// Destination Guides
Start with Tokyo
Full city guides for Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima coming soon.
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The most unique country on earth for travel — ancient and futuristic, overwhelming and serene, and with food culture that genuinely changes how you eat for the rest of your life.
Japan defies every expectation. It is simultaneously the most traditional and most technologically advanced country you will visit. A Kyoto temple garden at dawn is as authentic as anything in the world; the neon chaos of Shibuya crossing at midnight is unlike anywhere else. The bullet train system is so precise that delays are measured in seconds, and a bowl of ramen from a hole-in-the-wall under the tracks will be the best thing you eat all year. This guide covers the country as a whole — city guides for Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka are being built out. Scroll down for the backpacker budget guide, skiing in Hokkaido and Nagano, and the experiences worth booking before you arrive.
Full city guides for Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima coming soon.
Japan is expensive but manageable — JR Pass, ryokan guesthouses and convenience store meals get you far.
Book ahead — Japan's best experiences sell out weeks in advance.
The most-visited digital art installation in the world. Book months ahead.
The Chureito Pagoda shot and Hakone lakeside views in one day.
Fushimi Inari, a traditional tea ceremony and geisha district.
The Peace Memorial and the floating torii gate — unforgettable.
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Spring (March–May): Cherry blossom season — book accommodation 6+ months ahead. Best weather of the year. Summer (June–Aug): Hot, humid and rainy in June. July–August is festival season but very crowded. Autumn (Sept–Nov): The second-best season — autumn foliage in November rivals cherry blossom. Winter (Dec–Feb): Cold but beautiful, fewer crowds, and ski season in Hokkaido and Nagano is exceptional.
Japan is more affordable than its reputation suggests. A budget of £60–80/day is very comfortable if you use JR Pass, stay in capsule hotels or guesthouses, and eat convenience store breakfasts.
The JR Pass covers most Shinkansen routes and is worth buying if you're travelling between cities. Buy before you arrive — it cannot be purchased in Japan.
Tipping is not done in Japan. At all. Attempting to tip can cause offence.
Most rural areas are cash-only. Always carry yen — 7-Eleven ATMs reliably accept foreign cards.
Tattoos are still prohibited in many onsen (hot springs). Check before you strip off.
Google Translate's camera feature is genuinely useful for menus and signs. Download the Japanese offline pack before you travel.
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