Photo: Arakurayama Sengen Park · https://www.flickr.com/photos/reggiepen/ · CC BY 2.0
First-Timer Guide 🇯🇵Japan: What to Know Before You Go
Destination Intel / Japan
A typical first trip here runs about $1,050 to $1,400 per person for 7 days at a mid-range style, before flights. This is an estimate from PINYA hand-reviewed prices, not a live price. Prices last reviewed July 2026. Real cost moves with your dates and exchange rates. Get a tailored number in the Budget Calculator, or have The Crown price your exact trip.
Culture, Food and Etiquette
- Sushi, ramen, tempura, and yakitori
- Kaiseki (traditional multi-course meal)
- Regional specialties vary widely across the country
- Strong tea ceremony culture
- Cherry Blossom Season (March-April) - Hanami flower viewing
- New Year (Shogatsu) - Most important holiday
- Obon Festival (August) - Honoring ancestors
- Traditional arts: tea ceremony, calligraphy, ikebana
Japanese is the primary language. English is limited outside major cities.
Learn basic phrases, and download a translation app. Many signs have English in tourist areas.
- Bow when greeting (slight bow is fine for foreigners)
- Remove shoes when entering homes, temples, some restaurants
- Tipping is NOT customary and can be offensive
- Don't eat while walking - it's considered rude
- Tokyo: Ultra-modern megalopolis with iconic pop culture neighborhoods (Shibuya, Harajuku, Akihabara), world-class food scene, and smooth efficiency
- Kyoto: Japan's cultural heart with over 1,600 Buddhist temples, geisha districts (Gion), traditional tea houses, and stunning seasonal gardens
- Osaka: Japan's street food capital (takoyaki, okonomiyaki), the neon-lit Dotonbori canal strip, energetic nightlife, and warm, outgoing locals
- Hokkaido: Japan's wild northern island with pristine nature, world-class ski resorts, fresh seafood (crab, uni), and dramatic volcanic landscapes
- Hiroshima & Miyajima: Powerful Peace Memorial Museum and atomic bomb dome, plus the iconic floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine
Best Time to Visit
Spring and autumn bring mild, dry weather and are the most popular times to visit, though also the busiest.
- Peak: late March to May, October to November
- Shoulder: June, September
- Off season: December to February, outside ski areas
Source: jma.go.jp
Getting Around
- An extensive rail network links the whole country and the Shinkansen connects major cities quickly.
- Prepaid IC cards such as Suica and Pasmo work on most city trains, subways and buses.
- Major cities have dense subway networks; buy a rail pass before arrival if you plan multi-city travel.
Source: travel.state.gov
What moves the cost: Cherry-blossom season in spring and the autumn-foliage weeks push lodging to its highest, and the yen exchange rate swings the total.
Common Questions
Do US citizens need a visa to visit Japan?+
Source: travel.state.gov
How safe is Japan for first-time travelers?+
Source: travel.state.gov