From neon megacities to mountain temples: every Japanese city, hand-mapped.
Japan rewards the curious traveler like nowhere else: world-class food at every price point, temples and castles beside pristine bullet-train efficiency, and distinct regional cultures from snowy Hokkaido to subtropical Okinawa. These guides cover the classic Golden Route (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka) plus the deeper cuts, onsen towns, art islands, alpine villages and southern ports.
1,515+ things to do in Tokyo: ramen, sushi, nightlife, shopping, temples, day trips, theme parks, animal cafes, and hidden speakeasies. The deepest Tokyo guide online.
View Tokyo Guide →The best things to do in Osaka. Handpicked locations with Google Maps links.
View Osaka Guide →The best things to do in Kyoto. Handpicked locations with Google Maps links.
View Kyoto Guide →The best things to do in Okinawa. Beaches, diving, castles, food, culture, and island adventures.
View Okinawa Guide →The best things to do in Sendai. Gyutan beef tongue, Matsushima Bay, Tanabata Festival, Date Masamune heritage, Zao Mountains. Handpicked with Google Maps links.
View Sendai Guide →The best things to do in Takayama. Edo-period old town, Hida beef, sake breweries, and mountain onsen. Handpicked with Google Maps links.
View Takayama Guide →The best things to do in Yokohama. Chinatown, Minatomirai, ramen museums, and waterfront views.
View Yokohama Guide →The best things to do in Hakodate. Night views, morning markets, and the freshest seafood in Japan. Handpicked with Google Maps links.
View Hakodate Guide →The best things to do in Nagano. Zenkoji Temple, snow monkeys, Togakushi soba, and the spirit of the 1998 Olympics. Handpicked with Google Maps links.
View Nagano Guide →The best things to do in Sapporo. Snow Festival, miso ramen, Susukino, Otaru canal, skiing, and Hokkaido seafood.
View Sapporo Guide →The best things to do in Nagasaki. Peace memorials, champon noodles, Hashima Island, Mount Inasa night view, Glover Garden. Handpicked with Google Maps links.
View Nagasaki Guide →The best things to do in Okayama. Korakuen Garden, Kurashiki canals, premium fruit, Kojima denim, and gateway to art islands. Handpicked with Google Maps links.
View Okayama Guide →The best things to do in Hiroshima. Peace Memorial, Miyajima floating torii, okonomiyaki, oysters, and Rabbit Island.
View Hiroshima Guide →The best things to do in Beppu. Seven steaming hells, volcanic sand baths, and 2000+ onsen vents. Handpicked with Google Maps links.
View Beppu Guide →The best things to do in Kagoshima. Sakurajima volcano, Ibusuki sand baths, kurobuta pork, Sengan-en Garden, Yakushima. Handpicked with Google Maps links.
View Kagoshima Guide →The best things to do in Nagoya. Hitsumabushi eel, miso katsu, Nagoya Castle, Ghibli Park, and Osu shopping.
View Nagoya Guide →The best things to do in Fukuoka. Hakata ramen, yatai street stalls, Canal City, Dazaifu shrine, and Nakasu nightlife.
View Fukuoka Guide →The best things to do in Matsuyama. Japan's oldest onsen, castle on a hill, literary heritage, and mikan citrus. Handpicked with Google Maps links.
View Matsuyama Guide →The best things to do in Aomori. Nebuta Festival, Shirakami beech forests, Oirase Gorge, Hirosaki cherry blossoms, and apple country. Handpicked with Google Maps links.
View Aomori Guide →The best things to do in Kumamoto. Mighty castle, active volcano, horse meat sashimi, and Kumamon. Handpicked with Google Maps links.
View Kumamoto Guide →The best things to do in Kanazawa. Kenrokuen garden, geisha districts, samurai quarter, Omicho Market, and gold leaf crafts.
View Kanazawa Guide →The best things to do in Matsumoto. National Treasure castle, Kamikochi Valley, Yayoi Kusama art, Shinshu soba, Japan Alps hiking. Handpicked with Google Maps links.
View Matsumoto Guide →The best things to do in Takamatsu. Ritsurin Garden, Sanuki udon capital, art islands, and sacred mountain shrines. Handpicked with Google Maps links.
View Takamatsu Guide →The best things to do in Kobe. Kobe Beef, Chinatown, Mount Rokko, Arima Onsen, jazz bars, sake breweries. Handpicked with Google Maps links.
View Kobe Guide →The best things to do in Himeji. UNESCO World Heritage castle, Engyo-ji Temple, Himeji oden, Kokoen Gardens, cherry blossoms. Handpicked with Google Maps links.
View Himeji Guide →The best things to do in Ishigaki. Kabira Bay, manta rays, Ishigaki beef, stargazing, and island hopping.
View Ishigaki Guide →The best things to do in Hakone. Hot springs, museums, nature, and Mount Fuji views.
View Hakone Guide →The best things to do in Naoshima. Chichu Art Museum, Yayoi Kusama pumpkins, Tadao Ando architecture, and island-hopping. Handpicked with Google Maps links.
View Naoshima Guide →The best things to do in Nara. Todai-ji, deer park, Kasuga Taisha, gardens, and Naramachi.
View Nara Guide →The best things to do in Kamakura. Temples, shrines, beaches, hiking, and food.
View Kamakura Guide →The best things to do in Miyako Island. Yonaha Maehama, Sunayama Beach, Irabu Bridge, sea turtles, and Miyako Blue diving.
View Miyako Guide →The best things to do in Nikko. Toshogu Shrine, waterfalls, Lake Chuzenji, and mountain onsen.
View Nikko Guide →The best things to do in Kawaguchiko. Mount Fuji views, lakes, museums, and hot springs.
View Kawaguchiko Guide →Spring (late March-April) for cherry blossoms and autumn (October-November) for fall colors are the most popular, both mild and dry. Summer is hot and humid with great festivals; winter is excellent for snow, onsen and skiing, with far fewer crowds.
A first trip of 7-10 days comfortably covers Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka with a day trip or two. Two weeks lets you add Hiroshima, the Japanese Alps, or Hokkaido without rushing.
If you are doing the Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka-Hiroshima corridor within 7 days, a JR Pass often pays for itself. For a single city or short trip, individual tickets or an IC card are usually cheaper.