Japan – travel guide

When is the best time to visit Japan?

For a first trip to Tokyo and Kyoto, April–May and October–November are good starting points. Choose spring for gardens and the chance of cherry blossom, or autumn for city walks and colourful foliage. The second half of May is worth considering if you want to travel after Golden Week and do not need to catch the blossom.

Japan does not have one shared season. Hokkaido in the north, the cities of Honshu and Okinawa in the south can have very different conditions on the same date. Decide what you want to experience first, then adapt your itinerary to the season.

This overview describes typical seasons, not a weather forecast or a guarantee of blossom, snow or autumn colours.

Three periods that need extra planning

Golden Week falls in late April and early May. Book key accommodation and longer train journeys early, or travel after the holiday period. The rainy season makes June a month when museums and flexible plans are useful; Hokkaido is less affected than many other regions. New Year is a major Japanese holiday period, so check restaurants, museums and transport individually.

Japan in spring: March, April or May?

March and April: Choose for the region you want to visit, and keep your route flexible if cherry blossom is the main goal. Flowering progresses through the country and varies each year. A Tokyo hotel booking therefore cannot guarantee blossom during your particular week.

May: For Tokyo and Kyoto, the period after Golden Week is a useful alternative when city exploring and gardens matter more than cherry blossom. JNTO describes blossom continuing into May in parts of Hokkaido and northern Tohoku; this does not mean Kyoto has the same conditions.

October or November for Tokyo and Kyoto?

Choose October when city walks are the priority and you can be flexible about autumn colours. Consider November if Kyoto's foliage is an important part of your trip, checking local seasonal updates closer to departure. JNTO describes Kyoto's autumn colours typically starting from mid-November. Higher and northern areas can turn earlier, so a single nationwide monthly recommendation is too broad.

How many days do you need in Japan?

A first trip is easier to plan with two or three bases. Tokyo and Kyoto offer city life and temple districts; a hot-spring stay can provide a break between them. Every extra base also means packing, transport and another check-in.

This split is an editorial suggestion, not a single best itinerary. If you fly into Tokyo and out of Kansai near Osaka, you can avoid returning to Tokyo. Compare airfares and domestic transport before deciding. With one week, a single base with local excursions is also a good choice if you want to spend less time on trains.

Use the Tokyo guide to choose a neighbourhood, and the Kyoto guide for ideas for your next stop. Hakone is a suggestion for a separate stay; check the hotel’s bathing facilities and connections to your next city.

How much does a trip to Japan cost?

Japan can work with different budgets. Your room, the number of long-distance train journeys and your chosen experiences make a considerable difference. Start in yen and convert using the rate you actually receive from your bank. This keeps exchange-rate changes separate from hotel-price changes.

Three budget levels – choose your own assumptions

These are our worked examples per adult per day. Two adults share one double room. The amounts are spending allowances, not researched hotel rates, measured averages or offers.

The room shares assume total room rates of 10,000, 18,000 and 30,000 yen respectively. These are targets to test against your hotel search; they do not guarantee a particular hotel or location on your dates. Simple stay assumes fewer paid experiences and simpler meals. Extra room means a larger allowance, not a promise of luxury.

What does this mean for ten nights?

Ten nights and ten full daily allowances give totals of 100,000, 160,000 or 280,000 yen per person. For two people sharing the room, the corresponding totals are 200,000, 320,000 and 560,000 yen. This does not assume a particular number of calendar days: allow separately for meals and transport on arrival and departure days according to your flight times.

All examples exclude international flights, airport transfers, long-distance trains, travel insurance, any local accommodation taxes and shopping. Price these separately and add a contingency. If you travel alone with your own room, double the room share in the model; the other items do not automatically double.

Save without spending your holiday in transit

Choose fewer bases and group visits by neighbourhood. A lunch set can be an alternative to an expensive evening menu; compare the actual menus and any additional charges. Compare a ryokan including dinner and breakfast with a hotel plus both meals. Check whether a cheaper hotel adds transfers or a taxi after a late arrival.

For Tokyo and Kyoto, compare individual tickets for your actual train journeys with any rail pass. A national pass can suit a route with extensive travel, but its familiar name alone is no reason to buy it. Read about trains and the Japan Rail Pass, then choose your bases using the Tokyo guide and Kyoto guide.

Is Japan more expensive in cherry blossom season?

There is no single price for the whole season. Compare equivalent room types and neighbourhoods across dates before drawing conclusions about price differences. If your trip depends on blossom timing, pay attention to change and cancellation terms too. JNTO identifies Golden Week, in late April and early May, as a particularly busy period with crowded trains and hotels.

Transport: trains, IC cards and the Japan Rail Pass

For everyday city travel: A rechargeable IC card such as Suica or PASMO makes paying on many trains and buses easier. It is a payment method, not an unlimited travel pass. Long-distance trains and special express services may require a separate ticket or supplement.

Between major cities: Look into Shinkansen services for the journeys you will actually make. Compare hotel-to-hotel travel time, the number of changes and luggage rules too. For a shorter stay with few train journeys, individual tickets may be simpler.

Japan Rail Pass: Buy it only after calculating the cost of your itinerary. A nationwide pass is not automatically the cheapest option and does not cover every train or local railway. Nozomi and Mizuho services require pass holders to buy a special additional ticket. Compare current individual fares with the official pass price and check regional alternatives.

Tokyo is served by both Haneda and Narita. Choose transport based on your hotel and arrival time, rather than simply picking the best-known express service. See airport transport and the metro in the Tokyo guide.

Practical advice before you book

• Accommodation: Check room size, bed type, luggage access and the latest check-in time. At a ryokan, ask which meals and baths are included and when dinner is served.
• Onsen: Bathing facilities have different rules on tattoos. Ask the specific property before booking; a private bath may be an option, but is not automatically included.
• Payment: Carry a combination of cards and cash. Smaller businesses may accept different payment methods from large hotels. Check your card’s fees and cash withdrawal options.
• Public holidays and reservations: Check opening hours for the attractions that matter most to you. Do not schedule a timed experience immediately after a long journey.
• Entry requirements and insurance: Read the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ current travel advice and passport and visa information before departure. Make sure your insurance covers your trip and activities.

Is Japan a good winter destination?

Yes, if you want city experiences, hot springs or winter sports in suitable areas. Winter is not a shortcut to the same trip you would take in April: plan for cold weather and shorter days, and check New Year closures.

Can you travel during the rainy season?

Yes. Plan indoor options and allow time to change the order of your activities. The rainy season does not mean all-day rain every day. An itinerary in Hokkaido may be an alternative, although the weather cannot be guaranteed there either.