The best travel experience of my life was visiting Japan in October. As a fall foliage fanatic, I loved seeing the country decorated in vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. And when you add in pleasant weather, cheaper travel, and traditional festivals, autumn in Japan becomes the ideal time for a trip.
Japan
5 Day Japan Itinerary Ideas to Suit Any Travel Style
So, you only have 5 days in Japan and want to make the most of your time. Well, you’ve come to the right place! Japan is my all-time favorite travel destination, and I have several 5 day Japan itinerary options to help you build your ideal trip.
Tokyo Itinerary: 6 Days of Sightseeing and Hidden Gems
Tokyo is a city of contrasts. Ancient shrines sit across from busy shopping centers. Cherry blossom trees grow in front of flashing billboards. Narrow alleys with tiny restaurants hide behind six-lane roads and skyscrapers. And with this 6 day Tokyo itinerary, you’ll have time to experience the city’s highlights and hidden gems.
What to Do in Nagano Japan: A 5 Day Nagano Itinerary
Japan’s Nagano prefecture boasts stunning natural landscapes, famous castles, and breathtaking shrines. In fact, my solo trip to the region was the best vacation I’ve ever had! But after returning home, I realized a lot of international travelers don’t know what to do in Nagano. And honestly, I wasn’t aware of the region’s highlights until I started planning my…
How to Visit Shiraito Falls: Karuizawa Day Trip Guide
If you love chasing waterfalls, then a day trip to Karuizawa’s Shiraito Falls is a must. Although Shiraito Waterfall isn’t the tallest in Japan, its impressive 70 meter arc makes it one of the country’s more unique falls. And best of all, this Nagano gem is easy to reach by public transit.
Day Trip to Kanazawa: Itinerary for Japan’s Samurai Town
From ancient samurai houses to beautifully preserved Edo districts, a day trip to Kanazawa is a must for lovers of Japanese culture, history, or architecture. And with the newly expanded shinkansen line, it’s possible to reach Kanazawa within two or three hours from popular cities like Tokyo and Kyoto. To help you make the most…
Essential Kamikochi Hiking Guide for the Japanese Alps
If you’re staying in the Japan Alps region, it would be a mistake to not include a Kamikochi hiking excursion. With stunning mountain views, crystal clear waters, and well-placed food huts, Kamikochi National Park is one of the best Japanese Alps hiking experiences. However, its remote location and motor vehicle ban are major access barriers,…
Nara Day Trip Itinerary: The Magical Deer City of Japan
When people ask me about the must see places in Japan, I always recommend a Nara day trip. With eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, roaming deer, and a stunning Japanese garden, you won’t regret spending one day in Nara!
12 Essential Things to Avoid in Japan While Traveling
My love for Japan is hard to put into words. It’s a country of coexisting contrasts, where it’s not unusual to find a tiny, 200-year-old shrine surrounded by 12-story apartment complexes. It’s probably the one place in the world where you can see a man wearing a $1,000 suit with a cat ear headband. Japan…
11 Delicious Japanese Dishes and Where to Find Them
Japan is the only country where it’s nearly impossible to have a bad meal. Quality and excellence are highly valued in Japanese culture, and these values are expressed through Japanese dishes. Even the food on the ANA flight was delicious and artfully presented, and I was seated in coach!