Japan
Japan's appeal lies in contrasts that sit side by side: Kyoto's temples and Tokyo's neon, cedar-lined pilgrim trails and bullet trains that leave to the minute, conveyor-belt sushi and multi-course kaiseki. Mount Fuji, Hiroshima and the Japanese Alps fit a two-week first trip, and superb public transport makes travelling independently remarkably easy.
Overview
Japan's classic first trip follows the shinkansen line along the so-called Golden Route: Tokyo, then Hakone or the Fuji Five Lakes for views of Mount Fuji, then Kyoto with day trips to Nara and Osaka, and on to Hiroshima and the island of Miyajima. Two weeks covers it comfortably. Return visitors branch out to Takayama, Kanazawa and the Alps, the Kumano Kodo trails on the Kii Peninsula, the art islands of the Seto Inland Sea, Hokkaido's powder snow and summer flower fields, or Okinawa's subtropical beaches. The country stretches about 3,000 km, so pick regions rather than racing.
Travel feels effortless: trains are punctual, streets are spotless and convenience stores sell good food around the clock. A weaker yen has made Japan better value for British visitors than its reputation suggests, with business hotels from around £60 a night and set lunches under £10, though Kyoto prices climb steeply in cherry-blossom and autumn-leaf seasons. Crowds concentrate at famous sights; arrive early, or step one street away, and they thin dramatically. Signage is bilingual in cities, but English is limited in the countryside. Many are struck by how quiet public spaces are, even at rush hour.
Map of Japan
Top 5 highlights
- 1Sacred site
Kyoto's temples and shrines
Around 1,600 temples and hundreds of shrines: walk Fushimi Inari's tunnels of vermilion torii at dawn, see the gold-leafed Kinkaku-ji and Kiyomizu-dera's wooden stage, and wander Gion's lanes in the evening.
- 2Nature
Mount Fuji
Japan's highest peak at 3,776 metres. Most visitors admire it from Lake Kawaguchiko or Hakone, clearest in winter; the summit trails open from July to early September for an overnight climb to watch sunrise.
- 3History
Hiroshima and Miyajima
The Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome and museum tell the story of 6 August 1945 with restraint and power. A short ferry ride away, Itsukushima Shrine's great torii appears to float at high tide.
- 4Architecture
Shirakawa-go
A UNESCO-listed village of steep-roofed thatched gassho-zukuri farmhouses in the mountains of Gifu; stay overnight in one to see it after the day-trippers leave, and combine with Takayama's old merchant quarter.
- 5Adventure
Kumano Kodo
Ancient pilgrimage trails through the cedar forests of the Kii Peninsula, linking the three Grand Shrines of Kumano; walk the Nakahechi route over several days, sleeping in family-run inns with hot-spring baths.
Biggest cities
Tokyo
The world's largest metropolis feels like a string of villages: Asakusa's temples, Shibuya's crossing, Shinjuku's izakaya alleys and old-fashioned Yanaka. Easy for first-timers and worth four days at least.
Osaka
Japan's kitchen, louder and looser than Tokyo, with street food in Dotonbori and Kuromon Market. A cheaper base for Kyoto, Nara and Kobe, all within an hour by train.
Nagoya
An industrial city many skip, but Nagoya Castle's rebuilt Hommaru Palace, Atsuta Shrine and the Toyota museums reward a stop, and it is the gateway to Takayama and the Kiso Valley.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Japan
Best time: Mar–May, Oct–Nov.
Average climate in Tokyo
Festivals & events
- FebSapporo Snow Festival
For a week in early February, Odori Park and the Susukino district fill with huge snow and ice sculptures, illuminated after dark, alongside stalls selling Hokkaido seafood.
- Mar–AprCherry blossom season (hanami)
From late March, sakura bloom sweeps north through the country; join locals picnicking beneath the trees in Tokyo's Ueno Park or along Kyoto's Philosopher's Path.
- JulGion Matsuri
Kyoto's month-long festival peaks with the Yamaboko Junkō parades on 17 and 24 July, when towering wooden floats are hauled through the city centre by teams of men.
How much does Japan cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Sushi
Vinegared rice topped with raw fish; nigiri at a counter is the pinnacle, but kaiten-zushi conveyor-belt chains serve excellent fish at a fraction of the price.
Ramen
Wheat noodles in broth that changes by region — Fukuoka's milky tonkotsu pork, Sapporo's miso, Tokyo's soy-based shoyu — often ordered from a ticket machine by the door.
Okonomiyaki
A savoury cabbage pancake grilled on a hotplate: Osaka mixes everything into the batter, while Hiroshima layers it with noodles and a fried egg.
Getting around
The shinkansen makes Japan easy: Tokyo to Kyoto takes about 2 hours 15 minutes, and trains depart to the minute. The nationwide Japan Rail Pass rose steeply in price in 2023, so compare it with single tickets or regional passes. Load a Suica or ICOCA card, or its phone-wallet version, for metros, buses and convenience stores. Cheap domestic flights reach Hokkaido and Okinawa, and hiring a car suits rural Hokkaido and the Alps.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- AB100V — bring a UK-to-A/B adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +81
- Time zone
- UTC+9 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the left
- Tipping
- Tipping isn't customary and can cause confusion; good service is simply expected. Upmarket ryokan and restaurants may add a service charge to the bill.
- Etiquette
- Remove shoes where you see a raised step or slippers, keep phone calls off trains, don't eat while walking along busy streets, and never stand chopsticks upright in rice.
- Main airports
- Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND), Tokyo; Narita International Airport (NRT), Tokyo; Kansai International Airport (KIX), Osaka
Visas & entry for Japan
Shown for a British passport.
Visa on arrival
You can get a visa on arrival in Japan for tourism or business for up to 90 days. You do not need to apply before you travel.
If you need a multiple-entry visa, you must ask the immigration officials when you arrive.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- DengueHepatitis BJapanese encephalitisBat LyssavirusTick-borne encephalitis
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Japan
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Tue 3 Nov 2026 | Culture Day |
| Mon 23 Nov 2026 | Labour Thanksgiving Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Mon 11 Jan 2027 | Coming of Age Day |
| Thu 11 Feb 2027 | Foundation Day |
| Tue 23 Feb 2027 | Emperor's Birthday |
| Sun 21 Mar 2027 | Vernal Equinox Day |
| Mon 22 Mar 2027 | Substitute Holiday |
| Thu 29 Apr 2027 | Showa Day |
| Mon 3 May 2027 | Constitution Day |
| Tue 4 May 2027 | Greenery Day |
| Wed 5 May 2027 | Children's Day |
| Mon 19 Jul 2027 | Marine Day |
| Wed 11 Aug 2027 | Mountain Day |
| Mon 20 Sep 2027 | Respect for the Aged Day |
| Thu 23 Sep 2027 | Autumnal Equinox Day |
| Mon 11 Oct 2027 | Sports Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Japanese
| English | Japanese | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | こんにちは | kon-nee-chee-wah |
| Thank you | ありがとうございます | ah-ree-gah-toh go-zai-mass |
| Please | お願いします | oh-neh-gai shee-mass |
| Excuse me | すみません | soo-mee-mah-sen |
| How much is this? | これはいくらですか？ | koh-reh wah ee-koo-rah dess-kah |
Know before you go
- Cards are widely accepted in cities, but rural inns, shrines and small restaurants can be cash only; 7-Eleven and Japan Post ATMs reliably accept foreign cards.
- Send big suitcases between hotels with a luggage-forwarding (takkyubin) service; on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu shinkansen, oversized bags need a reserved seat with luggage space.
- Avoid Golden Week (late April to early May), Obon (mid-August) and New Year if you can, when Japanese families travel en masse and trains and hotels fill up.
Japan travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Japan?
The best time to visit Japan is generally Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Peak months are March, April, May, October and November. Average highs in Tokyo range from 10°C to 31°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Japan cost per day?
Roughly £60 a day on a tight budget, £130 mid-range and £280+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Japan?
Japanese yen (JPY).
What plug type does Japan use?
Type A and B sockets at 100V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Japan?
Traffic drives on the left in Japan — the same as in the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Japan?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for Japan?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can get a visa on arrival in Japan for tourism or business for up to 90 days. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Japan before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/japan/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Japan?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Dengue, Hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, Bat Lyssavirus and Tick-borne encephalitis sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
