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InternationalTravel.ai > Japan

Japan

Coastal Beaches

Best Season to Visit: Spring

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: November

Famous For: Cherry blossoms, Temples and shrines, Bullet trains, Hot springs

Train Access: Yes (jr (japan railways group), shinkansen (bullet train), tokyo metro, very safe)

Bus Service: Yes (JR Bus, Willer Express, Keio Bus, very safe)

Tourist Visa: Most Western passport holders (US, UK, Canada, Australia, EU citizens) receive 90-day visa-free entry as tourists upon arrival in Japan. No advance visa application is required for standard tourism; visitors receive a tourist stamp in their passport at immigration. Extensions beyond 90 days require application at immigration offices within Japan.

Japan spans from Hokkaido's snow-covered mountains to Okinawa's subtropical islands, with travelers experiencing ancient temples in Kyoto, neon-lit streets in Tokyo, and rural villages in the Japanese Alps. Visitors hike Mount Fuji, explore the bamboo groves of Arashiyama, walk through thousands of vermillion torii gates at Fushimi Inari, and visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Regional cuisine varies dramatically: Osaka serves takoyaki and okonomiyaki, Hiroshima has its own okonomiyaki style, Fukuoka specializes in tonkotsu ramen, and Kyoto preserves kaiseki dining traditions. Travelers experience bullet trains connecting major cities, stay in ryokans with hot springs in regions like Hakone and Beppu, and participate in seasonal festivals throughout the year.

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Podcasts

Episode 8: Jake Barber - The Expat Finance Expert Returns

Jake Barber, the Founder and CEO of SJB Global, is a life-long expat and an expert in expat finance. Over the course of Expat Exchange's nearly 30 years online, there are few people we have met with as much lived experience and professional acumen as Jake. We were thrilled to welcome him back to the show and look forward to having him on again!

Episode 6: Jake Barber - Expat Finance Expert and Lifelong Expat

Jake Barber is an expat finance expert and the founder and principal of SJB Global. A lifelong expat currently living in Marbella, Spain, Jake has vast experience helping expats from the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries manage their finances while living abroad. Get a primer on what you need to know both before and after you move abroad!

Planning Your Trip to Japan

Weather: Japan experiences four distinct seasons with significant regional variation due to its north-south length. Winters (December-February) are cold in the north, particularly Hokkaido, with heavy snowfall, while southern regions remain mild. Summers (June-August) are hot and humid throughout the country, with temperatures often exceeding 30°C (86°F). Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant, making them popular seasons for visitors and outdoor activities.

Festivals: Gion Matsuri (Kyoto, July), Aoi Matsuri (Kyoto, May), Awa Odori (Tokushima, August), Takayama Matsuri (Takayama, April and October)

Best Destinations for Kids: Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea in Chiba offer theme park experiences, while the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka showcases animation with dedicated family hours. Osaka's Universal Studios Japan and the Aquarium provide interactive attractions for children.

Hidden Gem: Kanazawa on the Japan Sea coast preserves the Kenroku-en garden, samurai and geisha districts, and 21st Century Museum of Art without Kyoto's crowds. The city remains accessible via bullet train yet receives a fraction of Kyoto's visitors while offering equivalent cultural depth.

Budget-Friendly Advice: Budget accommodations include capsule hotels (¥3,000-5,000 per night), hostels (¥2,500-4,500), and business hotels (¥5,000-8,000). Meals at convenience stores cost ¥500-1,500, ramen shops ¥800-1,200, and casual restaurants ¥1,500-3,000. Japan Rail Pass provides unlimited train travel across regions for 7-14 days (¥29,650-39,960 for foreign tourists). Local buses and subway systems in major cities use IC cards (Suica, Pasmo) with single rides ¥170-220 in Tokyo.

Accessibility: Japan's major cities feature extensive accessible infrastructure with elevators in train stations, accessible toilets, and priority seating on public transport. However, older temples, traditional ryokans, and rural areas often lack wheelchair accessibility or have steep stairs. Tokyo and Osaka provide the most comprehensive accessibility services, while rural regions present significant mobility challenges.

For the Solo Traveler: Solo travel in Japan is exceptionally safe for all travelers, with low crime rates and efficient public transportation enabling independent navigation. Solo travelers navigate easily using IC cards for transit, English signage in major cities, and translation apps for rural areas. Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka attract solo visitors with abundant solo-friendly accommodations and dining options. Women travelers report feeling secure in all regions, though rural areas may have fewer English speakers. Sol

Planning a 1 Week Stay: A seven-day itinerary covers Tokyo (2-3 days) for urban culture and food, Kyoto (2-3 days) for temples and gardens, and either Osaka (1 day) for street food or Hiroshima (1 day) for historical sites. Bullet trains connect these cities efficiently, allowing travelers to experience both metropolitan and traditional Japan without excessive travel time.

Planning a 1 Month Stay: A 30-day journey begins in Tokyo and Kyoto (10 days combined), then explores Hiroshima and Miyajima (3 days), ventures to Takayama and the Japanese Alps (4 days), visits Kanazawa (3 days), explores Osaka and Kobe (3 days), and concludes in Fukuoka or Okinawa (4 days). This pacing allows deeper regional exploration beyond standard routes, including rural villages, local festivals, and lesser-visited cultural sites.

Delving into the Culture

Movies Set: Lost in Translation, The Last Samurai, Memoirs of a Geisha

Popular Foods: Japanese cuisine is known for its emphasis on seasonality, quality ingredients, and presentation. Some of the most popular dishes include sushi, which is vinegared rice topped with various ingredients like fish and vegetables; ramen, a noodle soup with various flavors such as soy sauce or miso; and tempura, which consists of seafood or vegetables that have been battered and deep fried. Desserts like mochi, sweet rice cakes, and matcha-flavored treats are also widely enjoyed.

Unusual Eats: Natto, fermented soybeans with a strong smell and sticky texture, and shirako, which is the sperm sacs of fish, are two Japanese foods that many visitors find challenging to eat due to their unique textures and flavors.

Popular Sports: baseball, sumo wrestling, soccer, martial arts

Popular Teams: Yomiuri Giants (baseball), Tokyo Verdy (soccer), Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (baseball)

Cultural Faux Pas to Avoid: It is considered rude to tip in Japan, as good service is expected as standard and tipping can be seen as demeaning. Additionally, it is important to respect the custom of removing shoes when entering someone's home or certain traditional accommodations and restaurants. Loud conversations, especially on public transport, are also frowned upon.