Country guide
Flights to Japan
Two Tokyo airports, one exceptional rail network, and seasons that book out
Japan rewards planning more than almost any destination, and two decisions do most of the work. The first is which Tokyo airport you land at, because Haneda is close to the city and Narita is not. The second is when you go, because two of the country's seasons are so popular that accommodation books out months ahead.
Once you are there, the rail network removes most of the difficulty. The Shinkansen makes a multi-city trip straightforward in a way it is not in most countries, and the classic Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka route is genuinely easy to run.
Cities we have guides for
Where to go beyond the obvious
Kyoto and Nara
Kyoto is about two and a quarter hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen and is the cultural counterweight to the capital. Nara is a short hop further and works as a day trip.
Osaka and the Kansai region
Osaka is the food city and a good base for Kansai. It has its own international airport, which makes an open-jaw itinerary into Tokyo and out of Osaka very workable.
Hiroshima and the Inland Sea
About four hours from Tokyo by rail. Miyajima and the Peace Memorial together justify an overnight rather than a day trip.
Hokkaido and the north
A different climate entirely, with serious winters and a short, pleasant summer. Usually a domestic flight rather than a train, and a trip in its own right.
When to go
Cherry blossom in late March and early April is the busiest and most expensive period of the year, and the exact timing shifts annually with the weather. Book far ahead and accept that the forecast may not cooperate.
Autumn colour in November is nearly as popular and slightly more predictable. Both peaks fill accommodation in Kyoto months in advance.
May, early June and October are excellent and much less contested. July and August are hot and humid, with a rainy season in early summer and typhoon risk into autumn.
Getting around
The Shinkansen is fast, punctual and expensive at face value. Whether a rail pass saves money depends entirely on your route, and it is no longer the automatic answer it once was — price your actual itinerary both ways.
IC cards work across most city transit networks and are far easier than buying individual tickets.
Domestic flights make sense for Hokkaido, Okinawa and Kyushu, where the rail journey becomes long.
The basics
- Currency
- Japanese yen (JPY)
- Language
- Japanese; English signage is good on transport, less so elsewhere
- Time zone
- JST, UTC+9, with no daylight saving
- Power
- Type A plug, 100V — the lowest mains voltage in common use
- Driving
- On the left; an International Driving Permit is required
- Entry for US passports
- Short tourist visits are generally visa-free. Confirm current requirements with Japanese immigration before travelling.
Before you book
Fly into Haneda if you can
It is far closer to central Tokyo than Narita — roughly half the time and cost in each direction. On a fare comparison, that difference is real money.
Do not assume the rail pass saves money
It once nearly always did. After price changes it depends on your route, so add up your actual journeys and compare before buying.
Book blossom and autumn trips very early
Kyoto accommodation in early April and November fills months ahead. If those seasons are the reason for the trip, book them before anything else.
Cash still matters
Card acceptance has improved a great deal but smaller restaurants, shrines and rural businesses remain cash-only. Convenience store ATMs are the reliable source.
Routes to Japan
Flight times are non-stop estimates from great-circle distance. Actual schedules and whether a non-stop exists on your dates come from a live search.
Airport guides
FAQ
Flights to Japan — common questions
If yours isn't here, just call — we're happy to explain.
Should I fly into Haneda or Narita?
Haneda, if the fare and schedule allow. It is much closer to central Tokyo, with a journey of roughly thirty to forty-five minutes against an hour or more from Narita, and the train fare is lower. Narita has more route options and is a perfectly good airport, but the transfer is a real cost in both time and money at each end of the trip.
Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it?
It depends on your itinerary in a way it did not used to. After significant price increases the pass no longer pays for itself on a simple Tokyo–Kyoto–Tokyo trip for many travellers. Add up the individual fares for the journeys you actually plan to make and compare against the pass price before buying.
When is the best time to visit Japan?
May, early June and October give good weather without the extremes and without the two peak seasons. Cherry blossom in late March and early April and autumn colour in November are spectacular but book out months ahead and cost considerably more. Summer is hot and humid with a rainy season and typhoon risk.
Still have a question? We're happy to explain — just call.
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