Your Favorite Japan Travel Guide: The Best Itineraries, City Guides & Tips

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Japan is the place I keep coming back to.

I finally made it to Japan in 2025 and have been absolutely obsessed ever since. In two trips and about six weeks, I’ve gotten happily lost in Tokyo’s back-alley coffee shops, soaked in a private onsen in Hakone, and hiked into the Alps at Kamikochi.

This is my complete Japan guide — a few full route itineraries plus the city guides, ryokan picks, and food notes I wish I’d had on my first trip!

Wherever you’re starting, there’s something below for you. And keep checking back — because I’m still not done sharing about my last two trips AND there are more Japan trips in my future!

Arigato Gozaimasu!

Start Here↓

  • Japan's Golden Route. Best Itinerary for first time visitors to Japan. 10 day Golden Route Itinerary
  • Itinerary for Japanese Alps.
  • Japan Cherry Blossom 10 day Itinerary. Sakura Season in Japan.
  • Book a pre-paid Suica Card before your Japan Trip
  • Airalo is the best e-sim for international trips, including Japan
  • Book your stay in Japan - ryokans are my favorite
  • Book a food tour in Japan
  • Book a guided tour or experience in Japan
  • Ride the bullet train, or shinkansen

What City Should You Visit First in Japan?

If you’re having trouble choosing where to start your Japan trip – you’re not alone!

The first place I visited was Osaka. I’ll never forget walking into Dotonbori, snacking on street food, and feeling like a BA taking the public transit system. Osaka is the perfect place to start your journey in Japan – it’s not as chaotic as Tokyo, but still gives you “big city” vibes. Check out the fully planned itineraries above, or my Osaka Travel Guide to get started.

How to Travel Confidently in Japan

Visiting Japan for the first time can feel intimidating, especially if it’s your first trip to Asia. The good news? Japan is one of the easiest countries in the world to travel independently (I’ve already been multiple times!).

You don’t need to speak fluent Japanese, but understanding a few basic customs will make your trip much smoother—and help you avoid common tourist mistakes.

Download my FREE Japan Etiquette Guide to learn a few cultural basics that will help you blend in and be a respectful guest.

How to Travel Around Japan

Japan has one of the best public transportation systems in the world, making it incredibly easy to explore without renting a car. In most destinations, all you need is an IC card for local transit and Google Maps to navigate your route.

Japan’s rail network is made up of both public and private railways, which can seem confusing at first. Fortunately, Google Maps tells you exactly which train to take, where to transfer, and even which platform to use.

If a destination isn’t served by train, there’s almost always a bus that will get you there. Buses are clean, reliable, and famously punctual, so you can confidently explore even smaller towns and rural areas.

Whether you’re traveling solo or planning an independent trip, Japan is one of the easiest countries in the world to navigate (and my personal favorite!).

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Hi, I’m Amber —

A Michigan native now living in Washington with a deep love for travel and the outdoors. What started with church mission trips and years of traveling across the U.S. as a nurse has grown into a passion for exploring destinations across Asia and America through hiking, scenic landscapes, local food, wildlife encounters, and underwater adventures. Sometimes I’m joined by my goldendoodle, Millie, but I’m always traveling with my camera. My goal is to help you feel inspired and confident that travel is possible — no matter where you’re starting from.