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The floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima island at high tide

How do you want to experience Japan?

Plan your trip to Japan around what you love — food, spirituality, seasons, onsen, hidden towns and living tradition.

Assorted sushi on a black ceramic plate

Taste Japan

Regional food and culinary travel across Japan.

A large wooden torii gate at Meiji Jingu shrine in Tokyo

Sacred Japan

Shrines, temples, and the spiritual side of Japan.

A tree with vivid orange autumn leaves in front of a building

Japan Through the Seasons

Spring, summer, autumn and winter travel.

Steamy blue onsen bath water with wooden bath implements

Relax in Japan

Hot springs and onsen towns worth traveling for.

A traditional wooden house in a green countryside field

Discover Hidden Japan

Beautiful places beyond Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.

Kinkaku-ji, the golden pavilion, reflected in its pond in Kyoto

Experience Traditional Japan

Traditional towns, crafts, castles and festivals.

Featured Guides

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Tradition

What to Know Before Visiting Japan: A Local's Honest Guide to Culture & Etiquette

Written from a native Japanese perspective — the manners, cultural context, and everyday phrases that help visitors travel with confidence and leave a great impression, plus an honest look at what's genuinely great (and not so great) about traveling here.

6 min read

Food

10 Japanese Regions Every Food Lover Should Visit

Japan's food culture changes dramatically by region. These 10 regions — from Hokkaido's seafood to Okinawa's subtropical cuisine — are where to go if you're planning a trip around what you eat.

3 min read

Seasons

Japan Through the Four Seasons: What to Expect and When to Go

Japan changes dramatically across spring, summer, autumn and winter. Here's what defines each season, how they vary by region, and how to decide when to plan your trip.

4 min read

Popular Themes

Or Start From an Idea

Japanese FoodRamenMatchaSakeLocal CuisineSpiritual JapanShrines & TemplesZenSakuraAutumn LeavesJapanese SeasonsOnsenWellnessHidden JapanCountryside JapanScenic Train TravelNatureTraditional CultureJapanese FestivalsCastlesTraditional Towns

Written by a Native of Japan

Know Before You Go

The manners, culture, and everyday phrases that help you travel with confidence — plus an honest local's take on what's genuinely great, and not so great, about visiting Japan.

Read the Guide

First Time in Japan?

Start with the classics, done right

New to Japan? Our food, spiritual, and seasonal guides are built to help first-time visitors plan a trip around what they actually care about — not just a checklist of famous stops.

See Sacred Places in Japan

Beyond Tokyo & Kyoto

Discover Hidden Japan

Beyond the standard Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka route lies a quieter Japan of countryside towns, scenic train lines, and landscapes most first-time visitors never see. This is where to go when you want to go deeper.

Discover Hidden Japan