Neon cities, quiet temples and the best food on the planet.
Japan runs on contrasts. Tokyo's crossings and late-night alleys sit a short train ride from moss-covered temples, cedar forests and hot-spring towns where the loudest sound is running water. Trains are fast, spotless and on time, which makes it easy to string very different places together in a single trip.
Food alone justifies the flight: counter-seat sushi, bowls of ramen at midnight, market stalls in Osaka and multi-course kaiseki in Kyoto. Spring cherry blossom and autumn colour are the headline seasons, but winter brings snow monkeys and powder, and summer fills the calendar with festivals.
Best time to visit Japan
March, April, October, November.
Places to visit in Japan
Tokyo: A city of neighbourhoods: electric Shibuya, old-world Asakusa, and more great restaurants than anywhere on earth.
Kyoto: Former imperial capital with over a thousand temples, geisha districts and some of Japan's finest gardens.
Osaka: Japan's kitchen: loud, friendly and built around street food, with day trips to Nara on the doorstep.
Hakone: Hot springs, lake cruises and, on a clear day, a postcard view of Mount Fuji.
Hiroshima: A moving peace memorial, plus the floating torii gate of Miyajima a short ferry away.
Mount Fuji: Japan's highest and most revered mountain, climbed in summer and admired year-round from the Fuji Five Lakes.
Nara: Japan's first permanent capital, with giant Buddhist temples and tame deer roaming a wide green park.
Kanazawa: A well-preserved castle town on the Sea of Japan, famous for Kenroku-en garden, geisha districts and gold leaf.
Sapporo: Hokkaido's capital, known for its winter Snow Festival, miso ramen and easy access to world-class powder skiing.
Okinawa: Japan's subtropical island chain, with coral reefs, white beaches and a distinct Ryukyu culture and cuisine.
Nikko: A mountain town of lavish shrines and temples set among cedar forest, waterfalls and lakes north of Tokyo.
Takayama: A mountain town in the Japanese Alps with preserved Edo-era streets, sake breweries and morning markets.
Shirakawa-go: A mountain village of steep-roofed gassho-zukuri farmhouses, a UNESCO site that looks especially lovely under snow.
Fukuoka: Kyushu's largest city, famous for its open-air yatai food stalls, tonkotsu ramen and relaxed seaside life.
Kamakura: A former shogunate capital by the sea, with a great bronze Buddha, Zen temples and hiking trails near Tokyo.
Essentials
Currency: Japanese yen (JPY)
Language: Japanese
Plugs: Type A / B, 100 V
Driving: Left side
Time zone: UTC+9
Tipping: Not expected
Getting around: Rail is the backbone; a regional or national pass can save money
Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking