Holidays in Japan: Planning, Culture, and Itineraries without Overtaking
Organizing a holiday in Japan is an experience that blends excitement and complexity. The Land of the Rising Sun manages to be both ultramodern and deeply traditional, offering visitors a unique range of possibilities in the world. From the illuminated skyscrapers of Tokyo to the silent temples of Kyoto, from the snow-capped peaks of the Japanese Alps to the subtropical beaches of Okinawa, each region tells a different story.
This guide is designed to accompany you through all stages of planning, from choosing the best time to managing transportation, from local etiquette to creating a balanced itinerary. You will not find schedules or rates that vary over time, nor names of businesses that may close or change management; instead, you will find solid principles and lasting strategies to build the trip of your dreams.
Choosing the Ideal Time for Holidays in Japan
Japan is famous for its four distinct seasons, each of which radically transforms the landscape and travel experience. There is no absolute "best" time: it all depends on what you want to see and do.
Spring: the Magic of Cherry Blossoms
Spring, particularly between late March and April, is the most iconic season for a holiday in Japan. The cherry blossoms, or sakura, paint parks, riverbanks, and temple courtyards pink. It is a time of great local participation, with picnics under the blooming trees. However, it is also the period with the highest tourist influx, so it is advisable to book well in advance. Towards the end of April and the beginning of May, you can find wisteria and nemophila, equally stunning scenes but less crowded.
Summer: Festivals and Lush Nature
The Japanese summer (June-August) is hot and humid, with a rainy season in June followed by intense heat in July and August. Despite the weather, it is the realm of matsuri (local festivals) with floats, dances, and fireworks. It is also the ideal time to climb Mount Fuji (July-August) and to explore Hokkaido, where temperatures are milder. Summer evenings offer the opportunity to wear yukata and participate in outdoor events.
Autumn: Fiery Colors and Mild Temperatures
Many experienced travelers consider autumn (October-November) the most beautiful season. The leaves of the maples turn bright red and orange, creating spectacular contrasts with temples and shrines. The weather is dry and pleasant, ideal for long walks. Unlike spring, autumn offers a longer and less unpredictable bloom of colors, with a high but more manageable tourist influx.
Winter: Snow, Onsen, and Lights
Winter (December-February) is underrated but extraordinary. The Japanese Alps and Hokkaido receive abundant snowfall, transforming locations like traditional huts into living postcards. It is the season of onsen (open-air hot springs) surrounded by snow, and of the illuminations holiday lights that cover entire city avenues. Additionally, the lines at museums and restaurants shorten, and accommodation prices are generally lower.
Transportation and Movement: Getting Around Efficiently
One of the aspects that makes the holidays in Japan so smooth is the excellent transportation network. Understanding how it works will save you time and stress.
The High-Speed Train
The Japanese railway network is legendary for its punctuality and cleanliness. The bullet train connects the main islands at speeds exceeding 250 km/h. Before you leave, consider purchasing a rail pass reserved for temporary visitors. This pass allows you to travel on most lines operated by the national company for a number of consecutive days. You can activate it upon arrival, not necessarily on the first day. Remember that not all private companies accept the pass, and for the faster trains, you need to reserve a seat.
Urban Transport
In large metropolitan areas, the subway and urban trains are the best way to get around. Each city has its own ticket system or rechargeable contactless cards. These magnetic cards work on almost all trains, subways, and urban buses, as well as in many shops and vending machines. You can easily purchase and recharge them at the stations. At the end of your trip, you can return the card to get your deposit back, or keep it as a souvenir valid for ten years.
Buses and Ferries
In rural or mountainous areas, where trains are rare, buses become essential. There are express buses for intercity connections that are cheaper than the train, but slower. Ferries connect smaller islands like Shikoku, Kyushu, and the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. Some routes are covered by fast hydrofoils, others by overnight ferries with cabins, useful for saving a night's accommodation.
Car Rental
In more remote areas, such as the valleys of Hokkaido, the Izu Peninsula, or the island of Shikoku, renting a car offers freedom. Remember that in Japan, you drive on the left and need an international driving permit (according to the Geneva Convention) along with your Italian license. Highway tolls are expensive, but the roads are excellent and parking is well organized.
Accommodation: Types and Strategies
Where to sleep during the holidays in Japan can be a cultural experience in itself. Options range from ultra-economical solutions to uncompromising luxuries.
Ryokan: the Traditional Inn
The ryokan is an experience not to be missed: Japanese-style rooms with tatami floors, futons laid out in the evening, and often indoor hot springs. Usually, dinner and breakfast are included and represent a feast of kaiseki cuisine. Booking a ryokan in hot spring areas or in Kyoto requires months in advance. Some only accept phone reservations or via web form, so learn a few polite phrases or ask for assistance at your previous hotel.
Capsule Hotels and Business Hotels
Capsule hotels were created for salarymen who missed the last train: they offer a minimalist cell-like space with shared facilities. Today, many capsules are modern, gender-separated, and include saunas and hot baths. Business hotels, on the other hand, are small but private rooms, essential and centrally located near stations. They are ideal for short stays and for those on a medium budget.
Apartments and Shared
Shared accommodation platforms offer studios or private rooms in the city, often cheaper than traditional hotels, especially for groups or families. Be mindful of condominium rules: some buildings do not allow short-term rentals. Always check that the property is registered according to local laws.
Temple Lodging
In some locations, especially on Mount Koya and in Shikoku, it is possible to stay in Buddhist temples. You sleep on tatami, participate in morning prayers, and eat vegetarian food. The atmosphere is one of great peace, but the rules are strict: fixed meal times, absolute silence after a certain hour, and complete respect for sacred spaces.
Food and Drinks: A Traveler's Guide
Japanese cuisine is a UNESCO heritage. Eating well during the holidays in Japan does not necessarily require large expenses.
Dishes You Absolutely Must Try
Oltre al sushi e al ramen, esplora il okonomiyaki (frittata salata con cavolo e ingredienti a scelta), il takoyaki (polpette di polpo), il soba e udon (tagliolini di grano saraceno o grano), il Japanese curry (less spicy than Indian, served with rice and katsu), and the shabu-shabu (meat and vegetables boiled at the table). For the more adventurous, natto (fermented soy) is an experience.
How to Order
In traditional restaurants, you often order through ticket vending machines at the entrance, especially in ramen chains. In izakaya (Japanese pubs), a series of small dishes is shared, like tapas. Tipping is not required – in fact, it is considered rude – and water is always free. If you eat standing at a standing bar, know that it is normal to eat quickly and leave.
Street Food and Conbini
Convenience stores (conbini) are a blessing: they offer onigiri, salads, quality sashimi, sandwiches, and sweets at reasonable prices, 24 hours a day. At markets and during festivals, try yakitori (chicken skewers), taiyaki (fish-shaped pancake filled with red bean paste), and Japanese crepes. Eating while walking is frowned upon, so stop next to the vendor or find a bench.
Drinks
Green tea is everywhere, served hot in winter and cold in summer. Sake (rice wine) can be drunk hot or cold depending on the type. Shochu is a stronger spirit. Local beers are excellent. For non-drinkers, milk teas and canned juices from vending machines are ubiquitous.
Etiquette and Customs: Unwritten Rules
Respecting local customs enriches your vacation in Japan and opens otherwise closed doors.
In Public Places
Do not eat while walking.
Do not talk on the phone on trains (set to vibrate).
Always line up neatly, even at the bus stop.
Clean up your trash and take it with you, bins are rare.
Do not stick chopsticks upright in rice (it resembles a funeral ritual).
Do not pass food from chopsticks to chopsticks (same reason).
Temples and Shrines
Before entering a Shinto shrine, wash your hands and mouth at the purification fountain (chozuya). At a Buddhist temple, remove your shoes before entering the buildings. Do not touch statues or sacred objects. Photography is allowed outside, but often prohibited inside. At shrines, bow twice, clap your hands twice, and bow once. Follow the locals' example.
Onsen (Hot Springs)
Before entering the water, wash yourself thoroughly while sitting on a stool with soap and a bucket. Never immerse towels or swimsuits in the water (although some mixed onsens make exceptions, they are rare). Cover tattoos with adhesive bandages, unless explicitly permitted. Do not swim or dive. The onsen is for relaxing in silence.
Creating an Itinerary: Balance Between City and Nature
A common mistake in the vacation in Japan is wanting to see too much in too little time. A balanced itinerary alternates between bustling metropolises and places of peace.
Recommended Duration
For a first trip, 14-16 full days are ideal. With 7 days, focus on one region (Tokyo or Kyoto and surroundings). With 21 days, you can add a remote region like Hokkaido or Kyushu. Remember that each transfer by bullet train takes about half a day lost between station, travel, and check-in.
Daily Rhythm
Do not schedule more than two main activities per day. In the morning, visit a popular site (opening hours 8-9). For lunch, take a break at a convenience store or izakaya. Afternoon: museum, alternative neighborhood, or walk. Evening: typical food and a stroll. Always leave one free day every 5-6 days for unexpected events or fatigue.
Flow Example
Arrival in Tokyo, acclimatization of 3-4 days. Train to Kyoto (optional stop in Nagoya or along the Tokaido route). Kyoto 4-5 days, with day trips to Nara or Uji. Then one night in a hot spring ryokan in the Japanese Alps or on the Izu Peninsula. Return to Tokyo for the last two nights and shopping. This plan avoids the "tour de force" and allows for breathing room.
Money and Payments
Despite the high-tech image, Japan is still partly a cash-based society.
Yen and ATMs
Withdraw yen at post offices or convenience stores, which have multi-currency ATMs with fair rates. Traditional bank ATMs often do not accept foreign cards. Always carry some cash for markets, small temples, family restaurants, and offerings at shrines.
Credit Cards
Cards are accepted in hotels, department stores, restaurant chains, and gas stations. However, many local restaurants and guesthouses only accept cash. Contactless cards work in urban transport only with the Japanese specification.
Tip
It does not exist and should not be left. If you try to leave a tip, you will be chased after to return it to you. Service is considered an integral part of the job. In luxury restaurants, a service charge (10-15%) is sometimes already added to the bill.
Technology and Connectivity
Staying connected is easy, but with some precautions.
Wi-Fi and SIM
Free Wi-Fi is available in stations, cafes, and hotels, but it is not always reliable or secure. The best solution is to rent a portable pocket Wi-Fi to pick up at the airport, which provides unlimited connectivity for multiple devices. Alternatively, buy a data SIM for your phone. eSIMs are becoming more common and work with many modern smartphones.
Useful Apps
A translation app with a camera will help you decipher menus and signs. A public transport app, also in English, will give you routes, platforms, and schedules (which are almost always respected). An offline map of mountainous areas can save you. Download everything before you leave.
Adapters and Voltage
Japan uses flat two-pole plugs (type A) and a voltage of 100V (east of the country at 50Hz, west at 60Hz). Most modern devices work without issues, but check the label "100-240V". For grounded devices, bring a two-to-three pole adapter.
Health and Safety
Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, but some precautions are useful.
Healthcare Assistance
The healthcare system is excellent, but non-residents pay 100% of the costs. Travel insurance with adequate medical coverage is essential. Japanese pharmacies sell many over-the-counter medications, but some common medicines (e.g., pseudoephedrine) are controlled. Bring a small supply of your regular medications with the prescription translated.
Natural Risks
Japan is subject to earthquakes, typhoons, and, in some areas, landslides. Download the national alert app. In hotels, learn the escape route immediately. During an earthquake: take cover under a table, stay away from glass and shelves. If you are on the coast and feel a strong tremor, move away from the beaches immediately due to tsunami risk. For typhoons, flights and trains may be suspended with little notice.
Water and Food
Tap water is drinkable throughout the country. Food is safe and of the highest quality. However, during the summer, avoid raw foods left out for hours at market stalls. Food poisoning is extremely rare.
What to Pack
Think layers and versatility.
Clothing
In spring and autumn: long-sleeve shirts, sweatshirt, windbreaker. In summer: breathable fabrics, hat, sunglasses. In winter: heavy sweater, coat, scarf, gloves, thermal socks. Comfortable walking shoes are essential – you will walk much more than you imagine. Bring a change of elegant but comfortable shoes for formal restaurants.
Useful Items
Paper tissues (public restrooms often lack paper)
Small towel (for drying hands or for the onsen)
Trash bags
Marker for writing on the suitcase (luggage is often black)
Earplugs (downtown hotels can be noisy)
Portable charger
Documents and Formalities
Citizens of many Western countries can enter for tourism without a visa for stays of up to 90 days. At passport control, your fingerprints will be taken and a photo will be taken. Make sure your passport has at least two blank pages and six months of remaining validity. Upon arrival, you must declare any specific medications or amounts of cash exceeding 1 million yen (approximately). Do not bring illegal drugs, even those legal in other countries: Japanese laws are very strict, with long preventive detentions.
FAQ Holidays in Japan
When is the best time for holidays in Japan avoiding the crowds?
The second half of May, the first half of June, November (after the color season), and the entire winter excluding the New Year week offer pleasant weather and fewer tourists compared to peak sakura and autumn leaves.
How many days are needed for a first trip to Japan?
For a first approach that includes Tokyo, Kyoto, and a short excursion into the countryside, at least 12-14 full days are recommended. With less than 10 days, it's better to focus on one megalopolis and its surroundings.
Is it easy to get around alone without speaking Japanese?
Yes, the signage in transportation and main places is in English and often in Chinese and Korean. In restaurants, menus with pictures or ticket vending machines eliminate any barrier. Learning “arigatou” and “sumimasen” is still appreciated.
What are the rules to follow in onsens?
Take a thorough shower before entering the bath, do not submerge towels, cover visible tattoos (in many facilities), keep your voice low, and never enter the bath in a swimsuit.
Is Japan an expensive country?
The cost can be comparable to that of Northern Italy or France. Mid-range transportation and accommodations are similar, but eating well out can be cheaper thanks to konbini and ramen chains. Museums and temples have reasonable prices.
Can you visit temples and shrines with tattoos?
Yes, tattoos are not a problem for access to temples and shrines. The ban mainly concerns public pools, fitness centers, and especially hot springs (onsen). In many onsens, small tattoos covered by band-aids are tolerated.
How does portable internet connection work?
Pocket Wi-Fi is rented online before departure and picked up at the airport. It offers unlimited connection for 5-10 devices, lasts about 8-10 hours on a charge, and is returned in a prepaid envelope before the return flight.
What to do if an earthquake occurs during your stay?
Stay calm, take cover under a sturdy table or in a doorframe, away from windows and shelves. Do not use elevators. Follow the instructions of hotel staff. Tremors are frequent but rarely harmful to tourists.
Is travel insurance mandatory?
It is not legally required, but it is highly recommended. Medical expenses for a foreigner can be very high, and trip cancellations due to typhoons or volcanic eruptions are a real risk. Without insurance, you could end up paying thousands of euros for a hospital stay.
Are vacations in Japan suitable for small children?
Yes, Japan is extremely family-friendly: play areas in restaurants, clean changing tables, strollers on trains, and the local culture is very patient with children. However, many small restaurants and traditional ryokan do not accept very young children due to space and noise issues.
Vacations in Japan
Planning the vacation in Japan requires attention to detail, but the reward is a journey that stays in your heart forever. From bustling metropolises to tranquil hot spring villages, from the precision of transportation to the kindness of strangers, each day offers discoveries. By following the principles of this guide – choosing the timing based on your interests, respecting customs, moving with flexibility, and leaving room for the unexpected – you will transform a simple tour into an experience of growth and wonder. Don’t try to see everything, but savor each place slowly. In the end, you will understand why Japan is not just visited: it is lived.
Places to visit (in alphabetical order)
Arashiyama (bamboo and bridge)
Himeji Castle
Fushimi Inari (thousands of torii)
Kenrokuen Garden
Miyajima Island (floating torii)
Mount Fuji and the five lakes
Ghibli Museum
Nara (deer and Daibutsu)
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatory
Nokogiriyama Park
Itsukushima Shrine
Shibuya (crossing and Hachiko)
Shirakawa-go (ancient huts)
TeamLab Planets Tokyo
Kinkaku-ji Temple (golden pavilion)
Todai-ji Temple
Jigokudani Valley (snow monkeys)
Historic Village of Tsumago
Cities (in alphabetical order)
Fukuoka
Hakone
Hiroshima
Kamakura
Kanazawa
Kobe
Kyoto
Nagano
Nagoya
Naha
Nara
Nikko
Osaka
Sapporo
Sendai
Takayama
Yokohama
Revision date: March 2026