Everything you should know before visiting Japan

Japan’s popularity is rising again post-Covid, with tens of millions every year visiting the mix of old, new, and futuristic in Tokyo; World Heritage sites in the ancient capital Kyoto; Hakone’s hot springs, ryokan inns, and the majestic Mount Fuji. Beyond those classic destinations, you could travel to Shikoku to visit the contemporary art islands in the Seto Inland Sea or embark on lesser-known experiences, such as hiking the Michinoku Coastal Trail in Tohoku and horse riding in the volcanic landscape of Aso-Kuju National Park in Kyushu. Japan has something for everyone!  

Best time to visit Japan

Spring: Cherry blossoms briefly turn much of Japan pink from late March to mid-April. In Tokyo, picnic under the sakura in Ueno Park or take a laid-back stroll along the blossom-lined Meguro River. For hanami (flower viewing) in a traditional setting, head north to Akita for Kakunodate’s old samurai district or visit Aomori, where the delicate blossoms engulf Hirosaki Castle.

Summer: As Japan settles in for several months of hot and sticky weather, the festival season kicks into high gear. Tokyo’s Sumida River Fireworks display in late July is one of the capital’s highlights. In early August in Aomori, giant paper-covered floats are paraded for the week-long Nebuta Matsuri. In Tokushima, thousands of colorfully dressed dancers take to the streets for the Awa-Odori in mid-August. 

Autumn: Take in the fiery-red and golden-yellow koyo (autumn leaves) from a piping-hot onsen bath in Jozankei Onsen or an open-air seat on the scenic Kurobe Gorge Railway in Toyama. For a long fall foliage trek, hikers can head to Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido or summit the 5,606-foot Mount Daisen in Tottori.  

Winter: In early February, visit the city of Sapporo in Hokkaido for the giant ice sculptures of the Snow Festival, then warm up with the city’s miso ramen and spicy soup curry. Fifty-five miles away, the powder snow of Niseko provides some of Japan’s best skiing and snowboarding. 

(Related: The essential guide to visiting Japan’s Kyushu island.)

Key areas to explore in Japan

Cities: Experience old Tokyo with a stroll around the retro Yanaka neighborhood or visit Meiji Jingu Shrine. Explore the contemporary side of the city at fashionable Omotesando (dubbed Tokyo’s Champs Elysees) or the futuristic teamLab galleries. As one of the planet’s finest foodie destinations, don’t miss Tokyo’s sushi, ramen, and high-end kaiseki. In Kyoto, the gilded Kinkaku-ji Temple and torii gateway-covered paths of Fushimi Inari Shrine are two of the former capital’s must-see (and most visited) World Heritage sites. However, there’s plenty to experience away from the crowds, including the quiet fishing village of Ine in Kyoto’s north and lesser-visited temple complexes like Myoshin-ji and its pretty gardens.

North: Pack your hiking boots and go backpacking on the Michinoku Coastal Trail, a 621-mile route that runs along jagged clifftops, sandy beaches, and pretty fishing ports in the less-crowded Tohoku region. Inland, follow in the footsteps of haikuist Matsuo Basho with a hike to the mountaintop temple of Yamadera. 

East: Traditional ryokan inns, hot-spring baths, and close-up views of Mount Fuji make Hakone a popular side trip from Tokyo. Walk between the beautifully preserved Edo-era (1603-1868) villages of Magome and Tsumago on the remains of the road that once connected Kyoto and Tokyo. 

West: Visit Hiroshima for the A-Bomb Dome memorial of the nuclear attack in 1945 and the “floating” Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island. Pedal the scenic Shimanami Kaido cycle route across a network of bridges connecting Japan’s main island with less-visited Shikoku. Take a ferry to Naoshima in the Seto Inland Sea for a cutting-edge collection of contemporary art venues and installations. 

South: Island hopping in Okinawa offers white-sand beaches, coral reef dives, mangroves, and the distinct Ryukyuan culture, shaped during the 450 years Okinawa was an independent kingdom called Ryukyu. In Kyushu, head to Aso-Kuju National Park to hike and go horseback riding on one of Japan’s most active and beautiful caldera volcanoes, Mount Aso.

(Related: The essential guide to visiting Japan’s Hokuriku region.)

Taste of Japan

Ramen
Japan’s favorite comfort food comes in various guises. Some ramen aficionados give top rank to Hakata ramen in Fukuoka for its combination of pork bone broth and thin, yet firm noodles. For others, that accolade goes to the miso-rich broth of Sapporo-style ramen. You’ll find local takes on ramen as far and wide as Wakayama, Tokushima, Hakodate, Kitakata, Okinawa, and many places in between.

Sushi
Like ramen, sushi is a varied affair. On a budget, kaitenzushi (conveyor belt sushi) chains such as Sushiro and Kura deliver a fun experience and great cost performance, while the wallet-breaking, high-end sushi includes 20 sushiya in Tokyo alone with Michelin stars. 

Head to a department store food floor—like the basement of Mitsukoshi in Tokyo’s Nihonbashi district—where sushi isn’t just a nigiri of rice topped with seafood. Chiraizushi features chopped sushi toppings scattered over a bed of rice. Makizushi is thin rolls of rice and sushi filling wrapped with toasted nori seaweed, and oshizushi has slices of fish (like mackerel) tightly pressed in a box of vinegared rice. 

(Related: The essential guide to visiting western Japan.) 

Getting around 

By train: Japan Railways operates high-speed bullet trains between many of the main cities and offers money-saving rail passes for overseas travelers. Purchase rail tickets at stations or online at Eki-net. Travel time from Tokyo to Kyoto is just over two hours, while Tokyo to Hiroshima is four hours. 

By plane: There are domestic flights between Haneda Airport and regional hubs, including New Chitose Airport in Sapporo and Naha in Okinawa.

By car: If you’re only visiting the big cities, stick to the highly efficient public transport. For exploring rural areas where trains and buses are limited, you should consider renting a car from companies like Nippon Rent-a-Car and JR Rent-a-Car. An international driver’s license is required, and remember, motorists drive on the left.

Know before you go  

Languages: Japanese is the official language. English is increasingly spoken in the main cities and tourist areas. 

LGBTQ+: Same-sex couples cannot legally marry in Japan, but there are no laws against same-sex relationships. Shinjuku Ni-chome in Tokyo is the largest LGBTQ+ neighborhood in Japan, with several hundred bars, clubs, and restaurants. In June, Tokyo Pride is the country’s largest event for the LGBTQ+ community and allies. Osaka, Japan’s third-largest city, has a website (visitgayosaka.com) dedicated to LGBTQ+ travelers.

(Related: Everything you should know before visiting northern Japan.)

How to visit Japan sustainably

Outdoors:  The 34 National Parks of Japan cover almost six percent of the country, protecting endangered wildlife and delicate ecosystems. When you visit, stay on designated trails, take your litter home, and follow other local rules to help keep the parks pristine.

SDGs: Japanese businesses are increasingly referencing the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, though look out for greenwashing or box-ticking. Businesses that are making genuine sustainable efforts tend to list the specific SDGs they are targeting and detail the exact measures they are taking to reach their goal(s).

Shopping: Artisans across Japan produce a vast range of traditional arts and crafts, including ceramics, lacquerware, textiles, and woodwork. For authentic, high-quality crafts, look for products marked with the government’s Designated Traditional Craft logo.

Dining: With sushi, remember the 4-S rule. Eating seafood that’s small, silver, seasonal, or shellfish has a lower impact. Bluefin tuna and freshwater eel are best avoided. Before visiting animal cafes where you can pet cats, dogs, and other animals, be aware that the industry has a poor track record for animal welfare.

(Related: What locals love about Japan.)