Japan
What you need to know before you go
Japan, also called the Land of the Rising Sun, is a mix of ancient traditions coexisting with global innovation. Made up of 4 main islands in East Asia, the nation has diverse climates and landscapes – snowy mountains dominate the northern end, while to the south, you’ll find Nagano’s lakes, Kyoto’s temples, and the vibrant capital of Tokyo. Thanks to an extensive rail network, you can ride one of the world’s fastest bullet trains from the subtropical beaches in the south to the northernmost mountain ranges.
Japan’s well-preserved culture is something you can experience instead of just reading about it from a history book, from sumo wrestling matches and kabuki shows, to woodblock printing and tea ceremonies. Whether you’re planning an extravagant shopping trip to Tokyo or want to enjoy a day of visiting Shinto shrines in Kyoto, Japan is a country of vibrancy, depth and beauty.
Top destinations in Japan
Where will you go next?
Tokyo is Japan’s capital city and one of the most engaging and awe-inspiring metropolises in the world. Covering an area of approximately 2,250 square kilometers, the Tokyo Metropolis is a whole world in itself. The city is highly regarded for its safety and high quality of life. It also offers a remarkable blend of old and new – think ancient...
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Nara
Nara flourished to become one of Asia’s grandest cities during its 74-year reign as Japan’s first capital. As the...
Kyushu
Fukuoka is a booming, cosmopolitan city on the northern shore of picturesque Kyushu Island that offers a fascinating glimpse of...
Kyoto
Kyoto attracts many with its hundreds of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, as well as pink cherry blossoms in spring...
Nagoya
Nagoya is an economic powerhouse, home to Japan’s auto manufacturing giants Toyota, Honda and Mitsubishi. It once served as a...
Kobe
Kobe, the capital of Hyogo Prefecture, has a long history of welcoming outsiders to its shores – it was one of...
Yokohama
Yokohama is a speedy 20-minute train ride from Tokyo’s core, but certainly holds its own with its international restaurants...
What to see & do in Japan
Featured stories & fun stuffJapan is the epitome of the exotic East, with many unique idiosyncrasies waiting to be discovered. Even a simple walk through the city streets presents so many things to do in Japan – walk into a robot restaurant, a pachinko parlor, or a shopping mall and you will be wide-eyed with wonder about the things you see. Japan is not only about the big urban centres, and you will find... Read more
8 Unusual Things to See and Do in Tokyo
Only in Tokyo can you encounter a wealth of fascinating obsessions found nowhere else in the world. Feel the tingle of eating blowfish, check out Tokyo’s youth dressed up as comic-book characters and head back in time to Edo...
11 Most Popular Tourist Sites in Tokyo
Tokyo has plenty of famous spots that give a real sense of Japan's history, but you can also find ultramodern...
10 Local Nightlife Experiences in Chiba
Wondering where Chiba locals go at night? There are many places where you can enjoy sparkling night views of Tokyo...
10 Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Japan
Cherry blossom is widely known as Japan’s national flower, and there are plenty of places to see it in full...
Top 10 recommended spots in Okinawa for family trips
Okinawa, the perfect location for blue sea and white sandy beaches, is also a hugely popular vacation destination for families...
34 Best Nightlife Experiences in Tokyo
While Tokyo is a buzzing metropolis during the day, nothing compares to the electricity of its nightlife! Engulfed in an...
10 Places Locals Love to Go in Chiba
Wondering which places locals love to go in Chiba? Chiba is full of rich nature and has some great sightseeing...
Top 10 reasonably-priced sightseeing spots in Okinawa
If you've been looking forward to a trip to Okinawa, you'll no doubt want to experience all the best parts...
Selection of 10 great nature destinations
There's a lot of buzz surrounding Japan's unique natural environment thanks to world heritage sites, power spots, and scenic spots...
Where & what to eat in Japan
Dining out in Japan is a definite highlight of any trip to the country. Known for their longevity, the Japanese enjoy their food immensely and, in general, still manage to keep the ingredients healthy. Of course, if you’re hankering after western food, it’s easy to find fast-food outlets and British-style pubs. But the Japanese cuisine experience – from delicious wagyu beef to raw seafood – is striking and typically meals... Read more
10 Best Places to Find Local Food in Okinawa
Okinawa Island has so many foodie areas to get your teeth into. Kokusai Street is one such place, where you can nibble and taste all kinds of interesting foods, while in resort areas such as Onna Village you can enjoy...
5 Great Restaurants in Kobe
Dining in Kobe is a treat as you can find a little bit of everything here. There's certainly no shortage...
11 Best Japanese Foods & Dishes
Japanese cuisine is sublime in its intricacy of flavor, its variety of seasonal dishes, and its surprising health benefits. A...
Where to shop & what to buy in Japan
Shopping in Japan is an integral part of modern-day life, with megastores, malls, arcades, supermarkets and even humble 7-Elevens (a Japanese innovation) woven into everyday life. It’s as though Japan took the once-new idea of shopping malls and ran with it. When most people contemplate shopping in Japan, it’s natural to think first of high-tech electronic goods, but excellent textiles can be found, as well as... Read more
7 Best Shopping Experiences in Nara
Nara’s shopping choices surprises many day-trippers with its wide variety of goods – so much so that many regret that they didn’t plan to stay longer. For serious shoppers who are after only top-quality Japanese items, look around the...
23 Best Shopping Experiences in Kyoto
Kyoto is a great place to visit because of its significant history, charming people and huge number of shopping options...
7 Best Shopping Experiences in Sapporo
As in most large Japanese cities, shopping malls are the most popular places to shop in Sapporo. You'll find all...
Where to go & what to do at night in Japan
Japanese people love to let loose at night. The country is a living embodiment of the ‘work hard, play hard’ mantra, which has been adopted by its neighbours. The best nightlife is to be found in the ever-trend-setting Tokyo, but provincial cities each have their own charms and quirks. Karaoke is the quintessential nightlife experience in Japan, but swanky cocktail bars, pumping nightclubs and friendly izakayas are also... Read more
Top 10 recommended night spots in Okinawa
Okinawa may well be a paradise of endless summer renowned for its daytime sunshine, but it also has unique charms after the sun sets. If you're an outdoors kind of person, try a night dive in the waters of the...
6 Great Bars and Pubs in Sapporo
Many nightlife lovers see Sapporo as a more laid-back and relaxed destination than equivalent-sized cities in Japan. The...
7 Great Bars in Nagoya
Downtown Nagoya, especially the Sakae district, has all kinds of nightlife ranging from traditional Japanese bars to modern and international...
Useful information
10 Best Festivals in Japan
Japan hosts more than 200,000 local festivals throughout the year. Many visitors from all over Japan and abroad often come to see the Kyoto Gozan no Okuribi, where flaming kanji characters appear on the mountains of Kyoto, as well as...
Pandemic travel kit
The world of travel has been through a lifetime’s worth of changes in the past few months (haven’t we all). But as life goes on and a glimmer of normality comes back into our lives, it’s worth thinking about traveling...
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