JapanTravel Guide
Our Japan guides, from our own trip: itineraries to plan the route, city guides and day trips, with transport tips and what to book ahead.
Japan itineraries
Tokyo and Mount Fuji
Osaka, Nara, Kyoto and Arashiyama
How to plan a trip to Japan
Start with the route. Our 18-day itinerary is the trip we actually took: Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Osaka, Kyoto and back to Tokyo. The 14-day itinerary covers the same regions with less slack: Tokyo (days 1-3), Fuji (4-5), Osaka with Universal Studios and Nara (6-8), Kyoto with Arashiyama (9-11), then Tokyo again (12-14).
Fourteen days leaves almost no room for a rainy or tired day, so decide in advance which extra stops youโll skip. With 18, Osaka and Kyoto didnโt blur together, and we kept the last days in Tokyo free for shopping.
Getting between cities
- Tokyo to Mount Fuji: the direct Fuji Excursion train reaches Kawaguchiko in about two hours. Book about a month ahead, as tickets sell out.
- Fuji to Osaka: take the bus from Kawaguchiko to Mishima and the shinkansen from there, instead of going back through Tokyo.
- Osaka to Kyoto: about 30 minutes on a regular train. Tokyo to Kyoto by Tokaido Shinkansen takes about 2 h 15 min on the Nozomi.
- In the cities: an IC card such as Suica or ICOCA works on the metro and buses almost everywhere.
Tokyo and Mount Fuji
Our Tokyo guide is built for a first trip: Shibuya Sky at sunset, free temples such as Sensล-ji and Meiji Shrine early in the morning, and Tsukiji Outer Market in the morning, when the selection is biggest. For Mount Fuji, plan a full day from Kawaguchiko: rent a bike (most rentals open around 8 a.m.) and start at Chureito Pagoda, where the best spots were already taken when we arrived around 6:00. Winter gives the best chance of a clear view.
Osaka, Nara, Kyoto and Arashiyama
Our Osaka guide covers Dotonbori after dark and Universal Studios Japan, where queues for the top rides run 1-2 hours and get noticeably shorter after 15:00. Nara is an easy day trip from Osaka or Kyoto, and one day covers the Great Buddha Hall at Todai-ji and the deer in Nara Park.
In Kyoto, be at Fushimi Inari before 7:00 and at Kinkaku-ji for the 9:00 opening. Arashiyama, in western Kyoto, is 20-30 minutes from Kyoto and 50-60 minutes from Osaka by train. The bamboo forest is free and open 24/7, but come by 8-9 a.m., because after 10:00 it fills with tourists.
For the trip itself, our Japan Google Map has 130+ handpicked places in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and around Mount Fuji.
โจ Quick Facts
Don't just read about it โ go!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Japan?
Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are the most popular seasons. Spring brings cherry blossoms, while autumn offers stunning foliage. Summer is hot and humid but great for festivals; winter is ideal for skiing and fewer crowds.
Do I need a visa to visit Japan?
Citizens of many countries, including the US, UK, EU nations, and Australia, can visit Japan visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism. Visa rules change, so check official sources, such as the Japanese embassy, before planning your trip.
Is Japan expensive to travel?
Japan can suit various budgets. Accommodation ranges from affordable hostels and capsule hotels to luxury ryokans. Food is surprisingly affordable - convenience store meals and ramen shops are both cheap and delicious. The main costs are usually long-distance transport and accommodation.
Is Japan safe for solo travelers?
Japan is consistently ranked one of the safest countries in the world for travelers, including solo visitors. Crime rates are very low, locals are generally helpful, and public transport is reliable and easy to navigate.
Is smoking allowed in public places in Japan?
In Japan, smoking is generally not allowed in most indoor public places like restaurants, offices, and stations. It is only allowed in designated smoking areas, and in some cities such as Tokyo, smoking on the street is restricted to specific zones.