For many people, visiting Japan would be the trip of a lifetime. It’s such a fascinating country, with so much going on culturally and historically and it’s also massively different to Western countries. Before you book a trip to Japan, there are so many things you need to think about. It’s not a case of just booking a flight and a hotel – you really want to be able to make the most out of your trip to Japan.

What time of year is best to go to Japan?

The two most popular times of year to visit Japan are Spring (March – May) or Autumn (September – November). Both seasons are brilliantly vibrant in their own different ways. In Spring, the cherry blossom is out in full force which attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. In Autumn, the leaves on the trees turn crimson red and the temperature starts to cool down.

How long do you want to stay in Japan?

Japan is quite a big country (1.6 times the size of the UK) with so much to see and experience. The ideal duration of your stay depends on your travelling style. Will you be sticking to just one or two cities? Or do you want to explore the country in depth? Most people will recommend two weeks as a minimum. Japan is made up of 14,125 islands with the main five being  Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku and Okinawa. If you want to explore the main five islands, then it’s reccomended that you put aside at least foru weeks to really get the most out of your trip.

Which cities do you want to visit in Japan?

Japan has such a rich culture and history, visiting just one city is never enough to get a proper feel of the country. You’ll need to spend some time travelling and seeing what each city has to offer. In total, Japan has 792 cities, but the ones that are most popular with tourists and TEFL teachers in the country are:

Tokyo

Tokyo is Japan’s capital city and the most popular tourist destination. It’s the biggest metropolis in the world and has brilliant transport links across the country. Tokyo has rich and diverse offerings for both locals and tourists. With its blend of art, architecture and pop culture, there’s something for everyone. The famous Harajuku neighbourhood is known as the hub for Japanese pop culture and is extremely popular with tourists. Compared to other popular tourist cities across the world (eg. London and New York), Tokyo is very affordable.

Kyoto

Once Japan’s capital city, Kyoto is the city to visit if you are looking to experience authentic Japanese culture. Kyoto is the home to more than 400 colourful Japanese shrines which attract millions of visitors each year. It’s also the birthplace of meiko and geisha culture. Kyoto has one of the largest collections of World Heritage Sites on the planet – so if culture and history is your thing, then this is a city not to be missed. There are also plenty of peaceful gardens and parks to wander around.

Fukuoka

Fukuoka is the sixth largest city in Japan and is known for ancient temples, beaches and modern shopping malls. It’s home to the world’s largest bronze statue, Nanzo-in a Shingon sect Buddhist temple. Fukuoka is also famous for its wisteria displays and ‘Cat Heaven Island’ – an island which has 150 resident cats. If you’re a food lover, then this is a city you won’t want to miss; Fukuoka is second only to Tokyo for the highest concentration of restaurants in Japan.

Osaka

Osaka is a city full of character, history and eateries and is the second largest city in Japan. It is well known for its amazing street food, which doesn’t break the bank. There’s even a Japanese expression to describe Osaka’s food scene – kuidaore which means “eat until you drop”. If you’re looking for a city with a great nightlife, then Osaka should definitely be on your list. There’s something for everyone, from karaoke bars, to traditional Japanese izakaya, to Western standing bars.

Nagasaki

If you’re looking to learn more about the history of Japan, particularly about their involvement in World War II, the Nagasaki is a city not to be missed. In 1945, the city of Nagasaki was targeted by the US. An atomic bomb was dropped over the city killing an estimated 60,000 to 80,000 people and destroying the entire city. The Atomic Bomb Museum can teach you a lot about World War II and the devastating attacks. Nagasaki’s Peace Park was built upon Ground Zero and is now a great place to visit if you want to pay tribute to the vicitims.

What else do I need to know before visiting Japan?

If you’re visiting Japan from the Western world, there’s going to be a huge amount of cultural differences. Before you visit, you should make sure that you understand the currency (Yen ¥) and it helps to have a currency conversion app on your phone. There’s nothing worse than getting confused with a currency and getting ripped off. I like to use the xe.com app wherever I am in the world, it’s especially handy in places like the Czech Republic and Hungary as their currencies are really confusing!

You should also look at getting yourself a sim card so that you can use your phone while you’re in Japan. Mobal offer a great Japan SIM card or a Japan eSIM. These are easy to buy and set up and you don’t have to buy into a contract, which is perfect when you’re just visiting as a tourist. They also offer customer service support in English and their profits go to charity.

Before you go to any country, you should try to learn a bit of the language. I always choose to learn the basics, even if I think that a lot of people will speak English. There are plenty of options for learning Japanese through online platforms. You could also consider getting a Japanese language tutor. The top phrases that you should learn are:

Hello – Konnichiwa
Goodbye – Sayōnara
Please – Onegaishimasu
Thank you – Arigatou Gozaimasu
Excuse me – Sumimasen
Where is..? – __ wa Doko Desu ka?