Japan Travel Guide
Japan is a place on every traveler’s bucket list, offering lively cities, beautiful natural parks, traditional villages, serene gardens, and sushi delivered on a conveyor belt. From modern cityscapes to ancient temples, Japan seamlessly blends the past and present. And, with a respectful lifestyle and welcoming community, it is a place you are sure to fall in love with.
Japan Stats
Official Language: Japanese
Population: 125.7 million
Capital City: Tokyo
Currency: Japanese Yen
Power Outlet: Type A and B
Kyoto
First Impressions of Japan: 24 Hours in Osaka & Kyoto
Konnichiwa! We are now in Japan, our final country before heading home to the United States. At the time that I am writing this we have only been in Japan for four days and it is quickly becoming one of our favorite countries. I know it sounds like I have a lot of favorites but Japan […]
Kyoto Bucket List: 18 Amazing Things to Do in Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto is the cultural heart of Japan. Visiting the shrines and temples, with their perfectly landscaped gardens and views over the city, top the list for most visitors to Kyoto. But there are also bamboo groves and small neighborhoods to explore, food markets and shopping streets to visit, and some very cool day trips that […]
Kyoto, Japan in Photos
Since arriving in Japan, we have been sightseeing at warp speed. The clock is ticking…in just two short weeks our amazing adventure will be coming to a conclusion and we will be back in Columbia, Maryland. Feeling the need to squeeze every ounce that we can out of these last few weeks, we are out […]
Day Trips From Kyoto
Feeding Deer in Nara, Japan
While getting ready in the morning, I was greeted with Tyler’s typical question, “Mom, what are we doing today?” When I asked them if they wanted to feed deer in Nara, I got a half-hearted yes from both Tyler and Kara. When I asked if they wanted to see more temples, I got an emphatic […]
How to Plan a Himeji Castle Day Trip from Kyoto or Osaka
Himeji Castle is the largest and most visited castle in Japan. If you are staying in Kyoto or Osaka, Himeji is easily accessible, making this a fantastic day trip to consider. What is Himeji Castle? Himeji Castle is a brilliantly white castle located in Himeji, Japan. It is called Hakuro-jo or Shirasagi-jo (“White Egret Castle” […]
How to Plan a Hiroshima Day Trip from Kyoto, Japan
Hiroshima is the site where the first of two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan during World War II. I had imagined Hiroshima to be a radioactive wasteland, a terrible, lingering reminder of the horror of WWII. As we learned on our day trip to Hiroshima, that is not the case at all. Hiroshima is […]
Tokyo and Kamakura
How to Plan a Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo
Kamakura is a small town located an hour south of Tokyo. Referred to as the Kyoto of Eastern Japan, tourists flock here to visit the Great Buddha and numerous temples. During the summer months, the beaches here attract many visitors. On clear days, Mount Fuji can be seen from Enoshima. A Kamakura day trip is […]
How To Watch Sumo Wrestling in Japan
Our most anticipated day in Japan came on July 17…we had tickets to watch sumo wrestling in Japan, something we have been talking about for months now. I have to say, we have become lackadaisical travelers…rarely planning anything in advance anymore, showing up to new countries and cities having no idea what to see, do, […]
Tokyo In Photos
Tokyo has so much to see and do. We were here for a week (the final international destination of our around the world trip in 2014 and 2015) and barely scratched the surface of this amazing place. We visited the main neighborhoods of Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza, and Akihabara, as well as made it out of […]
Top Experiences in Japan
Kyoto: Kyoto is the cultural heart of Japan. Visiting the shrines and temples, with their perfectly landscaped gardens and views over the city, top the list for most visitors to Kyoto. But there are also bamboo groves and small neighborhoods to explore, food markets and shopping streets to visit, and some very cool day trips that you can take. The list of things to do in Kyoto is long. So long, in fact, that it would take you weeks to thoroughly explore this extraordinary city.
Tokyo: The incredible city of Tokyo has so much to see and do. On our one-week visit, we explored the main neighborhoods of Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza, and Akihabara, and were amazed by the towering buildings, flashing lights, and dense crowds of people.
Osaka: Osaka is another major Japanese city, with soaring vibrant buildings, traditional backstreets, sites like the beautiful Osaka Castle and ancient temples, and large street markets to sample Japanese cuisine.
Himeji Castle: Himeji Castle is the largest and most visited castle in Japan. If you are staying in Kyoto or Osaka, Himeji is easily accessible, making this a fantastic day trip to consider.
Nara: Nara is a fantastic day trip destination where you can see the beautiful Kofuku-ji and Todai-ji temples, the Kasuga-Taisha shrine, and join the locals in feeding the deer that wander the streets.
Hiroshima: Hiroshima is the site where the first of two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan during World War II. I had imagined Hiroshima to be a radioactive wasteland, a terrible, lingering reminder of the horror of WWII. As we learned on our day trip to Hiroshima, that is not the case at all. Hiroshima is a thriving city, very much alive and well, with barely a trace of the destruction that occurred here seventy years ago.
Kamakura: Kamakura is a small town located an hour south of Tokyo. Referred to as the Kyoto of Eastern Japan, tourists flock here to visit the Great Buddha and numerous temples. During the summer months, the beaches here attract many visitors. On clear days, Mount Fuji can be seen from Enoshima. A Kamakura day trip is perfect for those wanting to escape the crowds and congestion of Tokyo.
View Mt. Fuji from Hakone: One of the best places to go to see the gorgeous Mt. Fuji is Hakone, a town set in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Here you can enjoy Hakone’s beautiful natural scenery with a cruise down Lake Ashi, wander through gardens lined with sakura trees, and ride a gondola to the steaming volcanic crater at Owakudani.
Japanese Alps: The impressive Japanese Alps look like something you would find in Switzerland, with peaks rising to 3,000m – though replace modern cities with traditional Japanese towns and well-kept gardens. Hikers and adventure lovers should not miss this gorgeous region of Japan.
Kanazawa: Kanazawa is a historical town in the Japanese Alps with geisha districts, wooden teahouses, a stunning castle, and beautiful gardens. Its traditional culture, delightful markets, and samurai culture make exploring here a delightful experience.
Explore Hokkaido’s National Parks: Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido, is a lovely expanse of natural beauty, lakes, volcanos, and glaciers. 6 national parks cover the island, each providing great opportunities for trekking, kayaking, and meeting extraordinary wildlife.
Best Time to Visit Japan
The best times to visit Japan are from March to May and September to November when the weather is pleasant, and you can enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms or colorful autumn leaves. April is particularly busy due to cherry blossom season, so plan accordingly.
Summers can be hot and humid, especially in cities like Kyoto and Tokyo, so consider heading to the cooler Japanese Alps and Hokkaido’s national parks.
Winter brings snow and lower tourism, but also festive events.