Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia, located in the Pacific Ocean off the eastern coast of the Asian continent. It consists of four main islands—Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku—and numerous smaller islands. Japan is known for its unique blend of ancient traditions and cutting-edge modernity, offering historic temples, shrines, and castles alongside futuristic cities and technology hubs. Its culture includes tea ceremonies, traditional festivals, sumo wrestling, and anime/manga, as well as world-renowned cuisine like sushi, ramen, and tempura.

Major cities include Tokyo, the bustling capital with skyscrapers, shopping districts, and entertainment; Kyoto, famous for its historic temples, gardens, and traditional geisha culture; Osaka, known for its food culture and nightlife; and Hiroshima, a city of historical significance and peace memorials. Japan’s landscapes range from mountainous regions, volcanic peaks, and hot springs to beautiful cherry blossom parks and scenic coastlines. The country has a temperate climate, with snowy winters in the north and mild, humid summers in the south, making it a year-round travel destination depending on activities.

Day 1 – Tokyo:

Visit Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya Sky observation deck
Explore Shinjuku, including Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Visit Asakusa Temple and Senso-ji
Stroll through Tsukiji Outer Market

Day 2 – Tokyo Modern & Entertainment:

Explore Odaiba (teamLab Borderless, shopping, seaside park)
Visit Akihabara for electronics and anime/manga culture
Evening in Roppongi for nightlife and city views

Day 3 – Day Trip to Hakone / Mount Fuji:

Take a Hakone Ropeway for views of Mount Fuji
Enjoy onsen (hot springs)
Explore Lake Ashi and cruise with Mount Fuji views
Visit Hakone Shrine

Day 4 – Kyoto:

Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Explore Fushimi Inari Taisha and its red torii gates
Stroll through Gion District, spotting geisha
Optional tea ceremony experience

Day 5 – Osaka:

Visit Osaka Castle
Explore Dotonbori Street and try local street food
Visit Umeda Sky Building for panoramic city views
Evening shopping or explore Shinsaibashi

Japan offers travelers a mix of cultural, natural, and modern experiences. Perks of visiting include efficient public transportation, making it easy to explore multiple cities; clean and safe streets; world-class cuisine, from street food to Michelin-starred restaurants; and unique cultural experiences such as tea ceremonies, sumo events, and traditional festivals. For nature lovers, Japan has mountains, hot springs, scenic coastlines, and cherry blossom parks.

Nearby places worth visiting from major cities include:

From Tokyo: Nikko (historic shrines and nature), Kamakura (Great Buddha and temples), Yokohama (harbor and Chinatown)
From Kyoto: Nara (Todai-ji Temple and friendly deer park), Uji (green tea culture), Arashiyama (bamboo forest and river views)
From Osaka: Kobe (harbor views and beef cuisine), Himeji (Himeji Castle), Universal Studios Japan

These nearby destinations offer perks such as less crowded tourist spots, scenic landscapes, historical and cultural exploration, and opportunities for outdoor activities.

Good to Know

Country

Japan

Visa Requirements

Visa in not needed for EU citizens. Everyone else needs a visa.

Languages spoken

Japanese

Currency used

YEN

Area (km2)

377,974 km²

Municipalities

For budget travelers, staying in hostels or budget hotels costs around $25–$50 per night, meals average $15–$25 per day, and local transportation (trains, buses, and metro) about $10–$15 per day, bringing the total to roughly $250–$400. Mid-range travelers, staying in 3-star hotels or ryokans and dining at casual restaurants, can expect accommodation costs of $80–$150 per night, meals around $25–$40 per day, and transportation plus entry fees about $20–$30 per day, totaling approximately $700–$1,000. For luxury travelers, 4–5 star hotels cost $200–$400 per night, fine dining $50–$100 per day, private transport or taxis around $30–$50 daily, and guided tours or premium experiences about $40–$60 per day, bringing the total to roughly $1,500–$2,500+. These estimates exclude international flights, which vary depending on the season and departure city. Japan offers a range of options for all budgets while providing cultural richness, modern cities, historic temples, and stunning natural landscapes.

Japan is a country where ancient traditions meet cutting-edge modernity. It is famous for its temples, shrines, castles, and gardens, as well as futuristic cities with skyscrapers, high-speed trains, and advanced technology. Japan has a temperate climate, with snowy winters in the north (Hokkaido), mild springs ideal for cherry blossom viewing, hot summers, and colorful autumns, making it a year-round travel destination depending on your interests. Travelers can enjoy seasonal festivals, including cherry blossom festivals in spring, Gion Matsuri in Kyoto during summer, and autumn foliage viewing in the mountains. Japan is also known for its efficient transportation system, especially the Shinkansen (bullet trains), which makes intercity travel fast and convenient. Visitors can experience unique cultural activities, such as tea ceremonies, wearing traditional kimonos, visiting onsens (hot springs), watching sumo wrestling, and sampling authentic Japanese cuisine like sushi, ramen, tempura, and matcha desserts. Japan also offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking in the Japanese Alps, exploring volcanic landscapes, and enjoying coastal beaches.