Let’s make our Japan itinerary guide!
Hi, it’s Abipon, and I live and work in Japan as a photographer.
Today I’m going to give you all the info you could need to know before you start making your Japan travel itinerary. This will cover the essentials of where to go, where to stay, what to eat, what to do, and how to do it. I’ll also be releasing videos on each popular city in Japan for more detailed info, so check those out in the description. This guide is especially for first time travelers to Japan, but I think it could easily benefit anyone visiting.
Alright. So, your very first step of planning is to imagine Japan. What do you envision? Is it anime stores and maid cafes, neon lights and street food, temples and gardens? Depending on what you think of, that might be what’s interesting to you. There’s no right way to do a trip to Japan. But the wrong way to do a trip is to plan things you THINK you need to do but that aren’t really all that fun for you.
Where to Begin
Where to start when making your Japan itinerary guide.
Now, let’s start at the beginning. Obviously, you have to get here first. The first thing to think about is, of course, where you want to fly into. There are two main options for this: Tokyo (Haneda or Narita Airports) or Osaka (Kansai International Airport, and occasionally Itami). At the time of this video, it seems to be cheaper to fly into Tokyo as there are more flight itineraries available, however, it will of course depend on your airline and where you are flying from.
How Long to Stay?
I recommend not spending less than one week in Japan unless you are dropping in on a larger trip. If you’re spending the money to come all the way here, you may as well try to stay for, optimally, 8-9 days (or more). (Of course, any time spent here is better than no time.)
Depending on the length of your trip, I recommend, to the average person, spending 1/3 of your time in and around Tokyo, 1/3 in and around Osaka/Kyoto, and 1/3 on daytrips outside of Kyoto and Osaka.
So what does this mean? It means, if you’re here for 7 nights, spend about 2 or 3 nights in Tokyo and 4 to 5 in Kyoto or Osaka. Kyoto and Osaka are less than 30 minutes apart by train, so it’s okay if you only choose one city to stay in and then visit the other during the day.
Let’s talk about the main cities here.
Tokyo is well known for being big and exciting, with endless food options, entertainment, anime stores, game centers, and more. It’s a great city for people who are on the hunt for that one specific niche anime character figurine, or just someone who wants a wide variety of things to do.
Next is Osaka. Osakans are known for being more friendly and (by Japanese standards) boisterous. The city is more upbeat, has great street food and shopping, and of course, Osaka Castle.
Third, Kyoto is my personal favorite city, and as the former capital of Japan, is well known for its stunning traditional beauty. Side note I offer photography and guided tours with photography in Kyoto. But bias aside, Kyoto has more than just temples and shrines, but also has great shopping and traditional cuisine.
And finally, the many other cities of Japan that are worth a daytrip visit, including Nara, the Mt. Fuji area, Nagoya, Kobe, Hiroshima, and a hundred other amazing places. Some of these, especially those more than a few hours from the three city trifecta, are worth staying a night in if you’re here long enough. But to a general traveler, especially someone here for their first time, don’t try to book too many different hotels in various places. I promise you will likely get tired of moving around too much and feel like you don’t have time to fully enjoy the places you visit. To a second, third, so on time visitor, definitely look into visiting more out of the way spots. However, I will add that I lived in Kyoto for a year and there’s still so many places in the area that I haven’t visited.
Where to Start my Japan Itinerary Guide?
Depending on the length of your stay, you may want to take a day upon arriving to rest. Jet lag can hit hard, and trying to go to sleep at a normal local time is critical for adjusting as quickly as possible. Some people may experience little symptoms, and some, like myself, may feel ill for almost a week. Be careful when planning the first day or two of your itinerary as, if you overbook yourself, may make yourself feel worse or needing to cancel an activity. A few of my jet lag tips are: when you get here, try to sleep at a normal Japan time. Drink lots of water on the way over. Don’t overeat on the plane and give your digestive system too much work to do. And try to wake up the first day at a relatively normal time and get some light.
For most visitors, staying for a week or two, I recommend spending the first part of your stay in the area you fly into. Don’t stress yourself out right when you arrive. Flying into Tokyo should mean staying in Tokyo for a few days and enjoying all there is to see there. There are many day trips you can make from Tokyo, including great spots to catch Mt. Fuji, coastal Kamakura, or Nagano’s snow monkeys. Hakone’s onsen town is another great day trip from Tokyo, but is also my first recommendation to people who want to enjoy a special stay in a ryokan. Many ryokans there offer amazing cuisine and private baths in each room.
After this, I would recommend taking the shinkansen to Osaka or Kyoto. These cities are about half an hour’s train ride apart, and you can choose to stay in whichever city interests you more and travel to the other during the day, or stay a few nights in each. Day trips are also easily made from both of these cities. For most people, it’s unnecessary to book a hotel in Nara, Kobe, Himeji, etc. Even Hiroshima can be done in a day.
What to bring?
I know there’s many of you out there who are like me and love to pack every single thing they own. Please don’t do that. The main reason being, getting around with your big suitcases is a pain in the butt.
Most cities don’t allow big suitcases on the bus, the trains are often busy and tiring to navigate, and if you take the shinkansen, you have to book a specific seat that has space for an oversize suitcase.
This isn’t to say it’s impossible–it’s not. But two people don’t need four oversize suitcases. Hotels here sometimes offer laundry services, and if they don’t, towns have very safe and very cheap coin laundry places you can go.
Here’s what I would bring. All your documents and paperwork. Layers. Weather here is weird. Comfortable shoes. Sneakers are fine. A little hand towel. There’s no paper towels here, and often no hand dryer. You can also get one here. Toiletries–bring your preferred toothpaste as Japan doesn’t have all the common brands you might know. Deodorant! All my fellow deodoant users. The stuff here is awful because Japanese people don’t wear deodorant. Upset stomach medicine of your choice. The food here is very clean and safe, but jet lag and over-eating…trust me on this one. Side note–Japan is strict about medicine. You can only bring up to a one month supply of prescription meds. And–no THC, no amphetamines, no Tylenol Cold, NyQuuk, Sudafed, Vicks Inhalers, regardless of prescription. And on a very different note, no meat products. Kun-kun will get you. Continuing what to bring–a universal adapter: Japan uses this two prong plug. If you use something else, like my PC uses a three prong cord, you need to get an adapter. I recommend bringing a mobile battery for your phone. That completes my list, so I’m going to move on to something you should get when you arrive.
And that is a pocket wifi or sim card. My number one recommendation if you have a newer phone is an eSIM. You don’t have to do anything except sign up on your phone and click a button in settings when you arrive. Airalo and Ubigi are the big names here, and I haven’t personally tried them, but they come recommended by many. I actually used a brand called Holafly for a trip somewhere else and had a great experience with them. If you go to their websites and find that they’re not compatible with your phone, I would then recommend a pocket wifi. I personally think it’s easier than a physical sim card, as I’ve had issues with the sim cards not connecting right away and being spotty. However, the con of a pocket wifi is that you have to carry it around with you. Either can be booked online and picked up at the airport or sent to your hotel.
Where to Stay?
When travelling in Japan, there are three main types of places to stay: hotels, hostels, and rentals (e.g. Airbnbs). I’ve stayed at all three, and have had positive experiences at all of them. What you choose will primarily depend on: your budget, the number of travellers, where you are visiting, how long you’re staying, and personal preference.
Typically, hotels will be the most expensive option. However, they are also the most reliable and familiar. If you have reward points with a certain hotel chain, it may be a good idea to stay with them during your trip. I also recommend hotels to older travelers and those who are worried about knowing what to do in Japan. Nearly all major hotels will have staff who speak English and who are able to easily help with any issues or concerns on your trip, such as making restaurant reservations. Hotels also include ryokans, which are traditional-style hotels that are popular in Kyoto and onsen-towns like Hakone. Unlike normal hotels here, they sometimes have futons to sleep on the tatami mats. Some do have regular beds though, so just check the options when you book. Another thing to know is that Japan also has something called business hotels. Business hotels aren’t necessarily for business, and some big chains include APA Hotel, Super Hotel, and Toyoko Inn. They’re just hotels with smaller rooms and offer a simpler, less plush experience but for a cheaper price. They’re a good option for those who don’t need any meals, lots of space, etc. and who will spend most of the time outside of the hotel. My mom stayed in one of these for 9 or 10 nights in Kyoto, it had two beds, closet, fridge, etc and it was only about $500 total.
Hostels are a great option for young people or solo travelers as they provide the option to meet and chat with other travelers. Because many are marketed towards foreign tourists, they usually also have staff who speak English. Although some have individual rooms, many have shared rooms and facilities. Some also have nice shared kitchens that can be used for those who want to save some money. One hostel I visited even had regular takoyaki parties where guests could get together and learn how to make this delicious food. I’m also throwing capsule hotels into hostels, because I don’t know if it’s really fair to call sleeping in the time machine from Futurama a hotel. These can be pretty cheap too, and typically have some kind of small TV and shared bathrooms.
The third option is rentals/apartments, the most common of which is Airbnbs. I had some uneasiness about Airbnbs in America, but found that in Japan, the standard for Airbnbs is very high. In 2018, the Japanese government made it so that Airbnb owners had to register their properties after they fully met new regulations. This eliminated many properties who didn’t comply with these regulations. Current properties are identified with a license number. Airbnbs are usually more affordable than hotels. There’s a variety of types, but many are small one room apartments for single or couple travellers or large room apartments with a multitude of pull-out sofas and futons for bigger groups. If you’re travelling with a big group of friends or family, choosing one of these apartments can be a great way to stay together and save money.
I generally book things through websites like Booking.com and Agoda, and I also recommend Jalan, which is a booking website that only features Japanese places to stay.
And here’s the important part here: pretty much every place in Japan will be clean, safe, and with good service. I think people are often surprised by how much pride staff here take in their jobs. Not to say there’s not bad staff and bad service sometimes. But I find it’s less frequent than every other country I’ve ever been to. This is all to say that choosing where to stay here shouldn’t bleed your wallet dry.
Unless you really love a certain hotel and want to treat yourself, or really want to stay right next to a certain station or something, it’s definitely not necessary. The one hotel I would go more in on is a ryokan. If you’re going to Hakone, for example, spend a little more for the private bath and meals. But since you probably won’t be spending much time in your hotel in most other cities, just choose something that suits your budget.
Where to Eat?
One of the biggest things travellers look forward to in Japan is enjoying all the amazing cuisine. Make sure that, before your trip, you take a little (or if you’re like me, a lot) of time to think about what you want to eat!
I’m a huge foodie, so I tend to plan my itinerary around food. But for most people, it’s best to decide on a few restaurants or things you want to eat beforehand. I have a few important things I typically tell people. First, if you want to eat at any upscale or very very popular restaurants, you’re probably going to need to make a reservation in advance. Nowadays, you can make a reservation through your map app, I use google maps, or you can go to the website for the restaurant. I’ve had so many people disappointed when they get here and can’t get a reservation two days before for some stunning Kyoto kaiseki restaurant. Book it early. Now–this leads me into my second important thing.
Unless you are really like the King of England or something, you don’t need to eat every meal at a fancy restaurant. Japan has sooo many extremely affordable and delicious restaurants that are often, frankly, just as good if not better. Honestly, sometimes the little hole in the wall restaurants owned by a 95 year old married couple offer the best food.
So, don’t try to over plan every single meal. Book the ones that need to be booked, and enjoy trying local restaurants as well. In big cities, at this point, a good portion of restaurants offer English menus, and if they don’t, Google translate will be there for you as it has been there for me so many times.
What about…how to choose a restaurant? I find most of the restaurants I enjoy by A. literally just scrolling around google maps to places I’m going and checking pictures and reviews. B. Checking sites like Reddit, or various travel blogs. and C. Literally just going inside somewhere that smells good.
It’s also important to note that if you have any dietary restrictions, to plan beforehand. Common allergies such as seafood, dairy, wheat, or soybeans can, fairly easily, be avoided, as long as you’re willing to prepare a little. For more info, I have a guide in the description.
I’ll also be posting videos on each area of Japan that include what you should eat and do when visiting those places. Check the description for more about those.
How do I get around?
As you might imagine, you’ll probably be using a lot of trains in Japan. This is standard practice in Japan, and the trains go most places and are mostly timely whilst doing so.
You have several options to pay when travelling by train, and those are to buy a fare payment card, tickets from the train station, or a JR Pass.
The JR Pass is only available to tourists and allows unlimited travel on certain bullet trains, local trains, and buses for a specific period of time (i.e. 7 days, 14 days, or 21 days). You can use this (https://www.japan-guide.com/railpass/) resource to determine if the pass is worth it or not. Unless you are travelling via bullet train (shinkansen) more than a few times, in my personal opinion, it is not worth it. In October 2023, the cost of the JR Pass increased by 69%, so for many people who might have wanted it in the past, it’s no longer worth it. If you’re just going Tokyo to Osaka/Kyoto, and then back, I’ll tell you now that it’s not worth it. Additionally, if you get the JR Pass and want to take the fastest of the three Shinkansen, you do have to pay an additional fee. Fun fact.
Next, I personally getting recommend the Welcome Suica card, which can be purchased at Haneda airport. Here’s more information about it (https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/welcomesuica/welcomesuica.html). It works as a touch-to-pay for a vast majority of buses and trains throughout Japan’s bigger cities. iPhone users can also download these passes on their phone. I find that buying a ticket is not only a waste of time, but can be stressful because of needing to remember cash and not losing it before arriving at your next stop.
Buses are another option, and are generally pretty good, but are slower than the trains. Most buses take Suica/Pasmo/etc as well. In some cities, the buses that go to popular spots and stations can be extremely crowded. So sometimes, it’s worth it just to take a taxi.
Most cities also have a robust taxi system, so feel free to use them as you see fit. Most drivers do not speak English so I recommend showing where you want to go on Google Maps if the name is too complicated for you to feel comfortable pronouncing. Make sure that if you need to pay with card in a taxi, that you get on that has CARD OK or the like written somewhere on a sticker. Uber is also a thing here.
Book your activities
The last thing you should think about doing is booking tours and other activities. Websites like Viator and TripAdvisor offer a lot of options, but I always recommend booking direct with companies if you can. Some activities I think are worth it are tours, especially ones in cities that you’re making a day trip to. A tea ceremony, especially in Kyoto, is a nice hour long activity. I particularly recommend one that is led by a geisha or maiko. Another great option is booking Universal Studios in Osaka or Disney in Tokyo. And finally, I recommend trying a photoshoot, especially if you rent kimonos. I offer guided tours with photography that save you planning time, and photography shoots, both in Kyoto. It’s a nice chance to take your memories home with you.
What else do I need to know?
My final tip is just to think about what matters to you. Your trip should be a chance to not only take a break from normal life, but to enjoy a new culture. I recommend thinking about all the things you want to do before you travel here. Maybe save them on Google Maps or write them down. Think about the souvenirs you want to buy, what you want to eat, etc. This will save you stress once you get here, since you will have come with a plan.
I hope this video has helped you begin to plan your trip. Let me know in the comments what you want to do in Japan.