New to planning Japan? This page tells you exactly what to do and in what order. Most first-time visitors get overwhelmed because they try to research everything at once. Do this instead: follow the steps below.

Step 1: Decide How Long You Have

Everything else flows from this. Common first-trip lengths:

  • 7 days: Tokyo + Kyoto + Osaka (the classic)
  • 10 days: Add a day trip to Hiroshima or Hakone — the sweet spot
  • 14 days: Add depth — Kanazawa, Fukuoka, or slow down and revisit favourites

Step 2: Pick Your Season

The best times to visit Japan are mid-April to May (post cherry blossom, mild weather, moderate crowds) and October to November (autumn foliage, cool temperatures). Avoid Golden Week (late April to early May) and New Year week — accommodation triples in price and everything is packed.

Step 3: Set a Budget

Japan is more affordable than most people expect. A realistic daily budget (excluding flights):

  • Budget: 7,000 to 11,000 yen per day (hostels, konbini meals, walk everywhere)
  • Mid-range: 16,000 to 29,000 yen per day (business hotels, sit-down restaurants)
  • Comfortable: 35,000 to 65,000 yen per day (3 to 4-star hotels, nice dinners)

Use the Japan Budget Calculator to get a full trip estimate based on your dates, travel style, and cities.

Step 4: Book Flights

Fly into Tokyo (Narita or Haneda) for most first trips. If you plan to do Tokyo then Kyoto then Osaka, consider flying into Tokyo and out of Osaka — it saves you backtracking by Shinkansen. Book 2 to 4 months ahead for good fares. Set a price alert on Google Flights.

Step 5: Sort Your Train Strategy

Two things to sort before you arrive:

  • IC Card (Suica or Pasmo): Works on almost every train, subway, and bus in Japan. Also pays at konbini and vending machines. Add digital Suica to your iPhone before departure. If you have Android, get a physical Welcome Suica at Narita or Haneda machines.
  • JR Pass: Only worth it if you are taking 3 or more Shinkansen trips. Run the numbers at our JR Pass Calculator before buying. Most 7-day Tokyo to Kyoto to Osaka trips do not break even on a JR Pass.

Step 6: Book Hotels (Area First, Price Second)

The most important hotel decision in Japan is location relative to a train station, not price or facilities. Always stay within 5 to 10 minutes of a major station.

Step 7: Get Connected

You need mobile data. The easiest option is an eSIM — buy it before you fly, activate it when you land, no airport queue. Data runs about 2,000 to 4,000 yen for a 10 to 15 day trip. See our eSIM comparison guide.

Step 8: Book Must-Do Attractions in Advance

Some things in Japan require advance booking:

  • teamLab Planets (Tokyo): Sells out weeks ahead — book at teamlab.art
  • Kyoto Imperial Palace tour: Free but requires online reservation
  • Popular ryokan: Good ones in Kyoto and Hakone book 2 to 3 months ahead during peak season
  • Sumo tournaments: Tokyo (Jan, May, Sep), Osaka (Mar), Nagoya (Jul), Fukuoka (Nov)

Pre-Departure Checklist

  • Passport valid 6 months or more beyond your travel dates
  • Flights booked and confirmation saved offline
  • Hotels booked with addresses saved in Japanese for taxis
  • IC Card sorted (digital Suica on iPhone or physical card planned)
  • JR Pass ordered if your route makes it worthwhile
  • eSIM or SIM card arranged
  • Travel insurance purchased
  • Bank notified of travel dates
  • Google Maps offline areas downloaded
  • Google Translate Japanese language downloaded for offline use
  • Emergency numbers saved — Police 110, Ambulance and Fire 119
  • Yen cash reserved for first day

Planning Tools