Best Day Trips from Tokyo (Hakone, Nikko & Kamakura)
Tokyo's rail network puts mountains, temples, and a giant Buddha within easy reach. Here are the three best day trips for first-time visitors.
Where to Stay in Tokyo: Best Neighborhoods for First-Timers
Shinjuku, Asakusa, or Shibuya? Here's how Tokyo's best base neighborhoods compare for first-time American visitors, and who each one suits.
Kyoto Travel Guide for First-Timers
Everything a first-time visitor needs to know about Kyoto — its temples, neighborhoods, how to get around, and how long to stay.
Best Free Things to Do in Japan
Japan can be surprisingly affordable. Here are the best experiences — shrines, parks, markets, and views — that cost nothing.
Best Things to Do in Japan: Top Experiences for First-Timers
From bullet trains to onsen to temple towns, here are the top experiences every first-time visitor to Japan should have on their list.
Latest guides
1 Week in Japan: The Perfect First-Timer Itinerary
Seven days is enough for a superb first trip. Here's a day-by-day 1-week Japan itinerary covering Tokyo, Kyoto, and easy day trips.
5 Days in Japan: A Short-Trip Itinerary
Only have five days in Japan? Here's how to make the most of a short trip — focused on Tokyo and Kyoto, with no wasted time.
10 Days in Japan: The Ideal Itinerary
Ten days is arguably the sweet spot for Japan. Here's a day-by-day itinerary adding Osaka, Hakone, and Nara to the Tokyo–Kyoto core.
2 Weeks in Japan: A Comprehensive Itinerary
Two weeks lets you go beyond the basics. Here's a 14-day Japan itinerary adding Hiroshima, Miyajima, and more to the classic route.
3 Weeks in Japan: The Extended Itinerary
Three weeks in Japan opens up the whole country. Here's how to extend beyond the classics to Kanazawa, the Alps, Koyasan, and further afield.
Japan Itinerary Ideas: How to Plan Your Route
Not sure how to structure your Japan trip? Here are itinerary ideas by trip length and interest, with the principles that make any route work.
Beyond the Basics: A Second-Trip Japan Itinerary
Already done Tokyo and Kyoto? Here's where to go on a second trip to Japan — the regions, towns, and experiences beyond the first-timer trail.
How to Plan Your First Japan Itinerary (Step by Step)
Planning your first trip to Japan? Here's a step-by-step guide to building an itinerary that fits your time, avoids rookie mistakes, and flows.
Japan eSIM and SIM Card Guide for Travelers
How to get mobile data in Japan — eSIM, physical SIM, or pocket WiFi. Here's how each works, who they suit, and the popular providers.
