The Japan Guides

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Cities & Regions

Japan has 24 city guides across seven distinct regions. Tokyo and Kyoto draw the most visitors, but Osaka's street-food alleys and Hiroshima's Peace Memorial reward slower itineraries. Spring (late March to early May) and autumn (October to November) give the best conditions. Each guide covers transport costs, which neighbourhoods to focus on, and where to eat without a Michelin budget.

Tokyo skyline with Mount Fuji in the distance

Kanto

Tokyo and its surrounds: the capital megacity, ancient temples at Nikko, the samurai town of Kamakura, and the volcanic landscapes of Hakone.

Cities

Tokyo Kamakura Nikko Hakone
Fushimi Inari torii gate path in Kyoto

Kansai

Japan's cultural heartland: Kyoto's temples and geisha districts, Osaka's street food, Nara's roaming deer, and Kobe's cosmopolitan waterfront.

Cities

Kyoto Osaka Nara Kobe
The floating torii gate of Miyajima island at dusk

Chugoku & Shikoku

Western Honshu and the fourth island: Hiroshima's Peace Memorial, the floating torii gate at Miyajima, and Matsuyama's hilltop castle.

Cities

Hiroshima Miyajima Matsuyama
Scenic pine islands of Matsushima bay in Tohoku Japan

Tohoku

Northern Honshu's wild interior - Sendai, the pine-covered islands of Matsushima, and Aomori's Nebuta Festival and Shirakami mountains.

Cities

Sendai Matsushima Aomori
Lavender fields in Furano, Hokkaido with mountains behind

Hokkaido

Japan's northern island: Sapporo's Snow Festival and ramen culture, and Hakodate's iconic night view and morning fish market.

Cities

Sapporo Hakodate
Sakurajima volcano rising above Kagoshima bay at sunset

Kyushu

Japan's southernmost island - Fukuoka's food stalls, Nagasaki's layered history, Beppu's hot springs, and Kagoshima beneath an active volcano.

Cities

Fukuoka Nagasaki Beppu Kagoshima
Traditional wooden townhouses in Takayama old town Japan

Central Japan & Beyond

Kanazawa's preserved geisha districts, Nagano's snow monkeys and Winter Olympics legacy, Takayama's Edo-era merchant town, and tropical Okinawa.

Cities

Kanazawa Nagano Takayama Okinawa

Other Cities

Group of skiers on the slopes - Hakuba ski resort, Nagano Japan
Hakuba

Complete guide to Hakuba - Happo-One, Goryu, Hakuba47, Cortina, where to stay, best restaurants, onsen, and summer hiking in the Japanese Alps.

Lake Kawaguchiko with Mount Fuji reflected in still morning water
Kawaguchiko

Kawaguchiko travel guide - Lake Kawaguchiko, Mt Fuji views, onsen ryokan, Chureito Pagoda, and day trips from Tokyo to the Fuji Five Lakes.

Nagoya Castle keep with the golden shachi ornament on the roof ridge
Nagoya

Nagoya travel guide - castles, Atsuta Shrine, Toyota history, Osu shopping, and the city's famous miso-heavy food culture, all in central Japan.

Snow covered mountain with trees in foreground - Niseko ski resort, Hokkaido Japan
Niseko

Complete guide to Niseko - Hirafu, Niseko Village, Annupuri, Hanazono, powder skiing, onsen, and summer hiking on the slopes of Mount Yotei.