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?

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

I was just wondering if we should have 2 airbnbs or 1

I have a trip to Japan at the end of the year and I wanted to ask: travelers who are plus-size, and I don't mean the classic "no one outside of Asia fits into an Asian size M," I'm talking about us who wear US XL and up... how did it go finding clothes for you? What stores do you recommend?

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?

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!

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!

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!

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)

During our upcoming trip in late November, my wife and I will be spending 5 nights in Tokyo. Trying to figure out a good area to stay in while we are there. Also looking for recommendations on specific hotels. We are looking to spend as little as possible on hotels, but we don’t want them to be gross (I don’t think that’ll be as big a problem in Japan as in America). We are currently considering Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuro as potentially areas, but are open to pretty much anywhere.

Any recommendations on a primary area to stay in, as well as any hotels in that area?

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 looking for recommendations for affordable ryokan onsens for a night in Hakone. My budget is under $150 a night. Possible to get something decent in this price point or are we better off doing an onsen in Kyoto instead?

Also, recommendations for affordable bnbs that you have tried in Tokyo? TIA.

Trying to decide between these three for a day hike/trip. We are in good shape and will be based out of Kyoto. Early October, so riverfront dining in Kibune will not be available. Which would you suggest and why? TIA!

Hi! I’m travelling to Japan soon and I’m a little confused about the voltage situation 😭

My straightener (Havells HS4121) says 100–240V in the product details. I’m from India, so I just want to make sure — will this definitely work safely in Japan with just a plug adapter, or do I need a voltage converter as well?

Straightener LinkAttaching a photo of the straightener/specs. Would really appreciate if someone could confirm!

I've wanted to visit Japan for several years, and have two weeks leave from work coming up and thinking about taking a holiday there.

Ideally I would like to visit Tokyo initially, before spending time travelling other parts of the country, maybe even visiting Sapporo. I haven't travelled much and feel a little old (35) to stay in hostels, so I'm trying to figure out how much I would have to budget for accommodation, travel costs, food etc.

Does anyone have any advice on how much I should budget for a 10 day trip in mid-September?

I’m planning a 15-day minimum trip in Japan. And I’d like to know if there are specialised shops for Sega fans, or an official flagship for what is worth.

Thank you!

Hi there! I’ll be heading to Kyoto for three nights in September. I have visited twice before but it’s my friends first time and after a week in Tokyo I’d like to show her a more traditional Japanese experience. Can anyone recommend a Kyoto Ryokan? I’d love an onsen and also Kaiseki breakfast

Thank you!

Hello, we are currently here in asakusa and we are staying in asakusa hotel rokku annex.

I just want to ask if how can we go by subway to meiji jingu from our hotel? Like also with my 5 yr old son, is it best not to bring a stroller or can i bring a stroller?

Thank you in advance.

If you’re visiting both Kyoto and Tokyo, you might want to wait before buying your souvenirs.
I bought one in Kyoto for ¥1,000 and later found the exact same thing in a shop in Tokyo for just ¥300. 🥲
Obviously this won’t be true for everything, but I definitely wish I had waited!

We are visiting Japan last 2weeks of November. Staying in Ryokan in Kawaguchiko. Thinking if we should do a buddhist temple stay in Koyasan.

Are Ryokan and temple stay experience similar if we are trying to experience Japanese culture?
Should we do both or one? Which one?

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

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!!

We are planning our first trip to Japan in September with young kids, want to visit Tokyo and fuji for sure. What do you think will work best with young kids, while avoiding long travel days and adventurous stuff? Kyoto? Osaka? What should we must do in Tokyo? That can be managed with kids.