Japan is one of the most popular destinations in Asia, known for its lively cities, beautiful nature, unique cuisine, and rich culture. Tokyo, the capital, is the beating heart of the country, while Kyoto is the historical capital known for its ancient shrines and temples.
Popular destinations in Japan include cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, along with natural spots like Hakone (home to Mt Fuji), Hokkaido, and Okinawa.
Japan quick facts
- Population: 122.4 million
- Language: Japanese
- Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY)
- Capital city: Tokyo
- Country size: 145,937 square miles
- High season: Spring (March through May) and autumn (September through November)
Japan bucket list
- Visit Harajuku, the birthplace of kawaii culture in Tokyo
- Admire views of Mount Fuji
- Ride the Shinkansen (bullet train)
- Step back in time in Gion, the geisha district of Kyoto
- Wander through the red gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine in Kyoto
- Witness the splendor of cherry blossom season in the spring
- Relax in an onsen (hot spring)
- Eat your way through Dotonbori, Osaka’s best foodie neighborhood
- Visit the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima
- Stay in a ryokan, a traditional Japanse inn
Getting around Japan
Japan is famous for its trains and other public transportation. The super-fast Shinkansen, or bullet trains, speed across the country, connecting popular destinations like Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Sapporo, and more. Regional trains also offer robust, efficient transportation.
Within cities, you can easily get around by public transportation including metro and bus systems. Be sure to get an IC card (the Welcome Suica card app is great for tourists), which you can use for most public transit. Taxis and rideshare programs are also available in Japan; you can use Uber, but the GO app is more widely used.
Renting a car in Japan is not necessary, although if you want to visit more remote destinations, it can be worth it. Most road signs are in Japanese and English (although this is not always the case), and navigating by car is not too difficult — though note that they drive on the left here like in the UK.
Posts about Japan
Here are all the posts on my site about Japan:
