Japan is a fascinating place. It’s a country full of contradictions; you can see ancient history paired with the newest technology and development. If you planning your first trip to Japan, this travel guide includes everything you need to know. From best time to visit and transportation to places to visit and things to know before you go. This travel guide of Japan has it all.
Best time to visit
There’s no bad time to visit Japan. Each season is magical in its own way. This will depend on what you want to do during your trip.
Spring (mid March-May): this is the most popular time to visit Japan as it’s cherry blossom season. If you want to avoid crowds don’t go during “Golden Week” which is a series of national holidays from late April to mid May.
Summer (June-Sept): this is the best time for outdoor activities like climbing Mt Fuji or going to festivals.
Autumn (Sept-Dec): during this time you can expect mild weather, beautiful foliage and less crowds.
Winter (Dec-mid March): this is one of the cheapest and less crowded times to visit Japan, except for the holidays. Ideal for visiting natural hot springs or go skiing.
Transportation
Transportation in Japan is incredibly efficient and comfortable, but it’s not exactly cheap. If you are planning on visiting more than one region, I would highly recommend purchasing the JR Pass. It includes all JR national trains including Shinkansen bullet trains and Narita Express trains, and you can buy it for 7, 14 or 21 days.
This is how the process works:
1: Order your JR Pass online before you go to Japan
2: Print a copy of your JR Pass voucher to exchange it in Japan
3: Go to any JR Exchange Office in Japan (I did it at the airport) and exchange your order for the actual JR Pass
That’s it!
If you are not sure this pass is the best option for your plans, Click here to compare the cost of your trip with and without the pass.
Places to visit
Japan has so many cool and beautiful places that I wish I could have visited all of them. It’s good to know what you want to see before you go so you can plan your trip accordingly. Regardless you want to visit a big city or a picturesque town in the mountains. Japan has every landscape and you are going to love all of them. Check my other posts to plan each destination:
Customs
Every time I travel to a new country, specially one where the culture is different than mine, I like to do a research of what is polite and what isn’t. It’s good to respect their culture. If you are going to Japan, keep these in mind:
- Don’t eat while you walk; find a place to sit instead.
- Don’t point; use an open hand better.
- Don’t blow your nose in public.
- Slurping noodles is permitted; it means the meal is delicious.
- Taking off your shoes before entering many places is common.
- Don’t give tips; it can be considered rude.
Things to know
Japan is one of the safest countries in the world and is great for solo travelers. Actually some hotels and trains offer female-only options. But like in any other place, you should always be careful and practice common sense. If you want more tips, check 8 tips to travel solo
You can use your card to pay pretty much everything in big cities like Tokyo and Kyoto. If you’re planning on visiting small towns, you should carry cash.
Japan is not a cheap country. If you want to stay on a budget you can stay at hostels and get snacks at convenient stores.
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