Destination guide

Japan trip planner

Neon cities, ancient temples, and the world's most obsessive food culture.

From Tokyo's crowded crossings to Kyoto's quiet gardens, Japan rewards travelers who plan carefully. Trains run on time, seasons matter, and reservations open the best experiences.

Plan my Japan trip See Pro

Canonical: https://haienaplan.com/destinations/japan

Best time to visit

Mar–May (cherry blossoms) or Oct–Nov (autumn leaves)

Currency

Japanese Yen (¥)

Language

Japanese

Top experiences in Japan

Tokyo neighborhoods

Shibuya, Shinjuku, Asakusa, Harajuku — each a different city inside one.

Kyoto temples & Arashiyama

Fushimi Inari's torii gates, the bamboo grove, and Gion at dusk.

Osaka street food

Dotonbori takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and late-night kushikatsu counters.

Mt. Fuji & Hakone

Onsen towns with lake views and ropeway rides across sulfur valleys.

Average temperatures in Japan

Tokyo — humid summers, mild dry winters.

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	10° / 50°F	11° / 52°F	14° / 57°F	19° / 66°F	23° / 73°F	26° / 79°F	30° / 86°F	31° / 88°F	27° / 81°F	22° / 72°F	17° / 63°F	12° / 54°F
Low	2° / 36°F	2° / 36°F	5° / 41°F	10° / 50°F	15° / 59°F	19° / 66°F	23° / 73°F	25° / 77°F	21° / 70°F	15° / 59°F	9° / 48°F	4° / 39°F

Temperatures shown in °C (with °F). Averages based on long-term climate normals for the country's main hub.

Sample itinerary

Days 1–3: Tokyo — Shibuya, Asakusa, teamLab, day trip to Nikko.
Day 4: Shinkansen to Hakone for onsen and Fuji views.
Days 5–7: Kyoto — Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, Gion walking tour.
Day 8: Nara — deer park and Todai-ji temple.
Days 9–10: Osaka — Dotonbori food crawl, castle, fly home.

Foods to try

SushiRamenTonkatsuOkonomiyakiTakoyakiMatcha dessertsYakitoriWagyu

Getting to Japan

Most travelers fly into Tokyo (Narita NRT or Haneda HND). Haneda is closer to the city; Narita has more budget carriers. Kansai (KIX) near Osaka/Kyoto is a great second entry point for a Kyoto-first trip. Consider an open-jaw ticket (into Tokyo, out of Osaka) to skip a backtrack.

Getting around

Shinkansen (bullet trains)

Fast, punctual, and comfortable. Tokyo–Kyoto is ~2h15m. A JR Pass pays off if you're doing 2+ long rides in 7 days.

Local metro & JR lines

Tokyo and Osaka are metro-dense. Use a Suica or Pasmo IC card — tap in and out on every train, bus, and convenience store.

IC card & Google Maps

Google Maps is astonishingly accurate for Japanese transit down to platform and exit numbers.

Taxis

Clean, honest, but expensive. Useful late at night when trains stop around midnight.

Where to stay

Tokyo — Shinjuku or Shibuya

Best for first-timers: nightlife, shopping, and major train hubs.

Tokyo — Asakusa

Traditional side of Tokyo, cheaper hotels, near Sensō-ji temple.

Kyoto — Gion / Higashiyama

Walking distance to temples, ryokan (traditional inns), and geisha districts.

Hakone or Kawaguchiko

Onsen ryokan with Mt. Fuji views — book a room with a private open-air bath.

Daily budget guide

Budget

¥8,000–12,000

Hostels or capsule hotels, convenience-store meals, ramen shops, and IC card transit.

Mid-range

¥18,000–28,000

3-star hotel, one izakaya dinner a day, museum entries, and a shinkansen leg or two.

Luxury

¥50,000+

Ryokan with kaiseki dinner, sushi omakase, and first-class shinkansen (Green Car).

Rough per-person, per-day estimates excluding flights.

Culture & etiquette

Take off shoes when entering homes, ryokan, and many temples.
Don't tip — it can be seen as rude. Excellent service is standard.
Keep your voice low on trains, and don't eat while walking.
Cash still rules at temples and small shops; use conbini ATMs (7-Eleven, Lawson).
In onsen, wash thoroughly before entering the bath, and tattoos may be restricted.

What to pack

Slip-on shoes (constant on/off at temples and ryokan)Compact umbrellaPortable Wi-Fi or eSIMHandkerchief (many restrooms lack paper towels)Modest cover-up for templesReusable chopsticks & tote bagType A plug adapter (100V)

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Japan?

10–14 days is ideal: 3–4 in Tokyo, 3–4 in Kyoto with day trips to Nara/Osaka, and 2–3 for Hakone/Fuji or Hiroshima. First-timers often try to cram too much — better to slow down.

Is Japan expensive?

Less than you'd expect. Ramen is ¥900, convenience-store meals are excellent and cheap, and clean budget hotels start around ¥8,000. Splurges (kaiseki, wagyu) can be pricey.

Do I need to speak Japanese?

Not really. Signs and menus in tourist areas have English, Google Translate's camera mode handles the rest. Learning 'sumimasen' (excuse me) and 'arigatō' goes a long way.

Is the JR Pass still worth it?

After the 2023 price hike, it only pays off for 2+ long shinkansen rides in 7 days (e.g. Tokyo–Kyoto–Hiroshima round trip). For a single Tokyo–Kyoto leg, individual tickets are cheaper.

When do cherry blossoms bloom?

Late March to early April in Tokyo/Kyoto, later in the north. Bloom shifts yearly — check forecasts in February and stay flexible.

Travel tips

Buy a JR Pass before arrival if you're doing multiple shinkansen rides.
Cash still matters — carry ¥10,000 for temples, small shops, and taxis.
Book high-demand restaurants (Ichiran, kaiseki, teamLab) weeks ahead.
Get a Suica or Pasmo card for local trains, buses, and vending machines.

Ready-made Japan itineraries

Day-by-day plans you can copy into haienaplan and tweak to your dates.

10 days

10-day Japan itinerary

Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka — the classic first-timer's loop.

2 weeks

2-week Japan itinerary

The 10-day classic plus Hiroshima, Miyajima, and Kanazawa — deeper and less rushed.

Browse all itineraries →

Compare 10 days vs 2 weeks →

Ready to plan your Japan adventure?

Build your itinerary, budget, and packing list in one place — free for your first trip.

Start planning free