Around the World
Japan - smart, soulful and endlessly surprising
From neon-lit Tokyo to serene Kyoto, ramen counters to snow-dusted onsens, here’s the practical, non-boring guide to doing Japan right.
✈️ Quick Travel Snapshot
| Best time to visit | March–April (cherry blossoms) or October–November (autumn colours). |
|---|---|
| Visa | Short stays are visa-free for many nationalities. For official requirements and any updates, visit Japan eVISA & Entry Info. |
| Currency | Japanese Yen (JPY) |
| Plugs | Type A & B (100V), check your charger’s compatibility. |
| Connectivity | Excellent 4G/5G in cities, patchier in rural regions, an eSIM keeps you sorted. |
🍽 Must-try food & drink
- Tonkotsu ramen (Fukuoka), creamy pork broth at night-time yatai stalls hits different.
- Kaiseki (Kyoto), seasonal multi-course artistry, book ahead for small counter restaurants.
- Okonomiyaki (Osaka), DIY savoury pancake, Dōtonbori stalls are lively and fun.
- Matcha & sake, artisan matcha in Uji, brewery tastings in Niigata or Shimane.
Tipping isn’t the norm, a friendly thank-you and neat manners go a long way.
🔌 Stay connected (and covered)
Skip the kiosk scramble, activate your eSIM before take-off and land online. Because real life happens, good travel insurance is a no-brainer.
Pro tip: make sure your phone is unlocked to use eSIMs.
📸 Experiences worth writing home about
- Fushimi Inari at dawn, walk the torii path before the crowds then coffee in a back-street café.
- Shinkansen ride, Tokyo to Kyoto in about 2.5 hours, fast, quiet, scenic and calming.
- City + countryside, pair neon Tokyo or flavour-packed Osaka with rural onsen towns or the Japanese Alps.
- Hokkaido in winter, powder snow, steaming outdoor baths, hearty miso ramen.
🏆 Where to stay (a few ideas)
- Design hotel in Tokyo, make the hotel part of the experience, walkable to a great ramen alley.
- Ryokan with onsen (Hakone / Alps), slow down, dine in-room, soak under the stars.
- Remote hideaway, trade skyline views for cedar forests and silence.
🧳 Practical tips
- Transport: IC cards (Suica/Pasmo) work across trains, buses and vending machines.
- Etiquette: remove shoes when asked, keep voices low on public transport, queue nicely.
- Payments: cards are widely accepted, carry some cash for small shops and rural areas.
🎒 Pack smart
- Comfortable walking shoes for stations and temple stairs.
- Layers for spring or autumn and a compact umbrella year-round.
- Power bank and offline maps for rural detours.
✅ Useful links
- Official visa info: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan eVISA & Entry
- Japan eSIM: Browse plans
- Travel insurance: Get covered
