Everything you need to plan your trip: season, visa, cities, budget & on-ground tips.
Pick your season based on your goal
Best chance to see Mt. Fuji clearly
Dec – FebCheck yearly predictions for exact dates
Mar – AprFewer crowds, lower budget, pleasant weather
May, Jun, SepBeautiful reds & oranges across the country
Oct – NovHeavy rain, high humidity, hot weather. Creators went in June and found it manageable, but it's not ideal. Mt. Fuji views are also very unlikely in summer.
How many days and where to go
Cities by trip length
Don't overpack your days. Japan rewards slow travel. You'll have a far more memorable trip doing fewer things deeply than rushing through a checklist. There's always a reason to return.
Mandatory — no visa, no entry
E-Visa (new): Passport shown but not submitted — good if you travel frequently. Stamp Visa: Traditional, passport must be submitted.
Original passport (6 months validity + 2–3 empty pages), old passport, e-visa copies, travel insurance copy, 2 photocopies of passport + visa.
Apply up to 90 days before travel. Processing: 4–5 working days.
DIY: ₹500 (visa fee) + ₹1,250 (VFS) = ₹1,750/person. Via agent: ~₹4,500/person. Validity: 3 months. Max stay: 30 days.
Getting there and staying
Best areas by city
The essentials on the ground
Must-have apps
The creators skipped it and saved ~₹20,000. JR Pass only covers JR network trains, doesn't include Nozomi Shinkansen, and isn't convenient for all routes. Use ICOCA / Suica IC cards for local transport + Klook for Shinkansen tickets individually. Do the math for your itinerary.
3 nights · The food & fun city
Beautiful gardens, museum inside the castle. Book tickets in advance — long queues expected.
Most vibrant area in Osaka. Street food, cafes, famous cheesecake, Glico sign. Very lively at night.
Full day. Highlight: Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Book tickets well in advance.
Creators' favorite city · Culture & heritage
Famous for temples, traditional streets, and a completely different energy from Tokyo. Plan at least 4–5 days here.
The most photographed streets in Kyoto. Old machiya houses preserved. Rent a kimono here for photos.
100% worth the hype. Climb ~1km past the crowds for empty, beautiful photos. A very unique place.
Start early. Kiyomizudera has a famous wooden stage with a view of the city. Shops for souvenirs nearby.
Famous geisha district. Spotting a geisha is pure luck but the streets are beautiful regardless.
Day trips from Kyoto
Futuristic, organized, a dream city
Observation decks
Must-do experiences
One of the world's busiest intersections. Cross it, visit Hachiko statue, try ramen, shop at Takeshita Street.
Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple. Very close to Asakusa. Don't miss the Omikuji fortune draw.
Hidden inside a forest-like garden in the middle of the city. Spot airplanes flying overhead. Very serene.
One of 6 Disney resorts worldwide. Fantasy Springs was the highlight. Plan a full day.
Immersive interactive digital art museum. Worth the hype. Takes about half a day.
Lawson, Lake Kawaguchi, Oshino Hakkai Village, Chureito Pagoda. Book group trip or go solo. Visibility is weather-dependent.
Shopping in Tokyo
2 people · 18–20 days · Singapore Airlines
Don't be misled by "yen is at its lowest." 1 Yen ≈ 58 paise on paper, but Japan remains one of the most expensive countries to travel. Budget accordingly.
Cut costs without cutting experiences
Beds from ₹1,500/night. Japanese hostels are extremely clean and well-run.
Booking 3–6 months ahead can bring flight cost down to ₹60–70K/person.
7-Eleven & FamilyMart food is affordable, fresh, and surprisingly tasty.
Temples, shrines, parks, markets — many of Japan's best spots are free.
10 days instead of 20 cuts accommodation and food costs significantly.
Public transport covers everything. Taxis cost ~₹250/km vs ₹110 metro fare.
Respect the culture, travel smooth
Navigate Japan like a local
Small things that make a big difference
Minimum 10,000–15,000 steps daily is normal in Japan. Don't underestimate this.
Japan uses flat-pin Type A/B sockets. Bring an adapter from India.
Keep 2 copies in separate bags. Essential if your passport is lost or stolen.
7-Eleven & others have cheap food, Wi-Fi, and ATMs that accept international cards.
Plenty of options. Use HappyCow app. Carry Indian ready-to-eat packets as backup.
Japan has one of the world's most expensive healthcare systems. Don't skip it.
70% of people who visit Japan once return at least 3 more times. Don't try to see everything in one trip — that's what brings you back. Japan rewards the slow, curious traveler. Plan well, pack light, and go.