🗺️ Japan attractions: tickets, opening hours and a 10 day itinerary

Planning a first trip to Japan is hard because of all the choices.

You want to fit a volcano, a golden pavilion, a bamboo grove, and an ancient castle into one vacation, but time is usually short. We put together thirty of the country's top attractions so you can see clearly what is actually realistic for one trip. For many places we tell you how to get there and what time of year they look best. Where fresh data is unavailable, we say so directly and don't plug in numbers from old guidebooks. The order of the list mixes nature, castles, and temples, so you can build your route from ready-made blocks.

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When to go and how many days you need

💡 In short:

Plan for at least ten days. Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka take a week, and leave three more days for nature and travel between cities.
See cherry blossoms in late March and early April, maples and ginkgo in November.
Book island and mountain spots like Aogashima and Jigokudani in advance: there are few places and many people who want them.
Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official JNTO website.

Japan stretches thousands of kilometers from north to south, so the weather in Tokyo and Hokkaido differs greatly. You can build one route across the whole country in two weeks, but it will be a rush: you'll be counting transfers instead of attractions.

A relaxed option revolves around three hubs. Tokyo gives you a modern city and nature nearby, Kyoto and Nara cover temples and the old way of life, Osaka adds food and evening streets. From Osaka you can easily take day trips to Himeji, Nagoya, and Hiroshima.

The peak falls on cherry blossom season and November, when maples turn red. During those weeks hotels get more expensive, and popular sites sell tickets in time slots. Outside the peak you'll see the same places more calmly and cheaply, just without the cherry blossoms.

1. Chureito Pagoda

Red Chureito Pagoda with Mount Fuji in the background

Chureito Pagoda looks ancient, but it was built in the late 1950s as part of a memorial to the city's residents who died in wars. The five-story structure stands on the slope of Mount Arakura, and it's from its viewing areas that you get that postcard-familiar view of Fuji.

You climb to the pagoda up a long staircase of several hundred steps. Come first thing in the morning: the light is softer, the summit is clear, and the tour bus groups are still asleep. In spring the hill is covered in cherry blossoms, in autumn it burns with red maples, and in winter the steps gleam with ice.

The catch: in season the viewing area is cramped, and Fuji often hides behind a cloud. Leave a backup day and check the weather in the evening.

2. Mount Fuji

Snow-capped Mount Fuji above a blue lake

Mount Fuji rises 3,776 meters above the island of Honshu (according to JNTO), and it is the highest point in the country. The perfect cone formed from eruptions of several volcanoes, the last of which happened in the early 18th century. For the Japanese, the mountain is sacred in two traditions at once, Buddhist and Shinto.

At the foot lies a national park with a chain of lakes, from which Fuji is photographed most often. In summer, official climbing routes run up the slopes; the rest of the year the mountain is closed for climbing and open only for viewing. Check the season rules and climbing gear on the climbing website.

The catch: the summit is often covered by clouds, and the climbing season is short. Assume you need two spare days.

3. Kegon Falls

Kegon Falls with a rainbow among the rocks

Kegon drops from a high ledge in Nikko National Park and is considered one of Japan's three most famous waterfalls. The water passes through volcanic rock and crashes into the gorge in a wide stream, with dozens of smaller flows supporting it on the sides.

The best time to visit is October and early November, when the surrounding slopes turn red and yellow. Viewing platforms stand at different levels, some of them are paid, but the view opens up from the highway too, which is why drivers slow down here.

The site also has a tragic page in its history. Because of it, staff keep watch at the upper platform, and you shouldn't go beyond the barriers.

4. Nachi Falls

Nachi Falls and the red Seigantoji Pagoda

The Nachi-no-taki waterfall bursts from the cliff and falls into a stone basin at its foot. The waterfall is part of the Kumano sacred site, which UNESCO added to the World Heritage list along with the Kii pilgrimage trails. For centuries, people walked here through the mountains to pray by the water.

Nearby stands the Shinto shrine Kumano Nachi Taisha with its bright red pagoda, and together with the waterfall they form one of the most recognizable landscapes in the country. People believed that the spray and water granted health and renewal.

The Kumano Nachi Taisha shrines were kept open to anyone seeking help from the gods, without the restrictions that applied at other mountain monasteries.

How to see it: climb to the upper viewing platform, from there you can see the entire gorge. Bring water: the climb involves steep stairs.

5. Sagano Bamboo Forest

Bamboo grove with a path and bamboo fence

The Sagano bamboo grove occupies the western edge of Kyoto, near the Arashiyama district. Thousands of stalks rise upward, rustling at the slightest breeze and turning a walk into a rare sound experience: the Japanese count this sound among the country's national soundscapes.

The grove grew on the site of an old park that was laid out back in the 14th century around temples and noble villas. Through the bamboo you can see the outline of Mount Arashiyama and the suspension bridges over the river.

The paths are lit, so you can walk here in the evening too, when shadows grow long and the lighting leads you deeper in.

The catch: during the day the narrow passage is crowded. Come when the temples open or after they close.

6. Kawachi Fuji Garden

Old wisteria on a trellis in Kawachi Garden

In the city of Kitakyushu on the island of Kyushu lies the country's most famous wisteria garden. The Japanese name for wisteria sounds like "fuji," so the garden was named Kawachi Fuji. Different varieties bloom at different times, and the season stretches from April to mid-May.

The garden's main feature is a long tunnel where clusters hang directly overhead. The corridors differ by color: white, lilac, pink, blue. You walk beneath them as if under a living roof.

Besides wisteria, azaleas and rhododendrons bloom here, and lighting is switched on in the evenings.

The catch: at peak season entry is timed, so buy your ticket in advance.

7. Hitachi Seaside Park

Hill with blue nemophila and a Ferris wheel

Hitachi Park lies on the ocean shore in the city of Hitachinaka and occupies the vast territory of a former military base. Today it is one of Japan's most famous flower parks: from March the slopes are planted with nemophila, and the hill turns into a blue sea.

After nemophila come tulips, hyacinths, and lilies, and in summer kochia blooms over the fields. Kochia bushes are planted in long rows and change color from bright green to warm burgundy, so the park looks different every two weeks.

The park appeared recently: about thirty years ago an American military base stood on this site. Now almost two hundred hectares are taken up by flower beds, lawns, and bike paths, and in season the whole region comes here.

Besides flowers, there is a Ferris wheel, a pool, and attractions. With kids you can easily spend a whole day here, and in the evening you can climb to the highest point and look out at the ocean.

8. The river in Kawagoe

Kawagoe preserves the look of the 17th century. It was once a river crossing town on the route by which goods traveled to the then capital of Edo, and warehouses with thick clay walls, kurazukuri, stood here. They protected grain and goods from fire.

Boat on the Shingashi River under blooming cherry blossoms

Today the old warehouses stand along the main street, and you walk between them on foot. Shops and museums in wooden houses line the streets, and the river itself remains the city's main artery.

The kurazukuri districts are recognized as valuable historical heritage, so everything looks well kept and almost theatrical.

The catch: on weekends the street with the warehouses is crowded.

9. Nakasendo Trail

Paved street with houses and a water wheel

The Nakasendo connected Kyoto and Edo through mountain passes, and in the 17th century merchants, samurai, and feudal lords traveled along it. Today it is one of five walking routes that show old Japan without cars and glass towers.

The most popular section runs between the villages of Magome and Tsumago: a paved trail, cedar forest, wooden post stations with tea houses and ryokans. You can walk it in a day and stay overnight in a traditional inn.

The full route takes more than a week, with climbs, descents, and steep sections. You will need to be in good physical shape and carry water.

How to see it: start your morning in Magome, then you will reach Tsumago before dark. Send heavy luggage ahead with a delivery service.

10. Aogashima Island

Aogashima rose from the sea as a volcano and has remained almost wild. The island lies far south of Tokyo, you can only get there by water or air, and there is only one harbor here.

Sheer cliffs of Aogashima Island and the port from above

In the late 18th century the volcano woke up, and all residents were evacuated to the mainland. People returned about half a century later and went back to fishing and farming. Today just over two hundred people live on the island, with a school and everything needed for a quiet life.

The climate here is subtropical. Tourists are drawn by the silence, the view from the crater rim, and the birds that nest on the slopes.

The catch: weather often cancels flights, so keep a two-day buffer in your plans.

11. Shirakawa

Gassho-zukuri houses of Shirakawa-go against autumn mountains

Shirakawa sits in the mountains, where the village was cut off from the outside world for a long time. A loaded horse could not get through, so a distinct way of life and a distinct house style developed, gassho-zukuri. The village was recognized as a World Heritage site and is protected along with its buildings.

The houses are assembled without a single nail, thatched with straw, and have no chimney. Smoke rises directly into the living space, warms the roof, and protects the straw from insects. Only the first floor is used for living; the upper floors were once used for silkworms.

The steep roof resembles the hands of a monk folded in prayer, hence the name of the style. In winter the village looks like a movie set, but that is exactly when you need warm boots and a guesthouse booked in advance.

12. Kusatsu onsen hot springs

Yubatake cascade and turquoise pool in Kusatsu

Kusatsu Onsen sits by the Kusatsu-Shirane volcano and runs on hot water that rises right in the center of town. Locals used it to treat illnesses long before tourists arrived, and in the 19th century a German doctor confirmed the water's properties.

The water composition varies between springs. In the town center the Yubatake spring gushes: thousands of liters per minute send steam rising above the wooden channels.

At the top of the mountain lies the emerald Yugama lake. In winter you cannot reach it, so plan your visit for the warm season.

How to see it: in the evening rent a yukata and go to a public bath; in the morning walk around Yubatake before the buses arrive.

13. Jigokudani snow monkey park

Jigokudani is called Hell Valley because of the volcanic activity and steam rising from the ground. Japanese macaques, nicknamed snow monkeys, live here, and people come from all over the world to see them.

The best time to visit is winter, when snow falls. The monkeys come down to the warm pond and sit in the water for hours, while you watch them from the trail just a couple of meters away.

Feeding and touching the animals is strictly forbidden, as signs in English warn. On the way to the park you will see the Korakukan ryokan, where monkeys sometimes warm themselves by the open-air spring.

14. Sakurajima Volcano

Sakurajima remains an active volcano and regularly throws out ash. Before a major eruption in the early 20th century, it was a separate island reachable only by ferry. Then lava cooled and connected it to the Osumi Peninsula.

The ground around is warm. Hot sand baths in pits on the shore are not done here but in Ibusuki.

The warm climate and volcanic soil produce the largest daikon radish and very sweet mini mandarins. Ash can ruin your photos, but in the morning you will see smoke above the crater.

The catch: ashfall cancels walks and boats, so check the schedule in the morning.

15. Aokigahara

Aokigahara spreads across the northern slope of Mount Fuji on solidified lava. The soil here is dense, so tree roots spread across the surface, and the forest stands so thick that it is easy to lose your bearings.

The place is known not only for its scenery. The forest has acquired a sad reputation because of incidents that have been widely written about in books and depicted in films. Tourists walk only on marked trails, and signs at the entrances remind visitors about safety.

The first step upon entering is to take a map. Mark your route, stay on the trail, and do not go deep into the forest alone, especially at dusk.

In autumn it is quiet and beautiful here: moss, roots, and yellow foliage create the rare view that photographers come for. In summer the forest stays cool even in the heat.

16. Himeji Castle

White multi-tiered Himeji Castle on a stone wall

Himeji is called the White Heron Castle: the white walls and graceful lines really do resemble a bird. The complex consists not of a single tower but of dozens of wooden buildings that survived wars and fires almost without losses, which is why the entire ensemble is on the World Heritage list.

Inside, you climb narrow wooden staircases. There is no elevator or air conditioning, so water and comfortable shoes are essential, and in summer it is better to go at opening time.

From March 1, 2026, admission for foreign visitors costs 2,500 yen (as of 09/2026, Visit Himeji). Check opening hours and rules on the castle's official website. If you want a guide and skip-the-line access, book Himeji tours on GetYourGuide.

17. Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle: Ninomaru Palace with garden

Nijo served as the residence of the Tokugawa shoguns, who held power for more than two and a half centuries. The castle impresses not with its height but with its interiors: painted screens, carved ceilings, and gold on the walls of the palace halls.

A separate attraction is the "nightingale floor." The boards are laid so that every step produces a creak resembling birdsong, which let the guards detect any nighttime visitor.

The grounds include a garden with a pond and stones. Get an audio guide or join a group tour: without explanations, the paintings remain just pretty pictures.

18. Karasu-jo Castle

Black Matsumoto Castle above a moat with swans

Karasu-jo is called the Crow Castle for its black walls and shape resembling a bird with spread wings. The main keep dates back to the 16th century, so you enter via a real wooden staircase rather than a museum ramp.

In the halls you'll see weapons, armor, and defense models. The upper-floor windows offer mountain views, and from here it's clear why the fortress was built in this exact spot.

The catch: the stairs are steep and narrow, and the climb is tough if you have knee problems.

19. Kumamoto Castle

Kumamoto Castle with restoration scaffolding and a crane

Kumamoto Castle is also called the Crow Castle. From a small fort it grew into the residence of the rulers of Kumamoto-han and remained so for nearly three centuries.

In the 20th century the castle was restored and turned into a museum. The halls display samurai armor, weapons, and fortress models, and the top floor offers a view of the entire city.

Getting there is easy: the fortress stands in the city center, and you can walk from Kumamoto Station or take the tram. Allow a couple of hours for the grounds and the keep.

The catch: after earthquakes, some buildings are closed for restoration, so check what's open before your trip.

20. Kinkaku-ji

Golden Pavilion Kinkaku-ji reflected in a pond

Kinkaku-ji is called the Golden Pavilion because its two upper tiers are covered in gold leaf. It stands over a pond in Kyoto, reflects in the water, and is listed as a World Heritage site.

The pavilion was built in the late 14th century as a villa for shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and after his death it was converted into a Buddhist monastery of the Rinzai school. A 15th-century war destroyed almost the entire complex, and in the middle of the last century the pavilion burned down in an arson attack and was rebuilt from scratch.

Next to it is a garden with stones and moss. You walk around the pond in a loop, so the best shots come from the opposite shore early in the morning, when the water is still.

The monastery's official name is more modest: Rokuon-ji, and the monastic title translates as Northern Mountain. Inside the main building are a statue of Kannon and a portrait of the shogun, and nearby there is a tea house and a small meditation garden.

21. Hiroshima Peace Memorial

The Peace Memorial Park grew up on the site that was completely burned out in the atomic bombing. The project was designed by architect Kenzo Tange together with colleagues, and today it is a quiet island with monuments, ceremonial spaces, and a cenotaph at its center.

The park is home to a monument to Sadako Sasaki, a girl who died of radiation sickness years after the blast. Her name is tied to the story of paper cranes folded in memory of the dead.

Nearby burns the Flame of Peace, and the fire will not be extinguished as long as atomic weapons remain on the planet. Across the Ota River you will see the Genbaku Dome, one of the few buildings that survived the blast.

How to visit: start with the museum, then walk around the park and cross the bridge to the dome. Give yourself half a day.

22. Itsukushima Shrine

Floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine in the water

Itsukushima Shrine stands on stilts directly in the water, and its red gate has become one of the country's symbols. The complex of nearly twenty wooden buildings is a World Heritage site, and the Japanese government has designated part of the shrine's property as national treasures.

In the past, building on the land of the gods was forbidden, so the halls were raised above the water. At low tide the seabed is exposed, and you can easily walk to the gate, where people traditionally leave a coin for good luck.

Itsukushima makes its strongest impression in autumn, when the surrounding hills turn yellow and red. Watch the sunset from the water or from the opposite shore.

23. Nagoya Castle

Nagoya Castle with golden shachihoko on the roof

Nagoya Castle is called the Golden Castle because of two golden figures on its roof, visible from a great distance. It was built in the early 17th century for the Owari branch of the Tokugawa clan, and until skyscrapers appeared, the building remained the city's main high-rise landmark.

Until the middle of the last century, the fortress was considered a national treasure, but it was destroyed in bombing raids. The entire city contributed to its reconstruction. The main tower is currently closed to visitors, so you cannot go inside the keep.

The complex is under constant restoration. Before your visit, check which halls and towers are open so you don't end up disappointed at closed gates.

24. Tokyo Disneyland

Cinderella Castle at night in Tokyo Disneyland with a crowd

Tokyo Disneyland sits by Tokyo Bay in Chiba Prefecture and became the first Disney park outside the United States. It opened in the early eighties, and later a marine satellite park, Tokyo DisneySea, grew up next to it.

The grounds are divided into themed zones, with trains running between them. Children under three get in free; everyone else needs a one-day "passport" that grants access to all attractions.

A one-day adult ticket costs several thousand yen, and the exact price depends on the date and changes several times a year. For weekends and holidays, buy in advance, otherwise only evening options will be left. Parking at the entrance is paid, so it is more convenient to take the train from Tokyo Station. Lines for the main coasters reach an hour during the day, so use your first two hours for them.

Plan for the whole day: the park opens in the morning, and lines do not shrink by evening. If you want to add a city sightseeing tour to the park, check out Tokyo tours on GetYourGuide.

25. Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower, over three hundred meters tall, was built as a television broadcasting antenna, and it turned into a symbol of the city. The lattice structure is painted white and orange: international safety rules for tall structures require it.

From its two observation decks you can see all of Tokyo, and on a clear day, Mount Fuji. At the base of the tower there are a museum, restaurants, and shops, so in the evening people come here not only for the panorama.

The tower is often featured in films, TV series, and anime. Going up to the upper deck costs more than the lower one, and on weekends you will stand in line longer.

26. Kiyomizu-dera

Main hall and pagoda of Kiyomizu-dera in autumn

Kiyomizu-dera translates as the Temple of Pure Water and stands on a hillside in Kyoto. It offers a wide view of the city, and the main hall rests on wooden supports without a single nail.

A separate attraction is the wooden platform that juts out over the slope. Entry to the main hall is paid (as of 09/2026, temple's official website), while the surrounding grounds and the street leading up remain free. Nearby flows the Otowa waterfall, where people traditionally drink the water and make a wish.

The temple was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in the nineties. The street leading to the gate has been selling souvenirs and food since the 17th century, so come at opening time: at noon you will have a hard time pushing through. Buy tickets to nearby Kyoto attractions in advance, slots on Tiqets will help you skip the ticket office line.

27. Todai-ji Temple

Great Buddha Hall of Todai-ji Temple in Nara

Todaiji in Nara is known for its Great Buddha, and the hall built for it is among the largest wooden structures in the world. The statue, about fifteen meters tall, is assembled from bronze parts (as of 09/2026, temple official website).

Admission to the main hall is paid, and a separate ticket is sold for the museum and treasure house. A guide helps here: without explanations, the statues, gates, and columns remain simply large.

The main Nandaimon gate is considered the largest in the country, and inside the complex stand statues of guardian deities, each several times taller than a person. The gate and main hall will take you at least an hour.

Half a day in Nara passes quickly: deer roam nearby and hundreds of other shrines stand around. Go in the morning, before school groups fill the park.

28. Saihoji moss temple

Evening view of Chuo-dori street in Tokyo with skyscrapers

Saihoji is called the moss temple: soil, stones, trunks, and bridges are covered by a carpet of dozens of moss species. The garden itself was created by the monk Muso Soseki in the 14th century, and the lower level features a pond shaped like the character for "heart."

The temple does not accept just anyone. You can only get in by advance reservation, and until recently applications were accepted by regular mail, without the internet.

Silence and green color hold here even in the heat. Watch your step so you don't tread on the moss, and come in the morning: the light at that time brings out the texture of the leaves.

29. Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle, stone walls, moat, skyscrapers

Osaka Castle surpasses other fortresses in the country in area and played an important role in the unification of Japan. In the late 16th century it was considered an impregnable stronghold, then survived sieges and destruction, and was rebuilt several times.

The main tower was restored in the early 20th century, and a museum has operated inside ever since. The exhibition spans several floors, there is an elevator, and from the upper deck you overlook the city and the moat.

The medieval interior has not survived here, so for authentic halls it is better to go to Himeji or Nijo. In Osaka, the castle is lit up in the evening, and the garden becomes a place for strolls.

The catch: in summer the upper deck is hot and crowded, bring water.

30. Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine with fox statues

Fushimi Inari Taisha near Kyoto is dedicated to the deity Inari, the patron of rice, sake, tea, and commerce. The shrine is considered the head of an entire network of Inari shrines scattered across the country.

A path leads upward with thousands of red torii gates donated by merchants, samurai, and companies. The climb to the summit takes a couple of hours, and along the way you come across small shrines and statues of kitsune foxes, Inari's messengers.

Most visitors turn around at the first viewing platform, so silence begins above it. Go early: during the day the gates are packed.

Japan's sights on the map

We marked all the places from the list on one map. Open it in advance to estimate distances and avoid racing across the whole country in one day.

The 30 main sights of Japan

Places on the map

1Chureito Pagoda Five-tiered pagoda on the slope of Mount Arakura, the very view of Fuji seen on postcards
2Mount Fuji The country's highest point, 3,776 metres, climbing only in summer along official routes
3Kegon Falls Nikko National Park, one of the three most famous waterfalls, best in October
4Nachi Falls The sacred site of Kumano and Nachi Taisha shrine with its red pagoda
5Sagano Bamboo Forest Western outskirts of Kyoto near Arashiyama, the paths are lit even in the evening
6Kawachi Fuji Garden Kitakyushu on Kyushu, a tunnel of wisteria, season from April to mid-May
7Hitachi Seaside Park Nearly two hundred hectares of flower fields, nemophila in spring, kochia in summer and autumn
8Kawagoe Blocks of 17th-century warehouses in karazukuri style, boats travel along the canal
9Nakasendo Road The old Kyoto-Edo highway, the popular Magome-Tsumago stretch is walked in a day
10Aogashima Island Volcanic island south of Tokyo, home to just over two hundred people
11Shirakawa-go Mountain village in gassho-zukuri style, a World Heritage site, houses built without nails
12Kusatsu Onsen Yubatake hot spring in the town centre and the emerald Yugama crater lake at the top
13Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park Japanese macaques sit in a hot pool, best in winter, feeding is not allowed
14Sakurajima Volcano Active volcano near Kagoshima, warm sand on the shore and smoke over the crater in the morning
15Aokigahara Dense forest on hardened lava on Fuji's northern slope, keep to the marked trails
16Himeji Castle The White Heron Castle, a UNESCO site, entry for foreigners is 2,500 yen
17Nijo Castle Residence of the Tokugawa shoguns, painted screens and a nightingale floor
18Karasu-jō (Crow Castle) The Crow Castle with black walls, the main keep has survived since the 16th century
19Kumamoto Castle National treasure in the city centre, housing a museum of armour and weapons inside
20Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) Golden pavilion above a pond in Kyoto, the two upper floors are covered in gold
21Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park with the cenotaph, the Sadako memorial and the Flame of Peace, facing the Genbaku Dome
22Itsukushima Shrine A temple on stilts over water with red torii gates, reachable on foot at low tide
23Nagoya Castle Golden castle with figures on the roof, rebuilt after the bombings
24Tokyo Disneyland The first Disney park outside the USA, next to Tokyo DisneySea marine park
25Tokyo Tower Over three hundred metres tall, two observation decks, Fuji visible on a clear day
26Kiyomizu-dera Pure-water temple on a hillside, a wooden platform and the Otowa waterfall
27Todai-ji Great Buddha in one of the largest wooden halls in the world, the Nandaimon gate
28Saiho-ji Moss temple with the garden of the monk Muso Soseki, entry only by prior booking
29Osaka Castle The country's largest fortress, with a museum in the main keep and a lift to the top floor
30Fushimi Inari Taisha A trail of thousands of red torii gates, the climb to the summit takes a couple of hours

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need for a trip like this?

With a week, you can fit in Tokyo, Kyoto, and one day trip to Nara. Two weeks give you a relaxed pace: you can add Himeji, Hiroshima with Itsukushima, and a day at Fuji. With less than a week, stick to one city, otherwise travel will eat up all your time, and you'll have to buy timed-entry tickets well in advance.

When is the best time to go to avoid crowds?

Outside peak season: the second half of May, June, and late September. Cherry blossom season and November draw the biggest crowds and push hotel prices up. If you want both the blossoms and some peace, look at mountain villages like Shirakawa and the northern prefectures, where the tourist flow is noticeably smaller.

How much does entry to the main sights cost?

Prices change every year, so we link to official pages. At Himeji, a full ticket for a foreign visitor costs 2,500 yen (as of 09/2026, new rates on the Visit Himeji website). At parks and museums, entry is often sold in timed slots, and a ticket on site costs more than online.

Do you need a car if you're visiting Japan for the first time?

In cities, a car only gets in the way: parking is expensive, and trains and the subway run exactly on schedule. Renting makes sense in Hokkaido, in rural areas, and on long walking routes like the Nakasendo. Between Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, just take the train.

What should you bring on the trip?

Comfortable shoes, because stairs await you in both castles and temples. A raincoat instead of an umbrella, cash for small ticket counters, and a swimsuit if you plan to visit an onsen. In the mountains and near waterfalls, you'll need a sweater even in summer, and warm boots and gloves in winter.

In short: what's worth booking

A first trip to Japan is easiest to build around three hubs: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. From there, you add nature and castles to your taste.

If you have a week: take Tokyo, Kyoto, and a day trip to Nara.
If you have two weeks: add Himeji, Hiroshima with Itsukushima, and a day at Fuji.
If you're traveling with kids: plan for Tokyo Disneyland and Hitachi Seaside Park.
If you like quiet: look at Shirakawa, Kusatsu Onsen, and Aogashima Island.

Before your trip, compare hotels in Kyoto on Trip.com and book timed-entry tickets for sights in advance: during peak season, entry is by time slot, and without a reservation you may be turned away at the ticket office.

Japan in one trip: 30 places from the pagoda by Fuji to Fushimi Inari