japan

You'll feel the mix of old and new immediately: lantern-lit alleys in Tokyo, shrine-lined lanes in Kyoto, and a riverfront peace park in Hiroshima. Japan loves order — trains on time, streets spotless — yet it's playful in arcades and ramen joints.

In Osaka, neon signs preach "eat until you drop," while nearby Nara lets you wander with friendly deer between towering Buddha halls. Head to Hakone for sulfur-scented onsen and Mount Fuji views, then slow down in Takayama where preserved merchant houses pour morning-market miso soup.

Every stop runs on quiet etiquette — queue lines painted on platforms, murmured greetings, a quick bow — and you'll quickly copy the rhythm. From bullet train windows to temple gardens, you're moving through a country that balances hyper-modern efficiency with centuries-old tradition.

You'll likely land at Tokyo's Haneda (HND, close-in) or Narita (NRT, farther with express trains), or at Kansai International (KIX) for Osaka and Kyoto. Domestic hops serve Hiroshima and Takayama via nearby hubs, but trains win on convenience.

Grab a Japan Rail Pass or regional JR passes if you're stringing together Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka; Shinkansen runs that trio in roughly 2.5 hours end to end. For Hakone, switch to the Odakyu line; for Nara, a quick JR or Kintetsu hop from Kyoto or Osaka.

Regions have flavor: Kanto is metro buzz, Kansai leans food-forward, Chubu and the Japan Alps cradle Takayama, while Chugoku carries Hiroshima and the Seto Inland Sea.

Street eats and tap water are safe; you'll mostly worry about what to pick first. Slurp shoyu ramen in Tokyo, tsukemen in Osaka, and delicate kaiseki in Kyoto.

Don't skip sushi counters (even stand-up spots), charcoal yakitori, okonomiyaki in Osaka or Hiroshima styles, and sake tastings — ask for junmai or ginjo and sip it slightly chilled.

Japan stretches about California's length but is slimmer; you can ride from Tokyo to Hiroshima in an afternoon. Four main islands arc along the Pacific, punctuated by city clusters and quiet peninsulas.

Roughly 70% is mountainous, which is why valleys cradle towns like Takayama. National parks ring volcanic peaks, cedar forests, and the Fuji-Hakone-Izu area, where you'll hike to steaming vents before soaking in an onsen.

Cherry blossoms bloom March–April — Tokyo first, then Kyoto and Nara — while fall foliage peaks October–November in temple gardens and alpine trails. Summers run warm and humid, especially in cities like Osaka; pack light layers and expect afternoon showers.

Winters are crisp on the coasts and snowy in the Alps around Takayama, so onsens in Hakone and hearty hot pots become your best friends.

You'll trace samurai legacies in castle keeps and Edo-period streets, especially preserved in Takayama and Kyoto's wooden lanes. Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples — think Fushimi Inari's gates or Nara's Todaiji — anchor daily life.

In Hiroshima, the Peace Memorial Museum and Atomic Bomb Dome confront WWII history, while rebuilt cities show how Japan sprinted into modernity.

About 125 million people live here, and you'll feel the density on Tokyo's morning trains. Respect runs deep — bow lightly, let passengers exit before you board, and slip off shoes at tatami rooms or some restaurants.

Cashier trays, quiet voices on trains, and orderly queues make travel smoother; mirror the pace and you'll fit in fast.

The yen rules daily life; cash still matters at small eateries and rural inns, though IC cards (Suica/PASMO/ICOCA) cover trains and convenience stores. Tourism powers neighborhoods from Kyoto temples to Hakone ryokans, with manufacturing and tech humming in the background.

Have more questions about planning your Japan trip? Explore our frequently asked questions for detailed answers on travel planning, trip prep, and everything you need to know before you go.