JAPAN TRAVEL GUIDE 2027 - Tokyo · Kyoto · Osaka · Hiroshima · Nara · Hakone · Nikko Hokkaido · Mount Fuji · Kanazawa · Okinawa · The Japan Rail Pass

Japan is a country where ancient temples, high-speed trains, mountain landscapes, quiet gardens, busy markets, and modern city life can exist within the same trip.

Planning a trip can be just as exciting as the journey itself - but Japan can also feel difficult to organise for a first-time visitor. Where should you go? When should you visit? How do trains and IC cards work? What should you know about Japanese customs? Which destinations deserve more than a day? How can you build an itinerary without spending most of the trip in transit?

Japan Travel Guide 2027 brings these questions together in one practical guide.

Inside, you will find:

Planning advice for choosing the right season, estimating expenses, preparing for entry, and organising your trip
Transport guidance covering shinkansen, local trains, IC cards, buses, airports, and driving
Major destinations including Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Nara, Hakone, Nikko, Mount Fuji, Kanazawa, Hokkaido, and Okinawa
Regional coverage extending from central Japan to Kyushu, Shikoku, Hokkaido, and the Okinawa islands
Accommodation guidance covering ryokan, capsule hotels, business hotels, guesthouses, and hostels
Japanese food guidance covering ramen, sushi, tempura, yakitori, okonomiyaki, kaiseki, izakaya dining, and convenience-store food
Cultural guidance covering shrine and temple etiquette, onsen customs, dining manners, footwear, public transport behaviour, and useful Japanese phrases
Outdoor experiences including Mount Fuji, Kumano Kodo, skiing, hiking, and cycling routes
Less familiar destinations such as Kanazawa, Kinosaki Onsen, Yakushima, the Noto Peninsula, and Naoshima
Ready-to-use itineraries for 7, 10, 14, and 21 days
Practical information for families, solo travellers, packing, safety, health, emergencies, and seasonal events

Whether this is your first visit or you are returning to see more of the country, this guide gives you a clear starting point for planning your route and making informed choices.

From the neon streets of Tokyo and the temples of Kyoto to the mountains of Hokkaido and the beaches of Okinawa, Japan offers many different travel experiences in one country.

Use this guide to plan your route, choose your destinations, prepare for local customs, and make better use of your time in Japan.