Neon cities, ancient temples, mountains and superb food
Japan blends futuristic cities with quiet temples, gardens and mountain villages. Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka form the classic route, linked by fast and punctual bullet trains, while Hiroshima, Nara and Mount Fuji are easy to add. Hokkaido, the Japanese Alps and Okinawa show very different sides of the country. It suits first time Asia travellers, food lovers and families thanks to its safety and efficiency.
Tap a card or a pin. Add a place to a day of your trip, or look for tours.
A Shinto shrine famous for thousands of red torii gates running up a forested hill. The full hike takes a few hours.
A wooden temple on stilts above Kyoto, reached through old streets of shops and teahouses. Gion's geisha district is nearby.
A path through towering bamboo in western Kyoto near Tenryu-ji temple. Riverside walks and monkeys round out the area.
Tokyo's neon hubs, with the famous Shibuya crossing, nightlife alleys and skyscraper viewpoints. They capture modern Tokyo.
Tokyo's oldest temple, approached through a shopping street of snacks and souvenirs. It shows old Tokyo life.
Japan's highest mountain, seen best from lakes such as Kawaguchiko. Climbing season runs in summer.
A hot spring area near Fuji with lakes, ropeways and art museums. Staying in a ryokan inn is a highlight.
A park full of tame deer around Todai-ji, which holds a giant bronze Buddha. Nara was Japan's first permanent capital.
The Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Museum remember the 1945 bombing. It is a moving and essential visit.
An island shrine whose great torii gate seems to float at high tide. Hiking trails climb Mount Misen.
A canal side food and nightlife strip under huge neon signs. It is the place to try takoyaki and okonomiyaki.
Japan's finest original castle, a white wooden fortress on a hill. It is an easy stop on the bullet train line.
A mountain village of steep thatched farmhouses in the Japanese Alps. It is magical under snow.
One of Japan's three great gardens, beside a castle in Kanazawa. The city also has preserved geisha and samurai districts.
Japan's northern island, known for powder snow, lavender fields, national parks and seafood. Sapporo hosts a famous snow festival in February.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it: pick cities, add places to days, see the weather for your dates.
Each city with a guide opens its own page: map, where to stay, what to eat.
Huge capital of food, shopping and culture.
food, nightlife, gateway · Open the city guideTemples, gardens and tradition.
culture, history · Open the city guideFood and nightlife.
food, nightlife · Open the city guidePeace memorial and Miyajima.
history · Open the city guideDeer park and ancient temples.
history, families · Open the city guideHot springs and Fuji views.
onsen, nature · Guide comingGardens and old districts.
culture · Open the city guideHokkaido base.
food, winter · Open the city guideKyushu food city.
food · Open the city guideGateway to Okinawa's beaches, reefs and Ryukyu history.
beach, islands · Open the city guideCastle, industrial museums and a useful stop between Tokyo and Kyoto.
food, museums · Open the city guideTokyo and its surrounding hot spring and mountain escapes.
Tokyo, Hakone, Nikko
Historic heart with Kyoto, Nara and Osaka.
Kyoto, Nara, Himeji Castle
Mountains, Fuji and traditional villages.
Mount Fuji, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa
Western Honshu and the island of pilgrims.
Hiroshima, Miyajima, Naoshima
Snowy north with wild nature.
Sapporo, Niseko, Furano
Southern volcanoes, food and beaches.
Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Okinawa beaches
Choose how long you have, then add the whole route to a trip as places and nights.
Best: March to May and October to November. Spring cherry blossoms and autumn leaves bring mild weather and beautiful scenery.
Summer is hot, humid and has a rainy season in June and July, typhoons can hit in late summer, Hokkaido is snowy in winter and Okinawa is subtropical.
January. Quiet season. Lower prices, fewer crowds.
48°F daily high, 40°F average, 3.1 in
Average of past years from NASA POWER, worked out at each city's position. A place far from these cities can be quite different.
The US State Department rates Japan Level 1 (exercise normal precautions), and crime is very low, though earthquakes and typhoons are a risk.
Shinkansen bullet trains, local trains and subways are fast, clean and punctual.
Japan is moderate in price, with good value food but costly hotels in peak seasons.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Members see the rules for their own passport here.
Passport and visa rules change often and without notice. Always check the official pages before you book and again before you travel.
| Entry | Check visa and entry rules on the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa page (https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html) and on your own government's travel advice before you go, as rules can change. |
| Plugs | Type A, B; 100 V |
| Tap water | safe |
| Tipping | Tipping is not part of Japanese culture and can cause confusion. |
| Payments | Cards are widely accepted in cities, IC cards work for transport and convenience stores, and cash is still useful in rural areas and small shops. |
| Emergency | 110 police, 119 fire and ambulance |
| Etiquette | Remove shoes when entering homes, ryokan and many temples. Keep quiet on trains and avoid phone calls. Do not eat while walking in many areas, and bathe naked and wash first in onsen. |
| What to wear | Cover tattoos where asked, especially in some onsen and gyms. |
| Driving | On the left |
| Between cities | Shinkansen bullet trains link Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and beyond, with regional rail passes useful on some routes. Domestic flights reach Hokkaido and Okinawa. City subways are easy with an IC card such as Suica. |
| Main airports | HND, NRT, KIX, ITM, CTS, FUK, OKA |
| Ride apps | GO, Uber |
Japan's imperial line traces back over many centuries, and Kyoto was the capital for more than a thousand years. Feudal lords and samurai shaped the country until the Meiji Restoration of 1868 opened it to the world and rapid modernisation. Japan's militarism ended with defeat in the Second World War and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Postwar Japan rebuilt into one of the world's largest economies.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.