Japan travel guide

Japan travel guide: plan the trip, then let us run it.

Everything we publish about travelling in Japan, in one place: when to go, how many days to allow, sample itineraries by length and by theme, the destinations, and the seasons. Explera is a destination management company for Japan, so every guide here is written by the team that runs these trips on the ground.

How do I plan a trip to Japan?

Pick the season first: it decides where to go and how early to book. Then set the length — seven days for Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto, ten for the full Golden Route, two weeks to add another region — and travel by shinkansen.

Last updated: 1 November 2026

Plan the trip

Japan planning guides.

Best time to visit JapanSeason by season, with the holiday peaks to avoid. Where to go in Japan by monthWhich region is at its best in each month of the year. First-time Japan travel tipsRail, IC cards, money, phones and etiquette. Japan visa requirementsWho needs a visa and where to check the current rules. JR Pass guideWhen the pass pays off, and when point-to-point tickets win. Onsen etiquetteHow hot-spring bathing works, step by step. Typhoon season in JapanHow summer and autumn weather affects a trip.

By length

Japan itineraries by number of days.

Japan 7-day itineraryTokyo, Hakone or Mt Fuji, Kyoto and Nara in one week. Japan 10-day itineraryThe Golden Route with room to breathe, ending in Osaka. Japan 2-week itineraryThe classics plus Kanazawa, Hiroshima or Koyasan. How to plan a Japan itineraryPacing, bases and rail — the logic behind every route.

By theme

Japan trips by theme and season.

Golden Route itineraryTokyo, Hakone and Kyoto over eight nights. Japan honeymoon itineraryEight nights for two, paced for couples. Japan family holiday itineraryNine nights built for three generations. Cherry blossom tour of JapanSakura season, planned with a flexible hedge. Autumn leaves tour of JapanFollowing the koyo front from north to south. Hokkaido snow tourPowder skiing with culture for the non-ski days. Hokkaido winter itineraryCranes, eagles and the drift ice of the east. All Japan itinerariesEvery sample programme in one place.

Where to go

Japan destination guides.

TokyoNeighbourhoods, day trips and where to stay. KyotoTemples, gardens and the old geisha districts. OsakaStreet food, the castle and the Kansai gateway. NaraThe Great Buddha and the deer park. HakoneOnsen ryokan and Lake Ashi. Mt Fuji and the Five LakesViewpoints, lakeside onsen and clear-weather timing. HiroshimaThe Peace Memorial and the Miyajima pairing. HokkaidoPowder, lavender and the northern wilds. OkinawaSubtropical islands, beaches and Ryukyu heritage. All destinationsEight regions and 44 destination guides.

For travel agents

Selling Japan to your clients?

Japan DMC for travel agentsNet rates, white-label delivery and 24/7 ground support. Japan inbound tour operatorWhat a ground handler does, term by term. Japan MICE and incentivesConferences, incentives and corporate groups. How to work with usWhat to send for a quotation, and how it is costed.

Questions

Japan travel questions, answered.

How many days do you need in Japan?

Seven days covers Tokyo, Hakone or Mt Fuji, Kyoto and Nara for a first trip. Ten days adds Osaka and a slower pace, and two weeks adds one more region such as Kanazawa, Hiroshima or Koyasan. Our 7-day, 10-day and 2-week itineraries show each route day by day.

When is the best time to visit Japan?

Spring (late March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the most popular seasons for blossom and foliage, and the busiest. Winter is clear and good value outside the ski resorts, and summer is festival season. Our best-time guide goes season by season.

Do I need a visa to visit Japan?

It depends on your passport. Many nationalities can enter Japan visa-free for short tourist stays, while others need a visa in advance. Rules change, so always confirm with the Embassy or Consulate of Japan in your country before booking flights.

Can Explera arrange a Japan trip?

Yes. Explera is a Japan destination management company: we plan and operate trips across Japan — hotels and ryokan, rail and transfers, guides and activities. Travel agents receive net rates and white-label delivery; send your dates and group size to b2b@explera.jp for a quote.

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