Planning a trip to Japan in 2025/2026: How to prepare for a trip to Japan + essential Japan travel tips

Planning a trip to Japan? Whether you’re going independently or considering joining a tour, here’s everything you need to know!

Japan is such a unique and fascinating country, with so many different faces to discover. 

It also offers something for every taste and every type of traveller and is one of the few countries I feel almost everybody would enjoy. 

When planning a trip to Japan, however, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed – so much so that you may even wonder if travelling to Japan is a good idea!

As I already mentioned, a Japan trip is something almost everyone should experience. 

It’s magical, it’s eye-opening and will give you a lifetime of memories… without pushing anyone too far out of their comfort zone. 

That’s because, for all the wild things to do in Japan, it may just be the most organised and logical country on our planet. 

Everything in Japan follows a system – one that defies language barriers – and therefore Japan is a very traveller-friendly country. 

There’s no need to forego a trip to Japan just because you don’t know much about it, or even if you haven’t travelled to Asia (or many other places!) before. 

Here’s how to plan a trip to Japan on your own or as part of a tour, including everything you should consider when planning a trip to Japan. 

I’ve also thrown in some essential Japan travel tips so you will know exactly how to prepare for a trip to Japan! 

Planning a trip to Japan

Japan is a country of contrasts, where shyness meets eccentricity, where neutrally-shaded wardrobes meet the intoxicating lights of Tokyo, and where tradition meets the future.

And it’s absolutely captivating.

Needless to say, you may feel a little overwhelmed when you first arrive in Japan. But don’t worry – it’s a good kind of overwhelmed and it’s easy to find your feet.

Order and organisation play a huge role in Japanese life and they’re going to be important if you want to make the most of your time there. 

When travelling to a country that runs as logically as Japan, it pays to put in the little extra effort to be prepared before you arrive – even (or especially!) if you’re like me and usually prefer to get lost.

Whether you’re flying into Tokyo Narita or Haneda airport – or any of the other major airports in Japan – it’s worth exploring beyond the most famous Japanese cities.

While Tokyo, Kyoto and other major cities are well worth spending time, don’t overlook the smaller cities.

It it in these smaller and lesser-known destinations that Japan really comes into its own.

From onsen towns to bathing snow monkeys in hot springs, Japan has no shortage of unique travel experiences waiting to be discovered.

What may surprise you more than anything is how accessible many of these incredible places are.

It’s easy to travel a long distance in a short time in Japan thanks to the country’s incredible bullet train network and efficient public transportation.

As long as you spend a little bit of time planning a trip to Japan, you can see a surprising amount.

How to plan a trip to Japan: step by step

No matter how far you’ve already gotten with planning a trip to Japan, you’ll want to make sure you’ve left no detail uncovered.

Most first-time visitors fly in to Tokyo and, for me, Tokyo is an absolute must-visit – especially if it’s your first time in Japan.

Whether you decide to stay in Tokyo or not, you’ll also want to get out of the city.

Where exactly you go will depend on the time of year and your personal interests, but you’re unlikely to be disappointed no matter where you go.

All of the following is my personal recommendations and some Japan travel tips from my own extended travels in Japan, broken down into budget, itinerary and other practical considerations.

These are the things you’ll absolutely want to consider when planning a trip to Japan in order to make sure your trip flows as smoothly as possible (and you can make the most of your time there!).

How long to spend in Japan

If you have a fixed amount of vacation time or have already booked your flights, this one might not apply.

If that’s not the case, my only advice would be this: spend as long as you can in Japan!

It’s not the easiest (or cheapest) country to travel to, so you’ll really want to make the most of your Japan trip.

Not only that but, as we already saw, you can fit a whole lot into even a short Japan itinerary.

7 days in Japan is enough to see some of the highlights. If you only have one week to explore Japan, it’s still well worth going but you’ll probably want to stay in just one place, such as Tokyo, and take day trips.

Luckily, Tokyo is very well-connected to many of the other major attractions including Kyoto, Osaka and Fuji.

If you have two weeks in Japan or longer, I highly recommend to the lesser-visited Hokkaido.

Hokkaido is the northernmost island in Japan and has a character of its own. The landscapes are dramatic, Siberian influence is prevalent and the ramen is by far the best we tasted in the whole of Japan.

Thanks to the shinkansen (bullet train) network, a couple of extra days can be the difference between squeezing in an extra part of the country – not just another city.

Whether you have one week in Japan, one month or more, the Japan Rail Pass will give you limitless opportunities to explore anywhere your heart takes you.

It will also be a very worthy investment that will save you a heap of time and money while travelling to Japan, especially if you buy one in your home country before you go.

When to visit Japan

f you’re wondering when to plan your trip to Japan for… well, it’s pretty much always a good time to visit Japan!

Japan is one of those rare countries that is equally enchanting at all times of the year, and offers a completely unique experience depending on the season.

It’s why you’ll likely find yourself craving to go back to Japan, even if you’ve already visited several times!

If this is your first time in Japan, the best time to visit Japan for you will depend on where you want to go and what you want to see during your time there.

Even though there’s plenty to do during every season in Japan, some things will be off-limits at certain times of the year, while other places really come to life.

If you want to see those oh-so-cute Japanese snow monkeys bathing in hot springs, you’ll need to visit Jigokudani Monkey Park during the colder seasons.

If you want to see the cherry blossoms transform the streets of Kyoto, you’ll need to go to Japan in early spring and hope you pick the right week.

If you want to get off the beaten tourist path and try diving in Japan, it’s best between spring and autumn.

And if you want to get the full onsen experience and visit the natural hot springs on a cold day, you’ll need to visit Japan in the colder months.

Unless, of course, you head north to the northernmost island. In that case, the best time to visit Hokkaido is undoubtedly in early spring.

For this reason, your Japan itinerary will likely depend largely on when you visit.

If you haven’t fixed your travel dates yet, you may want to think about what you’d like to do in Japan before deciding…

Planning your Japan itinerary

As I mentioned, you’ll want to arrive with a plan if you hope to make the most of your time in Japan.

We started with a list of all the places we wanted to visit and then worked out what would be feasible. It was a great way to plan our month in Japan and meant we left satisfied with how we spent our time there.

If there’s one thing we learned while planning a trip to Japan, it was to not instantly write off anything that looks too far out of the way.

Japan’s rail network is incredible and the Shinkansen trains (or bullet trains) and Japan Rail Pass make travelling long distances very doable.

The only part of Japan that might be a little trickier to get to in a short time is the Yaeyama Islands.

Otherwise, you can consider pretty much any part of Japan!

If you already have your Japan travel dates in mind, I’d recommend considering the following for your Japan itinerary:

• Winter and the colder months: Hokkaido, Nagano and the Japanese Alps, Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, Tokyo
• Spring and cherry blossom season: The major cities including Kyoto, Mount Fuji, Hokkaido, Hitachi Seaside Park, Nara Park
• Summer: Festivals in the cities, hike Mount Fuji, and pretty much anywhere
• Autumn: follow the fall colours in the cities, Nara, Hakone

If your dates are restricted, don’t worry. Almost everywhere in Japan can be visited year-round.

The experience you have will largely depend on the season in which you visit, but sometimes that can make for a really unexpected (and less crowded!) surprise, rather than being a disadvantage.

For example, while you can’t enjoy a sunrise hike at Mount Fuji during the winter months.

However, you can still see Mt. Fuji covered in snow – a special sight in itself – and even admire it from one of the nearby ryokans (a traditional Japanese inn) with onsen baths.

During the summer months, you’ll miss the ski season, winter sports and many snow festivals that bring Hokkaido to life in the colder season.

However, you’ll be able to explore more of the unique parks and enjoy the island’s intriguing nature.

And then there are the cities. Each Japanese city has its own unique charms, and you could spend weeks – or months! – in each.

Even if you’re more into ecotourism than city breaks, it’s worth allocating some city time when planning a trip to Japan.

Aside from the unique nightlife, you’ll find plenty of history, culture and foodie experiences in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and other cities.

Ideas for your Japan itinerary:

• Japan in winter
• Things to do in Tokyo
• Tokyo nightlife guide (for all ages)
• Unique things to do in Kyoto
• The best day trips from Tokyo
• Kyoto at night
• Hokkaido travel guide

Japan travel budget

A trip to Japan can vary quite a lot depending on the type of accommodation you choose, what you eat and what you choose to do while there.

If you visit Japan on an organised tour for all or part of your trip, it may be easier to budget ahead of time.

It’s fairly easy to book independently, whatever your budget (and you’ll likely save a lot of money by doing so).

So, how much does a trip to Japan cost on average? The following should give you a good idea:

• One night in a standard hotel or apartment rental: $70-120 USD
• One night in a capsule hotel or hostel: $30-60 USD
• A meal in a local restaurant: $5-10 USD per person
• Special meals and experiences: $30-60 USD per person
• Attraction tickets and entrance fees: $5-15 USD per ticket
• Japan Rail Pass: $230 (7 days) to $466 (3 weeks) USD per person (if you order online before you go!)
• Travel insurance: around $40 USD, but depends on coverage and provider – I recommend TrueTraveller for Europe residents and EKTA for everyone else

During cherry blossom season and summer (when Japanese people travel), prices can be a little higher due to the higher demand.

However, you should be able to visit almost any part of Japan at any time of year on the budget above.

How to plan a trip to Japan on your own

I receive quite a few emails asking if it’s possible – or a good idea – to plan a trip to Japan independently.

From conversations I’ve had, many people are afraid that it will simply be too difficult to organise transport, accommodation and everything else that goes into planning a trip to Japan without help.

In my experience, Japan is surprisingly easy to plan independently.

If that’s how you would prefer to travel, it will be easy enough. It will also be more cost-effective and give you the freedom to add or remove things from your Japan itinerary while you’re there.

However, if you’re not confident and planning a trip to Japan on your own is going to cause so much stress that you don’t enjoy the trip, it might be worth joining a tour for all or part of your Japan trip.

Planning a trip to Japan with a tour company

Since Japan is a popular travel country, there are numerous types of tours that you can join.

These vary in length and style, so it should be easy to find one if you prefer to have someone organise part or all of your Japan trip for you.

It’s also possible to book a self-guided Japan tour so you get the best of both worlds.

Whatever you decide, it’s best to choose a tour from a reputable operator with a government licence.

The best way to book a tour is using a service like TourRadar. All of the Japan tours are reviewed and provided by trusted operators, and you can filter tours by budget, length, travel style and date.

How to prepare for a trip to Japan

Once you’ve decided on your dates, set a budget and added some ideas to your itinerary, you’re already halfway through planning a trip to Japan.

Here are some extra tips to make sure you arrive as prepared as possible.

Invest in a Japan Rail Pass

If there’s one thing I can’t emphasise enough when planning a trip to Japan, it’s this.

The Japan Rail Pass really will be your best friend while you’re there. It will be your (literal) ticket to almost anywhere in Japan and give you the freedom to explore as much as possible.

It’s much cheaper, easier and more convenient to buy yours online before you go, so you can buy yours as soon as you’ve decided on your dates.

Simply select your dates, how many days you need and have it delivered to your home in 24-48 hours (and get a taste of Japanese efficiency while you’re at it!).

Check if you need a visa

As of October 2022, the Japanese government has once again announced visa exemption arrangements for nationals of 68 countries.

If you hold a passport that fulfils these criteria – which includes passports from most Western countries – you can travel to Japan without a visa.

Otherwise, you will need to contact your nearest Japan Embassy or Consulate to acquire a visa before you travel to Japan.

Book hotels as far in advance as possible

Even though Japan has no shortage of hotels and vacation rentals, accommodation can get booked up fast.

Since the country was closed to visitors for a long time and many have had to rearrange their trips, this is now even more true.

It’s best to book your accommodation as soon as your know your travel dates to avoid missing out on the best or most affordable options.

Look for options with free cancellation so you can change your mind later on if you wish – the important thing is having something!

Make sure you have WiFi access

The language barrier in Japan really isn’t ever an issue – as long as you have internet access!

From Google Translate and Google Maps to random things you’ll want to Google, the internet has made travelling Japan very easy for people who don’t speak a word of Japanese.

Despite Japan’s advanced technologies, WiFi can be surprisingly hard to come by (especially when you need it most), so it’s best to arrive prepared and make sure you can connect from the second you land.

There are two ways to do this: with a sim card or a portable WiFi device.

The Solis WiFi hotspot is one of my favourite travel essentials because it doubles as both a WiFi hotspot for up to 10 devices and a portable charger, so you never have to worry about being disconnected.

Alajode readers can enjoy an exclusive 15% discount on both the device and WiFi packages by using this link and entering the code ‘ALAJODE’.

Alternatively, you can get a sim card for your phone. If your phone has e-sim technology, this option will be the easiest. This one is one of the most popular and offers unlimited data for 7-30 days.

If an e-sim isn’t an option, it’s possible to get a physical sim card for your trip. This one comes with 8, 16 or 31 days of unlimited data and can be delivered to your hotel on arrival.

Ensure your insurance is adequate

Japan is one of the most expensive countries in the world, so you don’t want to get caught out with any unexpected bills.

Travel insurance should always be considered an essential, but that’s especially true in Japan.

Unfortunately, not all travel insurance policies cover all destinations and activities, so your priority should be choosing one that covers the awesome Japan trip you’re planning.

Make sure whichever policy you choose covers all of Japan and includes cancellation coverage as well as medical fees.

Learn a little about the culture

Japan’s unique culture is one of its main draws, and you’ll certainly learn a lot about the Japanese approach to life while you’re there.

But it also pays to learn a little before you go. Not only will you fit in and feel at home quicker, but you’ll also avoid any awkward or embarrassing situations.

I put together this post with 37 must-know tips for your first time in Japan at the end of my month there and while everything was still fresh in my mind.

You don’t need to learn the language or immerse yourself in Japanese culture at home before you leave, but a little knowledge will go a long way.

More specifically, a little awareness of Japanese etiquette will be both useful and considerate.

Japanese culture – including social norms and behaviour – is very different to many other countries.

If you are expecting certain behaviours – and know which ones to avoid! – you’ll feel less overwhelmed and also be able to be a more respectful and responsible tourist.

More Japan travel tips

By now, I hope you’re feeling pretty confident about planning a trip to Japan, whether it’s on your own or with an organised tour.

Here are just a few more Japan travel tips to help you prepare for your trip.

What to pack for Japan

Japan is a country with four distinct seasons and the very variable weather that comes with that.

If you plan to travel to the south or north of Japan, you’ll also encounter a variety of seasons – sometimes within the same week.

We went from house-high snow to a summer heatwave in the space of two days when we travelled from Hokkaido to Kyoto in March.

No matter when you’re travelling to Japan, you can expect to encounter different types of weather, so it’s best to pack layers and rain-friendly options, including an umbrella, and sunglasses.

Japanese dress tends to be fairly conservative. Think tailored pieces in neutral shades such as grey, navy and cream that fit loosely and layer easily.

If you want to fit in, this should be your uniform – but it doesn’t need to be.

You can wear pretty much whatever you like in Japan – especially in the Harajuku district of Tokyo! – but the one thing you’ll want to think about is footwear.

If the thought of wearing socks and sandals together makes you cringe, it’s probably best to leave the sandals at home.

Pack plenty of socks because you’ll need lots of them. It’s customary to remove your shoes when entering houses, restaurants and even some shops in Japan, so slip-on shoes (and clean, hole-free socks!) are your best bet.

Arrive with an open mind

When you first arrive in Japan, there’s a good chance it will all be a little overwhelming. But it might not be for the reasons you expected.

If you think Tokyo is going to be busy, bright and loud, get those images out of your head now.

You’ll certainly suffer from sensory overload, but you’ll quickly realise how peaceful it is – almost eerily so.

Even on the most crowded Tokyo streets, you won’t have to speak in anything louder than a whisper.

There’s a good chance you’ll get a little culture shock when you first travel to Japan, but it’s not necessarily an unpleasant kind of culture shock.

Still, it helps to be prepared for the shock and arrive open to the wonderful culture that awaits you.

Consider carrying a visual dictionary 

Even though a phone or other device with an internet connection will be enough to get you around Japan (see above!), sometimes it’s nice to not rely on technology.

A visual dictionary can be a great way to quickly communicate in restaurants, on public transport and in shops.

Plus, it will help you save your battery power – especially if you use your phone for your travel photos!

Leave time for spontaneity

When planning a trip to Japan, it’s best not to cram your itinerary with non-stop activities.

Leave time for spontaneity, too, because even if you arrive with a bucket list of things to do in Japan, it will probably triple in size as soon as you arrive. 

Japan will make you fall in love with its culture, customs and people, and then it will break your heart when you realise you don’t have time to see more than a fraction of the magic.

By leaving a little leeway in your itinerary – or even a couple of days – you’ll be able to squeeze some extra things off your growing bucket list.

If it’s your first trip to Japan, don’t go expecting to see everything. Don’t get overwhelmed by all the possibilities that will pop up along the way. And don’t go expecting to never go back again.

There’s a good chance you’ll be planning your second trip before you’ve even left.