Holidays in Japan

Japan is a year-round destination, but spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are favourites for comfortable sightseeing weather and standout scenery. Winter (December–February) is brilliant for crisp city breaks and snow experiences, while summer (June–August) brings festivals and high energy, plus higher humidity in many areas.

For a first visit, 10–14 nights is a sweet spot, giving you enough time to combine a big-city hit with cultural highlights. If you’re short on time, 7–9 nights can still work beautifully if you focus on one or two regions.

A classic first-timer route is Tokyo and Kyoto. Think modern neighbourhoods, food markets and iconic sights in Tokyo, then temples, gardens and traditional streets in Kyoto. If you’d like to add a third stop, Osaka is great for street food and nightlife.

Japan is famous for smooth, efficient transport. In cities, you can rely on metros and local trains, and between cities, fast intercity trains make moving around feel refreshingly simple. For day-to-day travel, having a reusable travel card (for trains and buses) keeps things quick and fuss-free.

Japan’s magic is in the mix: skyline views and neighbourhood wandering in Tokyo, temple-hopping and tea houses in Kyoto, food adventures in Osaka, and nature escapes from hot springs to forest trails. Whether you’re here for culture, cuisine, shopping or scenery, Japan delivers those “how is this real?” moments daily.

Japan is wonderfully welcoming, and small gestures go a long way. Keep voices low on public transport, follow local queueing habits, and be ready to remove shoes in certain indoor spaces. In temples and shrines, a respectful, unhurried approach is always appreciated.