese yen (JPY · ¥)

Carry some japanese yen in cash for taxis and markets; card acceptance is strongest in major cities and tourist areas.

Convert USD to JPY

POPULAR ITINERARIES

Five ready-made day-by-day routes through Japan: classic highlights, beaches, countryside, and top monuments. Mix and match segments to fit your schedule.

5 daysBest for: Weekend warriors and short trips

Japan Highlights Express

Tokyo · Kyoto · Osaka

  • Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo

    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: Explore Kyoto

    Dedicate the day to Kyoto: main landmarks, neighborhoods, and a signature local experience before continuing your route.

  • Day 3: Osaka and farewell

    Spend your final day in Osaka visiting any missed sights, picking up souvenirs, and preparing for departure.

Full day discovering TokyoFull day discovering KyotoFull day discovering Osaka

Sample route for Japan. Adjust pacing to match your travel style and season.

7 daysBest for: Urban explorers and culture fans

Classic Japan

Tokyo · Kyoto · Osaka · Hakone

  • Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo

    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: Explore Kyoto

    Dedicate the day to Kyoto: main landmarks, neighborhoods, and a signature local experience before continuing your route.

  • Day 3: Explore Osaka

    Dedicate the day to Osaka: main landmarks, neighborhoods, and a signature local experience before continuing your route.

  • Day 4: Hakone and farewell

    Spend your final day in Hakone visiting any missed sights, picking up souvenirs, and preparing for departure.

Cover Tokyo and KyotoExplore OsakaExplore Hakone

Sample route for Japan. Adjust pacing to match your travel style and season.

5 daysBest for: Sun seekers, swimmers, and coastal road trips

Japan Beaches & Coast

Tokyo · Kyoto · Osaka

  • Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo

    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: Kyoto coast

    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: Osaka and farewell

    Enjoy a final beach morning in Osaka, visiting Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, Universal Studios Japan before you depart Japan.

Coastal day in TokyoCoastal day in KyotoCoastal day in Osaka

Sample route for Japan. Adjust pacing to match your travel style and season.

7 daysBest for: Nature lovers, hikers, and slow travel

Japan Countryside

Tokyo · Kyoto · Osaka · Hakone

  • Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo

    Reach Tokyo, drop bags at a rural stay, and take a short walk through nearby villages or trails to get oriented.

  • Day 2: Kyoto countryside

    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: Osaka countryside

    Explore Osaka at an easy pace: Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, Universal Studios Japan with a focus on open landscapes away from the crowds.

  • Day 4: Hakone and farewell

    Wrap up with a slow morning in Hakone, stopping at Lake Ashi, Owakudani Valley, Hakone Open-Air Museum before heading home.

Rural stop: TokyoRural stop: KyotoRural stop: Osaka

Sample route for Japan. Adjust pacing to match your travel style and season.

7 daysBest for: Sightseeing, history buffs, and first-time landmark hunters

Japan Monuments & Hot Spots

Tokyo · Osaka · Hakone · Kyoto

  • Day 1: Icons of Tokyo

    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: Osaka monuments

    Focus on Osaka's tourist favorites: Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, Universal Studios Japan with breaks for local food between sights.

  • Day 3: Hakone monuments

    Focus on Hakone's tourist favorites: Lake Ashi, Owakudani Valley, Hakone Open-Air Museum with breaks for local food between sights.

  • Day 4: Kyoto landmarks and farewell

    Catch any remaining must-sees in Kyoto, including Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, before your departure.

Must-see: Senso-ji TempleMust-see: Shibuya CrossingMust-see: Osaka Castle

Sample route for Japan. Adjust pacing to match your travel style and season.