Japan

Take urban adventure to new heights within Tokyo’s endless side streets or slow down in rural Hida-Takayama’s old town; snorkel along Okinawa’s white-sand beaches or ski Nagano’s snow-covered alps; explore Kyoto’s untouched temples and shrines or bask in Fukuoka’s volcanic hot springs—Japan’s blend of tradition, natural wonder, and hyper-modernity is like nowhere else on Earth.

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Photo by Peter Bohler

Overview

When’s the best time to go to Japan?

In general, the best time to visit Japan is mid-March through May and again in October, but this depends on what you want to do during your trip.

READ MORE: The Best Time to Visit Japan For Every Type of Trip

Culture in Japan

The Japanese are serious about their cultural heritage and artisans—known as shokunin, masters of their craft—are recognized as national treasures. Shinto and Buddhism are the main religions and the Japanese celebrate the seasons and Buddhist and Shinto holidays with festivals throughout the year.

READ MORE: Temples, Tipping, and Train Rides: A Guide to Japan for First-Timers

Can’t miss things to do in Japan

From sumo wrestling and multi-day hikes to shopping for artisan goods and cooking classes, there’s something to do for every interest in Japan—we suggest venturing out of Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto (the three most popular cities for visitors) if you can.

Food and drink to try in Japan

You could easily plan an entire journey throughout Japan based on food alone. Tokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world, and every region of Japan touts its own specific cuisines, Try at least one kaiseki, a traditional multi-course meal that is often served at Japanese inns known as ryokan. Read these articles for other not-to-miss Japanese dishes.

How to get around Japan

Japan’s largest airports are Tokyo’s Narita and Haneda airports and Osaka’s Kansai airport. It’s generally easiest to get around Japan by train.

READ MORE: Here’s how to get around Japan by train

Guide Editor

RELATED GUIDES
  1. Kyoto
  2. Osaka
  3. Tokyo
READ BEFORE YOU GO
Japan’s departure tax, known as the “sayonara tax,” will increase from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 beginning in July 2026 as the country seeks to improve tourism infrastructure and address overtourism.
HOTELS
As travel to Japan continues to boom, we rounded up 23 of the best hotels across the country, many in sublime—and often less-visited—destinations.
Azuma Farm Koiwai, a new farm retreat a two-hour train trip north from Tokyo, opens a window onto Japan’s craft traditions in a region few travelers reach.
After a 19-month renovation of hotel, a former Park Hyatt Tokyo sommelier returns to find that, more than 30 years after its debut, it retains its spacious rooms, disciplined design, and citywide following.
Sleep under the world’s darkest, clearest skies across six continents at one of these 19 dark sky zone hotels.
These 19 hotels around the world immerse you in their destinations while carving out space for unhurried time together.
Afar editors share the 2025 hotel stays they didn’t want to leave—and would happily return to.
Forever immortalized by Sofia Coppola’s indie sensation starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, one of Japan’s most famous hotels is ready for its next chapter.
Gora Kadan, one of Japan’s most respected ryokans, opens its second property, bringing its revered hospitality to a stunning new location near Mount Fuji.
Several new design-forward hotels offer a less-expensive, more-immersive way to visit Japan’s capital city.
The Lucy hotel from luxury brand Hoshino Resorts is opening next to a national park in the Japanese countryside.
RESOURCES TO HELP PLAN YOUR TRIP
If you like art, flowers, fireflies, or sumo wrestling, it’s Tokyo time.
Olive fanatics rejoice: Shodoshima, an off-the-beaten-path island in southern Japan, is a haven for all things olive (there’s even an olive theme park!).
Come out of hibernation this winter for travel-worthy festivals that celebrate ice, snow, chills, and thrills in cities around the globe.
For AFAR’s third annual Travelers’ Choice destinations awards, our readers cast more than 100,000 votes to recognize their top places to go. Get ready to hit the road—the world awaits.
Snowy backdrops and cozy firesides are the best for snuggling up to your special someone. Here’s where to plan your next romantic winter trip.
Glasgow’s vintage scene is pretty spot-on for a city of its size. With a number of shops located on the adorably cobbled Dowanside Lane, just off of Byres’ Road, there are lots of curious finds for folks looking to avoid the typical Zara and co. parade on Buchanan Street. Starry Starry Night was my favourite of the lot as it has antique Victorian and Edwardian clothing in addition to vintage and retro finds hailing from more recent eras. I managed to find myself a gorgeous 1960s printed robe with tags on for £25. If you’re seeking out a proper wool kilt they have plenty of them in mint condition, with a good selection of tartans to boot. Don’t bother spending vast amounts of money on a brand new kilt unless you are of Scottish descent and your family tartan is a must. Around the corner, Circa Vintage also has some neat finds, as do the junk shops next to it, for those who fancy knickknacks and whatnot. Slightly further afield, the Glasgow Vintage Co. is another good shop to hit up for both ladies and the gents.
In 794 C.E., Emperor Kammu moved Japan’s capital to Kyoto, chiefly to keep the large Buddhist monasteries in the former capital of Nara from amassing even more power than they already had. (The capital and emperor moved to Tokyo in 1868.) The present imperial palace dates back to 1855, and it’s not the buildings that stand out but the extremely beautiful gardens and park, which is the city center’s main green space. Travelers need to obtain permission to visit the palace from the Imperial Household Agency, but the park is open to all. The plum trees and cherry blossoms bloom in March and April, and all year round the park attracts joggers, cyclists, walkers, and picnickers.

D&Department, a youthful shop housed in a 13th-century Bukkoji temple, focuses on designer housewares, kitchen goods, and foods. Conceived by Kenmei Nagaoka, a professor at Kyoto University of Art and Design, and his students, the store sells products such as sturdy tea mugs and glass tokkuri (Japanese sake sets), and highlights specialty, small-batch food producers whom they’ve met in person. The result is a special range of sesame seed oils, additive-free pickles, and heirloom misos and soys. D&Department will occasionally include imported products that adhere to the founders’ ethos, such as durable Freitag bags from Switzerland, which are made from recycled truck tarps.

This small—but always packed—dining room is where to go for a delicious introduction to the fresh seafood that’s so abundant along the coast. Specials are chalked on a blackboard, while the likes of Mourne mussels, fish cakes, and langoustines are featured on the daily menu. The main dining room and adjacent Oyster Bar share a menu.
Created by the lava flow from the 1914 eruption of Sakurajima, the almost 3-kilometer-long walking trail starts near the Sakurajima Ferry Terminal. The amazing views of the harbor look out over the grasses and small plants that have grown in the lava bed over the past 100 years. Located at the base of the volcano, the nearby Foot Bath Spa is a perfect way to end a vigorous walk.