Country guide · Japan
Best places to visit in Japan
8 destinations compared, so you can choose where to spend your time.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Nina R from Africa, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
For a first trip to Japan, start with Kyoto: Temples, Zen gardens, geisha districts and Japan's finest traditional food. For beaches, look at Tokyo, Fukuoka and Okinawa. Fukuoka is the least expensive of the destinations in this guide.
Key facts
- Destinations in this guide
- 8
- Best months overall
- March–May and October–November
- Start with
- Kyoto
- Least expensive here
- Fukuoka
8 places to visit in Japan
Best: March–May and October–November · 4 days
Kyoto
Temples, Zen gardens, geisha districts and Japan's finest traditional food
Best: March–May and October–November · 3 days
Osaka
Japan's street-food capital, neon canals and an easy base for Kansai
Best: March–May and October–November · 6 days
Tokyo
Neon districts, historic shrines, outstanding food and punctual trains
Best: March–May and October–November · 4 days
Fukuoka
Tonkotsu ramen, riverside yatai stalls and an airport five minutes from downtown
Best: March–May and October–November · 3 days
Hiroshima
Peace memorials, Miyajima's floating torii and layered okonomiyaki
Best: March–May and October–November · 2 days
Nara
Japan's first permanent capital, the Great Buddha and a park of bowing deer
Best: April, June–July and October · 6 days
Okinawa
Subtropical beaches, Ryukyu castles, coral reefs and island cooking
Best: February and June–September · 4 days
Sapporo
Snow festival, miso ramen, beer halls and Hokkaido seafood
Compare the destinations
| Destination | Known for | Best time | Ideal stay | Mid-range per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyoto | Temples and shrines and Fushimi Inari torii gates | March–May and October–November | 4 days | $150–$280 |
| Osaka | Street food and Dotonbori neon | March–May and October–November | 3 days | $140–$260 |
| Tokyo | Shibuya Crossing and Sushi and ramen | March–May and October–November | 6 days | $150–$280 |
| Fukuoka | Hakata tonkotsu ramen and Yatai food stalls | March–May and October–November | 4 days | $110–$220 |
| Hiroshima | Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome | March–May and October–November | 3 days | $120–$230 |
| Nara | Todai-ji Great Buddha and Nara Park deer | March–May and October–November | 2 days | $110–$220 |
| Okinawa | Beaches and coral reefs and Churaumi Aquarium | April, June–July and October | 6 days | $140–$260 |
| Sapporo | Sapporo Snow Festival and Miso ramen | February and June–September | 4 days | $140–$260 |
When to visit Japan
Across these destinations the most reliable months are March–May and October–November. Timing still varies by place: Kyoto is best in March–May and October–November; Osaka is best in March–May and October–November; Tokyo is best in March–May and October–November.
Signature dishes across Japan
| Destination | Try first | Also try |
|---|---|---|
| Kyoto | Kaiseki | Yudofu and Yuba |
| Osaka | Takoyaki | Okonomiyaki and Kushikatsu |
| Tokyo | Sushi | Ramen and Tsukemen |
| Fukuoka | Hakata ramen | Mentaiko and Motsunabe |
| Hiroshima | Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki | Oysters and Conger-eel rice |
| Nara | Persimmon-leaf sushi | Nara-zuke pickles and Miwa somen |
| Okinawa | Goya champuru | Okinawa soba and Rafute |
| Sapporo | Miso ramen | Genghis Khan and Soup curry |
Events through the year in Japan
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Kyoto: Hatsumode — New Year shrine visits, busiest at Fushimi Inari and Yasaka (1–3 January); Osaka: Toka Ebisu festival at Imamiya Ebisu Shrine (9–11 January) |
| February | Kyoto: Setsubun bean-throwing ceremonies at Yoshida and Yasaka shrines (2 or 3 February); Osaka: Plum blossom at Osaka Castle Park's plum grove (usually February to early March) |
| March | Kyoto: Early cherry blossom at the Imperial Palace's weeping cherries (late March); Osaka: Grand Sumo Spring Tournament (usually March) |
| April | Kyoto: Cherry blossom along the Philosopher's Path, Maruyama Park and Arashiyama (usually late March to early April); Osaka: Cherry blossom at Osaka Castle Park and along the Okawa River (usually early April) |
| May | Kyoto: Golden Week holidays (late April to early May); Osaka: Golden Week holidays (late April to early May) |
| June | Kyoto: Hydrangea season at Mimuroto-ji in Uji (June); Tokyo: Hydrangea season at temples and parks (June) |
| July | Kyoto: Gion Matsuri — month-long festival with float processions (17 and 24 July) and yoiyama street nights before them; Osaka: Tenjin Matsuri — boat procession on the Okawa River and fireworks (24–25 July) |
| August | Kyoto: Gozan no Okuribi — bonfires in kanji shapes on the hills for Obon (16 August); Osaka: Naniwa Yodogawa Fireworks (usually August) |
| September | Kyoto: Moon-viewing events at Daikaku-ji and Shimogamo Shrine (mid-September or early October); Osaka: Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri — huge wooden floats raced through Kishiwada's streets (usually mid-September) |
| October | Kyoto: Jidai Matsuri — historical costume parade (22 October); Tokyo: Tokyo International Film Festival (usually late October to early November) |
| November | Kyoto: Autumn leaves and evening temple illuminations (usually mid-November to early December); Osaka: Autumn leaves at Minoo Park and Osaka Castle (usually mid to late November) |
| December | Kyoto: Joya no Kane — temple bells rung 108 times on New Year's Eve at Chion-in and other temples (31 December); Osaka: Osaka Festival of the Lights — illuminations on Midosuji and Nakanoshima (usually December) |
How far apart they are
| From | To | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Kyoto | Osaka | 43 km |
| Kyoto | Tokyo | 360 km |
| Kyoto | Fukuoka | 518 km |
| Kyoto | Hiroshima | 311 km |
| Kyoto | Nara | 36 km |
| Osaka | Tokyo | 392 km |
| Osaka | Fukuoka | 485 km |
| Osaka | Hiroshima | 281 km |
| Osaka | Nara | 28 km |
| Tokyo | Fukuoka | 877 km |
| Tokyo | Hiroshima | 670 km |
| Tokyo | Nara | 366 km |
| Fukuoka | Hiroshima | 209 km |
| Fukuoka | Nara | 512 km |
| Hiroshima | Nara | 309 km |
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I go on my first trip to Japan?
Kyoto: Japan's imperial capital for more than a thousand years, Kyoto holds most of the 17 temples, shrines and castles of the UNESCO-listed Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, among them Kinkaku-ji's golden pavilion…
+When is the best time to visit Japan?
Generally March–May and October–November, though it varies by region.