Japan
Where ancient temples and bullet trains coexist in perfect harmonyA Country That Rewards the Curious Traveller
Japan is one of those rare places that manages to be completely unlike anywhere else on earth, yet still feels oddly familiar once you’re inside it. The country runs on a kind of clockwork precision — trains arrive to the second, convenience stores are genuinely convenient, and even the street food comes with an almost artistic level of care. Whether you’re walking through the bamboo groves of Arashiyama, slurping ramen in a tiny basement stall in Tokyo, or watching snow monkeys soak in hot springs in Nagano, the experience never stops surprising you.
What most people underestimate is how easy Japan is to navigate as a first-time visitor. English signage is widespread on train networks, locals go out of their way to help even with a language barrier, and the infrastructure is genuinely world-class. The trickier part is choosing where to go — Japan packs more distinct experiences per square kilometre than almost any other destination. Budget around 14–21 days if you want to cover the classics without feeling rushed, though a focused 10-day trip between Tokyo and Kyoto can be deeply satisfying on its own.
Japan Weather Month by Month
| Month | Temp °C / °F | Conditions | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2°C / 36°F | Cold, dry, occasional snow in Tokyo | Mixed |
| February | 3°C / 37°F | Cold, plum blossoms begin | Mixed |
| March | 8°C / 46°F | Cherry blossoms start mid-month | Best |
| April | 14°C / 57°F | Peak sakura, mild and sunny | Best |
| May | 19°C / 66°F | Warm, lush green, low crowds | Best |
| June | 23°C / 73°F | Rainy season begins, humid | Poor |
| July | 27°C / 81°F | Hot and very humid, festivals | Mixed |
| August | 29°C / 84°F | Peak heat, Obon festivals | Mixed |
| September | 24°C / 75°F | Typhoon risk, cooling late month | Mixed |
| October | 18°C / 64°F | Autumn colours begin, ideal weather | Best |
| November | 12°C / 54°F | Peak koyo (fall foliage), crisp | Best |
| December | 6°C / 43°F | Cold, illuminations, quieter crowds | Good |
6 Things You Have to Do in Japan
Walk the Fushimi Inari Trails
The thousands of vermilion torii gates winding up into the forested hills of Kyoto are genuinely breathtaking — and far more atmospheric if you go early morning or late afternoon when the tour groups have cleared. The full trail to the summit takes about 2–3 hours and the views over the city are worth every step.
Ride the Shinkansen
Japan’s bullet train network isn’t just transportation — it’s an experience. The Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka reaches 285 km/h while staying whisper-quiet and running to within seconds of its timetable. On a clear day you get a perfect view of Mt. Fuji out the right-hand window heading south.
Explore Osaka’s Food Scene
Osaka takes enormous pride in being Japan’s culinary capital — a claim that’s hard to argue with. Dotonbori is the flashiest corridor but the real eating happens in Shinsekai and the tiny tachinomi bars of Fukushima. Don’t leave without eating takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu at least once each.
Soak in an Onsen
A traditional Japanese hot spring bath is a ritual, not just a soak. Head to Hakone, Nikko, or Beppu for the best ryokan onsen experiences. The etiquette is simple: wash thoroughly before entering the communal bath, no swimwear, and no phones. The result is one of the most genuinely restorative experiences in travel.
Visit Hiroshima and Miyajima
The Peace Memorial Museum in Hiroshima is one of the most important — and moving — museums you can visit anywhere. Pair it with a ferry ride to nearby Miyajima Island, where the famous “floating” torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine sits at the water’s edge. The combination makes for one of Japan’s most memorable day trips.
Stay in a Ryokan
Splurging on at least one night in a traditional Japanese inn is worth every yen. You’ll sleep on a futon on tatami mats, be served an elaborate multi-course kaiseki dinner, and bathe in a private or communal onsen. It’s an immersion in a hospitality culture that has been refined over centuries.
Travel Guides for Japan
5 Travel Tips for Japan
Get a Suica or IC Card on Day One
A rechargeable IC card (Suica, Pasmo, or ICOCA depending on region) works on virtually every train, subway, and bus across Japan. You can also use it at convenience stores and vending machines. Tap in, tap out — no buying individual tickets at confusing machines. Load it at any station kiosk and top it up as needed.
Carry Cash — Japan Still Runs on It
Despite being a tech-forward country, many smaller restaurants, temples, and rural vendors in Japan are cash-only. 7-Eleven ATMs reliably accept foreign cards. Withdraw ¥30,000–50,000 at a time so you’re not hunting for an ATM every other day.
Book Popular Restaurants and Experiences Ahead
Ramen shops with queues, high-end sushi counters, teamLab exhibitions, and the Ghibli Museum all require advance booking — sometimes weeks out. Use Tableall, Pocket Concierge, or direct booking links. Don’t leave these to chance or you’ll spend your trip staring at “sold out” signs.
Respect the Quiet Culture in Public
Talking loudly on the phone on trains is considered very rude — switch to silent mode and save calls for the platform. The Japanese concept of ma (space and silence) is real and appreciated. Keep your voice low in quiet spaces, don’t eat while walking on busy streets, and never tip — it can cause genuine confusion or offence.
Download Google Maps Offline for Every City
Japan’s train system is famously complex. Download offline maps for Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka before you arrive. Google Maps handles Japanese transit routing well. The Hyperdia or Japan Official Travel App are also excellent for planning multi-leg train journeys with the Japan Rail Pass.