Japan is an amazing combination of old and new, modern and traditional. You can ride a futuristic bullet train through the city, and visit a medieval Samurai castle in the same day. There is a huge variety of cultural attractions here, both old and new.
We love traveling in Japan. The transportation is efficient, the people are polite, and the toilets are computerized. Osaka is a smart place to start; it’s great for trying street food, shopping for weird and unique souvenirs, visiting Samurai castles, and getting a feel for what Japan is like.
Kyoto is the old capital and the cultural center of Japan, with lots of old shrines and temples to see. Tokyo is consistently voted the world’s #1 city, and it has a little bit of everything.
Bookmark this Japan travel guide and keep checking back for more of our best Japan travel tips & info!
Safety
Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, with an extremely low violent crime rate of 0.28 per 100k inhabitants (96% lower than the global average). Japanese people are polite and friendly to outsiders, but the language barrier can be difficult at times because English isn’t as widespread as you might think. It’s a good idea to know at least a few important Japanese words.
Budget
Japan may not be the cheapest place to travel, but it’s still less pricey than you might expect. Hostels are available from $13 and private hotels from $30, although a private room in Japan will be pretty small and the bathroom will be shared. Meals are about $5 to $10 depending on location.
Transport
Transportation in Japan is generally by train, and the entire country is connected by an impressive and complex rail network. It can be a bit confusing at first, but it gets easier as you go. I’d recommend using an app like Google Maps or Hyperdia to help with navigation in Japan.
Quick Tips
- Language: Japanese; ‘Thank you’ is ‘arigatou gozaimasu’
- Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY)
- Capital: Tokyo
- Visa: 90 day visa free access for most first world countries
- Climate: Varies, but generally mild
- Power Plugs: Type A / B
- Apps: Hyperdia
Destinations
Pick a destination in Japan and start exploring!
Snow Monkey Park
Visit Japan’s elusive snow monkeys in Nagano!
Posts
My latest blog posts about Japan
Kyoto Temple Guide: 8 Must See Temples In Kyoto Japan
After a bunch of visits to Japan over the years, I’ve put together this Kyoto temple & shrine guide to help you find the best ones! Kyoto is… Read More
Japanese Temple Guide: Best Traditional Shrines & Temples To Visit In Japan
After a bunch of visits to Japan over the years, I’ve put together this Japanese temple & shrine guide to help you find the best ones! There are… Read More
15 Best Things To Do In Japan: What To Do For Fun In Japan
It’s hard to make a list of the best things to do in Japan, because there are just so many fun and interesting things to see and do… Read More
Nara Deer Park: Feeding Deer At The Nara Park In Japan
The Nara Deer Park is a historical park in Japan that’s famous for having hundreds of friendly deer you can feed and take pictures with. The semi-wild deer… Read More
Todaiji Temple & Giant Buddha Statue In Nara, Japan
Todaiji Temple in Nara Prefecture is one of Japan’s biggest and most spectacular landmarks. This massive ancient monument has a lot of cool history behind it. It was… Read More
13 Best Things To Do In Tokyo Japan – Food, Temples, & Castles
Tokyo Japan is commonly rated the world’s #1 city for travel, and there are so many things to do. Even though it’s the largest metro area in the… Read More
24 Tokyo Pictures That Will Make You Want To Visit Japan
Tokyo is more than just the capital of Japan, it’s also one of the world’s busiest and most impressive cities. Check out these Tokyo pictures to see why!… Read More
45 Japan Pictures That Will Make You Want To Travel
We take thousands of Japan pictures every time we visit the country. It’s a photographer’s paradise. In Tokyo city, every detail will make you want to whip out… Read More
Kinkakuji Temple – Golden Pavilion In Kyoto, Japan
Kinkakuji Temple (also known as the Golden Pavilion) is one of the most iconic and famous places in Japan. The ancient capital of Kyoto is full of interesting… Read More
Jigokudani Monkey Park: Japan Snow Monkeys In Nagano
One of the best things to do during the winter in Japan is to take a trip up north to visit the wild snow monkeys at Jigokudani Monkey… Read More
Kawasaki Daishi Temple In Tokyo, Japan
Kawasaki Daishi is one of the nicer temples in the Tokyo area, in Kawasaki City. It may not be quite as big and famous as the one at… Read More
Himeji Castle Japan – Epic Day Trip From Osaka & Kyoto
Himeji Castle (aka Himeji-jo) is the biggest medieval Samurai castle in Japan, and arguably one of the coolest and most photogenic places in the entire country. The design… Read More