Haneji Inland Sea, Okinawa, JapanVideo: Benlisquare, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Japan
Japan, made simple: neon cities, quiet temples and the best food of your life
Japan is famously safe, spotlessly efficient and endlessly surprising: Tokyo's neon and calm shrines, Kyoto's temples and geisha lanes, Osaka's street food, Hiroshima's moving peace park and Hokkaido's snow and wild coasts. It can still feel daunting, with rail passes, cash habits, etiquette and a language you may not read. This guide takes the guesswork out so you travel with confidence.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyEntry rules, seasons, rail passes and money, answered
- LandingAirports, IC cards, SIM cards and your first evening, explained
- Your days in JapanCities, trains, food and onsen, planned with care
- Home againTax-free shopping and departure tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain rail passes, cash, tax-free shopping and tipping so costs never catch you off guard.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
Japan should feel like wonder, not worry. We answer the questions about trains, etiquette, money and language before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
Visiting family in Japan, tracing Nikkei roots from Brazil, Hawaii or California, or finally seeing the cherry blossom for yourself? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your JapanBig city energy, temples and gardens, food, snow or onsen: start with the destinations that fit you.
- Sort the essentialsEntry rules, travel advice, money and the right season, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for food, culture, nature and stays in each city.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to link cities by Shinkansen at a realistic pace.
Everything your Japan trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Miyajima, and Hokkaido, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred restaurants, temples, bars, hikes and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo, and stays in every city.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic Japan trip
Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima
Most first trips follow the Golden Route by bullet train: Tokyo, a night in the hot springs of Hakone, then Kyoto, Osaka and a day in Hiroshima and Miyajima. Two weeks shows you the best of the country without rushing.
- Shibuya, Asakusa and the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo
- Fushimi Inari, Gion and Arashiyama in Kyoto
- Dotonbori street food and Osaka Castle
- The Peace Memorial and the floating torii of Miyajima
Start with the destinations
See how Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Hokkaido fit together.
Japan destinationsPlan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
Japan rewards a little preparation: an IC card on your phone, timed tickets booked ahead for popular sights, luggage forwarded between hotels and a pace that leaves room for wandering. Our free planner helps you shape it.
- Realistic train times between cities
- The right season and holidays to avoid
- Where to base yourself
Where to go in Japan
From electric Tokyo and timeless Kyoto to food-mad Osaka, peaceful Hiroshima and the wild north of Hokkaido.
Kanto
Tokyo
Neon crossings, forest shrines, endless food and the world's easiest megacity.
Read the guidePhoto: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kansai
Kyoto
Japan's old imperial capital of temples, gardens, teahouses and torii gates.
Read the guidePhoto: Basile Morin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kansai
Osaka
Japan's kitchen and party city, with street food, neon and big-hearted locals.
Read the guidePhoto: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Chugoku
Hiroshima and Miyajima
A city reborn as a symbol of peace, and a sacred island shrine on the sea.
Read the guidePhoto: JordyMeow, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hokkaido
Hokkaido
Japan's wild north of powder snow, seafood, hot springs and national parks.
Read the guidePhoto: 663highland, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is Japan safe to visit?
Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, with very low crime. The main risks are natural: earthquakes, typhoons and summer heat. Read your government's current travel advice and learn the basics of earthquake safety before you go.
What is the capital of Japan?
Tokyo, the world's largest metropolitan area and the main gateway through Haneda and Narita airports. Osaka's Kansai airport is the other big entry point.
Do I need a visa for Japan?
It depends on your passport. Many nationalities can visit visa-free for short stays, while others need a visa in advance, and Japan is preparing a pre-travel screening system. Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and your nearest Japanese embassy before you book.
Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it?
Only for some routes. After the large pass price rise in 2023, a simple Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and back trip is often cheaper with individual tickets, while longer loops can still favour the pass. Compare with an online fare calculator.
How many days do I need in Japan?
Ten days covers Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka with a day trip to Nara or Hiroshima. Two weeks lets you add Hakone, the Japanese Alps or Hokkaido at a relaxed pace.
Can BlissPoint Travel book my trip?
We are a free travel guide, not a tour operator. Use our trip planner to shape your route, and our partner links to compare flights and stays.
Ready to find your Bliss in Japan?
Use the free trip planner to shape your days, or send us a question through the contact page.