Japan
Travel to Japan for a holiday or city break
Some folks land in Tokyo and immediately seek sushi, but my neighbor once spent his first hour looking for socks. He said the vending machines had everything but socks. In Japan, travel destination popular things to do or visit include chasing cherry blossoms, slurping ramen at 2 AM, and trying to find out why the train always leaves exactly on time, except for that one time it left early. You can join the queue for sumo tickets, or just watch locals queue for anything – a lesson in patience and polite elbowing. It is not unusual to find yourself in a karaoke bar at noon, singing with strangers who become friends until the bill comes. When searching for the best hotel in Japan, folks recommend looking up, not just around; some of the cosiest places are hidden on the 13th floor or behind a sliding door you almost missed because you were distracted by a cat café across the street.
Local weather in Japan
Spring
mild & temperate
Summer
warm & sunny
Autumn
mild & temperate
Winter
cool
Best places to visit in Japan
These popular destinations have a lot to offer for you next holiday or city break.
Long-term stays: best hotel in Japan and things to do
Travel destination popular things to do or visit in Japan extend far beyond the glossy postcard images. One day you’re hiking up Mount Fuji thinking you packed too many rice balls, the next you’re in Osaka, realizing you didn't pack enough. Trying on a yukata in a ryokan can lead to hours of confusion, especially if you tie the belt the wrong way and end up looking like a lost magician. But that’s fine, nobody minds if you laugh at yourself. The best hotel in Japan might just be the one where the staff remembers how you take your tea, even if you change it every day because you like to keep them on their toes.
Japan rewards the curious. If you ask the right questions at the right ramen stand, you may get a secret menu. Or a confused look. Either way, it's a story. The bullet train will get you from A to B faster than you can finish a rice cracker, but the local lines are slower, and that’s where the real magic happens. Sometimes, the ticket machine speaks English, sometimes it doesn’t, sometimes you just nod and hope for the best. Remember to take off your shoes, unless the sign says otherwise – sometimes, the sign says otherwise, but you only notice after someone laughs gently and points at your feet. That’s just part of the journey, isn't it?
Accommodations in Japan
Discover the best accommodations for Japan and start planning your holiday.
