Japan

Why Japan

Japan is one of those places that genuinely surprises people. Everyone expects the neon and the bullet trains, but nobody warns you about the small stuff. The convenience stores that serve better food than most restaurants in other countries. The fact that every single train arrives exactly on time. The way a bowl of ramen at a tiny counter shop in a basement can be one of the best meals of your life. It is expensive compared to the rest of Asia but the quality of everything you touch, eat, and experience is on another level.

Most first timers split their time between Tokyo and Kyoto, which is the right call. They are connected by a bullet train that takes two hours and fifteen minutes, and together they cover the two sides of Japan that people come for: the hyper-modern and the deeply traditional. If you have more than ten days, adding Osaka and a day trip to Hiroshima rounds out the picture.

Where to Stay

Tokyo

Tokyo is massive and the train system is how you navigate it. Pick a neighbourhood near a major line and you can reach anywhere in the city within 30 minutes. Shinjuku is the most popular base. Huge station hub, good nightlife, easy access to everywhere. Hotels run $60 to 120 a night for mid-range. Shibuya is similar but skews younger with better shopping and the famous scramble crossing. Asakusa is the traditional side of Tokyo near Senso-ji temple. Cheaper accommodation and a more local feel. Great for first timers who want a quieter base. Akihabara is the electronics and anime district. Niche but fun if that is your thing.

Budget travellers should look at capsule hotels ($25 to 40 a night) which are a uniquely Japanese experience and surprisingly comfortable. Business hotels like Toyoko Inn or APA Hotel offer small but clean rooms for $50 to 70.

Kyoto

Kyoto is smaller and more walkable than Tokyo. Downtown (Kawaramachi/Gion) puts you near the geisha district, Nishiki Market, and most of the central temples. Hotels here cost $50 to 100 a night. Near Kyoto Station is practical for day trips to Nara and Osaka but less atmospheric. Arashiyama on the western edge is where the bamboo grove is. Staying there means you can visit before the crowds arrive at 8am, which is worth it.

Traditional ryokans (Japanese inns) are worth at least one night. Expect tatami floors, futon beds, communal baths, and multi-course kaiseki dinners. Budget ryokans start around $80 a night per person including dinner and breakfast.

Things to Do

Tokyo

Tsukiji Outer Market (the inner market moved to Toyosu) is still the best food walk in Tokyo. Fresh sushi, tamagoyaki, grilled seafood skewers, all eaten standing at tiny counters. Go before 10am. Meiji Shrine in Harajuku is a forested oasis in the middle of the city. Free entry, peaceful even on busy days. Walk through Takeshita Street afterwards for the contrast. Teamlab exhibitions are immersive digital art spaces. Borderless or Planets, either one is worth booking ahead. Golden Gai in Shinjuku is a maze of over 200 tiny bars, most seating six to eight people. Some have cover charges, most do not. Just pick one that looks interesting and sit down. Akihabara for electronics, retro gaming, and manga. Even if you are not into anime, the multi-floor arcades are genuinely fun.

Kyoto

Fushimi Inari Shrine is the one with thousands of orange torii gates winding up a mountain. The full hike takes about two hours. Most tourists turn around after the first viewpoint, so the higher you go, the quieter it gets. Free entry, open 24 hours. Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) is exactly what it looks like in photos. Small grounds, worth 30 minutes. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is stunning but packed by mid-morning. Visit at 7am or skip it. Nishiki Market is a covered food market with matcha everything, pickles, mochi, and grilled octopus. Good for lunch grazing. A tea ceremony is worth doing once. Several places in Gion offer authentic experiences for 2,000 to 4,000 JPY.

Day Trips

Nara is 45 minutes from Kyoto by train. Famous for the 1,200 free-roaming deer in the park and Todai-ji temple which houses one of the largest bronze Buddhas in the world. Easy half-day trip. Osaka is 15 minutes from Kyoto by bullet train (or 30 by local). Go for the food. Dotonbori is the main strip with takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes), and kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers). Osaka is arguably the best food city in Japan. Hiroshima is a longer day trip (two hours by bullet train from Kyoto) but the Peace Memorial Museum is one of the most impactful experiences in the country. Combine it with a ferry to Miyajima Island and its floating torii gate.

Getting Around

Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) is the big decision. A 7-day pass costs about 50,000 JPY and covers unlimited travel on most JR trains including bullet trains. If you are doing Tokyo to Kyoto return plus day trips, it pays for itself. If you are staying in one city, skip it and buy individual tickets. Check the calculator at japan-guide.com before deciding.

IC Cards (Suica/Pasmo) are rechargeable tap cards that work on all trains, subways, and buses in every major city. Buy one at any station. You can also use Apple Pay or Google Wallet as a virtual IC card now. Essential for daily getting around.

Within Tokyo: The subway and JR lines cover everything. Google Maps works perfectly for route planning with real-time schedules. Taxis exist but are expensive (starting fare around 500 JPY). Walking and cycling are underrated options in most neighbourhoods.

Within Kyoto: Buses are the main public transport. They can be slow in traffic so renting a bicycle is often faster and more enjoyable. Kyoto is flat and compact enough that cycling between temples works well.

Best Time to Visit

Cherry blossom season (late March to mid April) is the most popular time. The trees bloom for about two weeks and the whole country celebrates. It is beautiful but expensive and crowded. Book accommodation three to four months ahead. Autumn colours (mid November to early December) are equally stunning with red and gold maples across Kyoto’s temples. Less crowded than cherry blossom season.

The sweet spots are late April to May and October to mid November. Pleasant weather, manageable crowds, and reasonable prices. Summer (June to August) is hot and humid, especially in Tokyo and Kyoto. Winter (December to February) is cold but quiet, with great deals on accommodation and the bonus of skiing in Hokkaido or Nagano.

Budget Guide

Japan has a reputation for being expensive. It can be, but it does not have to be. The weak yen has made it significantly more affordable since 2022. Daily costs in USD:

Japan is still heavily cash-based outside of major chains. Carry yen. 7-Eleven ATMs accept all international cards and are everywhere. Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) are a genuine budget hack. Fresh onigiri for 150 JPY, solid bento boxes for 400 to 600 JPY, and surprisingly good coffee. Currency is Japanese Yen (JPY), roughly 150 JPY to 1 USD at time of writing.

Quick Tips

• Visa: Most Western passports get 90 days visa-free on arrival. No paperwork needed.
• SIM / WiFi: Pocket WiFi rental is the classic option (about $5 a day, pick up at the airport). eSIMs through providers like Ubigi or Airalo work well too.
• Tipping: Do not tip. Anywhere. It can actually cause confusion or offense. Service is included in the culture.
• Shoes: You will be removing your shoes constantly. Temples, ryokans, some restaurants, fitting rooms. Wear shoes that slip on and off easily.
• Tattoos: Many onsen (hot springs) and public baths still ban visible tattoos. Some have relaxed the rules but check ahead. Private onsen are always an option.
• Quiet: Keep your voice down on trains. Phone calls on public transport are considered rude. Eating while walking is also frowned upon.
• Trash cans: There are almost none. Carry a small bag for your rubbish. Convenience stores have bins you can use if you buy something.
• Toilets: The heated seats and bidet functions are real and they are life-changing. The buttons are usually labeled in English.