Japan
Neon cities, ancient shrines, and the best food scene on earth.
Japan pairs hyper-modern Tokyo with the quiet temples of Kyoto and the street-food energy of Osaka. Four distinct seasons give it four distinct personalities — cherry blossoms in spring, festivals in summer, maple leaves in autumn, and snow-dusted onsen towns in winter.
Capital
Tokyo
Currency
Japanese yen
Timezone
JST (UTC+9)
Daily budget
~$140/day
Language
Japanese
Best seasons
Spring (Mar–May)
Safety
Consistently ranks among the safest countries in the world. Petty crime is rare even late at night.
Getting around
World-class rail network — the Shinkansen connects major cities in hours. A 7/14/21-day JR Pass covers most long-distance travel.
Internet & SIM
Airport eSIMs and pocket wifi rentals are widely available; 7-Eleven ATMs reliably accept foreign cards.
Popular Destinations
Tokyo
The densest concentration of things to do in the world — from Michelin-starred ramen to teamLab's digital art to Shibuya's neon crossing.
Kyoto
Over a thousand temples and shrines, geisha districts, and the bamboo groves of Arashiyama.
Osaka
Japan's food capital — Dotonbori's street food, castle grounds, and the friendliest big city in Japan.
Nara
Free-roaming bowing deer, a giant bronze Buddha at Todai-ji, and an easy day trip from Kyoto or Osaka.
Hakone
Mount Fuji views over Lake Ashi, hot spring ryokans, and the Hakone Open-Air Museum.
Okinawa
Tropical beaches, coral-reef diving, and a distinct Ryukyuan culture unlike mainland Japan.
Sapporo
Hokkaido's biggest city — snow festival in February, incredible seafood, and gateway to ski country.
Fukuoka
Tonkotsu ramen's birthplace and the yatai street-stall food scene along the river.
Kamakura
A seaside temple town an hour from Tokyo, home to the Great Buddha and quiet hiking trails.
Nagoya
An industrial hub with a serious food identity (hitsumabushi, miso katsu) and a central rail hub for day trips.
Travel Checklist
Fun achievements to collect — never mandatory.