plane trip to japan

Find cheap flights to Japan from $266

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from the united states to japan departing on 8/10. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to japan.

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Best Japan Flight Deals

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours

Good to know

Faqs - booking japan flights, if i am traveling with children to japan, are there any child seat laws i should know about when renting a car in this country.

There is a national child restraint law in this country that states that any child up to four years old needs to travel in a forward-facing car seat and that kids up to six years old need to travel in a booster seat or on a booster cushion.

If I plan on flying to Tokyo, which airport should I fly to?

Most travelers flying to Tokyo will choose the Haneda Airport (HND) because it offers a location that is closer to the center of Tokyo. That said, some of the cheapest flights available from the west coast of the United States to Tokyo travel to Narita International Airport (NRT). Another one of the advantages of this airport is that it offers abundant rail service to get travelers not really into the center of Tokyo but to a number of other destinations that surround this large city.

If I want to travel to Sapporo in the north of Japan, what are some of the best choices for flights?

When flying to the New Chitose Airport (CTS) that serves Sapporo from cities on the west coast of the United States, some of the quickest options are the one-stop flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) aboard ANA Airlines.

What are some transportation options to get from Haneda Airport into downtown Tokyo?

The Tokyo Monorail travels from the airport to the downtown area in around 23 minutes, with trains departing the airport every 10 minutes or so. There is also a bus service provided by Airport Limousine that can make the trip in around 40 minutes, with buses departing roughly every hour from the airport.

Which airport should I use to visit Mt. Fuji?

Mt. Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan, lying just below the center of Honshu island and south of Tokyo. If you intend to visit the area you can fly to Tokyo Haneda Airport and get a connecting flight to Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport, about 50 mi away from the peak.

Which Tokyo airport is closer to the downtown area?

Of the two international airports serving the Tokyo metropolitan area, Tokyo Haneda Airport is the closer to the city center which is a little less than 9 mi away. Tokyo Narita Airport lies about 37 mi from the center of the city, so plan your travel itinerary carefully when booking your flight from the US to Japan.

Should I buy Japanese Yen before I leave the US?

Most international travelers tend to buy local currency once they arrive at their destination and all the major Japanese airports have currency exchange offices where you can buy yen to pay for your taxi, rental car or to use public transportation.

Do the Japanese airports have facilities for families?

Yes, they do. All the international airports serving US flights provide facilities for parents traveling with children. These services include Baby Rooms equipped with changing tables and microwaves, nursing rooms for mothers with infants and Children’s Play Areas where the young ones can tire themselves out before the long flight home.

How long is the flight to Japan?

An average nonstop flight from the United States to Japan takes 14h 02m, covering a distance of 6021 miles. The most popular route is Los Angeles - Tokyo with an average flight time of 11h 15m.

What is the cheapest flight to Japan?

The cheapest ticket to Japan from the United States found in the last 72 hours was $262 one-way, and $422 round-trip. The most popular route is Los Angeles to Tokyo Haneda and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $793.

Which airlines fly to Japan?

United Airlines, ANA & Japan Airlines fly the most frequently from the United States to Japan.

What are the most popular destinations in Japan?

Based on KAYAK flight searches, the most popular destination is Tokyo (92% of total searches to Japan). The next most popular destinations are Osaka (6%) and Okinawa (0.8%). Searches for flights to Fukuoka (0.3%), to Sapporo (0.2%) and to Tokushima (0.1%) are also popular.

How does KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Japan

• Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Japan flight deals.
• Passengers need to have a valid passport for their trip to Japan, and they need to ensure that their passport remains valid during the entire length of their stay in Japan. It is also important to keep one blank page in the passport for an entry stamp.
• A popular departure airport in the United States for a flight to Japan is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Passengers looking for the quickest way to get from downtown Los Angeles to this airport should travel on the FlyAway bus that travels from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles to the airport in about 40 minutes.
• Two of the biggest annual events in Japan are New Year's Day and Obon, which occur in the summer months. If traveling to Japan for either of these events, it is best to book tickets as far in advance as possible to ensure availability and the lowest prices.
• One of the largest international airlines in Japan is ANA Airlines, and most travelers might be surprised to learn that one of their major hubs in the United States is Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), where passengers will find a number of nonstop flight options to a variety of cities in Japan.
• If you plan on traveling to the southern part of Japan, one of the most popular airport options is Nagasaki International Airport (NGS). There are a number of one-stop flight options available to this airport aboard both ANA Airlines and Japan Airlines from a variety of cities in the United States.
• US citizens do not require a visa to visit Japan, but permanent residents should check online with the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate to see if one is required for their respective countries. Bear in mind that you will be allowed to stay for up to 90 days.
• The Japanese capital city of Tokyo is served by two major airports: Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Tokyo Haneda (HND), which handle most of the international air traffic, but flights from the US to Japan also use Osaka Kansai Int’l (KSI) as well as Fukuoka Airport (FUK) and Okinawa Naha (OKA), so choose the one which is closest to your destination.
• Japan has four main islands in very close proximity to each other. The northern island of Hokkaido is not serviced by international flights from the US, so you’ll have to get a connecting flight from one of the two Tokyo hubs or use another form of surface transportation in order to get there.
• Due to their geographic location many of the flights from the US to Japan originate on the West Coast, where you can get several flights with connections from Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO) or Seattle (SEA). The only nonstop flights to Japan are from the Hawaiian city of Honolulu (HNL) to Osaka via Air Asia X.
• Osaka has excellent ferry connections to the many southern Japanese cities like Miyazaki and Okinawa, but if you wish to visit the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki then you should use Fukuoka Airport, which is midway between them and therefore is a perfect launching point.

Top 5 airlines flying to Japan

excellent, the food was excellent and delicious, and the crew were very helpful and accommodating. thank you very much

Excellent. All the ticket prices have gone up so much. With only economy as the option, I thought I better pay for a good airline and I am glad I took ANA. The only thing is the long layover at Hanaeda enroute to Singapore. Any chance to bring back the service to land at Narita instead for the transit and a shorter layover will be fantastic. I am a fan of ANA.

Good. Got me there and back safely and mostly on time. 30 min delay for maintenance once but that means more time for nap. Crew was super nice.

Incredible. Amazing legroom. Over head fans for each person. Tv screens were great. Headphones were adequate. Seats were comfortable and spacious. Loved it.

The space for the seats i like it. Its not too close like other air line. The food is ok and also the staff. I'm waiting for my flight rewards point because until now i didn't recieved it.

The staff, ground and air, at ANA was very helpful and friendly during check in, boarding and during the flight. This is the reason why I always fly ANA whenever I go to Manila. The food was not the best but the flight crew more than makes up for the shortfall.

First I will say this was really NOT an ANA flight. ANA used a UNITED jet to perform this flight. I specifically booked with ANA because I did NOT WANT TO FLY UNITED FOR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS. So to spend $1800.00 and then discover after booking that it was going to be handled by United was very disappointing. I will be more careful next time when I book. The interior was very cramped in economy class; the dinner meal was terrible and also had extremely small portions for an international flight - the bread roll was ice cold and stale - that salad was very wilted; I’ve never had a “snack” that was so salty that it was difficult to eat; the breakfast “waffle” was practically unrecognizable. Really horrible meals for a very expensive international flight. Bathroom floor was also pretty dirty. I’m hoping my return flight is a real ANA airplane that is cleaned and serviced by ANA personnel with ANA meals. I will never book with ANA again if they continue to use UNITED airline jets. Yuck!!!🤢

Ticket was purchased as a United Airlines flight (operated by All Nippon) like what does that even mean? Makes for a VERY confusing flight experience. For instance, what do I look for a United drop off signage and ticket counter or ANA? No explanation anywhere to be found. I also felt a little bit scammed by the obsurdely restrictive seat selection provided. Only middle seats available!! Are you kidding me!! On 6hr + 10hr flights you're forcing me into the middle seat without telling me before I purchased the ticket?? This should be illegal. And to top it off, on the Tokyo LA leg there were quite a few empty seats including window seats! I must also say, the food was a dissappointing as well for my taste, fish with rice ( mostly plain white rice) or a vegetable medly for the breakfast meal? Should be at least 4 choices and at least 1 with eggs. Outside of these issues flight was otherwise ok.

Ground and flight crew were all courteous, extremely helpful and professional. Overall, process is really organized, from boarding to disembarkation.

This is a very long flight and the first time I have flown on a Japanese airline. I was very impressed with the staff. They worked hard and offered food and drink regularly. Plane was very well cared for. The let room was good . Food was ok but better than other airlines.

Very pleasant, look forward to flying with JAL again if the price is right.

I was feeling very comfortable throughout the flight. I got more leg room than I expected from a Y class seat. But the food was a little disappointing.

The food was not that good. I liked the miso, green tea, and ice cream. I wasn’t able to put my carry on bag under the seat in front of me. The flight was smooth. Please expand your choices of movies especially the new ones. I can’t choose any of those films. They’re old.

I like the braised beef., miso soup,, and green tea. Very little choices of hollywood movies. The PA announcement in English was not very clear and very soft. I could hardly hear.

More updated movies & Chinese movies. The food sometimes overcooked. Prefer to have more neat snacks in between than just choose from the menu. Please change the menu every now and then. This is my second time flying within one year and the menu didn’t change at all!

Food is lagging. Very poor choice. Like vending machine fast food.

Please change the menu more often. The beef is not tender, more choice in ice cream flavor. Dessert is not good too.

The Experience was fantastic, it's a quick flight so no entertainment or food. Just a refreshment

Great crew, Japanese domestic flight is just a drink service but crew are very attentive

Again I paid for an upgrade on my credit card didn’t get it need a refund. . American I not good at gettin in contact for refunds.

There was no screens on board AND the WiFi didn’t work. My seat was broken and couldn’t recline so I couldn’t even sleep. The flight attendants didn’t offer anything to make it more comfortable. It was such an old cramped plane, when the person in front of me reclined I couldn’t even open my tray table. All the United ads talk about guaranteeing everyone gets a screen!

The Wi-Fi was unavailable on this flight for some reason.

The flight was delayed almost 2 hours. Bad customer service etc. I will never fly Luthansa. Ever!!!

On time take off…US cabins look tired and need of refresh!

Fine. Though no food or entertainment so the survey needs to be updated with those options.

Backpack should NOT allowed put in the flight bin , only put it under the seat. I can't find space put my carry on luggage!!! and I pay for it ! that was very bad experience

Fantastic. Smooth boarding with an infant. Never experienced it with any other carriers.

This was a flight operated by Lufthansa. See me prior comments, which were meant for this experience. The CSA, Ashley, should be reprimanded if not fired for incompetence, being rude, and very, very slow. She was whispering to other CSAs, blaming my flight change on others, unable to give me a seat assignment, telling me could not help without offering any advice (I travel 200,000 miles a year and am a consultant to the airlines, so I know how this gets done PRETTY DAMN WELL). Then, she gave me literally the worst seat on the airline (yes, there were other seats open) - the one right next to the bathroom that was so bad the other PAX next to me left to move to another seat. My seat kept getting rammed (3x) by the crew with their carts (no turbulence to speak of), other passengers grabbing the seat to get in or out of the bathroom, and listening to the bathroom flush all night.

This was a Lufthansa flight, not United. The CSA at the counter, Ashley, was not only incompetent, but quite rude. Me and two other PAX waited over 7 minutes standing in front of her and another CSA and they ignored us. We joked that we must have accidently taken invisibility pills. She could have at least said "I'll be with you in a moment, I'm currently....". I could go on about how rude she and the other CSAs were (whispering, not communicating with me, blaming the situation on others, etc.). She would not work for me. Then, she gave me literally the worst seat on the plane. the worst. My seat kept getting bumped (rammed twice by the crew with their carts and about every 5 minutes by someone using the bathroom), listening to the bathroom all night, crowded seat, etc.

My seat was broken. WiFi didn’t work. Gate crew at HOU were rude and condescending. Treated all the passengers badly. Bad experience, United.

You get what you pay for and nothing more. Wanted a cheap flight and that’s exactly what I got, though it’s human nature to wanting to feel like you got a good deal as well. There was none of that here. I was cheap and they were too. Got to my destination safely and that’s all that really matters.

Nice service. I wish it could provide hot water on the flight.

internet didn't work. No offer of drinks or snacks.

Flight was seamless. Free wifi helped pass the time. Food was okay, just make sure you pre order or pick something up from the airport

Internet connection very poor, means you can not even order items through their own shop.

Paid for business class lay flat seat. Significantly less comfortable than other carriers. No built in entertainment or WiFi. I barely saw flight attendants at all and they wanted to charge me for a bottle of water if i wanted more than what came with the meal (that i also paid extra for). Essentially you’re just paying for a slightly more comfortable seat than the rest of the plane and nothing else

Een prijsvechter, dus dat moet je ook verwachten. Voor alles moet je betalen. We hebben vooraf een maaltijd en een amenitiesset besteld. Die kregen we netjes uitgereikt aan boord. Het is BYOD voor het amusement tijdens de vlucht en dit werkte uitstekend. Geen trage wifi, helemaal niet. Alles kost geld, zelfs een flesje water. Misschien op langere vluchten wel gratis water, thee, koffie. Maar daarentegen mag je na de security je lege drinkflessen gewoon vullen en mee aan boord nemen

Wifi could have been better. Arrived 55 mins earlier than scheduled :)

Best part are two crying babies throughout the whole 11 hour trip

Clean and comfortable cabin. Friendly on board service. No vegetarian food options and movie options were very limited. Internet was very slow

Flight was delayed for almost 3 hours. Communication of gate change was poor. Email and screen said one gate and it was a different gate from that. Gate changed first to 64 B and then to 64 C. Originally it was 68B. 64C was not communicated properly!

This was a red eye return, so I doubt there would be anyway to make it better. Other than adding beds.

Direct nonstop flight was great. Flight was delayed and the crew announced a 2h delay on the sound system. 30 min or so later I hear my name on the sound system for immediate board. Several other passangers were late too. Reason: The crew incorrectly announced a 2h delay when in reality they meant a new boarding time at 2pm.

Plenty of room in the exit row. Sat on the plane an hour before taking off.☹️ Landed late and had to wait for gate availability.

Flight was on time early arrival better entertainment good staff.everything was excellent

Delayed leaving. On arrival we were taken to the airstrip and had to get off onto an over crowed bus, not all that passengers fit. Drove around the airport for 20 + minutes. Taken off the bus told to go upstairs 3 flights then all the passengers had to walk a mile or more , those of us old there was no one to direct us to were to go. I asked several people with no answers. Once I got to baggage claim my bags were not on the right bag claim. Once again asked for help and finally someone found my bags on a different carasel. Very frustrating.

Excellent host on board. Not so friendly check-in staff. Older plane with no food or entertainment due to short flight. Friendly captain and crew.

I don’t think there was entertainment? No mention of it. It was a good flight. Only complaint was my seat cushion was not attached and kept slipping.

Squeeze like sardines. ANA has much better leg room. The food on air canada was disgusting. Worse that left over microwave dinner. Like you heated up microwave dinner then saved it overnight, then microwaved it again and added nasty garnish to try to elevate but instead made it as edible as cat food.

They canceled the flight on us very close to the flight date .

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Popular airports near tokyo.

• Haneda Airport (HND) Tokyo 32 min 11 mi
• Narita International Airport (NRT) Tokyo 1 hr 11 min 42 mi
• Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport (FSZ) Shizuoka 2 hr 43 min 102 mi
• Fukushima Airport (FKS) Fukushima 2 hr 58 min 115 mi

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Cheap flights to Japan from $546

This is the cheapest round-trip flight price found by a momondo user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight to japan departing on 8/13. fares may change, and may not be available for all flights or travel dates. click the price to refresh the search for this deal..

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Japan is full of notable places to explore, many with significant historical value to the region and the world. Some of the most popular landmarks in Japan are Akihabara Electric Town, Tokyo Disneyland, Universal Studios Japan, and Dotonbori Glico Man Sign, among many more.

What is the best airport to land at to visit Akihabara Electric Town?

Flying into Tokyo Haneda Airport is typically the best way to visit Akihabara Electric Town, since it is the closest airport to the area.

What is the most popular airport in Japan to fly to?

Tokyo Narita is the most popular airport in Japan to fly to at the moment. Out of all our users who flew to Japan in the past year, 26% of them chose to fly into Tokyo’s Tokyo Narita airport. Keep in mind that there may be other airports within Japan that are also a great option to fly to.

How much are flights to Japan?

Flights to Japan have been found on momondo for as low as $262 per ticket recently. However, the average price tends to be $3,699 and anything for $3,232 or less is a good deal. $36,420 is the most expensive flight we’ve seen in the past week, though you may be able to avoid this price depending on what airport you fly from, what airline you choose, and how far in advance you book your flights.

What is the best day of the week to fly to Japan?

If your travel plans are flexible and you’re looking to save money on flights to Japan, then be sure to book your departure on a Monday. Flying out on a Monday, as well as a Tuesday, is your best option. Departing on a Saturday tends to be the most expensive day of the week to fly to Japan.

Where is it cheapest to fly into Japan?

When traveling to Japan, Tokyo Haneda airport in Tokyo offers the cheapest overall flights with an average airfare of $262, while the second most affordable option is Fukuoka airport with an average airfare of $314 for Fukuoka.

When did momondo last update prices for flights to Japan?

Prices for flights to Japan are updated daily.

How many operators does momondo search for flights to Japan?

There are 111 operators available for flights to Japan as of May 2024.

How old do you have to be to fly to Japan?

The minimum age for a child to fly alone is five, but airlines that offer an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service may have their own age limitations. Flight duration, scheduling, and layovers are among the considerations that may influence age limits. We recommend that you double-check with the airline you are booking with for travel to Japan.

What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Japan?

The travel and health documents you'll need for your trip to Japan may differ based on your itinerary and personal situation. Typically, you should have several documents on hand, such as a national ID card or driver's license and a passport that is valid for six months after your intended arrival at Japan. It is always advisable to seek advice from your airline or a trusted third party, such as IATA.

Why use momondo?

Why should i use momondo to find a flight deal to japan.

It is quick and easy to find flights to Japan on momondo. We search and return numerous flight options from various airlines and agents. You can then use our filters to narrow your search until you have found the most convenient flight to Japan that suits you.

Can I find flights to Japan with flexible booking policies on momondo?

momondo does allow users to show only those flights to Japan which offer a flexible booking policy as well as other useful filters and features.

How can momondo help me find flights to Japan?

Once you have performed a search for flights to Japan, momondo helps you find the right flight by offering useful filters to narrow down your flight selection. Flights can be filtered by multiple factors such as airline, airport and price; but also by other criteria like aircraft type and payment method.

I’m not ready to book a flight to Japan right now. Can momondo alert me if prices change?

If you are not ready to book a flight to Japan now, use our insights above to find helpful tips or alternatively set up a price alert; this is where momondo will track prices on flights to Japan and let you know when they change.

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Flights to Japan with American Airlines

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How much is the cheapest flight to Tokyo?

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $313 for one-way flights and $615 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Find Your Flights to Tokyo TYO

Cheap flights to Tokyo ( TYO)

Get started finding a cheap flight to Tokyo on Expedia by either choosing a deal on this page or entering into the search bar your travel dates, origin airport, and whether you want roundtrip or one-way airfare. You can filter for flexibility, number of stops, airline, and departure/arrival times to find the best flight for you.

We recommend using the ‘Flexible Dates’ calendar at the top of the page to see the price of plane tickets on the surrounding dates. This allows you to pick the cheapest days to fly if your trip allows flexibility and score cheap flight deals to Tokyo.

Roundtrip prices range from $615 - $897, and one-ways to Tokyo start as low as $313.

Be aware that choosing a non-stop flight can sometimes be more expensive while saving you time. And routes with connections may be available at a cheaper rate.

Airlines that fly to Tokyo ( TYO)

You have several options for which airline you choose to travel with to Tokyo. There are 10 airlines flying into TYO: ZIPAIR, American Airlines, WestJet, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, Philippine Airlines. 

Cheap plane tickets may be available from different airlines at different times and with unique terms. It’s best to understand the details of each airline’s offer before judging its value.

For example, if you plan to check a bag or bring a carry-on, check whether the cheap airfare deal includes a baggage allowance. If not, verify whether the baggage fee is higher than the difference of other airline plane ticket deals offering free checked/carry-on baggage in exchange for a slightly higher airfare. 

Additionally, your preferred frequent flyer membership programs may influence your choice of cheap airline. Expedia allows you to enter your membership numbers during checkout to earn points from your airline and Expedia Rewards—all while getting a great deal and planning all your travel in one online platform.

Find the best deals

At Expedia, we source many flight deals from multiple providers, so you can easily find the best deals that are right for you. A great strategy for getting the best deals can be to make sure you book and travel at the optimal times. Airfare to Tokyo (TYO) varies throughout the year based on seasonal demand. You’ll see the lowest rates for roundtrips to TYO in August and in July for one-ways.

Cancellation & flexibility

To change or cancel eligible flights, go to ‘My Trips’ and navigate to your itinerary. If you booked within the last 24-hours, you might be able to cancel your flight for free. Learn more about flight changes or cancellations from our customer service portal . Some plane tickets are available with no change fees, which you can filter for during your search.

Frequently asked questions

• First things first, pack in your passport, important documents, bank cards and vital medications. Next, you’ll need some extra in-flight entertainment to help pass the time. A juicy book and a phone filled with your favorite movies are always good options. If you plan to take a short nap, a neck pillow and a pair of earplugs will also be useful. Finally, make room for a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes to ensure you arrive at your destination feeling fresh as a daisy.
• Check carefully that you don’t have sharp objects (like a pocket knife) hiding in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other restricted items include flammable or explosive goods, such as bleach and fuel, and gels and liquids in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).
• Comfort should be your highest priority when selecting what to wear during your flight. Consider your choice of footwear with care too, as swelling of the feet and ankles are a common occurrence. Roomy, closed-toed shoes are your best bet.
• A condition known as DVT (deep vein thrombosis) can pose a risk on long-distance flights. It results from blood clots forming due to inactivity and poor circulation. Doing leg and foot exercises while seated is a great way to prevent this from happening. Wearing a pair of compression socks also helps reduce your risk.
• Have your boarding pass and passport easily accessible. They’ll be the first things you’ll be asked for by airport security.
• Next up is the X-ray machine. Remove anything on you that is likely to beep. This includes things like headphones or earphones, as well as bulky coats or jackets. They’ll all need to go on the X-ray conveyor belt.
• All your electronics, including your tablet and phone, must also be scanned separately.
• Any liquids or gels, such as perfume or hand cream, that you want to bring on board must be no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a good footwear choice as you’re less likely to be required to remove them when passing through security. Boots and other bulky shoes are usually subjected to extra screening.
• Take all prohibited items out of your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, put them in your checked baggage. They won’t be allowed in the cabin.

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Planning a Trip to Japan: DOs & DON’Ts (2024)

This page contains affiliate links. Please read our disclosure for more info.

This post is based on an amazing guide our friend Amy Dunn-Cham compiled us full of her Japan tips on how to plan a trip to Japan years ago. We have since visited Japan five times and update this post regularly with what we’ve learnt.

Ah Japan, irasshaimase! Welcome to the land where everything just works. The land of convenience, the land of delicious food, paradox, naked strangers, and where respect permeates through every part of society and culture.

In Japan the food can be described as clean and minimalist, but never simple, which probably sums up Japan as a whole. It’s a place that both lives up to, and out does, any expectation you have upon arrival.

Uh-huh, they have the fastest, sleekest, most efficient trains (ever!), but they still have paper posters pegged up on their Tokyo subway. Yeah, they have amazing futuristic architecture, but they also have countless traditional wooden buildings in amongst it all. 

Yes, they have the busiest people crossing in the world (Shibuya), but at no point is it ever chaotic, no need for anyone to bang on a cab screaming, “Hey, I’m walking here!”. 

Yes, they have scores of scarily trendy, funkily clad young people who like to cosplay on weekends, but they also have evening family outings to sentos (public bathhouses).

In this Japan travel guide, we’ll help you make sense of it all and share our best tips for planning a trip to Japan.

2024 Update: No Japan Travel Restrictions

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Japan reopened to independent international tourists on 11 October 2022.

Remaining restrictions were dropped on 29 April 2023, so visitors no longer need to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test.

The government also dropped the indoor masking recommendation. Many Japanese people still wear masks (on our late 2023 trip, I’d say about 30-40% of people wore them), but you are unlikely to be required to.

With the yen at the lowest it has been for decades, now is a great time to travel to Japan.

Health care is expensive in Japan, so I highly recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers Covid-19 medical expenses.  SafetyWing Insurance  is an excellent budget option, especially for travellers on longer trips and families (as children under 10 are free). It’s available worldwide.

If you want a more comprehensive policy with cancellation cover, check out Heymondo travel insurance , which we used on our last Japan trip (it came in handy when Simon broke his foot!). It’s also available worldwide and offers 5% off for our readers.

Back to Contents

We’ve visited Japan in all four seasons and don’t think there’s a bad time to go. 

In winter , it’s chilly and gardens are a bit bare, but crowds are lower, you’ll find great deals on accommodation, and you’ll really appreciate those onsens (hot springs). You can also go skiing or snowboarding and have the best chance of seeing snow-capped Mount Fuji.  

In summer , it is steaming hot and humid (and June is the rainiest month), but there are fewer foreign tourists around and lots of local festivals to enjoy. It’s also the best time to visit the many beaches and the only time you can climb Mount Fuji. 

The most popular and best overall times to visit Japan are spring (March-April) and autumn (October – early December). This is when you can enjoy the gorgeous cherry blossoms (sakura) or autumn leaves (koyo). It’s more crowded and expensive, but the weather can be ideal and it is just stunning. 

See our guide to visiting the Kyoto cherry blossoms for more information on the popular sakura season. 

On our recent autumn trip, we had warm weather (up to 77ºF/25ºC) with very little rain from October until mid-November, when the temperature in Kyoto suddenly plummeted ahead of the leaves turning colour.

Shoulder seasons May and late-September/early October  are also good times to visit with warm weather and lower crowds.

Two times of year I would avoid for a vacation to Japan are:

Golden Week in early May – In 2024, Golden Week is from 27 April – 6 May. This is a series of national holidays so many Japanese travel domestically, trains and hotels book up, and popular spots will be extra crowded.

New Year – Late December to early January. This is also a busy time with local travellers and most businesses close for up to four days.

How long do you need in Japan? As long as possible!

There is so much to see—we have spent months in the country and still have a long bucket list.

For first time visitors, I recommend visiting Japan for two weeks. This is enough time to see some highlights—Tokyo, Kyoto, and one or two smaller destinations. See our Japan two week itinerary for suggestions.

A week is the minimum time I recommend for a Japan trip. For a more relaxed Japan vacation, spend the whole week in Tokyo or Kyoto and take day trips. Or if you don’t mind rushing about, visit both major cities with an overnight stop on the way (such as Hakone).

Read our guide on the best places to visit in Japan to decide where interests you most and come up with an itinerary. You’ll find some suggestions at the end of this guide.

Watch this video for Japan trip ideas.

• Check if you need a visa . Visa-free travel is possible for citizens of 68 countries for stays of up to 90 days (including US, UK, Canada, Australia and the EU). Do have a return or onward flight out of the country as they may grill you upon arrival. It was the nicest immigration interrogation we’ve ever had, though.
• Purchase your Japanese Rail Pass exchange order before you travel to Japan (if needed, more on that later).
• Learn some Japanese —numbers are especially useful! While you can get by with Google Translate, it’s much more fun to learn some Japanese (which isn’t as hard as you might think) and locals really appreciate it. We are currently learning with the comprehensive Rocket Japanese online course , which includes audio lessons with natural dialogue, grammar and culture tips, and voice recognition to test your pronunciation. It’s a little pricey but unlike most subscription-based courses, you get lifetime access and discounts are often available.
• Get an International Driving Permit . You’ll need this for go-karting on the real Tokyo roads dressed as your favourite character. Insanity but one of the most fun things we’ve done in Japan.
• Arrange travel insurance. Healthcare is expensive in Japan, so make sure you are covered in case the worst happens. We’ve used and recommend Heymondo and  SafetyWing (both available worldwide). 

• Apply for a Mastercard credit or debit card – If you don’t already have one. Some Japanese websites don’t work with Visa so it’s good to have a backup. We used a Starling Bank debit card (UK only), which has free international transactions and cash withdrawals.
• Walk as much as possible – You will walk a lot in Japan cities so it helps to get some training in beforehand (and wear in some comfy shoes).
• Practice using chopsticks – You’ll need them to eat in almost every restaurant (curry is the exception as it’s eaten with a spoon). Getting used to sitting on the floor is a good idea for some restaurants and experiences too.

• Buy a pre-paid transport IC card  for local trains, metro and buses. You just tap on and off and don’t have to worry about buying a ticket. In Kyoto and Osaka, it’ll be an ICOCA card, and in Tokyo, it’s a Suica or Pasmo, but you can use any of the cards all over the country. Physical cards are currently in short supply (due to a chip shortage), so I recommend adding Suica to Apple Wallet on your phone or watch. Visa doesn’t work as a payment method so use Apple Pay, Mastercard, or American Express to top up. We just tapped on transport with our Apple watch and didn’t even need to open the app. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work for Android phones bought outside Japan.
• Set up an Airalo eSIM – You’ll want affordable data on your phone as having access to maps and Google Translate makes life so much easier. A digital eSIM is simple to set up before you arrive and prices at Airalo start at just US$4.50. We used it on our last Japan trip and it worked great. If your phone doesn’t support eSIMs, you can buy a physical Umobile SIM from a vending machine at Tokyo Narita Airport (make sure your phone is unlocked).
• Sign up to the Timeout Tokyo newsletter – To learn about special events during your stay.

• Buy tickets for Ghibli Museum and Ghibli Park – If you are a Studio Ghibli fan, you might want to visit the museum in Tokyo or new park in Nagoya. It’s essential to book ahead. See below for details.
• Research what else to book in advance – Many attractions and restaurants in Japan require advance booking so decide what’s important to you (ideally at least three months ahead) and set reminders for when bookings are available. At the end of this post you can see the timescale for what we booked for our latest trip.

• Consider a Japan Rail Pass . The luxury of shinkansen (bullet train) hopping is exhilarating. No need to book seats in advance, just choose a train, wave your pass and hop on. These passes are only available to foreigners and you can order online from  JRailPass.com . Read our guide to whether a Japan Rail Pass is worth it for everything you need to know after the price increase in October 2023 (it’s still worth it for some trips if you are travelling a lot).

• Bow if you are being bowed to . If you can manage it too, don’t turn your back upon exit. Don’t overdo it though or you’ll be a total gaijin , no need to bow to the supermarket checkout person!
• Pre-book accommodation. Wise anyway as the more affordable accommodation fills up fast, but also in line with the whole respect thing, Japanese people like to be prepared for your arrival.  So don’t just randomly rock up at a ryokan for the night! Booking.com is our favourite site for finding hotels and guesthouses, and we also use AirBnb and Vrbo  to find apartments in the big cities (which are often cheaper than hotels). See our Japan accommodation guide for recommendations.

• Go onsening! You might want to skip this in summer as hot doesn’t even come close to describing the water temperatures! But soaking in a hot spring is one of the most typical things to do in Japan and is ultra relaxing once you get over your fears of public nudity (yep, no clothes allowed!). Best of all, visit an onsen town where you can onsen-hop dressed in a kimono. See our Kinosaki Onsen travel guide for details on this lovely onsen town as well as hot spring etiquette. 

• Stay in a ryokan (traditional inn). Pricey but worth it for at least a night or two for the unique experience and the amazing meals that are often included in the room rates (and many can cater for vegetarians/vegans). Our favourite ryokan is Tsukihitei in Nara, so traditional and with a magical forest setting. We also loved our private bath overlooking the scarlet maple trees at Nanzenji Ryokan Yachiyo in Kyoto (book a suite not a standard room). More budget-friendly options are Hotel Musashiya in Hakone, where our room and onsen had a view of Lake Ashi, and Morizuya Ryokan in Kinosaki Onsen, which is perfect for onsen-hopping.
• Stay in a traditional tatami mat room.  If you can’t stay in a ryokan, a much cheaper way to stay in one is a traditional room in K’s House hostels—they have branches in Hakone  (with onsen), Kyoto , Izu Peninsula (in a 100-year-old building with onsen), and all over the country. We never had a bad experience with this hostel chain in our budget travel days.

• Appreciate the zen-like calm on all modes of transport – no need for quiet only carriages here! Just remember that it’s rude to speak on your phone on trains in Japan.
• Use Google Translate . Many people don’t speak English, so the Google Translate app is helpful for communicating. Write what you want to say in English then show the Japanese translation to the person. Even more impressive is the feature to translate images—point your camera at a sign, menu, or food label and it translates the text instantly. It’s not perfect but when it works, it’s brilliant.
• Translate websites too – Many Japanese websites (especially restaurants) are only in Japanese so using Chrome or Safari, refresh the page and select the English option at the top. On Safari on my iPhone, I tend to select a block of text and tap translate from the popup.
• See some sumo . If you’re lucky enough to be in the country when one of the sumo tournaments is on, go! The pre/ post game rituals are fascinating to watch. If you aren’t there during a tournament, you can see a practice session at a sumo stable in Tokyo . It was one of our favourite experiences in Japan—it felt like such an honour to see these huge, impressive sumotori training so close.
• Expect bursts of freakery!

• Get your paper fortune at a Japanese Buddhist temple. Okay, we cheated and got an English one at the Golden Pavilion (see our guide on the best things do to in Kyoto ), but what the hell! You can also get one at the gorgeous Sensoji Temple in Tokyo . 
• Love the Japanese for their never-ending capacity to help you out , and they won’t stop until they do!
• Read these Japan books before you visit for a greater understanding of this weird and wonderful culture. 
• Have some sushi – Sushi is the essence of Japan, plus sushi-train/ sushi stand up bars are so much fun watching the chefs take your order, and all shout in unison, “samon!” or “tamago!” etc. Vegetarian sushi isn’t very common, but we did find some—see our vegetarian Japanese food guide .

• Appreciate the plastic food models as works of art!
• Pack slip-on shoes. You’ll be taking your shoes on and off a lot in temples and restaurants. I wear the comfy ballet flats Allbirds Tree Breezers in warmer weather and Allbirds Wool Runner sneakers (for men and women) in cooler weather—they keep your feet cosy but can be worn without socks and easily slipped off without untying the laces. See my detailed Allbirds review .
• Shop at the 100 Yen shops.  Like pound shops BUT BETTER! Daiso is a great one.
• Play in the arcades dotted around cities, the taiko drum game rocks! 
• Make use of the many vending machines EVERYWHERE . You will never go thirsty in Japan that’s for sure.  You can even get hot coffee…in a can! (Simon’s saviour when we had early morning trains to catch.) In fact, you can get friggin’ anything from vending machines from cheap 100 yen sake (yuk!) to hot chips (not surprisingly we did not try!) and SIM cards. In Tokyo you can use your Suica transport card to pay. 
• Press random buttons on the panel next to you on the loo . It will make you giggle ;o)!  Also, if it’s cold then appreciate the absolute miracle of heated toilet seats.
• Fall in love with seeing toriis (shrine gates) everywhere , especially small red ones in rows behind each other. Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto is our favourite (but go early as it’s popular). 
• Love and appreciate the beautiful presentation of absolutely everything from the amazing architecture to the way bento boxes are wrapped in a napkin tied in a knot just so, to amazing manhole covers!
• Pack light.  It will be much easier to hop on and off trains while travelling around Japan if you pack light, and hotels have limited storage space for luggage. Best of all, travel with just carry-on luggage . The Away Bigger Carry-On was perfect for our trip and fit overhead in trains.

• Consider luggage shipping – We haven’t used this yet, but if you have large luggage, it’s common to send it between hotels (it takes a day, so pack essentials in an overnight bag).
• Withdraw cash from 7-11 ATMs.  They are the most reliable no-fee option for international cards and can be found everywhere. Make sure you always have cash on hand as many places don’t accept credit cards (although this is improving). Note that some 7-11 ATMs in popular spots (the airport, Gion), do now charge, so try to withdraw in less touristy areas.
• Use Navitime to check train times and prices (and to work out if a Japan Rail Pass is worth it for your itinerary ).
• Visit BIC Camera if you need any kind of electronics. These massive stores have everything you could imagine. Take your passport if you are making a large purchase (over 5000 yen) and get it tax free. I bought a camera here and ended up getting lots of extra discounts and free accessories. It’s also a good place to buy a SIM card if you didn’t pick one up at the airport.

DON’T:

• Rent a car – For most visitors the best way to travel Japan is by train. Elsewhere we love road trips, but renting a car in Japan is just not worth the hassle unless you are travelling far off the beaten track.
• Open the door if taking a taxi. They are either automated or the driver will open it for you. It’s also a good idea to have your destination’s address written down in Japanese to show the driver as most don’t speak English.
• Feel bad if you need to take a break from Japanese food – Japan isn’t always an easy destination and indulging in a comfort meal can be restorative (we’ve had some excellent pizza in Japan).

• Forget to check opening hours – Japanese restaurants aren’t usually open all day and both restaurants and attractions usually have a last order/entry 30 to 60 minutes before closing.
• Go whizzing around the country too much. It can save energy to base yourself in one place and take day trips as we did in Kyoto and Okayama .
• Wear holey socks. You’ll only be embarrassing yourself when you take your shoes on/ off constantly!
• Go into an onsen without washing first , that’s just dirty dude!  Also, don’t go into the bathing area with a towel wrapped around you, you’ll just look stupid. Embrace the nudity! Everyone’s naked so no-one cares. My Kinosaki Onsen guide has more etiquette tips for newbies.

Japan is a popular destination and many hotels, restaurants, and attractions book up in advance. While you can still have a wonderful last-minute trip, it’s worth researching what you’d like to do months in advance to see what needs reservations.

On our most recent trip to Japan (in the busy autumn October/November season), this is what we booked ahead:

5 Months Before

• Flights – This is personal preference and earlier or later could also work. Tokyo Narita (NRT), Tokyo Haneda (HND), or Kansai International Airport in Osaka (KIX) are all good options to fly in to.
• Accommodation – Ryokans and hotels in smaller towns are most important to book ahead. Some hotels don’t take bookings more than 3 or 6 months in advance, though. We used Booking.com and almost all had free cancellation.

4 Months Before

• Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta – Our favourite place to stay in Japan is right inside the best Disney park in the world. Rooms go on sale 4 months in advance at 11am JST and sell out in minutes, so it’s essential to do some practice runs.

3 Months Before

• Harry Potter Studio Tour, Tokyo – We booked 7 weeks in advance and only got an afternoon slot, so earlier is a good idea. Check Klook and the Warner Bros Studio Tour website as they have different availability.

2 Months Before

• Ghibli Park , Nagoya – Tickets go on sale on the 10th of the month at 2pm JST for 2 months later (it changed recently from 3 months). So May tickets will be on sale on 10 March. These sell out quickly, so be prepared.
• Teamlab Planets , Tokyo – Book early if you want a specific time for this interactive digital art exhibition (we wanted the first slot). We booked on Get Your Guide . The new TeamLab Borderless is also selling out fast (tickets available on Klook or direct ).
• Some Restaurants – We booked Monk in Kyoto exactly 2 months in advance at 12pm JST (after five attempts) and Shigetsu in Kyoto (as we were visiting during peak autumn colour). Creating a Tablecheck account is a good idea as quite a few restaurants use it for bookings.
• Saihoji (Moss Temple) , Kyoto – It’s expensive and might not be a priority with limited time in Kyoto, but it’s our favourite temple. Reservations open 2 months in advance.
• Universal Studios Japan Express Passes – These are essential to skip the lines at this very busy park in Osaka, and they do sell out. We bought the Express Pass 7 – Backdrop and Spiderman on Klook (much easier than the official site which is in Japanese only). We bought our USJ entrance tickets on Klook at the same time. See our Universal Studios Japan guide for more tips.

1 Month Before

• Ghibli Museum , Tokyo – Available at 10am JST on the 10th of each month for the following month.
• Shibuya Sky , Tokyo – Bookings open 4 weeks in advance at midnight Japan time. Book fairly soon after that to get the peak slot (one hour before sunset).
• Tours – I booked a sumo stable visit (highly recommended) and Shinjuku bar hopping tour in Tokyo. Go-karting is another fun option we’ve done before. I used Get Your Guide for most tours. Klook is a good option for tickets and attractions too.
• Tea Ceremony Ju-an , Kyoto – Learn the traditions of tea in a temple. One of the highlights of our trip.
• Sakurai Tea Experience , Tokyo – If you love green tea, don’t miss the tea tasting at this modern tea room.
• More Restaurants – I booked Saido in Tokyo, Uzu Vegan Ramen in Kyoto (reservations essential), and Ristorante di Canaletto at DisneySea (one month in advance at 10am JST exactly).
• Tokyo DisneySea and Disneyland tickets – I booked on Klook. The parks probably won’t sell out, but we didn’t want to take the chance.
• Japan Rail Pass – If you decide to get one, allow plenty of time for your exchange order to arrive by post, just in case (you activate it on arrival).

2 Weeks Before

• Shinkansen Train Seat Reservations – We used the SmartEx website , which can be difficult to set up (use a Mastercard and keep trying to authenticate the payment method) but very handy. When booking a train from Tokyo to Kyoto, choose a seat on the right side of the train for Mt Fuji views (if clear). If you have large suitcases, you’ll also need to make an oversized baggage reservation .
• Airport Taxi Pickup – From Narita Airport we get the Narita Express train, but from Haneda Airport (which is closer to central Tokyo), we prefer a taxi for ease. We booked this Haneda airport pickup on Klook .
• More Tours and Restaurants – Book any more priorities as you finalise your itinerary.

Japan has so much to offer but here are a few places to get you started.

• Tokyo – The best of modern Japan. This huge city has incredible food, diverse neighbourhoods, and some unique experiences. Try these cool things to do in Tokyo and enjoy the best vegetarian restaurants in Tokyo . 
• Kyoto – The best of traditional Japan with many stunning temples to explore . Read the best things to do in Kyoto .
• Takayama – A smaller, quieter alternative for traditional Japan with a beautiful historic centre of preserved wooden houses. 
• Hakone – For the chance to see Mount Fuji, mountain scenery, lakes, onsens, and fun transport options (cable cars and pirate ships!). 
• Kawaguchiko – Even better views of Mount Fuji at Lake Kawaguchiko . 
• Nikko – Stunning temples in the forest. Could be visited as a day trip from Tokyo. 
• Hiroshima – Visit the moving peace memorial that commemorates the atomic bombing and don’t miss nearby Miyajima Island. 

See our Japan 2 Week Itinerary for a detailed guide to visiting many of these places including things to do, transport, and where to stay and eat.

Or our guide to the best places to go in Japan has more ideas.

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• Is a Japan Rail Pass Worth It?
• 54 Best Things to Do in Japan for an Unforgettable Trip
• Where to Stay in Japan: A Guide to Accommodation Options
• 20 Fascinating Books to Read Before Visiting Japan
• 16 Unmissable Places to Visit in Japan
• Vegetarian Survival Guide to Japan

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170 Comments

Thank you for this insightful site. My daughter (who is in the Navy) is taking me to Japan for one week at the end of September. She has already purchased the plane tickets and taken leave. We are flying into Narita, and wanted to spend some time in Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Osaka. Does that seem too ambitious for the time we have (Sept. 24 – Oct. 2)? Also, do you recommend getting first class tickets for the bullet train in order to be sure we can get reservations? I have to admit, planning this trip feels a bit overwhelming, so your site and help are appreciated more than you can know! Thank you!

Reply ↓

I do think that’s a bit much in that time frame. I would skip Osaka or just visit on a day trip from Kyoto if you have the energy.

First class (called the Green Car) is a bit more comfortable and spacious and we sometimes like to book it for longer train trips. You aren’t more likely to get a reservation though – you can reserve the regular cars just as easily. You shouldn’t have a problem getting reservations at that time of year a few days in advance.

You can just go to the train station when you get to Tokyo and book them all at the counter (it helps to write down which trains you want). Queues can be long though. There are also self service machines but they can be confusing.

We now prefer to use the SmartEx website to book the shinkansen: https://smart-ex.jp/en/ It can be hard to get the credit card set up at the beginning but keep trying (Mastercard often works better than Visa on Japanese websites). Then once you’ve booked you can collect the tickets from machines at the station which is pretty easy.

Good luck with all the planning! Erin

Hi, Good Day! Great Information for people read this including me. Arigatou Gozaimasu. I wish i can go travel to Japan Its my Dreams when i was kid 7 years old when i already know and read Manga books Doraemon. Geertings from Indonesia.

THanks for your recommendation on hotels and restaurants, i know something about it.

Thank you for the lovely Japan Blogs – it is making our travel planning fun! It would be really helpful to understand the areas to stay in within the cities, especially first time travelers to Japan.

Thanks JK! Our Kyoto guide has tips on the best area to stay (Gion or downtown) and in Tokyo, we recommend Shinjuku for first time visitors. Enjoy Japan!

Wow, an amazing blog, Erin. This is helping us so much plan our trip. It is great to see you updating it regularly too. It’s becoming a daily read.

Kind regards,

Thanks so much for this post! As is often the case I am following you around the world and now I’m going to Japan. Look forward to reading everything you’ve written on it!

Good to hear you are going to Japan, Ruth! I hope you enjoy it as much as we always do!

We are a very active retired couple and love exploring different cultures, sights, and exploring nature. We are planning on going to Japan for the first time for 3 -4 weeks, around the third week or so in Sept to mid October or later. We will travel with just carry on luggage and backpacks. We love touring on our own, or booking individual tours at the different places. We are open to basing in Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima(?) plus other places and doing day trips from these places. What would be a good itinerary for our 21+ day trip? Thanks so much! We love your website! Bunny

Hi, I lost my comment somewhere on your blog 😅 So, me and my partner are going to Japan for 4-6 weeks in sept/october. We want to travel in a slow pace and want to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, hiking around Kiso Valley (and Kumano Kodo?), Nagano, Kanazawa? We also want to explore some nice nature, visit onsen, sleep at a roykan etc. Hokkaido would be cool but i don’t know if we will have time with that. Do you have any tips where we must go? I think our plan is to be at least 7 days each in Kyoto and Tokyo, we want to stay for minimum 2 nights at each place. Would you recommend to start in Tokyo? Is it worth to start a week in a busy town with jetlag? Should we go somewhere else (where?) for a nice start on the vacation?

Thank you! /Johanna

Hi Johanna!

I’m planning a solo trip from ~May 21-June 21, but i’m worried i’ll hit the rainy season and humidity. What to you advise? I’m limited to May 21st as my earliest trip start date due to school!

I think it makes sense to start with Tokyo if that’s where you are flying in to. That way you don’t have to worry about travelling elsewhere and you have enough time there that you can plan for the first few days to be pretty relaxed – wander some neighbourhoods, eat etc.

Sounds like you have plenty of time to do everything you want. You could easily use that time in central Japan, but you could add in Hokkaido if you really wanted (we still haven’t made it there). Enjoy!

Hi Erin, is it advisable to visit Lake Kawaguchiko in November? And, do you think it is possible to do a day trip to Lake Kawaguchiko having Tokyo as the base?

We haven’t been in November but we definitely would. You will likely see the autumn colours too (generally peak around mid-Nov), which would be beautiful.

It will likely be colder than Tokyo, but as long as you are prepared with warm clothes it should be enjoyable.

And yes, it is possible as a day trip from Tokyo – many people go by train or on bus tours. Just be aware that Mt Fuji is often hidden in cloud, so if you stay overnight you increase your chances to see it. But you could also try to choose a clear day for your day trip. Enjoy!

Our Lake Kawaguchiko travel guide has more details.

Thank you for creating this! I’m making my way through reading all of your posts. I will be visiting Japan for 14 days for the first weeks in April with my husband, a 7 year old, 10 year old and my two of my adult siblings. We’ll be a big group but I’m very excited as this is my first time and have always dreamed of going. Wondering if you have any advice for the younger kids or any kid entertainment? Thanks again!

Travelling with kids isn’t our area of expertise so I don’t have any specific recommendations except for Tokyo Disney, which we love. Tokyo DisneySea is our favourite park—it’s the only one in the world and has plenty to offer for kids and adults. Enjoy!

Absolutely love this perspective on travel! It beautifully captures the essence of what it means to explore the world. Travel isn’t just about ticking off destinations; it’s about slowing down, immersing yourself in new cultures, savoring moments, and absorbing the rich tapestry of life that the world has to offer. 🌍✈️🌏

Thank you so much for this! I have started notes and saved the page so that I can come back and check out all the links. :) I am wanting to take my 14 (would be 15 then) daughter alone (we do girl’s trips every year without dad) to Japan. She loves all things Cherry Blossoms! We try and do her spring break time (next year will be the first week of April), but I am concerned about that being too short of time period. Could we do it? If that is all the time you had, would you have a ‘base in Tokyo and then do some excursions from there (which is how we like to travel)? I am also worried about the language barrier and us being able to navigate since sometimes Google translate will not work. Thanks again!

Hi Jennifer, With one week I would focus on Kyoto, which is a better location for cherry blossoms and also has so many beautiful temples and gardens. It’s more traditional Japan (although there is a modern part too). Ideally, you’d fly into Kansai Airport which is closest.

If you have to fly into Tokyo, you could spend a few nights there before taking the shinkansen train to Kyoto (the quickest one is just over 2 hours).

If you really want to see the more modern side of Japan or don’t want to take the train, then Tokyo would be a great base. You can still see plenty of cherry blossoms there.

We don’t speak Japanese (although we are trying to learn this year) and have always managed. The Japanese are very helpful and will always try to help you out, even with a language barrier. And there are an increasing number of signs in English. Just make sure you have data on your phone as Google Translate and Maps are super helpful (you can download Japanese offline in Translate too).

Be sure to book accommodation far in advance for the cherry blossom season (ideally 6 months+).

Enjoy Japan! Erin

Hi Erin, My husband & I are travelling to Japan in August as he is competing in the world masters swimming competition. We have to be in Fukuoka for the competition and then he have 9 days to explore the country ending up in Tokyo for our flight home. Could you advise what we should do at this time of year. Do you think it is sensible to base ourselves in Kyoto and then take daily trips from there using the JR Pass, (do you recommend we get the Green pass). Your advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanking you in advance.Pia

Hi Pia, that’s exciting!

If you don’t want to move around too much then I do think Kyoto is a great base. There’s so much to do (including festivals in August) and lots of possible day trips. You could finish up with a couple of nights in Tokyo.

If you want to add some extra places you could stop in Hiroshima on the way to Kyoto for the peace memorial and nearby Miyajima Island. It’s a quick journey on the bullet train from Fukuoka.

You’ll need to work out your route first to see whether a rail pass is worth it. It probably won’t be worth it for day trips but could work out worthwhile including the shinkansen up from Fukuoka and on to Tokyo.

We’ve never used a green pass but if you want a bit more space you could consider it.

Also bear in mind that around the Obon holiday (13-16 August) the trains will be busier than usual so book your seat in advance.

Enjoy Japan!

Hi Erin – great post, thanks for your comprehensive insight! My partner and I are heading to Tokyo for NYE and planning on heading from there to Kyoto around the 2nd for a couple of nights. I understand that Japan can be very quiet during the first week of January. Do you have any experience travelling at this time? If so, do you have any suggestions about how to make the most of the trip while the country is a bit quieter? Thanks in advance :)

Hi Sarah, We haven’t been to Japan at New Year. The important thing to bear in mind is that many businesses will be closed on some or all days between 29 Dec and 4 Jan. So make sure you look at the hours of any restaurants and attractions you want to visit and work around them.

I think Kyoto will be lovely at a quieter time of year especially as it does get so busy. There are so many temples and shrines to explore and they stay open over NY. Enjoy!

Wonderful website and tips. I know one of your dont´s is rent a car, but we are hoping to visit Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and Takayama, and have found no easy way to get there from Tokyo or Kyoto on train. Do you have any recommendation on how to do that?

Many many thanks¡

Hi Natalia. You can get to Takayama from Kyoto or Tokyo easily by changing trains in Nagoya. The journey from Nagoya to Takayama is beautiful.

The other villages can be reached by bus from Takayama (Shirakawa-go is easiest), but yes, a car would give you more flexibility to explore the countryside around here.

Maybe look into renting a car for a few days in Takayama? Just remember you’ll need an international driving licence, which you’ll need to get in your home country.

While a car could be useful in the countryside, I wouldn’t want to drive in the cities and the train between cities is probably quicker.

I’ve written a bit about Takayama in our 2 week itinerary: https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/japan-2-week-itinerary/

Have a wonderful trip to Japan! Erin

Hello Enrin, your tips makes me very enthousiatic to plan a 4week trip to Japan. Is that a good way to tour? (Will be half september-half oktober).

forgot to say ;-) we plan to travel with a campervan: is that a good way to tour?

That’s a great time to visit and a nice amount of time to explore. I don’t think a campervan or any rental car is the best way to travel though. Driving (and finding parking) in the cities is a challenge and it’s much easier to travel by train.

A campervan would only be advisable if you want to focus on rural areas like Hokkaido.

Remember you’ll need an international driving licence, which you’ll need to get in your home country.

Hello Great Blog. full of advices How do you suggest to travel the “alps” from Kanazawa that one can reach by train to takayama and around ? would that be the place where you rent a car?

You can visit places like Kamikochi by bus from Takayama so a car isn’t essential.

Hi Erin, would like to ask is hiring tour guide better or do it yourself to see all nice place in Japan?

It depends how you prefer to travel. I definitely think it’s possible to travel by yourself. A compromise might be to hire a guide for a day (or join a tour) in Kyoto and/or Tokyo.

Good Day Erin. Just doing beginning research for our yearly trip this year, and we are considering Japan. Your excellent article is the first I started with. We like to spend minimum of 2 weeks, usually longer at our destination. You suggest that using public transportation throughout the country and not to rent a car. My husand and I are seniors. My husband has difficulty (pain) after walking a short distance (100 yards). Would this destination be a wise choice for us? Before going further in my research an answer to this question is most appreciated. Regards

Hi Diane, yes, trains are definitely the best way to visit Japan’s cities. You could hire a private driver for day tours within places like Kyoto, though, which could minimise the need to walk as much when sightseeing.

It would probably be best to minimise the places you visit (such as Tokyo and Kyoto or even just Kyoto) as train stations are quite large and do involve walking. If you fly into Kansai airport you could take a taxi to Kyoto and see a lot based there.

Perhaps renting a wheelchair is worth considering. There is also an overnight luggage delivery service where you can send your bags between hotels to make train travel easier.

As we don’t have any experience of travelling Japan with mobility issues, I would look for advice from those who have. Here’s one post that might be useful: https://www.japan-guide.com/forum/quereadisplay.html?0+132386

Diane: As someone who recently travelled to Japan having had double knee replacement surgery less than 12 months previously, I can offer a little insight! While I agree that travelling by train is a fantastic way to get around Japan (I covered a LOT of miles!) you should be aware that not all train stations have lifts or escalators. Many stations in Tokyo have quite long flights of stairs which can be a challenge to anyone less able or in pain, especially when you have luggage. Even when there is a lift, it’s typically right at the end of the platform (often the “wrong” end for where you want to be), so I would do some research before deciding how much urban train travel you will do; it’s less of an issue when taking the shinkansen to cover a reasonable distance. I much prefer trains to coaches, but I did use buses in places and that was fine. On the topic of car hire, I probably wouldn’t bother myself but I know someone who travels widely across Japan with a couple of kids and she swears by it, not least because they can easily reach locations that would otherwise be a hassle to get to. She doesn’t use one in the cities though. Lastly, I don’t think you should be put off going to Japan – it’s an amazing country and I found everyone to be unfailingly helpful. No problem is insurmountable!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Sue.

Hello Erin,

Would you recommend visiting Jaoan with a 1.5 year old? Do the onsens have babysitters?

We don’t have any experience travelling with kids but our friends took their toddler and loved it. The onsens don’t have babysitters as far as I know.

Thank so much for all the amazing info! Heading to Japan in June for two weeks with my daughter. It’s especially wonderful to know there are some great vegan/vegetarian options.

Hi Erin… I stumbled onto your website as I’ve started looking into planning for a trip in 2024 for my daughter’s High school Senior trip. Is Mid June a good time weather wise? Super hot? Also, are there food/restaurants that are gluten free for Celiacs? You mentioned beaches are those places more expensive than the cities? I will check out all your links too. TY for all the info, this will truly help.

It will be hot but if that’s the only time you can go, I wouldn’t let it stop you and it’s cooler than July and August.

I don’t have any experience being gluten free in Japan but our friend has written this guide: https://www.legalnomads.com/gluten-free/japan/

Beaches shouldn’t be more expensive than the cities but it depends where you go. We haven’t spent much time at the beaches.

Have a wonderful trip!

hi Erin, lovely website with a lot of good information. Do you list of places to visit / see – for a 4 week trip. We wanted to do the North part of the country as well. thanks for any tips and help. We are vegetarians as well but saw that you all managed to get delicious looking vegetarian food : ).

We haven’t actually made it very far north as there’s always so much to do in the central part. See our guide to the best places to visit in Japan for our favourite places: https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/best-places-to-visit-in-japan/

And yes, vegetarian food in Japan is great if you plan in advance (use the Happy Cow app).

Thanks for the info Erin. Cultural.differences are amusing at least.

Thank you so much for this guide Erin! It’s really helpful. I’m planning a 2-3 week trip to Japan around September. However, I’ve read and seen a lot of people saying to avoid this time of year due to typhoon season. Would you recommend visiting Japan around this time despite the typhoons that might hit?

We’ve been in September and enjoyed it. We did get some rain but nothing that disrupted our trip. I wouldn’t let it stop you visiting.

Hello Erin! Great information. Thank you! What percentage of small businesses (resturants, clubs, rooms, etc) are open this month (March)? What percentage may be open in May? Should I wait until September to experience Japan? Take care,

Everything should be open now so any month this year is good to visit!

How easy is it to navigate in Tokyo and Kyoto with a group of 8? We’re concerned about everything from attractions to train travel to being able to eat together. This is a trip to celebrate our friends’ 40th birthday and logistics just seem to be overwhelming!

Hi Laurie We’ve only visited Japan as a couple, but I’d say it might be a bit challenging in a big group. Many restaurants are quite small and trains can be crowded (although you can book seats together for the longer trip between Kyoto and Tokyo).

I’m sure it would be possible if you plan in advance (book some restaurants etc) and maybe break into smaller groups for some of the time. Perhaps discuss what everyone definitely wants to do and do those things together, but then have some time doing your own thing.

Good luck with it and enjoy Japan!

I’ll be visiting Japan for 10 days in March! Could you give me a little insight on the paying methods there? How much cash should I bring/have on hand? Do they mostly accept cash or do most places accept credit cards?

Thanks in advance!

Hi Susan When we visited Japan previously we needed cash for most places. We just withdrew from an ATM (the ones at 7-11 were most reliable for foreign cards) when needed so we didn’t exchange any cash in advance. Just make sure you use a card that doesn’t charge international transaction fees (this will depend which country you are from).

But I have heard that since Covid more places accept credit cards and contactless payment methods, so I’m really hoping there’s less of a need for cash now. I would still recommend always having some with you just in case.

Hello . I want to visit Japan with my 13 year old granddaughter in June. I have never been in Japan, but have traveled widely. We plan to visit Kyoto and its environs mostly but want to spend couple days in Tokyo. We do not speak Japanese but will find a way to learn some. We are coming from the US, but my home country is Finland (very Japan friendly :)). We definitely want to get bullet train passes and need to learn about cell phone communication. And we are both into adventure and are looking forward to seeing Japan. Thank you for any advice you can give us.

I plan to visit Japan soon, spiritualy a home I have never been to yet. This is due to my work and my partners need for beach and sun. I’m hoping I can convince her soon to travel with me there. Or it’s over… the Japanese have a way of life with nature that we miss here in the UK….. I have so much respect for the people of Japan. We could learn a thing or two….. I plan to beg konami tsukamoto to mentor me in order I can preserve British trees as she does her native species…… much respect.

Excellent post Erin. You’ve included some great examples of things specific to Japan that it would be great to know in advance for new travellers.

I especially liked your recommendation not to try and cram too much in and whiz around the country. This is a common mistake people make when visiting Japan. Also, not wearing socks with holes in! Once you’ve done this in Japan, you’ll never do it again LOL!

Also, an upvote for your suggestion to visit Takayama – a wonderful place that has a charming historical district that’s like stepping back in time.

Good information given u

I’m doing a project on Japan for school, your posts on Japan were all SUPER helpful- thank you so much!

Glad it helped!

Hello We are looking to travel to Tokyo with out 2 year old in October. We were told that we would need to book travel guides for us to have a visa to enter in Japan. As great as that all sounds, it’s also more then we intend to spend for our trip. How true is needing the visa to enter Japan? Should we do a tour guide for a couple days? If that is allowed.

Hi Vee, As things currently stand, Japan’s borders are still closed to independent travellers. You can only enter the country as part of a package tour that is very restrictive (you can’t do any exploring alone), and, yes, it would be expensive. You would need a guide for the whole trip.

There is a chance borders will reopen by October but really there’s no way of knowing right now. If you decide to go ahead and book in the hope they do reopen, I would make sure everything has free cancellation.

So I’m trying to plan a trip to Japan with my family next year July (4kids) but I keep hearing super expensive, anyways nanny suggestions on where or how to plan n book.? Also my chance do you have any info on Tokyo Disneyland?

yes, japan can be quite expensive but if you plan your stay well and get a rail pass if you’re hopping between cities then you should be able to manage it :)

Should we rent a car or is public transportation the preferred mode of transportation for tourists?

Public transport is easier to deal with. I wouldn’t rent a car unless you are going somewhere remote.

Is it better to custom plan everything? Like book 2-3 week stay and go whichever places we want to visit ourselves or get a package that offer planned trips?

I think it’s best to book everything yourself, but it really depends on how much experience you have travelling and how much time you have to plan it all.

I’m going to Shinjuku. Next year in June this has really helped thank you

This helped so much, im going to Japan in 2 years with my dad (to film a documentary) and this helped so much

Thanks Lillee and have a great trip!

I’d love all the great tips, but should add make sure that you keep eyed out on your train timetable…I’d went to the Takayama Festival and didn’t watch my time. I’d miss my train and got stuck in Nagoya for six half hours trying to get back to Asakusa. (Never again?)…watch your JR Rail or Metro timetable. Japan trains are on point.

Oh no, what a nightmare!

Bravo, your article full of good advice with beautiful pictures. A small precision for foreigners who wish to drive in Japan, they have to translate their driving license at a JAF center.

Now this I call a detailed guide! We are hoping to visit Japan next year so I am gathering all the info I can before I start any serious planning. This post was really helpful!

Thanks Julia! Good luck with your planning!

Hi thanks for sharing this Me & my nephew are planning to visit japan for the 1st time this September can you pls recommend any place to stay or eat and should we do tour or should we go on our own ? We kinda nervous abt the trip .

You should be fine without a tour. The train system is very comfortable and efficient and if you buy a rail pass, you don’t even have to worry about buying tickets for each trip. If you ever get confused, the Japanese are very friendly and will help you out.

Here are a few posts that should give you some ideas on where to go with accommodation and restaurant recommendations: https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/japan-2-week-itinerary/ https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/best-places-to-visit-in-japan/

Good luck and enjoy!

Wonderful and very Insightful Information.

I am a solo traveler from India, planning to travel to Japan for this first time, this summer for about 7-8 nights (June’2020), do you recommend going through some tour company or going on my own. How difficult is managing through Japan, without any knowing any Japaneses. Would you have a recommendation for a tour company.

I think Japan is fairly easy to manage without a tour company. The trains are a great way to travel and with a rail pass you don’t even need to worry about buying a ticket each time.

It helps to buy a local SIM card so you can use Google Translate on your phone. The Japanese are also usually very helpful even if they only speak a little English. We only speak a few words of Japanese are always manage fine.

Hello Erin, this is very useful. Thank you for sharing. Can you suggest us an 8 days itinerary for Japan. We’re visiting Japan for the first time and wish to enjoy the natural beauty and culture.

I would probably just focus on Kyoto and Tokyo in that time, perhaps with some day trips. Enjoy!

Hi! I’ve already been to Japan 2 times in the summer. The first time I visited Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and the Island of Shôdoshima. The second time I browsed a bit more around Tokyo and in the countryside (mainly in the Gunma prefecture – gorgeous landscapes!). I am going back in February. Two places I will visit for sure are Yokohama (first stop) and Sendai (2nd stop). And I and am wondering if there are “musts” I should not miss at that time of year (are snow festivals worth it? Or anything else?) and if it would be worth it to go as far south as Hiroshima? I should have about 12 days for Sendai onwards. I haven’t decided yet if I am going to fly back to Canada out of Tokyo (I could fly out from elsewhere too). Many thanks for your help and for sharing all of this! You’re doing a tremendous job!

Honestly this guide is incredible. I’ve booked marked this as I’m currently planning my things to do for March/April 2020! Any website booking recommendations?

Thanks Alyssa! Spring is such a lovely time in Japan.

Do you mean websites for booking accommodation or tours? We use Booking.com for hotels, Airbnb for apartments (in the big cities like Tokyo), and Voyagin for tours. You might find this post helpful: https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/things-to-do-in-japan/

Good afternoon! I’m planning a 1-month trip to japan in two years and would like to know how much money you think I should save up. I already have the places I wanna visit in mind and would just like some bit of info.

Thank you. :)

That’s a difficult question to answer as it depends so much on your travel style. Do you want to stay in hostels or fancy ryokan or a mix of both? Do you want to do expensive tours and activities or are you happy just wandering? Are you happy with cheap ramen or do you want to try a pricey kaiseki meal?

As a rough idea, on this two week itinerary ( https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/japan-2-week-itinerary/ ) we spent about US$120 per person a day which I’d say is a mid-range budget. There is more info in the itinerary post.

“Well there it is” I shouted as I scrolled through this fantastic information resource. An superb honest, unbiased view and answer to all, yes all, my questions. Except one…. Did you get to visit Okinawa? I desperate to get there… I will have 3-4 weeks….

Thank you so much Brian!

Unfortunately, we haven’t visited Okinawa yet. You’ll have plenty of time to add on a flight down there though. Enjoy Japan!

Awesome post! Thanks for sharing the knowledge and keep up the good work.

Thanks Brian!

Those photos of the dog pulling the mans underpants!?! My child was looking at this with me and now he is scarred for life!

Oh dear! You do find some very strange things in Japan.

I really enjoyed the detail you gave on your trip to Japan! This is 100% helpful as someone planning a trip there for the first time.

Thanks and enjoy Japan!

Hi Erin, thank you for taking the time to put all this great info together. One question I have is in regards to Takayama. Did you like it more than Kanazawa and Shirakawa-go, if you went? We originally planned to stop for a night in each place, however, because of availability in Shirakawa-go, we had to switch up our itinerary a little bit. To adjust, we have considered skipping Takayama and just doing Kanazawa and Shirakawa-go, but this makes me think twice. We also have the option of leaving Tokyo a day early (currently booked for 4 full days there) to keep all 3 places in the line-up. Would love to hear your input! Thank you!

I did like Takayama more than Kanazawa. It’s smaller and cuter and is surrounded by countryside. But then I do prefer small towns to big cities so it depends on your preferences. If you can fit it in I would.

We didn’t visit Shirakawa-go in the end. We were thinking of visiting as a day trip on the way between Takayama and Kanazawa but it would have meant having to use buses rather than take the train which we prefer (and we had a rail pass). If we had had time for a night’s stay there it would have been better I think.

Whatever you choose you’ll have an amazing time though!

Thank you so much for your post! It’s incredibly informative :)

I have one question, I am a woman traveling alone is there anything I need to consider? I have heard that Japan is a safe country, as you have the real-life experience, I’d love to hear what you think!

Thank you for your time, and excellent blog post!

I don’t think you need to worry – Japan is a very safe country. Have a great trip!

Nice list, and pretty accurate- thanks for sharing all the info!

I have to say though- DO try non-Japanese food. Things off the top of my head: bread from the local bakeries, 600¥ cake from fancy department stores, Starbucks (the seasonal things!). Pork buns in Yokohama, Pirozhki in Kamakura… The list is endless. Of course eat all the Japanese food too, because it’s amazing too.

But, I’m also so sorry you had such a bad experience (I’ve been there too)! The size of the nan though? Oh-my-god, right? :)

I do think non-Japanese food has improved a lot in recent years. We had some fantastic Italian food on our last trip (as vegetarians it’s a good backup option for us!).

Which places do you wish you would have stayed longer?

Kyoto (even though we had three weeks there!) and Tokyo.

Great list! It’s made me even more excited to get to Japan now!

I love saying ‘moshi moshi’ – i used to hear it when I worked in an international call centre – it’s so much better than plain old ‘hello’!

Excellent post – interesting, funny and very informative! Currently planning my Japan trip, this was a lot of help :)

Have an amazing trip to Japan!

I am visiting my daughter in Singapore and on the way back to the US my wife and I are visiting Japan (3Jun-8Jun). It is only for 5 days so unfortunately our time there will be very short. Originally I wanted to climb Fuji but the guided trip company I emailed claimed they only had a 1 day guided trips and crampons were required. Although we love to hike this may be too much for such a short trip. If anyone has hiked Fuji in crampons in 1 day I would love to hear about the experience. I still want to see Fuji up close, Kyoto, old family member used to live in Nagoya so would like to stop by there and perhaps Hakone. I just started looking for any special events that take place in the first week of June. Looking forward to this trip and a longer one next time.

Hi there :) Loved your post. I’m from Portugal but I’m a Japan fan. Went to Tokyo las year on March but this time I’m planning on 3 weeks travel around Japan. Can you help me? I already have the places to visti but I need help spliting the time… Oh and if yo see any of the plaes below that arenot woth to visit or less mportant please I’d aprreciate if you tell me: – Chiba – Nikko – Nagano and Matsumoto – Kawagoe – Kanagawa – Mt. Fuji (just planning on going near to have a view – Lake Kawaguchiko) – Magome – Takayama – Nagoya – Kyoto – Nara – Osak – Himeji – Hiroshima – Miyajima – Tokyo (and surroundings)

Thank you so much if you can help me.

Kind regards

Hi guys! I’m planning a trip to Japan in January with mum (I know it’s cold over there, but that’s the only break we’ve got!). We’re planning for a stay for around 8 days, any tips on where to go? I heard that an ideal short trip will consist of arriving at Tokyo and departing at Osaka, is that true? I really don’t know much about Japan so any advice is appreciated!

I would focus on Kyoto and Tokyo and take the train between them. Maybe include a day in Osaka if you can get a flight out from there.

We’ve written lots more about Japan: http://www.neverendingvoyage.com/japan-round-up/

Good advice. I hope to use this on my up come trip.

This is a great post! It is very helpful. I am planning to go to Tokyo this June. I will be staying in Shibuya/Shinjuku area. I don’t know which hotel to stay in and where to go first. Do you have any advice for the first time traveler? Thank you very much! :)

I am planning a trip in March 2015. Reading your website has got me extra excited already

Hi Matthew, I’m planning to travel to Japan at the beginning of March 2015 as well. If you got any great idea, we can discuss. Thanks

I am planning a trip to Kyoto to see where Reiki was started, your insights are great. Thank you

Are you house sitting for a friend or do you use a website to find/sign up for sitting jobs?

We used mindmyhouse.com

Hi guys, great blogs-thank you for sharing it. We’re planning to do a trip in December 2013 14-27/12.

Could you advise which cities we should visit using the shinkansen. We have 14 days to spend with the first 3 days in Tokyo, so it’ll leave us with 11 days in other cities.

I am confused with the the shinkansen map and which one we should take and which cities we can visit that is on the way. We are targetting to return to Tokyo on the last 3 days to do some shopping.

It is basically that 8 days, we need to use to the cities that can be visited using the shinkansen line.

Thank you in advance for your help

Hi Hemmy. I wrote up an itinerary I followed with a one-week JR Pass that might be of some help. It includes other useful tips for planning as well. Find it at:

http://www.lengthytravel.com/saving-on-travel-in-japan-with-a-jr-rail-pass-my-itinerary-tips-and-cost-savings/

Hi Jeff, thank you for your prompt reply. I really appreciate it. You’re really helpful

This site is really helpful about Japan and shows a route map: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2018.html

I would definitely recommend Kyoto and probably Hiroshima as well. These are the details of where we visited: http://www.neverendingvoyage.com/japan-round-up/ .

Have a great trip!

Hi I was wondering if you could help. Basically I want to pay my mum and dad back for being such brilliant parents and helping me bring up my little boy. My dad went to Japan about 40 yrs ago he has always wanted to go back. I want to plan a surprise trip next year to Japan. I’m planning about 10 or 14 days away but not too much travelling maybe a few days in 3 places and ending up in Tokyo for 4 days to finish . Can you recommend anywhere that would be a must. I am completely lost as am not familiar with hotels or places etc. Any help would be brilliant Thanks nadya :)

It really depends what you are interested in but I’d definitely recommend Kyoto as well as Tokyo. Have a read through our Japan posts and see what you like the sound of. Good luck with it.

Thanks had a look and they’re into history so definitely Kyoto . Cheers for ur help Nadya

I going to Japan next year and through out my researches I always came across those dos an don’ts and I have to say this is really nice and short one but has a lot of information in it, which is something I really like! Keep up the good work ;D

Thanks and have a great trip.

Hello, i am starting a trip around the world in february. I start in Tokio and end in Canada in december. How many days do i need to see Tokyo and are there some real good hidden secrets? Gr. Bert

That’s a difficult question. There is so much to do in Tokyo you could spend a few days or months. We didn’t spend that much time there so can’t really advise.

Hello, with one of your Dos its not mushy mushy its moshi moshi aka (もしもし). I’ve been leaning japanese for about 9 years now i was wondering id you could correct it please

ありがとうございます　（＾＿＾）

Done. Thanks for letting us know.

Your topic is amazing, I learned a lot but can you tell me what money should i required for 1 month to travel in Japan.

It’s hard to say but you can see our budget post for an idea of what we spent: http://www.neverendingvoyage.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-travel-in-japan/

Very nice and interesting article plus points. Japan is a place I really have wanted to go forever!

I am planning a 10 day trip with my two teenage girls. We really want to see Tokyo well. I keep hearing about Kyoto is it worth seeing, it seems far from Tokyo (8hrs) and expensive to get to?

I don’t think it’s that far if you get the bullet train. You can look up train times and prices on this website: http://www.hyperdia.com/ . You might also want to consider a rail pass if you are planning to visit other places. Compare the prices on that site with the rail pass.

Great Post. I lived in Japan for a few years and loved it. I would suggest going to any matsuri (festival) that are going on during your stay. There is lots of culture to be seen at those events. Plus there is good food. Depending on the location you’re at in Japan, during August or September, there are festivals for Obon.

In the planning stages for 9 days in Japan during June 2012 (flights booked). Can anyone help me with how long to see Hiroshima/Miyajima and whether we should base in Osaka or Kyoto to do the Osaka / Kyoto / Nara and possibly Takayama?

Hi Leonie, Two days would be enough for Hiroshima/Miyajima. I would chose Kyoto as a base as we much preferred it to Osaka and there’s more to see there. You can easily visit Osaka and Nara as day trips. We didn’t go to Takayama but it is quite a bit further away so it’s up to you how much you want to rush around. You could definitely find enough to do in Kyoto with a week.

Very useful! I wish I could go soon!!! Do you recommend any specific time in the year?

We were there in summer which suited us as we like hot weather. It is more scenic in the spring or autumn as you have the cherry blossoms or autumn leaves. The spring is peak season though. My friend went in the winter and loved it as the snow is beautiful, you can ski, and you can warm up in onsens (it was too hot for those when we were there). It really depends what you are looking for but anytime has something to offer.

I think Japan is going to be my next trip abroad, and this list is extremely helpful. I love that it addresses those smaller opportunities and moments and not just the big sites to see. Bookmarking right now!

Glad you found it helpful. Yes, for us travel is always more than just about the big sites. So far we are really enjoying Japan and soaking up the cultural differences.

Oh I forgot one of the highlights of Kyoto (besides the monkey park) is a trip on a little train that takes you outside of Kyoto and up into the mountains to Kurama and Kibune. You can then do a walk up over the hills from one village through to one of the big shrines at the other village. There are onsens at the end to rest in. A really lovely walk out in the countryside and the train trip is so much fun.

Sounds wonderful!

We stayed in Kyoto in 2008 for a week and went back there last year for a quick day during a week long trip to Osaka. The best thing about Kyoto is it’s location to other places for day trips – Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Himiji (although the castle is covered in scaffolding). You can get a cheaper Kansai Japan rail pass for four days (about $80?) to get to all these places.

Make sure you get to the Nishiki Market for fresh food – our post at is a big band width one with loads of pictures and we have more posts on our trip last year. Also, the rice burger at MOS burger is vegetarian and yum.

We will be in Tokyo from Sep 23 for a week of exploring Tokyo and surrounds. Thanks for the onsen tips nearby, will be looking for some there.

Thanks for all your tips Alison. Your post on the Nishiki market is fantastic – we will definitely visit although I’m not sure I’ll know what most of the things are! Looks like we’ll be in Tokyo around the same time as you!

Oh yeah, JTB (Japan Travel Bureau) has an excellent series of booklets on different topics. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to have Kindle versions, but probably worth the price to pick up one or two. For example: http://www.amazon.com/Look-into-Japan-Your-Pocket/dp/4533013813/ref=pd_sim_b_1

I love Kyoto though it has been years since I was in Japan and longer since I was specifically in Kyoto. My recollection is that it was easier to find English speakers there, though I tend to agree the not speaking the local language is harder in Japan than many places. To make up for that though, the people are probably more willing to be helpful than anywhere else I have ever traveled. Anyway, the number of incredible temples in Kyoto is impressive. Also, if you will be there for the fall foliage (Kouyou in Japanese) you will indeed be fortunate as it is incredible in Kyoto.

I would also point out that Japan is definitely one of the safest places in the world to visit.

Also worth mentioning is that Japan is a country where many towns and cities are famous for something very specific (knives, a certain type of food, pottery, etc.) so always try to find out what a place you are visiting is famous for.

I can’t recall how far away it is from Kyoto, but I think not too far is a place called Takayama which is one of my favorites. Especially if you can make it to the Fall festival which is one of the most impressive festivals in all of Japan, though there are many all around the country and throughout the year. Good festival street food is always available too, though I can’t recall if any of it is vegetarian friendly.

Many famous things in Japan come in 3s – 3 famous gardens, 3 famous shrines, etc. One of the 3 famous shrines is Ise Jingu which is a bit south of Nagoya and one of my favorites if you get a chance to see it. Nara is also quite special and not too far from Kyoto.

Speaking of food, you’ll have no trouble satisfying a sweet tooth as there are many good bakeries to be found, especially in the train stations. And, a popular chain of restaurants called Mister Donut is good and ubiquitous. You may also be surprised by how many people get a quick meal at the local convenience store.

If I think of anything else I’ll add it later. Ganbatte ne! (“good luck”)

Thanks so much for the advice Jeff! Unfortunately we are only in Japan until the end of September so I think we’ll miss the foliage. I had been considering Takayama though so glad to hear you like it.

Great post and very informative. The Japan Rail pass is a must if you plan to to a lot of traveling and the 100 yen shops are great for souvenirs.

Japan Australia

Am really hoping to make it to Japan sometime in the next 12 months – bookmarking this!

Hopefully we’ll have lots more posts about Japan when we get there next month.

Hi, it’s Mariko, came to check out your blog. Interesting article but I can’t keep my mouth shut on a few things. Please DO try non-Japanese food in Kyoto… we have such a great selection of Brazilian, Nepalese, Indian, Thai, Chinese, Italian restaurants it would be a shame if you stuck to only Japanese food. Also, Kyoto is probably the vegetarian capital of Japan if there ever was one. There are a lot of veggie and vegan places as well as a special kind of buddhist vegan meal that you have to pre-book, but is very nice.

A lot of people speak English here (not necessarily GOOD English, but…) . Almost everywhere in Japan there are English translations of Japanese signs (subway, trains, buses etc. ).

….I swear I’m not a jerk! I just want your information (and the info for anyone else who reads this) to be up to date. Don’t hate me, Amy!

It sounds like Kyoto is a lot more cosmopolitan than other parts of Japan. We are really looking forward to trying the vegetarian food, especially the Buddhist meals.

Thanks for your comment and of course you’re not being a jerk, :o)! The post is based on our 3 week experiences in Japan so obviously would never be definitive in anyway. I’m sure that other non-japanese food is great (apart from the Indian curry we had in Fukuoka!) but I guess my point for fellow travellers is that Japanese food is so delicious why waste your stomach and yen on other food during your stay!

I’m sure too that many people do speak english, in our encounters this was rare even in Tokyo, but again Japanese is such a beautiful language why not go ahead and dive in and try to speak it!

Lastly too, in our 3 weeks there were indeed occasional english transport signage to be found, but we also had many experiences standing at a bus/ subway terminals not having any clue as to where to go or what to pay. Again though, this isn’t a bad thing, sometimes the best thing about being intrepid travellers is being able to figure things out!

I certainly don’t hate you (!), in fact I apologise if you found anything in the article to be of offence. I certainly did not mean to, and again after only 3 weeks in your amazing country, the list was only ever meant to be a broad guide to anyone else going to visit.

All the best,

Totally agree about the non-Japanese food!! I loved Japanese pizza so much I would go back just for that :D

Awesome Amy my husband and I who have never been overseas before have chosen Japan as our first overseas destination for our honeymoon and soaking up any information we can get ?

Glad everyone likes the post! Love your story too Erin! I remember our friend Noriko said that, after living in Manchester for awhile, she was glad to return to her homeland of convenience!

Oh, how I want to see Kyoto! Bamboo grove, old temples, aaaah…

I know about this website: http://www.vegietokyo.com/info4vegie/articles/article2.html Though it’s for Tokyo mostly. Hope it’s helpful :) Have fun on your trip!

Thanks for that – the article is really useful.

100 Yen shops are soooooo brilliant. Get some tabbi socks too. Shinkansen, though expensive, are so worth it – you can travel vast distances so quickly and it is a breath of fresh air to use any Japanese public transportation after the British version! Gavin and I were due at Tokyo airport one cold wintery day. Woke up at 4.30am to catch our bus to Tokyo (4 hours away) to find snow knee deep. Freaked out, how would we get to Tokyo now? Needn’t have worried – Japanese workers were all out clearing the roads and our bus rolled in right on time.

Really good post, Amy you sure squeezed a lot into your 3 weeks! Erin x

I love that story! I can’t wait to try the bullet trains and enjoy everything being super-efficient and on time.

Really great posts, I have been to Japan several times and you are spot on!

Oh I love Japan so much and I haven’t even been there yet! This is a great list – it solidified everything I was thinking about our upcoming trip to Japan. My 3 years of Japan in college might finally pay off…haha.

I’m excited to hear about your 3 weeks in Kyoto too!

When will you be in Japan Ashley? We can’t wait for our trip too. Kyoto seems like the perfect place to base ourselves.

Won’t be there until January! But super excited cause I’ve wanted to visit fooooorever.

Great tips! Thanks for sharing!

GREAT post – you’ve got a little bit of everything here =) Let me know if you need any ideas on Tokyo – I spent about 10 days in and around that area last year =)

Any highlights of your trip in Japan that you can share would be much appreciated!

Toni, I am going to Japan for 10 days at the end of June. Can you give me the scoop of MUST SEE sites that you really liked?

I DO :) would love some recommendations if still relevant

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Planning a Trip To Japan? Here’s The Best Airline to Fly

Summer has arrived, and traveling season is in full swing. Are you planning on adding Japan to the bucket list?

Japan is a brilliant and fascinating country, home to over 20 world heritage sites. Through tourism alone, Japan has attracted over 2.5 million international tourists since February of 2024. In recent times, out of 141 countries, they have rank high in cultural resources and business travel.

When traveling to a foreign country, one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is choosing the airline for your journey. With numerous options, it’s essential to pick an airline that offers comfort, reliability, and unforgettable service.

So what is the best airline to fly to Japan? Let’s weigh our options.

The Best Airlines To Fly To Japan

Japan airlines (jal).

Japan Airlines, commonly known as JAL, is one of the top choices for flying to Japan. As the national carrier, JAL offers excellent service and a genuine taste of Japanese hospitality from the moment you step on board. Passengers often praise JAL for its comfortable seats, delicious in-flight meals, and attentive staff. JAL operates direct flights from various major cities around the world, making it a convenient option. The airline also has a reputation for punctuality, ensuring you arrive in Japan on time to start your adventure.

All Nippon Airways (ANA)

Another fantastic option is All Nippon Airways, or ANA. As Japan’s largest airline, ANA provides exceptional service and a smooth flying experience. The airline is known for its modern fleet, spacious seating, and excellent in-flight entertainment options. ANA also takes pride in its top-notch customer service, ensuring passengers have a pleasant journey. ANA offers direct flights to Japan from several international destinations, making it easy to find a convenient route. Additionally, travelers look forward to ANA’s frequent flyer program, ANA Mileage Club. This program offers great benefits for loyal travelers.

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines is one of the best airline to fly to Japan. If you’re looking for an airline with a reputation for luxury and outstanding service, Singapore Airlines is an excellent choice. Although it involves a layover in Singapore and many travelers find the experience worthwhile. Singapore Airlines is consistently ranked among the best airlines globally, known for its comfortable seats, delicious food, and exceptional in-flight service. The airline’s commitment to passenger comfort and satisfaction makes it a favorite among those flying to Japan. Plus, the layover in Singapore gives you an opportunity to explore another vibrant city en route to your final destination.

The best airlines can enhance your travel experience significantly. With them, you are bound to have a remarkable travel experience. Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways are choice options for their direct routes, excellent service, and comfortable cabin. Singapore Airlines is another great option if you don’t mind a layover and prefer to fly in luxury. Fly safe, as the land of the Rising Sun awaits.

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12 Day Itinerary - How to get from Hiroshima to Tokyo? - Japan Forum

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12 Day Itinerary - How to get from Hiroshima to Tokyo?

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Looking for a bit of advice about this 12 night itinerary.

3 Nights Kyoto

2 Nights Hiroshima

That leaves 3 nights/4 days to return from Hiroshima to Tokyo Narita for a 9.30 am flight out.

Asking for suggestions how to best structure those last 3 nights so as to get back to Tokyo for the early flight , but at the same time optimising sightseeing?

8 replies to this topic

When are you travelling?

What are your interests?

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6400.html

March 2025. Interests, history and scenery.

Prefer not to fly if possible.

I’m not one of the experts, just a planner for our trip in December 😊

But, if that isn’t your thing, the other area we’re planning on visiting is the Nagano area, where we want to see the snow monkeys and also have some fun in the snow (we don’t ski, that would be an option there. Not sure about March though?)

Tokyo - Hiroshima / Miyajima - Kyoto - Takayama - Shirakawago 1/2 day - Kanazawa - Tokyo

If you want to move around less, then you can conceivably stay at Kanazawa for those last few nights. Take a day trip to Shirakawago and Takayama. Shirakawago takes about 3 hours. The old town bit of Takayama takes 1/2+ day. Give yourself at least 1.5 days at Kanzawa proper.

From Kanazawa, it's a straightforward Shinkansen ride back to Tokyo. For an early flight though, you will need to spend your last night in Tokyo.

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I paid $300 to upgrade to premium economy on my long-haul United flight, and it's worth it for trips over 10 hours

• I fly internationally at least twice a year, and I recently flew 13 hours from Japan to the US.
• I upgraded my seat on the United Airlines flight to premium economy for $300. 
• I loved the added comfort, space, and amenities in the middle-grade class.

Part of my job as a travel writer is hopping on airplanes on a regular basis.

I always try to fly on United Airlines because there are many direct flights from my home airport in Florida, and it's fairly easy to move up in the airline's loyalty program, MilagePlus . Basic memberships earn 5 miles per $1, and premier members earn 7 to 11 miles based on their status.

On a recent trip to Japan , I upgraded my flight home from Tokyo to Washington, DC, from economy to premium economy, which the airline calls Economy Plus.

Here's why the $300 flight upgrade was worth it.

I got to sit near the front of the plane

I knew the premium seats were closer to the front of the plane , but I was really surprised by how much closer they were.

I selected window seat 21A in the second row of Economy Plus. Once we landed in DC, I was off the plane and going through customs in less than 10 minutes.

I didn't have that much time to make my connecting flight, so being able to get off the plane quickly was worth the upgrade.

I enjoyed the amenities in my upgraded seat

On my seat, there were a handful of amenities I could use during my flight, including a decent set of over-the-ear noise-canceling headphones, a Saks Fifth Avenue pillow, and a cozy blanket.

The flight attendants told us we were allowed to take these things with us at the end of the flight, but I decided to leave mine behind.

I also got a complimentary felt pouch filled with hand cream, a facial wipe, lip balm, and basic essentials like earplugs, an eye mask, socks, tissues, a pen, and a toothbrush.

None of these amenities were available to passengers in economy, so it was a nice treat.

The extra legroom was helpful when I needed to stretch out

The premium-economy seats had plenty of legroom — 38 inches compared to 31 to 34 inches in economy.

The extra room allowed me to stretch my legs when needed without getting up and walking around the plane every hour or so.

I also loved the footrest that was attached to the back of the chair in front of me. This allowed me to rest my feet in a slightly elevated position, which I found comfortable for sleeping.

Unfortunately, the footrest blocked any underseat storage for my personal item. But I ended up placing my small bag against the wall of the plane without any issues.

Larger entertainment systems made watching movies and TV easy

Each premium-economy seat had a 13-inch seat-back entertainment system. Economy seats only have 9-inch screens.

The bigger TVs were easier to watch, and I didn't find myself squinting to read subtitles.

The premium seats also had a small remote control on the side panel of the seats, so I didn't have to reach up and touch the screen.

The food service was slightly elevated

I really hate airplane food, but in Economy Plus, the meals were a little better.

I skipped dinner to take a six-hour nap, but I woke up in time to get some waffles and fruit for breakfast.

The meals were served on real plates with cloth napkins and real silverware. Drinks were also served in actual glasses versus the flimsy plastic cups I'm used to in economy.

I'd pay to upgrade my flight again, especially for long-haul trips

The $300 upgrade was worth it for my long-haul flight from Tokyo to Washington, DC.

The extra room allowed me to get some much-needed sleep — which rarely happens for me in economy — and I loved the elevated food service and amenities.

I probably won't upgrade every time I travel, but it's a worthwhile splurge for flights over 10 hours.

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Planning a trip to Japan? 5 important tips to remember for your trip

Stay connected with international roaming plans

Save emergency contacts on your phone to stay prepared.

• In Japan , public phones can connect you with emergency services for free. Follow these steps:
• Pick up the receiver
• (On a Green Phone only, press the red button near the base of the phone. Grey phones don’t have this button.)
• Dial 110 for Police or 119 for Ambulance or Fire

Prepare your payment methods for smooth transactions

Get your currency exchanged before boarding the flight, list of important apps you need in japan.

Google Flights is Google's very own flight-searching and booking tool. Launched in 2011, the service allows travelers to more easily find the cheapest route between destinations within any given parameters and enables easy price-tracking.

You can often find cheaper flights on Google Flights than by searching on your own because the software searches and compares across dozens of airlines much faster than an individual can look them up individually and plan an itinerary.

You don't have to actually book through Google Flights to make use of the software, either. You can choose to book directly with an airline after using Google Flights to find the cheapest flight.

But booking through Google Flights can often add convenience to your travel plans and is integrated with a number of other Google products and services — for instance, you can use Google's Gemini AI to make travel plans with Google Flights.

Google Assistant can also bring up the Google Flights dashboard and show you flight prices. And if you book a flight using your Gmail account, your details will automatically get added to your Google Calendar .

As a frequent traveler between the US and Canada, I've used Google Flights to save hundreds of dollars flying back and forth across the border. Results may vary, of course, but here's how you can try it for yourself:

How to use Google Flights and find cheap flights on Google

Finding cheap flights is one of the core purposes of Google Flights. If your travel dates are flexible, you can use the date grid to choose dates with the lowest available price.

• Select your departure and return dates by clicking on their respective date tiles in the calendar.
• Click Done and then Search .

Quick tip: Though roundtrip plans are the most common, you can also book one-way tickets by clicking on Round trip and selecting One-way instead.

Once you've found a flight that you want, click on it and select your return flight. Unlike some airlines that only show you one-way costs, the price listed for both flights is the roundtrip cost. You will then be shown a summary of what you selected and be prompted to select what type of fare you want. Click Continue, and you'll be taken to the airline's website to complete the transaction.

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If you scroll down a bit, you'll notice the price trends chart indicating whether the price is below average, average, or higher than usual.

How to change currency in Google Flights

Once you have search results visible, you can change your country and currency if necessary.

• Once you have search results, scroll down to the bottom of the page.
• Click on the Currency button and select your currency option from the dropdown list.

Quick tip: Currency types are sorted in alphabetical order, meaning that US dollars are near the bottom of the list.

How to track flights on Google Flights

Once you've searched for a flight that you are interested in and have results displayed, you can track prices either for that specific date range or any date by enabling their respective notifications.

What airlines are not on Google Flights?

Though Google partners with over 300 airlines, online travel agencies, and aggregators, Google Flights doesn't track every single airline. Notably, Southwest Airlines in the US isn't tracked, nor are some major Asian airlines like China Eastern, Air China, and Philippine Airlines. 

For other airlines, such as EVA Air and Interjet, only some of their flights are listed on Google Flights.

Quick tip: It's worth noting that not every airline Google Flights consults will appear in every search. In other words, you won't find Air Canada listed flying routine routes between LAX and JFK, but you might find a flight from YVR to LAX serviced by WestJet or Air Canada.

What to know about Google Flights' carbon emissions calculator 

Google has drawn criticism from climate experts, who have said Google Flights downplays the impact flights have on climate change. 

In 2021, Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced that Google Flights would show associated carbon emissions per seat for each flight so fliers can choose the lowest-carbon options if they wish.

But the following year, scientists noted that Google Flights' carbon flight calculator had been adjusted and now only accounted for the direct CO2 emissions from a flight, excluding all other global-warming effects from flying.

Google has since launched an independent advisory committee to improve its Travel Impact Model, which powers the per-passenger CO2 emissions data on Google Flights.

On February 28, Axel Springer, Business Insider's parent company, joined 31 other media groups and filed a $2.3 billion suit against Google in Dutch court, alleging losses suffered due to the company's advertising practices.

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Climate change and turbulence: Experts weigh in after death on Singapore Airlines flight

One passenger died and 30 others were injured aboard a Singapore Airlines flight that was hit by "severe turbulence," officials said Tuesday, but experts say such deaths are rare even as researchers warn climate change may be causing more extreme cases of turbulence.

Since 2009, the National Transportation Safety Board said, the U.S. has not had any turbulence-related deaths aboard large commercial planes, such as the Boeing aircraft that encountered sudden extreme turbulence over the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar at 37,000 feet .

A 73-year-old passenger who had some medical problems died, possibly from cardiac arrest, and at least seven people were critically injured, Kittipong Kittikachorn, general manager of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, said at a news conference Tuesday.

The cause of the turbulence is under investigation. Singapore Airlines said the Singapore-bound flight from London encountered severe turbulence about 10 hours after departure.

Death by turbulence rarely occurs, but severe encounters are not uncommon, according to Larry Cornman, a physicist and project scientist with the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research.

“Often, for something like this, it’s just wrong place, wrong time,” said Cornman, who studies small-scale motions of the atmosphere that could endanger aircraft.

Out of millions upon millions of flights, turbulence has caused 185 serious injuries from 2009 to 2023, the latest year with publicly available data, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

The agency, which requires airlines to report injuries and deaths, categorizes a serious injury as any that requires more than two days of hospitalization; involves any internal organ; or results in bone fractures, second- or third-degree burns, severe hemorrhages, or nerve, muscle or tendon damage.

Of the reported incidents from 2009 to 2022, at least 129 crew members and 34 passengers were injured.

Turbulence-related deaths can be caused by heart attacks or head injuries if a passenger’s head strikes the ceiling or gets hit by falling luggage, Cornman said.

“Anything that could cause a death on the ground can certainly cause it inside an aluminum tube at 35,000 feet,” he said, adding that seat-belted passengers should still feel safe in the skies. 

“These large transport aircraft are built quite strongly. They will not fall apart or come out of the sky due to turbulence,” Cornman said. 

Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, said initial reports appear to indicate that the Singapore flight encountered clear-air turbulence — the most dangerous type because it cannot be seen and is virtually undetectable with current technology.

“One second, you’re cruising smoothly,” Nelson said. “The next, passengers, crew and unsecured carts or other items are being thrown around the cabin.”

Nelson and a group of researchers say such incidents of clear-air turbulence — which is difficult to forecast and avoid because it is not associated with storms — are on the rise due to climate change. 

A 2023 study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters found that severe clear-air turbulence increased by more than 50% over the North Atlantic Ocean from 1979 to 2020.

The uptick in turbulence likely owes to the effect of climate change on wind speeds in the upper levels of the atmosphere, the researchers found. Some of the most pronounced increases in clear-air turbulence in recent decades were over mid-latitude regions, including over the North Atlantic and flight routes over the United States, according to the study.

The results suggest that global warming may be driving instability in the jet stream, a conveyor belt of fast-moving air that encircles the globe over the Northern Hemisphere, said Mark Prosser, co-author of the study and a doctoral researcher at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom. 

The jet stream, which flows like a river of air from west to east, is fueled by temperature differences between cooler regions to the north and warmer air masses to the south. Climate change may be throwing the jet stream off-kilter, which could have enormous implications for future air travel, Prosser said.

“Planes like to fly with the jet stream,” he said, “but where planes like to fly is also ironically where all the turbulence is.”

That instability is expected to increase as the world warms. Prosser’s colleagues at the University of Reading separately used climate models to project how clear-air turbulence in the latter half of this century may shift if global warming continues. The researchers found that increasing greenhouse gas emissions also increased turbulence and instability.

“If you compare the climate of 2050 to 2080 with the climate before we started emitting greenhouse gases — so, preindustrial times — there was a doubling, or tripling sometimes, of the amount of clear-air turbulence in the atmosphere,” Prosser said.

A total of 211 passengers and 18 crew members were on the Singapore Airlines flight when it was jolted midair, the airline said in a statement. The plane suddenly fell from 37,000 feet to 31,000 feet within five minutes, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware .

The pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted the plane to Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, where it landed at 3:45 p.m. local time (4:45 a.m. ET), the airline said.

Officials did not release the identity of the deceased passenger Tuesday. 

The people on the flight hailed mostly from Australia, the United Kingdom, Singapore and New Zealand, the airline said. Four passengers were from the United States.

“Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased,” the statement said. “We deeply apologise for the traumatic experience that our passengers and crew members suffered on this flight.”

Melissa Chan is a reporter for NBC News Digital with a focus on veterans’ issues, mental health in the military and gun violence.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.

Bette Nash, the world’s longest-serving flight attendant, dies at 88

The aviation world is mourning Bette Nash, a D.C.-based flight attendant who died earlier this month after spending nearly seven decades serving passengers in the skies — and making history along the way.

Nash began her career with now-defunct Eastern Airlines at age 21 in 1957, when Dwight Eisenhower was president, flights between New York and D.C. cost $12 and “stewardesses,” as they were called, served lobster on platters and passed out cigarettes on board.

The industry changed drastically during Nash’s tenure, especially with the introduction of technology (no more handwritten tickets, for example). American Airlines eventually took over some of Eastern’s routes.

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But, as she said at a celebration of her 60 years of service in 2017, the joys of the job remained.

“My favorite part of flying over the years has been greeting my passengers as they board and deplane,” Nash said at the time. “People really are fascinating and it’s truly been a joy.”

Nash became an increasingly recognizable fixture on American Airlines flights in recent years — particularly on shuttle flights between Washington and Boston, which the company affectionately nicknamed “the Nash-Dash .” She preferred that route because it enabled her to spend time caring for her son , who has Down syndrome.

Nash earned the Guinness World Record for longest-serving flight attendant in 2022, by which point she had been working for more than 64 years.

And she never officially retired, according to ABC News . It reports she died in hospice care at age 88, following a recent breast cancer diagnosis.

American Airlines confirmed her death in a statement over the weekend. It called her “a legend at American and throughout the industry, inspiring generations of flight attendants.”

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants also mourned Nash’s passing , saying she “touched countless lives with her warmth, dedication and unparalleled service” throughout her remarkable career.

“Her passion for flying and her commitment to her passengers were truly inspiring,” continued the union, which represents thousands of American Airlines flight attendants. “Bette’s legacy will forever be remembered in the aviation community and by all who had the privilege of knowing her.”

Highlights from a historic career

Nash was inspired to become a flight attendant from her first time on a plane as a teenager, flying from Washington to Dayton, Ohio.

She “fell in love with ‘the spiffy appearances and gracious manners of the crew members,’ ” according to American Airlines, and followed suit a few years later.

At the start of her career, in the late 1950s, passengers bought life insurance at an airport vending machine and paid their airfare on board, according to ABC affiliate WJLA .

Flight attendants had to wear gloves — a coworker remembered Nash would always pack two pairs , in case one got dirty — and weigh in before shifts.

“It used to be horrible,” Nash told WJLA in 2017. “You put on a few pounds and you had to keep weighing yourself, and then if you stayed that way, they would take ya off the payroll!”

Over the years, Nash served many famous passengers — including Jackie Kennedy, according to American Airlines. But she said her most memorable encounter wasn’t with a big-name celebrity.

In a 2019 interview with the travel site The Points Guy, Nash recalled an instance decades ago — before the 1990 passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act — when a passenger with disabilities was left behind at the gate during boarding as the crew debated what to do. She said she helped him board and fed him during the flight, as he didn’t have use of his hands.

American Airlines celebrated Nash’s “ diamond jubilee ” in 2017 at a ceremony at her home base of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, just outside D.C.

The company gave her a pair of diamond earrings to mark her 60th work anniversary and donated $10,000 to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Food Bank, a cause it said she regularly supported.

Nash said at the time that she didn’t plan to hang up her wings anytime soon.

“As long as I have my health and I’m able, why not work,” she said. “It’s still fun.”

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