Japan

Overview

The Japanese characters that make up Japan's name mean "source of the sun" and it is often called the "Land of the Rising Sun". Why? If you look at Japan from China, it appears that the sun rises from there. Japan is a land of rich culture and history and also well-known for their technology and modernism. It is a great dichotomy to see ancient temples in the middle of modern cities.

Japan is relatively homogeneous and close to 99% of its population is of Japanese descent. The main language is Japanese but many people can speak English and some are quite eager to practice with a tourist. It isn't necessary but learning just a few words and phrases will take you far with the Japanese people. The Japanese are generally polite and it isn't customary to tip in Japan, so don't be surprised if your waiter chases you down the street to return the money you left on the table.

Some of the most popular attractions are Mount Fuji, cherry blossoms, fall foliage, beautiful gardens, sumo wrestling, bullet trains, shrines, Japanese cuisine, and more. If you really want to experience the Japanese culture, consider taking a dip in a hot spring known as an Onsan or stay at a traditional Japanese Inn called a Ryokan. These will really heighten your experience in Japan.

Make sure you plan your trip with me as I am a Master Japan Specialist! I have also been to Japan several times so I can use my personal experiences to help you with your trip.

You can learn more about this exquisite destination by visiting my Japan Guides:

My Japan Culture Guide

My Japan Trends Guide

My Japan Gardens Guide

Location

Located in East Asia, Japan is a curved-shaped archipelago with the Sea of Japan along the west coast and the Pacific Ocean along the east coast. Its closest neighbors are South Korea, Russia, and Taiwan near the southernmost Okinawan islands. Japan's size is often compared to that of Germany and it is slightly smaller than the state of California and somewhat larger than the United Kingdom.

Japan consists of four main islands (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu) plus the Ryukyu Islands (Okinawa) and thousands of smaller islands. It also has 47 regional divisions called prefectures and each has its own capital and is comparable to a state in the U.S.

Mountains and forests cover approximately 70% of the total land mass so that doesn't leave much room for their 127 million inhabitants. It is probably why the Japanese are masters of making use of small spaces.

Honshu is the biggest island and where most of the population and tourists travel to. There are also many long, sandy beaches in Japan which surprises many people.

Japan has one of the highest life expectancies in the world (averaging around 84 years) but is experiencing a decreasing and rapidly aging population.

Areas & Islands

Hokkaido - Japan's great white north offers wild, white winters and bountiful summers—a haven for dedicated foodies, nature lovers and outdoor adventure fans seeking an adrenaline rush. This is the 2nd largest island in Japan.

Kyushu - The southern island of Kyushu is home to hot springs, rugged geography, undeveloped beaches and volcanoes ranging from sleepy to smoky. It also holds a historical significance as Japan's ancient gateway for trade with the Asian mainland. This is the 3rd largest island in Japan.

Shikoku - Island-hopping, cycling, soul-warming spiritual strolling and red-hot dancing—the island of Shikoku gets you up and moving. It is most famous for its sacred 88-temple Buddhist pilgrimage route and mountainous terrain, giving it a peaceful, secluded atmosphere. This is the smallest of the 4 main islands of Japan.

Okinawa - Fly to Okinawa and discover a distinct island culture born of subtropical sun, white sand, coral, mangrove jungles and the age of the Ryukyu Kings. Culturally, it is unique, as it was historically the independent Ryukyu Kingdom before being annexed by Japan, resulting in distinct language, cuisine, and architecture.

On the island of Honshu, it consists of several different areas. It is the largest island in Japan and considered the "main island".

Tohoku - Fearsome festivals, fresh powder snow and vast fruit orchards—the rugged territory of Tohoku offers a new perspective on travel in Japan.

Kanto - Jump from the neon glow of Tokyo to Gunma's mountain retreats, Kamakura's cultural heritage and the Ogasawara Islands' exotic wildlife.

Hokuriku Shinetsu - An easily accessible slice of rural Japan offering unrivaled mountainscapes and coastlines, endless outdoor adventure and amazing ocean fare.

Tokai - Hallmark attractions such as Mt. Fuji and Takayama coexist with major cities and famous heritage in the center of Japan.

Kansai - The Kansai region is one of contrasts, from the glittering lights of Osaka and Kobe to the cultural treasures of Kyoto and Nara.

Chugoku - Welcome to Japan's less-explored western frontier, where the weather is warmer and the pace of life is slower.

Best Time To Visit

There are some times of the year it is best to avoid like the first week of January (New Year), last week of April and first week of May (Golden Week), and in mid-July to early August (Obon Festival and summer vacation). Many of these periods are during major holidays so most public transportation is fully booked and accommodations are more expensive.

Japan experiences four distinct seasons, each offering unique attractions based on changes in temperature and weather patterns.

Autumn (September to Early December): As the high summer heat dissipates, autumn transforms the landscape with stunning fall colors. The turning of the leaves begins in the northern island of Hokkaido and moves south, painting the country in dazzling colors from late September to early December. Similar to spring, this season features ideal weather for exploring nature and enjoying the diverse harvest of local food products.

Winter (December to February): Winter ushers in the ski season, especially in the northern areas, which are renowned for their exceptional powder snow. While temperatures vary significantly across regions, winter often brings many days of clear, blue skies. It's the perfect time to warm up with traditional Japanese comfort foods, such as hot sake and hearty hot-pot dishes.

Spring (March to May): Spring marks a pleasant transition from winter, celebrated nationwide by the breathtaking arrival of the cherry blossoms (sakura). The blooming begins in the south and progresses northward, typically occurring between March and May. With comfortable, sunny, and breezy weather, it's an excellent time for sightseeing before the rainy season starts around late May to June.

Summer (June to August): Japanese summers are characterized by intense heat and high humidity, making hydration essential. It is a time of vibrant outdoor activity, with popular attractions including crowded beaches, elaborate firework displays over rivers, and numerous local street festivals. For relief from the heat of the major cities, the mountainous areas offer cooler temperatures. Please note that typhoons can potentially affect travel plans, particularly in August and September.

Did You Know?

How to distinguish a Shinto shrine from a Buddhist temple? Shrines almost always have gates known as torii (or "bird perch")—two pillars topped by two horizontal beams. In contrast, Buddhist temples often have gateways with tiled roofs that look like miniature versions of the temple itself.

You'll see "samurai castles" perched on hilltops around the country, but only 12 are original. Others, including the famous Osaka Castle, are modern concrete replicas. Himeji Castle, west of Kobe, is by far the most imposing and is well worth a day trip—as is the black Crow's Castle in Matsumoto, to the north of Nagoya in central Japan.

The Hello Kitty phenomenon celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024. The omnipresent cat, which was dreamed up (and is still owned) by Sanrio Corp., even appears on telephones, a brand of water, and underwear.

Raised floors help indicate when to take off slippers or shoes. At the entrance to a home in Japan, the floor will usually be raised about 6 inches (15cm) indicating you should take off your shoes and put on slippers. If the house has a tatami mat room, its floor may be raised only 1-2 inches (2.5-5cm) indicating you should take off your shoes.

The so-called "eternal flame" that burns in Hiroshima is not actually intended to be eternal. It will be extinguished when the last nuclear weapon is destroyed.

Buildings are numbered according to when they were built, not their location on a street. To find a business or home, you may need to do as the locals do: Take the address to the neighborhood police box (or koban)—they're everywhere. You may find maps posted around, but they're of little help unless you read Japanese.

Pachinko parlors are everywhere (the game resembles vertical pinball and can pay off like a slot machine). The parlors are incredibly noisy, brightly lit, smoky and invariably full of people, night and day. Although skilled players can make money, for most it's just an enjoyable pastime.

It is strongly recommended that all travelers to Japan get travel insurance. According to the survey by the Japan Tourism Agency, one in twenty people suffers from sickness or injuries while abroad. Medical service in Japan is advanced, but treatment can be expensive. For that reason, preparing in advance by organizing travel insurance is a wise decision. Also, since 2021, foreigners who have unpaid medical expense in Japan may be restricted or refused entry to Japan.

Sample Itieraries

I have been planning trips to Japan since 2016. Some of the samples I created in the past are too old to be useful anymore so I have updated my list to be more current. Most of my examples are guided/escorted

Over the years, I have curated several itineraries that either my clients have traveled on or I have created for a quote. There are also some guided/escorted examples listed here because you can often take these as inspiration to create your own custom journey.

There are many different ways to travel to Japan. From the unique to families to off the beaten path to luxury. Here are several different itineraries to give you an idea of what can be done in Japan and some include some basic pricing.

I am happy to customize any itinerary for you!