Asia · Destination Guide
Japan
Shrines, neon cities & cherry blossoms
Japan runs on a logic all its own — a place where thousand-year-old shrines share a block with robot cafés, where the trains apologize for being 20 seconds early, and where a $8 bowl of ramen can be a religious experience.
The magic of Japan is in its contrasts: Kyoto's hushed temple gardens against Shinjuku's electric chaos, formal tea ceremony against vending machines that sell everything. Come with a rail pass and an open mind.
A place where thousand-year-old shrines share a block with robot cafés.
Don't Miss
The Unmissables
Fushimi Inari at dawn
Ten thousand vermillion torii gates snake up the mountain in Kyoto. Arrive at 6am and you'll share them only with foxes and photographers.
Shibuya Crossing
Up to 3,000 people cross at every light change — the world's busiest intersection is Tokyo's beating heart, best watched from above with a coffee.
Cherry blossom season
For two fleeting weeks the whole country picnics under clouds of pink. Ueno Park and the Philosopher's Path are legendary — book a year ahead.
A ryokan night in Hakone
Tatami floors, kaiseki dinner, and a private onsen bath with Mount Fuji views. This is Japanese hospitality at its purest.
Timing Is Everything
When to Go
Sakura season
Cherry blossoms sweep the country south to north. Magical but crowded — book everything early.
Autumn leaves
Fiery maple foliage, crisp air, clear Fuji views. Arguably better than spring, with fewer crowds.
Early summer
Green, pleasant, pre-rainy season. Great shoulder value before humidity arrives.
High summer
Hot, humid and typhoon-prone — but this is festival (matsuri) and fireworks season.
The Route
The Perfect Japan Itinerary
Tokyo
Shibuya, Shinjuku, Asakusa's Senso-ji, teamLab, and a dawn visit to the Tsukiji outer market.
Hakone
Onsen ryokan night with Fuji views — the classic first-timer's reset button.
Kyoto
Fushimi Inari at dawn, Arashiyama bamboo grove, Gion at dusk, and 2,000 temples to choose from.
Nara
Day trip: bowing deer, the Great Buddha of Todai-ji, mochi pounded at hyperspeed.
Hiroshima & Miyajima
The Peace Memorial, then the floating torii gate of Itsukushima at high tide.
Osaka
Japan's kitchen: Dotonbori neon, okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and the friendliest locals in the country.
Plan Your Spend
What Japan Costs
Backpacker
Hostels and capsule hotels, convenience-store meals (genuinely great), local trains.
Mid-range
Business hotels, JR Pass, izakaya dinners, one ryokan splurge night.
Luxury
Aman Tokyo, private guides, Michelin dining, green-car shinkansen.
Estimates per person, excluding international flights. Book stays via our partners to support free guides like this one.
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