Japan is a diverse and exciting travel destination, with everything from neon-lit megacities and all-night karaoke to the tranquility of rural temples and ski slopes piled high with light, dry powder. Calm geisha and serene temples. Mount Fuji and the steaming hot springs. There is no shortage of contrasts and dramatic moments in Japan. Where else can you go shopping in a skyscraper in the morning and then spend the afternoon relaxing with snow monkeys in a forest?
For most tourists, the real decision isn’t whether or not they should travel; rather, it’s how to make the most of their time there. Fortunately, it’s less complicated than you might imagine. Japan is easy to get around in because it has good public transportation (the bullet train is famous all over the world), cheap restaurants, and a lot of signs in English. It meets the needs of solitary adventurers as well as families with young children in terms of cleanliness and security. And despite its high cost of entry, it is possible to accomplish this on a tight budget.
Regulations for entering countries and other travel limitations
Japan has been slow to reopen its borders following the COVID-19 outbreak. However, depending on your reason for traveling, immunization status, and recent travel history, there may still be additional requirements to meet before entering the country as a tourist. Read up on the most recent information at gov. uk before making any plans.
While many Japanese regulations preventing or severely limiting interaction with COVID-19 have been loosened, keeping one’s distance and hiding one’s identity remain popular. Locals should advise tourists. If you’re sick, cover your nose and mouth.
The country of Japan is ideal during any time of year. Located across 25 degrees of latitude, from the far northern Hokkaido to the far southern subtropical Okinawa, Japan has a wide range of temperatures and sceneries, making it difficult to recommend a single time of year as the best.
Summers are hot and muggy (with typhoons in August and September), while winters are moderate. The Alps are one such region that receives a lot of snow during the winter. However, the cherry blossom season can be expensive and the blooming dates might vary across the country. The autumn foliage in October and November is just as stunning, lasting a little longer and being less noisy. The middle of January through the beginning of March is the cheapest period to visit most of the country.
Most Notable Areas & Metropolitan Areas
Tokyo
Tokyo, the nation’s capital, is the best place to start a trip to Japan, and with good reason: it’s a neon-lit, the sprawling metropolis that has all the frantic energy you’d expect from a major Japanese city. Shinjuku is home to karaoke bars that are open around the clock, world-class shopping in Shibuya and Ginza, and the offbeat arcades of Akihabara. Try the £5 ramen at the little diner in the railway station, or spend £300 on omakase (chef’s choice) sushi in a peaceful tatami-mat-lined restaurant. feeling overwhelmed? Day trips to the beach town of Kamakura, the alpine town of Nikko, or the onsen (hot springs) capital of adjacent Hakone are all doable from the city. The famed Japanese mountain, Mount Fuji, is also easily accessible by bullet train.
Kyoto
Kyoto, the country’s other must-see city, can be reached from Tokyo by bullet train in just under three hours. It’s a real step back in time, with its antique temples and shrines, narrow lanes lined with cozy teahouses, and graceful geishas. There are about 2,000 in the city proper, and the quietest, most out-of-the-way ones generally have the most enchanted atmosphere.
Hiroshima
Further, Hiroshima may bring to mind images of the atomic bombing in 1945, but the city has recovered and is now a low-key cultural hub with much to offer visitors. The Peace Memorial Museum and the eerie Atomic Bomb Dome are must-see attractions, but with some challenges. Most visitors also make a pilgrimage to Miyajima, home to one of Japan’s most recognizable shrines and a World Heritage Site. Many a postcard features the floating red torii gate. The nearby Shimanami Kaido bike trail is 70 kilometers long and connects six islands in the Seto Inland Sea to Shikoku, a green island with many old temples.
Osaka
Osaka, another large city with a pulsating restaurant culture and several museums, is less than 30 minutes away from Kyoto. Nara, the ancient capital not far away, is reminiscent of Kyoto in its abundance of historic temples and quaint old buildings, as well as its mischievous population of roaming deer.
Naoshima
Naoshima, a rural island in the Seto archipelago, is a popular destination for art enthusiasts thanks to its collection of internationally renowned contemporary art galleries, sculptures by Yayoi Kusama, and ground-breaking buildings designed by Tadao Ando.
Shikoku
Shikoku is the perfect destination for ecotourists thanks to its lush vegetation, hidden temples, rope bridges, and waterfalls.
Alps in Japan
The Japanese Alps are a must-see during the winter months. Gifu prefecture’s wooden cottages could have been stolen from Switzerland, while Tayakama’s historic district smells like freshly brewed sake. There are hot springs where you may soak while looking out at snow monkeys playing and snow-capped mountains. Meanwhile, ski enthusiasts can enjoy the reliably powdery slopes of Nagano’s Olympic courses.
Kyushu
The southern island of Kyushu is rarely visited by those who have never been there before. Even fewer people travel to the Kunisaki Peninsula in the country’s extreme northeast, which is poorly connected to the rest of the country via train. On the other hand, they’re missing out. Covered in bamboo gardens and forests, this mountainous volcanic peninsula is home to a number of old religious structures, including temples and massive Buddhist carvings. In order to get the most out of your time there, you’ll need to be a confident driver or work with a tour group like Walk Japan (walkjapan.com) that can set up your transportation.
Islands of Okinawa, Japan
The Okinawan islands are a group of tropical islands off the southern coast of Japan, closer to Taiwan than to Tokyo. Vacation resorts dominate the larger islands, although the Yaeyama group remains completely undeveloped. Mangrove-covered Iriomote Island is a tropical wilderness of peaks and waterfalls and the last refuge of a little, critically endangered wildcat. They just named it a Unesco World Heritage Site. When compared to this, Taketomi Island is more rural and beachy, with water buffalo and weaving centers that produce beautiful handmade goods.
Tohoku
After the devastating tsunami of 2011, tourism in Tohoku, on northern Japan’s main island of Honshu, declined. But it has everything a tourist could desire from a Japanese vacation: charming historic districts, breathtaking natural beauty, delicious local cuisine, and lively festivals (festivals). Ginzan Onsen, located in Yamagata, is a picturesque hot springs town with old inns and a waterfall that is 22 meters high. Meanwhile, trekkers will love Miyagi’s Genbikei Gorge. You may go skiing in Appi Kogen or Zao in the winter, while in the spring you can take a stroll through the samurai village of Kakunodate, admiring the weeping cherry trees. This is without the swarms of foreigners that plague Tokyo and Kyoto.
Ideal Courses of Action
Singing karaoke in the Japanese capital
Tokyo’s karaoke scene has become legendary for a reason. It’s abundant, inexpensive, and private, with booths rather than tables, so no one needs to worry about being watched. You may expect to spend anything from $10 to $50 per person, give or take, at any given karaoke establishment, at any given time of day, for as many people as you bring. On weekdays during the day, costs might drop to as little as £1-2 for 30 minutes.
Book a stay at a ryokan
When visiting Japan, staying in a ryokan, or traditional inn is a must if you want to get a true taste of the country’s past. You’ll stay in a tatami-matted room on a fold-out futon, wear a yukata robe about the house, and eat authentic, multi-course Japanese meals (sometimes served inside your room). Onsen, or Japanese hot springs, may be found in many ryokans and are also highly recommended. Take aware that there is no clothing allowed in the shower, men and women use separate facilities, and most tattoos are frowned upon.
Consume through kaiten
The Japanese culinary tradition is among the world’s most extensive and varied. A visit to a kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi bar, however, should top your list of culinary “musts.” The food is reasonably priced and of high quality, and customers can serve themselves with the help of color-coded plates that indicate the cost of each item. In Tokyo’s most inexpensive restaurants, a meal for two can be had for £10–£15.
A Method of Transportation in Japan
Unless you’re headed to the subtropical island of Okinawa, flying within Japan is probably not worth the cost because of the excellent high-speed rail system. A Japan Rail Pass (japanrailpass.net) will provide you with unlimited rides on the country’s major rail networks outside of Tokyo.
Getting There
Both Haneda and Narita, the city’s two airports, get direct flights from throughout the world. The former is closer to Shinjuku and Shibuya, two of the city’s most popular neighborhoods. Before the epidemic, direct flights to Osaka were also an option; whether or when they are reinstated remains to be seen. If you’re looking for a nonstop flight, I recommend British Airways, Japan Airlines (JAL), or Asiana Airlines (ANA).
Hints for reducing expenses
Usually located beneath large department stores, the Depachika is a culinary paradise for bargain hunters. Sushi, onigiri (rice balls), yakitori (skewers), and more high-end Japanese cuisine are available at low prices. Even at the more affordable conbini (convenience stores) like Family Mart, 7-Eleven, and Lawson, you can find excellent choices.
Interesting Facts That You Never Knew About Japan
How’s the weather today, if you happen to know?
Tokyo has a diverse climate, from warm winters to scorching summers. As an example, the southern Okinawan islands are subtropical whereas the Alpine highlands have heavy snowfall throughout the winter. Plan your bags around your travel schedule.
Where does one find out what time it is?
The time zone offset is nine hours from GMT. There is no transition to DST in Japan.
What kind of money do I require?
Currency of Japan; yen. Despite the rise of digital payment systems, cash is still often utilized. The ATMs in convenience stores typically accept foreign cards.
Where do you speak?
Japanese. English is commonly spoken in urban areas and other popular tourist spots.
Travelers to Japan sometimes feel anxious about potentially offending locals due to the country’s complicated culture. In reality, you do not expect to be an expert, so try to calm yourself. There are, however, a few things to keep in mind: refrain from using your phone while on public transportation. You shouldn’t eat or smoke during your walk.