Japan
What you need to know before you go
Japan, also called the Land of the Rising Sun, is a mix of ancient traditions coexisting with global innovation. Made up of 4 main islands in East Asia, the nation has diverse climates and landscapes – snowy mountains dominate the northern end, while to the south, you’ll find Nagano’s lakes, Kyoto’s temples, and the vibrant capital of Tokyo. Thanks to an extensive rail network, you can ride one of the world’s fastest bullet trains from the subtropical beaches in the south to the northernmost mountain ranges.
Japan’s well-preserved culture is something you can experience instead of just reading about it from a history book, from sumo wrestling matches and kabuki shows, to woodblock printing and tea ceremonies. Whether you’re planning an extravagant shopping trip to Tokyo or want to enjoy a day of visiting Shinto shrines in Kyoto, Japan is a country of vibrancy, depth and beauty.
Top destinations in Japan
Where will you go next?Tokyo is Japan’s capital city and one of the most engaging and awe-inspiring metropolises in the world. Covering an area of approximately 2,250 square kilometres, the Tokyo Metropolis is a whole world in itself. The city is highly regarded for its safety and high quality of life. It also offers a remarkable blend of old and new – think ancient...
Read moreOsaka
Osaka is Japan’s third largest city, which has a unique identity characterised by a penchant for good food and lively...
Kyoto
Kyoto attracts many with its hundreds of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, as well as pink cherry blossoms in spring...Sapporo
Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido. It’s well known for ramen, beer, snow, and being home to some of Japan’s...Nagoya
Nagoya is an economic powerhouse, home to Japan’s auto manufacturing giants Toyota, Honda and Mitsubishi. It once served as a...Okinawa (and vicinity)
Okinawa Island is situated about 400 miles south of Japan, and although now a Japanese prefecture, its origins in the...Naha
Naha, Japan, is the capital of Okinawa and is famed for Shuri Castle, once the royal palace of the Ryukyu...
What to see & do in Japan
Featured stories & fun stuffJapan is the epitome of the exotic East, with many unique idiosyncrasies waiting to be discovered. Even a simple walk through the city streets presents so many things to do in Japan – walk into a robot restaurant, a pachinko parlour, or a shopping mall and you will be wide-eyed with wonder about the things you see. Japan is not only about the big urban centres, and you will find... Read more
24 Best Temples and Shrines in Kyoto
Kyoto is justly famous for its incredible temples and shrines – they number in the thousands and come in all sizes and designs. Some of them are dedicated to Buddhism, while others are Shinto shrines (Japan’s ancient religion that believes that...13 Best Things to Do in Nagoya
The best things to do in Nagoya are a mix of both the old and the new. After suffering heavy...10 Best Things to Do with Kids in Osaka
Osaka has plenty of family-friendly sites to visit, attracting travellers with kids looking to enjoy a fun holiday in...11 Best Things to Do in Okinawa
The best things to do in Okinawa take full advantage of the destination’s culturally rich urban centres and Asia Pacific's...8 Best Things to Do with Kids in Sapporo
Sapporo has all kinds of attractions that families can enjoy in any season or any weather. You can harvest vegetables...10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Tokyo
Tokyo is full of luxurious and romantic places to visit, making it a top destination for couples. Popular spots to...15 Best Things to Do in Sapporo
Sapporo, on the northern island of Hokkaido, is the 5th-largest city in Japan and packed with interesting things to...12 Best Things to Do in Osaka
Osaka is a pulsating city covering a huge area so exploring all its attractions in a short period of time...11 Places Where Locals Love to Go in Tokyo
Tokyo has plenty of famous spots that give a real sense of Japan's history, but you can also find ultramodern...
Where & what to eat in Japan
Dining out in Japan is a definite highlight of any trip to the country. Known for their longevity, the Japanese enjoy their food immensely and, in general, still manage to keep the ingredients healthy. Of course, if you’re hankering after western food, it’s easy to find fast-food outlets and British-style pubs. But the Japanese cuisine experience – from delicious wagyu beef to raw seafood – is striking and typically meals... Read more
11 Best Japanese Foods & Dishes
Japanese cuisine is sublime in its intricacy of flavour, its variety of seasonal dishes, and its surprising health benefits. A typical Japanese meal is based on combining staples; rice or noodles are almost always served with soup, pickles and at...10 Best Local Dishes from Okinawa
Okinawa has nurtured its own unique food culture since the era of the Ryukyu Dynasty. Pork is an essential feature...10 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Sapporo
In a city as large and cosmopolitan as Sapporo, it really isn’t that hard to find good international food or...
Where to shop & what to buy in Japan
Shopping in Japan is an integral part of modern-day life, with megastores, malls, arcades, supermarkets and even humble 7-Elevens (a Japanese innovation) woven into everyday life. It’s as though Japan took the once-new idea of shopping malls and ran with it. When most people contemplate shopping in Japan, it’s natural to think first of high-tech electronic goods, but excellent textiles can be found, as well as... Read more
10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Osaka
Osaka was historically a merchant city and has a reputation for good quality merchandise for all budgets. Plus, it has a population that loves to shop. From the warrens of underground shopping malls to the quaint high street boutiques, shopping...29 Best Places to Go Shopping in Tokyo
This list of the best shopping experiences in Tokyo emphasises how impressive this city is. Walk into any Tokyo shop...10 Best Shopping Experiences in Sapporo
As in most large Japanese cities, shopping malls are the most popular places to shop in Sapporo. You'll find all...
Where to go & what to do at night in Japan
Japanese people love to let loose at night. The country is a living embodiment of the ‘work hard, play hard’ mantra, which has been adopted by its neighbours. The best nightlife is to be found in the ever-trend-setting Tokyo, but provincial cities each have their own charms and quirks. Karaoke is the quintessential nightlife experience in Japan, but swanky cocktail bars, pumping nightclubs and friendly izakayas are also... Read more
10 Best Live Music Bars in Tokyo
The best live music bars in Tokyo span many different genres, many of them with unique styles and concepts. Jazz music is popular with Japanese locals, but so too is pop and rock music – all of which you can find...10 Best Bars, Live Music, and Nightclubs in Sapporo
Many nightlife lovers see Sapporo as a more laid-back and relaxed destination than equivalent-sized cities in Japan. The...16 Best Bars, Live Music, and Night Clubs in Kyoto
Fun things to do in Kyoto extend to its vibrant nightlife. Despite appearances, this ancient city is not only limited...
Useful information
10 Things NOT To Do in Osaka
This list of mistakes to avoid in Osaka cover many situations you’ll likely find yourself in when visiting Japan’s bustling 2nd city. From how to handle yourself on public transport to what to do when out and about at night...Pandemic travel kit
The world of travel has been through a lifetime’s worth of changes in the past few months (haven’t we all...Osaka Travel Essentials
Our Osaka Travel Essentials lays out the essential information you need to help you plan your trip to one of...
