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Japan · 14–18 days

Japan for first-timers: Tokyo, the Alps & Kyoto

How to string the classics into one well-judged loop — neon cities, mountain ryokan and the bullet train — without rushing.

Japan is easier to travel than most first-timers expect: spotless, punctual, and laced together by the fastest trains in the world. The classic first trip is a loop — Tokyo, out into the mountains, then Kyoto and the old capital — finishing with a day in Osaka or Hiroshima. The temptation is to chase every city; the better trip picks three or four bases and lingers.

When to go

The two headline seasons are cherry blossom (late March–early April) and autumn leaves (mid-November) — both stunning and both busy; book months ahead. May and October are quieter and very pleasant. Avoid the humid heat of midsummer and the crowds of Golden Week (late April–early May) if you can. Skiers should look at January–February in the north.

How long, and a sensible route

Two weeks is ideal; ten days works if you're disciplined. A well-paced loop:

• Tokyo (4 nights) — neighbourhoods over sights: Shibuya and Shinjuku, the temples of Asakusa, a day trip to Hakone or Nikko, and the food everywhere.
• The Japan Alps (2–3 nights) — Takayama, the thatched villages of Shirakawa-go, and a night in a ryokan with an onsen. The trip's most memorable stretch.
• Kyoto (3–4 nights) — temples, gardens, Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari; use it as a base for Nara's deer and great Buddha.
• Osaka or Hiroshima (1–2 nights) — Osaka for street food and energy; Hiroshima for the Peace Park and the island shrine of Miyajima.

The rail pass question

The Japan Rail Pass can be excellent value, but since its 2023 price rise it only pays off if you're covering serious ground (e.g. Tokyo–Kyoto–Hiroshima and back). For a single long-haul plus local trips, individual bullet-train tickets are often cheaper — do the sums for your actual route. Either way, get an IC card (Suica/ICOCA, or the version in Apple/Google Wallet) for city trains and buses; it's tap-and-go everywhere.

Good to know

• Carry some cash — Japan is more card-friendly than it was, but smaller places, shrines and some restaurants are still cash-only.
• Reserve shinkansen seats with luggage in peak season, and travel light — stations mean stairs, and a forwarding service (takkyubin) can send big bags ahead.
• Etiquette is gentle but real: quiet on trains, shoes off in ryokan and homes, no tipping.
• Pocket Wi-Fi or an eSIM makes navigation effortless — and Google Maps is excellent for Japan's trains.

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Japan?

The two headline seasons are cherry blossom in late March to early April and autumn leaves in mid-November — both beautiful and both busy, so book months ahead. May and October are quieter and very pleasant. Avoid humid midsummer and the Golden Week crowds of late April to early May; for snow, look at January and February in the north.

How many days do you need in Japan?

Two weeks is ideal for a first trip and lets you pace Tokyo, the Japan Alps and Kyoto without rushing, with a night in Osaka or Hiroshima to finish. Ten days works if you're disciplined and stick to three bases. Any less and you're better off choosing just Tokyo and Kyoto than trying to see everything.

Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it?

Since its 2023 price rise, the Japan Rail Pass only pays off if you cover serious ground — for example Tokyo to Kyoto to Hiroshima and back within the pass window. For a single long-haul plus local trips, individual bullet-train tickets are often cheaper, so do the sums for your actual route. Either way, get an IC card such as Suica or ICOCA for city trains and buses.

Do you need to speak Japanese to travel in Japan?

No. Signs and station announcements on the main routes are in English, Google Maps handles the trains superbly, and a translation app covers menus and shops. A few polite words go a long way, but Japan is very easy to travel without the language.

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