Ultimate Hokkaidō Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors
Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaidō, is best known globally as a ski and snowboard destination – thanks to its legendary powder snow.
capital of Japan
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Discover Japan: Experience the Best of the Rising Sun
The uncertainty of the pandemic years was challenging for those hoping to travel to Japan. With the country closed to tourism, it was difficult to know when travel would resume and how the experience would evolve. However, what makes Japan a breathtaking destination remains unchanged. This incredible country continues to enchant both first-timers and repeat visitors with its extraordinary culture, exquisite cuisine, and beautiful landscapes.
Essential Questions Every Traveler Should Ask Before Visiting Japan in 2025
On October 11, Japan will finally open its doors to independent travel following more than two years of some of the world’s toughest border restrictions. The country is also bringing back visa-free entry for visitors from more than 60 countries.
Discover Japan’s 10 Best Beaches for Surfing, Sunbathing, and Sushi
Japan might not be the first country that springs to mind when you think of a beach vacation, yet Japanese travelers know that the coastline of this fascinating archipelago is boasting gorgeous beaches, particularly on the dreamy southern islands.
Top 7 National Parks to Explore in Japan
For a relatively small country, Japan packs in a diverse array of ecosystems and landforms to delight the senses. With simmering volcanoes, expansive coastlines, dreamy islands, and lush forests that flow over mountains and through valleys, there’s much to explore. Whether you’re interested in discovering secret shrines, natural hot springs, towering peaks, or vibrant spring blooms, this guide highlights the best national parks in Japan to inspire your next adventure.
Top 16 Must-Visit Destinations in Japan
Japan offers a unique blend of ancient traditions and modern marvels, making it an extraordinary destination for travelers. With its vibrant cities such as Tokyo, luxurious train experiences, and tranquil island retreats, there is something captivating for every visitor. However, with so much to explore, identifying the must-visit locations can be challenging. This guide highlights the notable places you should include in your itinerary to ensure a memorable trip to Japan.
Explore Outdoor Adventures in Bandai-Asahi National Park, Japan
Straddling the prefectural borders of Yamagata, Niigata, and Fukushima in northern Japan is Bandai-Asahi National Park, approximately 187,000 hectares of rumbling volcanoes, stoic mountains, looking-glass lakes, and primeval woodland. Such a dramatic setting lends itself perfectly to outdoor adventures from hiking, canoeing, and cycling to climbing, skiing, and birdwatching.
Explore the Stunning Contrasts of Bandai-Asahi National Park, Japan
Bandai-Asahi National Park, stretching across Japan’s Tohoku and Hokuriku regions, is a fusion of the contrasting elements which underpin Japanese nature and culture.
Explore Edo Period Japan: Journey Along the Nakasendo Trail
Connecting the hubs of Tokyo and Kyoto during Japan’s Edo Period, the Nakasendo Trail, or “Road through the central mountains,” has been essential for travelers moving between these cities. Currently, it serves as a path for both locals and international visitors who wish to step back into the Edo Period, enjoying a mix of rewarding hikes and charming post towns that continue to be preserved.
Discover Master Craftsmanship in Japan’s Fukui Province
Japan’s Fukui province has qualities that would appeal to any visitor. For one thing, its scenery is dramatic, especially the cliffs of its Sea of Japan coastline. The region features immaculately preserved archaeological sites, hearty regional cuisine, and some of the country’s finest craftsman traditions. The most important of these traditions, both based in the village of Echizen, are washi papermaking and the manufacture of edge tools and weapons, including knives and scythes.
Explore Japan’s Tokaido Shinkansen: The Ultimate Golden Route Journey
Japan’s personality comes to life along its famous Golden Route, the nation’s cultural epicenter. From the breakneck metropolis of Tokyo to spiritual icon Mount Fuji, through the ancient capital of Kyoto and culminating at brash, calorie-filled Osaka, the Tokaido Shinkansen is an exciting and incredibly convenient way to travel through the Land of the Rising Sun.
Explore Japan’s Kumano Kodo: A Journey with the Emperors
Pilgrims have sought spiritual renewal on the sacred paths of Japan’s Kii Peninsula for over a millennium. Walk in their footsteps along the Kumano Kodō.
Essential Tips for Traveling to Japan in 2025
VisitingJapanis a wonderful experience. However, a tourist boom from regional neighbors and global visitors has led to several recent changes in the nuances of traveling in Japan.
Explore Kumano Kodō: The Historic Pilgrimage Trail of Japan
One of Japan’s most remote and rewarding journeys, the Kumano Kodō hiking route weaves through the mountainous Kii Peninsula, south of Osaka. Once a sacred pilgrimage trail reserved for emperors and samurai, the ‘Kumano Old Road’ is today open to all seekers and wanderers, with plenty of intensely photogenic shrines and natural beauty along the way.
Explore Toyama’s Traditional Handmade Crafts from Central Japan
The mountain-flanked region of Toyama in central Japan is replete with lush natural scenery flaunting both ocean and alpine vistas. This region is also home to a handful of exquisite traditional crafts dating back over 400 years. Conveniently positioned along the Hokuriku Shinkansen train line, Toyama serves as a popular stop for travelers headed to attractions such as the renowned Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. To gain a more in-depth understanding of the local history and culture, and pick up a rare souvenir or two, consider renting a car in Toyama and embarking on a craft tour of the region.
Discover Tranquility in Japan: A Guide to Finding Peace
In Japan, there’s a drive to create and experience things that are bigger, better, faster, and stronger than anywhere else in the world. Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo is one of the world’s busiest pedestrian crossings; the Shinkansen bullet train is the second-fastest train in the world at 320km per hour, and is set to get even faster; and the biggest Starbucks in the world can be found in Tokyo’s Meguro district.
Top Summer Activities in Japan: Discover Must-Do Experiences
Summer in much of Japan is hot and can be unrelentingly humid; however, it’s also the season for top festivals, mass folk dancing, mountain hikes, and enjoying a cold beer on a city rooftop. If you’re travelling in Japan between June and September, carry a fan and make the most of these summertime experiences.
Top Attractions in Japan’s Kansai Region: Explore Kyoto and Beyond
You could cover a lot of ground on a trip to Japan, or very little, and still get to experience the best of what the country has to offer. Centrally located Kansai has it all: not just Kyoto, but also a vibrant city in Osaka, plus fantastic hiking and hot springs.
17 Breathtaking Temples in Japan You Need to Visit Now
When visiting Japan, there are a few things that absolutely need to be on your list: enjoying some (or a lot) of sake with the locals, ample time to explore all of Tokyo’s nooks and crannies, and—if you’re a lady who’s into anime or manga—a quick visit to the girls-only otaku cafe in Osaka. Oh, and then there are the breathtaking temples and shrines you’ll find around every corner in Kyoto. Each and every temple is special in its own rite—a space for housing sacred objects and worshipping. It’s the places like this where locals and tourists alike gather to partake in a peaceful moment that really catch our eye. In fact, you don’t even need to be in the presence of these stunning pieces of architecture to feel the effects—take a few moments to rest your eyes from the daily grind to take in some of Japan’s wondrous (and most cherished) sites.
Explore Takayama: Japan’s Scenic Mountain Village
Secluded in the mountainous Hida region of central Japan, Takayama is a place where Japanese history and tradition flourish in the 21st century. Atmospherically preserved neighbourhoods, a festival parade dating from the 1600s, busy morning markets, and a folk village all tell a tale of bygone times. Add in museums, handicraft shopping, and local specialties to try (from beef to miso on magnolia leaves), and a trip to Takayama is well worth the journey from Tokyo.