Japan Travel Guide

When to visit Japan

Spring (March–May) – Cherry blossoms and mild weather. This is high season but it's worth visiting Japan in spring.

Autumn (September–November) – Beautiful fall colours and nice weather.

Summer is very humid and hot. Winter can be chilly, especially in northern Japan, but is great if you're into skiing. Golden Week (the last week of April to the first week of May) and Obon (middle of August) are two holiday seasons when many Japanese people travel, so you may want to avoid these weeks if you don't like crowds.

Japan Rail Pass & transport

If you plan on traveling to multiple cities by shinkansen (bullet train) then look into the Japan Rail Pass as it can save you money. However, work out what you'll be doing first – if you're visiting Tokyo for a few days then renting a bike may be cheaper. Japan's local trains, buses, and metro systems are fast and on-time. Look into getting IC cards (Suica/Pasmo) so you can travel on public transport in the cities.

SIM card/data

You can buy a Japanese SIM card/eSIM at the airport when you arrive in Japan or order one online before you arrive. Another option is renting a Pocket WiFi. WiFi is free in most hotels, cafes, and train stations but you might still want to get a data plan so you can use Google Maps and translation apps offline.

Cash or card?

While plastic is accepted at most places in Japan, it's still a cash-based society so remember to bring yen to use at local shops, your ryokan may only accept cash, and some traditional Japanese restaurants won't accept cards. Most hotels, department stores, and large restaurants will accept credit cards. You can use your international ATM card at just about any convenience store (such as 7-Eleven or Lawson) to withdraw cash.

Tips for traveling with children

Japan is incredibly kid friendly. Trains have priority seats for toddlers/kids and nursing mothers, most attractions will be discounted for children, and all convenience stores will sell baby diapers, milk and food. Japan has lots of family-friendly theme parks, aquariums, and hands-on museums. Make sure you book kid-friendly accommodation before you arrive and if you're visiting Japan in high season.

Other useful info for planning your trip to Japan

Book your accommodation and experiences (think bamboo trains, teamLab, Ghibli Museum) ahead of time. Try learning some basic Japanese phrases before you go – most Japanese people will try to help you if they know you're making an effort. Shoes come off inside, no walking while eating, and no talking in silent carriages on trains.