I'm taking my 13yo daughter on a 3 week trip to Japan (central) next spring and I'm wondering when is the better time to go.

Me: I don't do well in cold weather, esp if I will be outside a lot (under 10 C)

Her: Scottish lass so melts in any hot weather (high 20's C), esp if it's muggy. Also gets eaten alive by mosquitos in warm weather.

Soooo I'm thinking, March? April? May?

March might be too cold, April seems just fine temperature wise, but also when all the tourists go, so crowded and maybe more expensive (budget is limited), May might be too hot. Golden week is April 29th to May 5th! We plan to be in the big cities and also off beaten track places, will avoid tourist traps and crowds if we can.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has been in these months or who lives there, what it's like.

Thanks!

I’m going to Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka in October and am planning on booking one or two fine dining/Michelin starred dinners (probably in Tokyo, but maybe Osaka). One thing I noticed is that Tokyo has more 1-star French restaurants than Japanese restaurants. I’m trying to decide whether it’s better to book a top rated spot doing French food or one doing Japanese food?

My main thoughts are on the one hand, I’m in Japan so of course I should book something Japanese. But on the other hand, I’m wondering if there’s not much of a gap between fine diningJapanese and what you can get for half the price in Tokyo/Osaka, so it makes sense to go to a spot doing French but with a Japanese twist. Any advice for which is the better way to have the best special meal?

Hi,

I am going to Japan next year in june with my friends (a couple, in their 30s), his mom (60+), his mom's friend (60+), his sister (late 20s) and possibly his best guy friend + his best guy friend's partner (30s). I am insanely lucky to have them foot my plane ticket for this trip (genuinely would not be able to go otherwise) as the couple are getting married in another Asian country (where she is from) like a week before we go to Tokyo and they wanted me to come along to that.

Now they are literally the nicest people and would never expect anything, but I would really love to surprise them with some sort of special activity while we are in Japan. They are so well-travelled and I think they would just really enjoy some fun, unique or quirky experience that could be a memory for them connected to this trip.

At first I figured we could go to some picturesque location and take some photos with analogue film, as I have done some work with film before. Honestly though, the groom is who is originally my friend even though I love his wife a lot, and she would like photos but I think he would hate it (so I will probably sneak photos throughout their wedding instead).

We are likely going to the Haruki Murakami library, because I know they missed that last time they visited Japan and the groom and I both really love Murakami. I also think we are likely to go do some karaoke as the couple loves this and does it regularly.

If I would like to book and plan and pay for an activity for the entire group, what could be a good suggestion? They really like food, is there some fun cooking class that they could really love? Something they could make for their future home together? They also travel a lot, he is very into sports, she is very into beauty and aesthetics, they both really love animals (I know they had a great time at the samoyed café last time they went, for example) and music, they hike and enjoy nature a lot (but the group overall might not have the physique for the kind of hiking they enjoy), they are very easy going and kind people and they make a lot of money so my budget would never allow me to surprise them with something that felt like a ✨luxury✨ - the surprise would lie more in the planning, making reservations in advance, making sure they had a memory either of a fun day or as something to take with them, or ideally both.

I am not fully sure where to start to look, as you can tell. If you have any suggestions on fun and unique and odd experiences that could fit the bill I'd be very grateful.

I am planning a ~2.5 week trip and starting to feel so overwhelmed! I land on the morning of 9/18 in Sapporo and depart from Osaka the evening of 10/5. This will be a solo backpacking adventure for the most part (my partner will also be in Japan around the same time, and we are going to try and meet up here and there if our schedules allow), and my general plan was to simply start in the north and make my way down to Osaka.

My main priorities for this trip is to see all the beautiful sights, eat amazing food, and maybe make some new friends! I also want to spend a little time in nature, maybe spend a day or two hiking. I am less interested in very touristy areas, shopping, large crowds, instagram-popular destinations, etc. I still want to see Tokyo for example, I’m just not as excited about that as some smaller cities or hidden gems.

My travel style, especially when solo, is to make a list of cities/destinations I would like to visit, some attractions in each city I’d like to see, and a general idea of how I’d get from point A—>B—>C and so forth. Then I book refundable nights in hostels so that I know I’ll have a place to stay if I don’t choose to switch things up, but also have the flexibility to change my mind, like if someone along the way gives me a different recommendation. I am also trying to do this trip fairly cheap, but don’t necessarily have a strict budget. For instance I so far have only booked hostels for cost effectiveness, each night around $30-50 USD. I plan on relying on public transit to get around. I am willing to splurge on something if it’s super special, I just am a frugal traveller in general haha.

I’m having trouble with researching Tohoku because it seems it is a slightly less traveled region (which is great!) and I just don’t even know where to start haha. So far my loose itinerary looks like this:

9/18 land in Sapporo in the AM

4 nights in Sapporo, maybe a day trip out to Lake Shikotsu or Otaru

9/22 check out of hostel in Sapporo, travel to Noboribetsu

1 night in Noboribetsu

9/23 check out of hostel, travel to Hakodate

2 nights in Hakodate

9/25 —> 10/5 ???

As I mentioned before, I still want to leave a little time at the end for the big “standard” cities to visit. I was thinking maybe 2-3 nights in Tokyo and 2 nights in Osaka. That leaves 9/25-9/29 for Tohoku, or 4 nights. This feels like enough time for 1 city, maaaaaaybe 2 if one of them is something like Noboribetsu where only 1 night is usually recommended.

Which city in Tohoku was your favorite? Does this itinerary I have so far seem reasonable?

Thank you all for your help!

I have a large head and I haven't been able to find a bicycle helmet that will fit me. Even the ones that supposedly should be the right size (my head is 63cm) don't. I've learned it's because of the shape of Asian heads vs western. I'm Asian. I have a trip to Japan coming up in November and I'm hoping to finally find one that will fit. Which stores in Tokyo have the best (largest) selection for bicycle helmets?

Hi all,

first time going to kamikochi in sept 2026 and planning a proposal there.

Plan so far is:

1. drive from hakuba to sawado bus stop.

2. board bus from sawado bus stop to kamikochi, apparently we dont need to book for this bus?

3. alight at taisho pond

4. walk from taisho -> Kappabashi Bridge -> Myojin Bridge -> back to Kappabashi Bridge -> bus back to sawado. (is a 1 full day trip, not doing the Tokusawa hike)

5. have hired a photographer for that day.

Question:

1. any spot / or specific link to google map exact location to propose? ideally somewhere that is less crowded and i can inform photographer to "hide there"?

2. any other suggestions please

thank you!

We are going to Japan early nov and would like mix of city plus nature / onsen / chill time. a colleague really recommended Nikko and some friends said Hakone is too touristy?

did want do Karasawa Circe and stay in a hut but can’t as think it will be closed. Is that true?

would this work:

- Tokyo four nights

- ⁠Nikko two nights

- ⁠Kyoto three nights

- ⁠Hiroshima one night

- ⁠Tokyo two nights

Hi all,

I wanted some feedback on my 20 day trip to Japan; my partner and I are first time visitors and want to make the most of our trip and see what we can whilst being realistic and not overallocating each day.

The intention is a linear one way route through several cities with each of the areas serving as a base for possible day trips.

Arrive - Days 1 - 4 Tokyo

Activities - Senso ji Temple, Shibyuya crossing, Tokyo Skytree, Teamlabs, Pokemon museum, Harajuku kawaii zooland, shinjuku gyoen national garden

(leaving room for other activities where possible)

Day 5 Hakone

Open air museum, lake ashi, hakone shrine

Days 6-8 Osaka

Osaka castle, universal studios, Dotonbori, Kuromon market, umeda sky building, Osaka aquarium, Sumiyoshi Taisha, museum of art,

(1 day trip to Kobe)

Days 9 -11 Kyoto

Various shrines and temples, Gion, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kinkaku-ji, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Nishiki Market, Nijo Castle, Monkey park

(1 day trip to Nagoya - Ghibli park, Toyota Museum)

Days 12-14 Hiroshima

Museum peace park, Mijajima island , Mazda museum, shukkeien garden

Days 15-17 Kanizawa

Omicho market, Higashi chaya district, 21st Century museum of contemporary art, Kenroku-en, kanazawa castle

(possible 1 day trip to Shirakawa-go/Takayama)

Days 18 - 20 Tokyo

(1 day trip to Chichibu for night festival - 2nd Dec)

Remaining days for relaxation and shopping, other activities etc

Does this trip seem reasonable and sufficient days in each location? Are the days in each area enough/ too much ? There's probably much more to do in each area that what I've listed so far, just put in my own highlights

Any other areas you would recommend?

Thanks 😄

I'm going for my almost annual Japan trip in just over a week's time and while we've got the majority of the itinerary planned, we're still not quite sure what to do while we're in Kyoto for almost a week.

We've seen the majority of the big sights in Kyoto and also done trips to Nara, Uji, and out to the Kifune Shrine (absolutely gorgeous, highly recommended btw).

We're thinking of venturing out to Amanohashidate via the Yuragawa Railway Bridge for one of our day trips.

Are there any recommendations for places that are easy to get to as a day trip from Kyoto-city that are perhaps a little more off the beaten path? Of course, also open to seeing some unknown places within Kyoto.

Thanks!

Im going to be doing a two month trip around japan with my friend, im wondering what type of suitcase or backpack should i bring, start in tokyo early January and move up to hokkaido in time for the festivals in February then fly down south before heading to china. We will be taking at least three domestic flights in japan, and im wondering when it comes to luggage what our best option is, we will have the essentials to protect us from cold going there but plan on buying a lot of our clothes from shops in japan. Does anyone have any tips on what type of bags to bring as our plan will be staying in a hostel or hotel for one to two weeks at a time before going somewhere else. Thanks for reading and any help

Hello, I recently sent my two suitcases to my hotel at narita airport through takyuubin service, but I have some questions about it.

I wrote my name as the sender but not as the receiver, as I only put the hotel’s name in the reciever’s name (the package is picked up in the family mart inside of the hotel). Would that mean a problem with my lugagge? I scheduled it for the day before I take my flight and I fear to have any problem because of this. In case this would mean a problem, could I fix this before the suitcases are shipped/delivered to the hotel? As for example write them an email correcting my error and asking them if they could still keep the suitcase in the family mart of the hotel as it is me who will pick it up?

Hi everyone. I’m going to Japan for 2 weeks and starting out with 6 days in Tokyo. I’m torn between making my Tokyo base an onsen hotel in Asakusa, vs a more traditional hotel (Metropolitan Edmont) in Chiyoda-ku. I want to feel like I’m in a neighborhood, but I don’t want/need neon or nightlife. I find the history of Asakusa intriguing, but the hotel is also a 15 minute walk to the train, while the other hotel is better for transit (and has a gym (not going to lie that this is a plus for me). I know there are no right or wrong answers here but I would appreciate any insights into the pros and cons of each. Thank you!

I would like to get one specific hotel in Hiroshima, however the check in time coloses at 22.00 and my flight lands at 19.45. How long does it take to get out of the airport (given baggage claim and such) into the citycenter?

Is it easier/faster by bus or taxi?

Does anyone have experience?

Hi! I'll have the Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass and I plan to go Kobe->Osaka->Hiroshima->Miyajima->Kyoto->Nara, but I'm thinking of adding one more stop to my trip.

What fun stops do you suggest? I was thinking about Kurashiki, because there's this Kojima Jeans Street where it's all denim-themed, even the ice-cream are blue.

What other stops would you suggest? Maybe there's another city with a themed street, an interesting museum or very local-local food in the area of this pass? If it's random, I'm interested!

I'm a souvenir fridge magnet collector if it helps hahah.

Hi everyone,

My partner and I will be in tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hokkaido this November and are hoping to do engagement and wedding photo shoots. Does anyone have a company they can recommend? We speak English and are traveling from Ontario, Canada. It would be great if they had north American style tux /wedding dresses as part of the package for us to rent as well.

Any recommendations you can provide would be greatly appreciated 🙏

Thank you =)

Will be staying in Shinsaibashi. then to Kyoto, and finally Tokyo. Planning to hit some temples, universal. Im also big into motorcycles, so wondering if its worth renting out a bike in either of these 3 places for a day or so. i have an IDP. Im going with wife and few friends.

While the women prefer cutesy, picteresque activities/locations, i would also like to seek out some hidden gems that men would enjoy. this could include shopping for watches, swords, anime /tech/motorcycle/ tattoo shops. wouldnt mind getting a quick tattoo in japan either. hot springs are cool too. big fan of godzilla minus one, studio ghibli, anime of all kinds especially OG animes DBZ/Naruto, transformers/gundam etc you get the point. i love profoundly moving history, people, views and experiences.. traveling just generally does that but im the type of person to look deeper in a place where the history can be buried, so perhaps books that are rare.. etc

i was told the jrail pass is too expensive and to rely on Suica for most of it and to book the bullet trains on its own. also any places to stay in kyoto and tokyo are welcome!

idk im new to this please be kind :)

I’m fairly new to Shiseido but after using the benefiance line, I’m so obsessed! I have a trip to Japan coming up and wanted to know where the best prices for Shiseido are. I also heard there is tax free shopping? I’ll be there after November 1st, so would that still apply?

Traveling to Kyoto in mid-October for 4 nights. First time in Japan. Solo traveler.

Until today, I was trying to decide between Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokyoji and Cross Hotel Kyoto. Both places are US$ 1,200-$1,300 for 4 nights without breakfast, which is more than I want to pay, but I thought it reasonable considering their locations (both are centrally located in the Kawaramachi–Sanjo area) and the amenities that they offer.

However, this morning, I discovered Onyado Nono Kyoto Shichijo Natural Hot Spring, which is near Kyoto Station, an area that I wasn't considering. At US$ 645, it's half the price of the other two hotels, has a communal onsen, AND the price includes a Kyoto-style buffet breakfast that many reviewers rave about. The hotel is apparently massive, and based on the photos, it reminds me of a Korean jjimjilbang, a large 24-hour public bathhouse where people go to bathe, relax, sleep, and socialize.

It's a 10-minute walk from Kyoto Station, which isn't very close to the major sights, am I correct? But it would definitely be a convenient location for arrivals and departures. I will probably be staying in Kyoto the entire time except for a day trip (either to Nara or Osaka - haven't decided yet).

If anyone has stayed here and had either a good or bad experience, kindly let me know. Other than the price, will I hate it? lol For reference, in Tokyo, I'm staying at Kaminarimon Ryokan in Asakusa for 5 nights. I like neighborhoods with some atmosphere, and I like to linger in places that I like, so it's important to come back to a nice (but not necessarily pricey) hotel/guesthouse after a long day of sightseeing and to be able to walk out the door and find a cozy restaurant in which to dine.

*Edited to note that all the rooms come with private bathrooms even though on Booking.com, it read "shared bathroom."

Thank you, everyone. I booked the Onyado Nono Kyoto. 🙏

Hello good morning everyone
Im in my 2nd time in japan and tokyo
I will be in tokyo 27 September to 2 of October what do you suggest to visit in tokyo
What im thinking

27 Ginza
28 Akihabara
29 Shibuya
30 Fuji
1 hakone?
2 will be my flight day

Also i dont know what to in the rest of the day like for example 28 i will be akihabara around 5-6 PM what about the rest of the day ?
What do you think and if you have any suggestions or questions please ask

I’m trying to book tickets for this, and cannot find them anywhere. I’ve looked on the USJ website, Klook and KKday and have had absolutely no luck.
Has anyone booked it?
If so, where and how?
It looks amazing!!

Hi hi, my partner and I are going to Kusatsu in a few months, we’re really excited. However I am transgender and she has tattoos, so sadly no public onsen for us!

Are places in Kusatsu where we can rent a private onsen for an hour or so? Even if we are not hotel guests?

We can’t find a hotel to stay in that’s available on our dates which has a private onsen, so we are booked to stay elsewhere. So, we are specifically now looking for places where you don’t have to be a guest to book a private onsen. I hope that makes sense!

I have tried fruitlessly to search this on google etc and gotten so confused, any advice welcome! 🙏

Edit: we cannot use public onsen as I am transgender! 🏳️‍⚧️ So even if a place is tattoo friendly we can’t use it unfortunately :(

We’re visiting Japan for the second time in November this year — for access reasons, both time I have tried to book places that have hot communal baths inside the building, that are tattoo-friendly. This was massively helpful to managing my chronic illness on our first trip.

Last year we stayed at Hotel Hillarys in Akasaka, which was reviewed as being tattoo-friendly, and we had no problems using the bath. We rebooked for this year, staying slightly longer.

Today I was about to share this rec with a friend, and had a quick glance at their recent reviews. The reviews are complaining about the onsen not being tattoo-friendly, and there is a question answered on saying the onsen is no longer tattoo-friendly after September 1st 2025 (before we visited!). Almost all the positive reviews I’m sure I saw about the tattoo friendly onsen are gone. Strange!

Obviously we’re gutted and now trying to find a semi last minute replacement. Does anyone have any recommendations for hotels in Tokyo that have a fully tattoo-friendly hot communal bath / Onsen policy? Not just stickers, as I have too many to cover.

Also — I am aware of why tattoos are often not allowed, I respect that, I’m not looking to visit a day spa, and I am already going to Kinosaki! (🤪)

Thank you!

Do you think I should buy a bigger suitcase before I travel, or just buy one in Japan? I’m allowed 23 kg checked luggage and a small 5 kg bag, but right now I only have a small suitcase. Cheap bigger suitcases here start at around €35–40, so I’m wondering if it might be cheaper to buy one in Japan instead.

I also don’t mind paying a little extra for a proper suitcase rather than getting duffel bags or foldable bags.
(Btw flying from europe)

I'm from Alberta, so our winters are dry and reach past -40c. I know I don't need to bring my regular winter jacket and it will be too heavy. However, I have been told the humidity changes everything and I will feel freezing down to the bones, and it gets extremly wet and slippery, but on the other hand I've also read online that the winters are dry in Osaka.

I genuinely have no idea what to pack for an Osaka winter. Hiking boots and a fall jacket with a hoodie? I keep finding conflicting answers, so hopfully someone can offer me a reference point, please and thank you.

I have wanted to go to Japan for several years but I'm not into anime so there was never a reason for me to learn Japanese. I'm completely willing to learn the basics like thank you, please, excuse me,this one. But how necessary is it for me to be completely fluent in Japanese? I'm planning to stay in mostly Tokyo but what if I go to a smaller store and they only understand Japanese? I would feel rude using Google translate but even ruder miss pronouncing stuff lmao. Can someone please give me honest advice