Japan
Japan is an island nation where ancient temples stand minutes from neon-lit megacities, and where craftsmanship, courtesy, and attention to detail shape everyday life. Tokyo dazzles with scale and energy, Kyoto preserves 1,200 years of imperial culture in its shrines and gardens, and beyond the cities lie onsen hot-spring towns, snow festivals in Hokkaido, and the tropical beaches of Okinawa.…
Country overview
Japan is an island nation where ancient temples stand minutes from neon-lit megacities, and where craftsmanship, courtesy, and attention to detail shape everyday life. Tokyo dazzles with scale and energy, Kyoto preserves 1,200 years of imperial culture in its shrines and gardens, and beyond the cities lie onsen hot-spring towns, snow festivals in Hokkaido, and the tropical beaches of Okinawa. The food alone justifies the journey, from humble ramen counters to the world's greatest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants. Traveling is famously smooth thanks to punctual trains, spotless streets, and a culture of omotenashi — wholehearted hospitality. Each season rewrites the country: cherry blossoms in spring, festivals and fireworks in summer, fiery maple leaves in autumn, and powder snow in winter. Onsen hot-spring bathing is a ritual of relaxation, and regional diversity is immense — from Hokkaido's wilderness to Okinawa's subtropical islands, every prefecture guards its own crafts, dialects, and dishes.
- Capital
- Tokyo
- Languages
- Japanese
- Currency
- Japanese yen (JPY)
- Region
- Asia
- Best time to visit
- March to May (cherry blossom) and October to November (autumn colors)
Cities in Japan
Hiroshima Guide coming soon
Kyoto
Kyoto was Japan's imperial capital for over a thousand years, and it remains the soul of traditional Japan: 1,600 Buddhist…
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Nagoya Guide coming soon
Nara Guide coming soon
Osaka Guide coming soon
Sapporo Guide coming soon
Tokyo
Tokyo is the largest metropolitan area on earth and a city of beautiful contradictions: serene shrines behind neon arcades, Michelin-starred…
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Live conditions, straight from the forecast — never estimated.
Top attractions
Senso-ji Temple
Tokyo's oldest temple in Asakusa, entered through the giant Kaminarimon lantern gate, busy with worshippers and food stalls.
Meiji Shrine
A serene Shinto shrine in a vast forested park in the heart of the city, dedicated to Emperor Meiji.
Tokyo Tower
The 333-meter orange-and-white communications tower, a beloved symbol of postwar Tokyo with observation decks.
Shibuya Crossing
The world's busiest pedestrian scramble crossing, an icon of Tokyo's energy best viewed from above.
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates forming tunnels up Mount Inari.
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
A Zen temple whose top two floors are covered in gold leaf, reflected in a mirror pond.
Kiyomizu-dera
A hillside temple with a famous wooden stage offering panoramic views over Kyoto.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Towering bamboo stalks create one of Japan's most photographed natural scenes.
Osaka Castle
The reconstructed 16th-century castle surrounded by a moat and park, especially beautiful in cherry-blossom season.
Itsukushima Shrine
The famous "floating" torii gate that appears to rise from the sea at high tide.
Himeji Castle
Japan's most spectacular original feudal castle, a UNESCO site nicknamed the White Heron.
Mount Fuji
Japan's sacred 3,776-meter peak, best admired from the Chureito Pagoda viewpoint or climbed in summer.
Where to stay
Live pricing and availability are not connected — check the property’s official site.
Park Hyatt Tokyo
The legendary luxury hotel atop a Shinjuku skyscraper, famous for its views and the New York Bar.
Live pricing not connected
The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto
A riverside luxury hotel blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern comfort.
Live pricing not connected
Hoshinoya Kyoto
A riverside ryokan-style retreat reached by boat, set in a former aristocratic villa.
Live pricing not connected
Gora Kadan
A celebrated hot-spring ryokan in Hakone with kaiseki dining and private onsen baths.
Live pricing not connected
Hotel Gracery Osaka Namba
A convenient mid-range hotel in the heart of Namba's dining and entertainment district.
Live pricing not connected
Khaosan Tokyo Origami
A well-known budget hostel in historic Asakusa, popular with backpackers.
Live pricing not connected
Where to eat
Live pricing and availability are not connected — check the property’s official site.
Sukiyabashi Jiro
The world-famous tiny sushi counter whose chef became a global icon of craftsmanship.
Ichiran Ramen
Japan's beloved tonkotsu ramen chain, famous for its solo dining booths.
Nakamura Tokichi Honten
A historic Uji tea house serving exceptional matcha desserts in a traditional setting.
Gion Karyo
An elegant kaiseki restaurant in the heart of the geisha district.
Sushizanmai
The famous 24-hour sushi institution near the old Tsukiji market.
Practical information
The essentials for planning — always verify time-sensitive details with official sources before you travel.
Population
Approximately 124 million
Area
377975
Time zones
UTC+9 (JST)
Driving side
left
Emergency numbers
110, 119
Visa information
Many nationalities enter visa-free for short tourist stays; others can apply for an eVisa or at a Japanese embassy.
Source: Editorial research · Last updated: 2026-10-10