When I first stepped foot in Japan in 2013, little did I know that it would ignite a new passion and spark a burning wanderlust, leading me to return to this vibrant country many times (five trips and counting!).
Outside of Australia, Japan is my favourite country. From the buzzing neon lights of Tokyo, to the serene temples and traditional streets of Kyoto, and of course, the incredible, mouth-watering food found nationwide – travelling to Japan offers a truly unique and rewarding experience that I haven’t quite experienced elsewhere in the world.
Even after five trips, I am already planning my next visit. Here is my essential mini Japan travel guide to help you start planning your own adventures.
Ikimashoo! (Let’s go!)
Best Time to Visit
A great thing about Japan is that you can travel all year round. I’ve visited in winter, autumn and spring.
My most recent Japan trip was timed to catch the spring cherry blossoms in Tokyo at the end of March. Autumn is another beautiful time of the year to visit, thanks to the amazing autumn foliage that spreads across the country.
However, these times can also be some of the peak tourist season – particularly peak cherry blossom season in early April.
Consider the shoulder months of February/March, or September/early October for off-peak travel periods.
I haven’t visited Japan in the summer months of June to August, however, I personally wouldn’t visit during this time.
Summer in Japan can be humid and sweltering, which I would find unbearable in built-up cities like Osaka and Tokyo. On the plus side, the countryside is beautiful and prices should be cheaper for things like hotels and flights.
How Long Should I Go For?
I’d recommend spending at least 10 days if doing a typical Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto first-timers itinerary, however recommend staying longer and exploring more than just these three cities.
Check out my 4 weeks in Japan itinerary for more ideas and inspiration (or to go all out and visit for a month like I did!).
Where Should I Visit and What Should I Do?
How long is a piece of string?
Despite visiting Japan five times now, I’ve never run out of things to do and see! My favourite places in Japan so far have been:
- Tokyo (I can never get enough of this city!)
- Fuji Five Lakes
- Takayama
- Nozawa Onsen (a delightful ski town in the Nagano region, a few hours from Tokyo)
- Universal Studios Japan in Osaka
- A Buddhist Temple Stay at Koyasan
For more inspiration, check out my article with 30 Unmissable Experiences for your Japan Bucket List!
How Much Should I Budget?
The good news is with the AUD to JPY exchange rate at an all-time high, there’s never been a better time to visit!
As a rough guide, here’s how much to budget for a couple staying at mid-range hotels (prices in AUD):
- Accommodation: $100 – 200 per day
- Food & Drinks: $70 – 120 per day
- Transport: $20 – 40 per day
- Activities & Attractions: $10 – 40 per day
- Total: $200 – $400 per day
For a more detailed breakdown and cost analysis from my 4-week trip, check out my Japan Trip Cost Breakdown here.
Flight prices vary on your location and time of travel, plan to spend around $800 – $1500 on return flights from Australia to Tokyo per person.
Do I Need to Take Cash?
Japan is very much a cash reliant society, though I’ve noticed that more places take cards after returning post pandemic. However, many smaller businesses still operate with cash, and you will need to keep some yen on you at all times.
It is not essential to bring yen into the country with you, thanks to the ATMs found in every 7/11 which allow international cards to withdraw cash. No ATM fee is charged either, making this a great option for debit cards that allow fee-free international withdrawals.
The good news is that 7/11 ATMs are found widely across Japan – and not just in the stores (although 7/11’s are found pretty much on every corner in the cities!).
For example, you’ll find 7/11 branded ATMs in both Narita and Haneda Airport in Tokyo, so you can take out cash once you’ve landed.
Booking Accommodation in Japan
I use booking.com to book all my accommodation in Japan, filtering for properties with a rating score of over 8.0 and making sure to find accommodation that is close to a subway station (in cities like Osaka and Tokyo).
I find the majority of properties are available to book through this platform, but sometimes more traditional or boutique ryokans won’t be listed on booking however might be available to book online at Japanican.
Just a heads up – accommodation in Japan can be expensive, especially in touristy places like Kyoto. For what you pay, the rooms are quite small too.
Tip: While I recommend booking accommodation in Japan in advance, especially during peak seasons, I’ve found many properties won’t accept bookings until 5- 6 months out (you will be able to tell as the full month of availability will be greyed out on booking .com etc).
To save money on accommodation in Japan, consider staying at business hotel chains.
You’ll find these across the country. They offer good value accommodation if you’re looking for a clean, comfortable and affordable place to sleep at night, but also have extra facilities like coin-operated laundry machines and even provide pyjamas at some of them!
Common chains to look out for include APA Hotel, Daiwa Roynet Hotel, Dormy Inn, Tokyo Inn and my new favourite, Via Inn. We stayed at three different Via Inn properties on my last trip alone! (Two in Osaka, and one in Tokyo).
To save on accommodation, we often stay at guesthouses or private rooms in hostels that come with shared bathroom facilities as I’ve found them to be spotlessly clean in Japan. One of my favourites is Kimi Ryokan Guesthouse in Tokyo which has traditional tatami mat rooms in this cosy guesthouse. I’ve stayed here 3 times now!
How to Get Around Japan
You can rely on Japan’s efficient and relatively straightforward public transportation system to get around.
I generally use a combination of local subways and trains, the high-speed Shinkansen “bullet train” and buses. I’ve also caught one or two taxis in cities like Kyoto and Kanazawa that rely more on the bus network than the subway, however taxis are pretty expensive in Japan.
Tip: Get a Suica card to save buying individual cash tickets for the inevitably many subway trips you will take. You can add Yen to a physical Suica card at almost any ticket machine, and then use it to tap on and tap off through the subway system throughout Japan as well as many bus lines.
iPhone users can also download a digital Suica into their Apple Wallet, which can be topped up through ApplePay – making getting around the cities even easier! Read more about getting a Suica here.
Tip: The Suica is Tokyo’s version, if you purchase one in person in Osaka it will be called the Pasmo card but it’s basically the same thing.
Do I Need a Rail Pass?
Since the price of Japan Rail Passes rose nearly 50% last year in 2023, I do NOT recommend getting a JR pass as they do not offer good value anymore for most travellers.
You can buy individual tickets from the station in advance or on the day of travel. You can do this in person at the ticket office, or at ticket machines which have an English option.
Read more about getting around Japan in my guide on Things to Know Before Visiting Japan for the First Time
Must Try Foods
We eat a bowl of ramen a day when travelling Japan (no joke). Usually for around $10 a bowl too! Other must try foods include:
- Okonomiyaki (Japanese savoury pancake)
- Takoyaki (Fried octopus balls)
- Taiyaki (custard filled fish-shaped pastries)
- Fresh sashimi and seafood donburi (rice bowl)
Final Thoughts on this Travel Guide for Japan
That wraps up this mini guide to travelling Japan.
Feel free to comment below or send me a DM on Instagram with any burning questions, and make sure to check out all my Japan articles below to help you plan your trip in detail!
Japan Itineraries:
- A Fun 7 Day Tokyo Itinerary: Complete 1 Week in Tokyo Guide
- The Perfect 3 Day Kyoto Itinerary: How to Avoid the Crowds
- An Exciting 4 Days in Osaka Itinerary for First-Timers
- Exploring Fuji Five Lakes: 3 Days in Kawaguchiko Guide
- Takayama Itinerary: 2 Days Discovering Traditional Japan
- A Perfect 4 Weeks in Japan Itinerary: Ultimate Travel Guide
More Japan Guides:
- 15 Things to Know Before Visiting Japan for the First Time
- 30 Unmissable Experiences for Your Japan Bucket List
- Is Japan Expensive? My EXACT Japan Trip Cost Breakdown Revealed
- Koyasan Temple Stay: Essential Travel Guide & Tips
- Guide to Visiting the Fuji Shibazakura Festival in 2024
- 10 Best Tokyo Cherry Blossom Spots for Incredible Photos
- Cool Stuff to Buy in Japan: 20 Souvenirs Actually Worth Buying
- How to Easily Visit the Chureito Pagoda from Tokyo
- 10 Most Mesmerising Views of Mt Fuji from Kawaguchiko
This post is so useful! We haven’t made it to Japan yet, but we would both love to go, so it’s so nice to see a complete guide. We’ll have to let you know when we finally get there!