Japan Travel Guide: Where to Go, What to See & How to Plan Your Trip
Japan can feel a little overwhelming when you first start planning.
There are enormous modern cities, ancient temples, peaceful mountain towns, beautiful countryside, tropical islands, incredible food, and one of the world’s most efficient transportation systems. How do you possibly decide where to go?
The good news is that you don’t need to see everything on your first trip.
For most first-time visitors—and especially honeymooners—we recommend concentrating on Tokyo, Kyoto, and one or two additional destinations. This gives you a wonderful introduction to Japan without spending your entire vacation changing hotels and riding trains.
Here’s where we’d start.
Tokyo: Modern Japan at Its Best
Tokyo is usually the perfect place to begin your Japan vacation.
It’s enormous, energetic, fascinating, and surprisingly easy to navigate once you get your bearings. One neighborhood can feel completely different from the next.
Spend your time exploring areas such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza, Asakusa, and Harajuku. Visit beautiful gardens and shrines, browse department-store food halls, experience Tokyo’s incredible restaurant scene, and simply wander.
Some of our favorite Tokyo experiences include:
- Seeing the famous Shibuya Crossing
- Visiting historic Senso-ji Temple
- Exploring the shops and restaurants of Ginza
- Visiting Meiji Shrine
- Experiencing Tokyo’s exceptional food scene
- Enjoying panoramic city views after dark
- Taking a food or market tour with a local guide
Don’t make the mistake of scheduling every hour. Tokyo is one of those cities where simply exploring is part of the experience.
Recommended stay: 3–4 nights
Kyoto: Temples, Gardens & Traditional Japan
If Tokyo represents modern Japan, Kyoto offers a glimpse into its history and traditions.
With beautiful temples, traditional neighborhoods, gardens, shrines, bamboo forests, and historic wooden buildings, Kyoto is one of Japan’s most atmospheric destinations.
Highlights include:
- Fushimi Inari Shrine and its famous red torii gates
- Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- Traditional Gion
- Beautiful Japanese gardens
- Nishiki Market
- Tea ceremonies and cultural experiences
Kyoto is especially beautiful during cherry blossom season and again during autumn when the gardens and temple grounds turn brilliant shades of red and gold.
For honeymooners, Kyoto also offers some wonderful ryokan experiences—traditional Japanese inns where you can experience tatami rooms, Japanese hospitality, and beautifully prepared meals.
Recommended stay: 3–4 nights
Hiroshima & Miyajima
Travelers with additional time should consider continuing west to Hiroshima.
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and museum offer an important and moving look at the city’s history.
Nearby Miyajima provides a completely different experience, with beautiful scenery, temples, walking trails, and the famous Itsukushima Shrine.
Together, Hiroshima and Miyajima add both historical depth and natural beauty to a Japan itinerary.
Recommended stay: 1–2 nights
How Long Should You Spend in Japan?
For a first trip, we recommend approximately 10–14 days.
A wonderful introductory itinerary might look something like:
Tokyo – 4 nights
Hakone – 1 night
Kyoto – 4 nights
Osaka – 1–2 nights
If you have closer to two weeks, add Hiroshima and Miyajima or simply slow the itinerary down and enjoy more time in Tokyo and Kyoto.
Japan rewards travelers who don’t rush.
Getting Around Japan
Japan’s transportation system is one of the best in the world.
High-speed Shinkansen bullet trains connect many major cities quickly and comfortably, while local trains and subways make getting around Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka relatively easy.
One thing worth knowing: the nationwide Japan Rail Pass is no longer automatically the best value for every visitor. Depending on your itinerary, purchasing individual train tickets or using regional passes may make more sense.
For honeymooners, we also recommend using Japan’s excellent luggage-forwarding services. Rather than dragging large suitcases through crowded train stations, you can have your luggage sent ahead to your next hotel and travel with just a small overnight bag.
It’s one of those little things that can make a Japan itinerary much easier.
What Should You Eat?
Food is a major part of the Japan experience—and you absolutely don’t need to eat at expensive restaurants every night.
Some of the best meals can come from tiny neighborhood restaurants, ramen shops, markets, train stations, and even department-store food halls.
Be sure to try:
- Sushi and sashimi
- Ramen
- Tempura
- Yakitori
- Udon and soba
- Okonomiyaki
- Wagyu beef
- Matcha desserts
One of the pleasures of traveling through Japan is discovering that each region has its own specialties.
Japan for Honeymooners
Japan is a particularly interesting honeymoon choice because it offers something very different from the traditional beach honeymoon.
You can spend one evening overlooking the lights of Tokyo, another sleeping in a traditional ryokan, and a few days later find yourselves wandering through centuries-old temples in Kyoto.
There’s romance, but there’s also adventure, culture, food, history and discovery.
And for couples who want some beach time as well, Japan can even be combined with destinations such as Okinawa—or paired with another Asian or South Pacific destination for a completely different honeymoon experience.
When Should You Visit?
Spring and fall are our favorite seasons for most first-time visitors.
March–April: Cherry blossoms and beautiful spring scenery.
May: Wonderful weather, particularly after Golden Week.
October–November: Comfortable temperatures and spectacular autumn foliage.
Summer can be hot and humid, while winter offers fewer crowds, hot springs, beautiful snowy landscapes, and excellent skiing.
Our Travel Tip ✈️
Don’t try to choose your Japan travel dates based solely on cherry blossoms.
They’re spectacular, but Japan has so much more to offer. Autumn foliage can be equally breathtaking, and October and November are wonderful months for honeymooners who want comfortable weather for exploring Tokyo, Kyoto, and beyond.
If cherry blossoms are an absolute must, plan early—but remember that bloom dates can never be guaranteed. Mother Nature gets the final say!
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Questions?
We hope you enjoyed the information shared in this article. If you’d like to explore one of these destinations, we would love to assist you with a quote. If you have any other questions, we’d love to help.
The Remarkable Honeymoons Team
Luxury Travel Designers
1-866-614-1803
request@remarkablehoneymoons.com
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