Plan your trip to Japan
Pick the places you want to see and your dates. Get a day-by-day route with travel times and booking reminders.
Start planningWhy Japan?
Old temples and dense modern cities sit close together, and the rail network makes it practical to see several regions in a single trip.
History
Temples, shrines, castles and old merchant streets, many of them still in everyday use.
Seasons
Cherry blossoms in spring, red maples in autumn, and snow across the north in winter.
Food
Ramen, sushi and regional dishes, from station counters and street stalls to sit-down restaurants.
Popular Destinations
The three cities most first trips are built around.
Plan Your Trip
Choose the places you want to see and your travel dates. We'll group them by region and order each day by route.
Tokyo
28 placesKyoto
18 placesOsaka
13 placesNara
5 placesHakone / Fuji
9 placesHiroshima
7 placesSapporo / Hokkaido
12 placesKobe / Himeji
5 placesChubu (Nagoya / Kanazawa / Takayama)
13 placesKyushu (Fukuoka / Beppu / Nagasaki)
14 placesShikoku
7 placesOkinawa
7 placesTohoku
8 placesChugoku (Okayama / Tottori)
6 placesCulture & Traditions
Two traditions worth planning a day around.
Tea Ceremony
A set way of preparing and serving matcha, often offered to visitors in Kyoto.
Cherry Blossom Viewing
Hanami: picnics under the blossoms, around late March to early April in Tokyo and Kyoto.
Travel Tips
Practical things to sort out before you go.
JR Pass
A Japan Rail Pass covers JR trains, including most shinkansen. Check whether it pays off for your route before buying.
Carry some cash
Cards are widely accepted in cities, but small shops, shrines and rural places are often cash only.
Etiquette
Bow when greeting, take your shoes off where asked, and avoid eating while walking.
Staying connected
Rent a pocket WiFi or buy a SIM or eSIM so maps and directions work everywhere.
When to go
Spring (cherry blossoms) and autumn (fall colours) are the most popular seasons, and the most crowded.
Food
Try ramen, sushi, tempura and each region's specialities. A queue outside is usually a good sign.