Planning a first trip to Japan can be surprisingly deceptive. On a map, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hakone, Hiroshima, and even destinations farther afield can seem easy to combine. Japan’s excellent rail network makes ambitious itineraries look perfectly reasonable — at least on paper. The problem is that travel time is only part of the … Read more
For years, the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) was one of the easiest recommendations for travelers planning a trip around Japan. Buy the pass, use the Shinkansen between major cities, and there was a good chance you would save money. Today, the decision is very different. After a major price increase, the nationwide JR Pass … Read more
Just an hour south of Tokyo, Kamakura offers something that can be surprisingly hard to find on a busy Japan itinerary: historic temples, wooded hills, traditional streets, and the coast all within an easy day trip. The former political center of medieval Japan is best known for the Great Buddha of Kamakura, but that is … Read more
Japan can be surprisingly affordable — or surprisingly expensive. The difference often comes down to a few key decisions. Where you stay, how many cities you visit, when you travel, and how often you use long-distance trains can change the cost of your trip far more than saving a few hundred yen on lunch. The … Read more
For most first-time visitors, Tokyo is the better place to start. It offers Japan’s most famous landmarks, world-class shopping, diverse neighborhoods, and an incredible variety of experiences. If you’re visiting Japan for the first time and only have time for one major city, Tokyo is usually the smartest choice. That said, Osaka can be the … Read more
Most travelers know Himeji for one reason: its spectacular white castle. But while Himeji Castle is undoubtedly the city’s biggest attraction, the city itself offers much more than a quick photo stop. Beautiful traditional gardens, peaceful temples, local food, and one of Japan’s most impressive UNESCO World Heritage Sites make Himeji an easy and rewarding … Read more
Planning a trip to Japan and wondering whether Nara deserves a place on your itinerary? Although it’s often visited as a day trip from Kyoto or Osaka, Nara offers far more than its famous bowing deer. As Japan’s first permanent capital, the city is home to some of the country’s oldest temples, peaceful gardens, and … Read more
Kyoto is often considered the cultural heart of Japan, famous for its ancient temples, traditional streets, and beautiful gardens. It’s also one of the country’s most visited destinations, attracting millions of travelers every year. While many attractions deserve their reputation, others can be disappointing if you’re short on time, visit at the busiest hours, or … Read more
Osaka is one of Japan’s most exciting cities, famous for its incredible street food, lively nightlife, and friendly atmosphere. But while the city offers plenty to see and do, not every popular attraction deserves a place on a limited itinerary. If you only have one or two days in Osaka, spending hours waiting in lines, … Read more
Tokyo is one of the world’s most exciting cities, but it’s also impossible to see everything in a single trip. With hundreds of attractions, neighborhoods, museums, viewpoints, and shopping districts, many first-time visitors end up trying to fit too much into their itinerary. The good news is that you don’t have to visit every famous … Read more
