Planning a trip to Japan or already have some great experiences to share?
Welcome to the Japan Travel Forum, a place for travellers to ask questions, exchange advice and share their experiences of visiting one of Asia's most fascinating destinations.
Japan offers an extraordinary mix of modern cities, historic temples, mountain landscapes, traditional villages, beaches, ski resorts and some of the world's most distinctive food and culture. Whether you are planning your first visit to Japan or returning for another adventure, there is always somewhere new to discover.
From the bright lights of Tokyo to the temples of Kyoto, the food and nightlife of Osaka, the scenery surrounding Mount Fuji, and the beaches of Okinawa, this forum is the place to discuss every aspect of travelling around Japan.
Planning a Trip to Japan
Planning your first Japan holiday can involve a lot of questions.Where should you stay? How many days do you need? Is it better to visit Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka first? How do Japan's trains work? Which destinations are worth adding to your itinerary?
Use the forum to ask other travellers for help with subjects including:
- Japan itineraries and route planning
- The best time of year to visit Japan
- Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka travel advice
- Hotels, hostels and traditional ryokan
- Travelling around Japan by train
- Shinkansen bullet trains and rail passes
- Airports and airport transfers
- Public transport and IC cards
- Budget travel in Japan
- Family holidays
- Solo travel
- Food and restaurant recommendations
- Shopping in Japan
- Skiing and snowboarding
- Cherry blossom season
- Autumn colours
- Japanese customs and etiquette
Tokyo Travel
Japan's capital is often the starting point for a first trip.Tokyo combines huge shopping and entertainment districts with peaceful gardens, shrines, museums and traditional neighbourhoods.
Popular areas and attractions include Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa, Ginza, Akihabara, Harajuku and Ueno.
If you have visited Tokyo, consider starting a thread about your favourite neighbourhood, hotel, restaurant or attraction. If you are planning a trip, ask the community where to stay or how many days you should spend exploring the city.
Kyoto Travel
For travellers interested in traditional Japanese culture, Kyoto is one of the country's most popular destinations.The city is famous for its temples, shrines, gardens, historic districts and traditional architecture.
Popular places include Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama, Gion and Kinkaku-ji.
Kyoto is also an excellent subject for detailed forum discussions because travellers frequently have questions about where to stay, which attractions to prioritise and how to avoid spending too much time travelling between sights.
Osaka Travel
Osaka provides a very different experience from Tokyo and Kyoto.Known particularly for its food, nightlife and lively atmosphere, Osaka is a popular stop on many Japanese itineraries.
Visitors can discuss areas such as Dotonbori, Namba, Umeda and Osaka Castle, as well as day trips and restaurant recommendations.
Osaka can also make a useful base for visiting other destinations around the Kansai region.
Mount Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes
Seeing Mount Fuji is high on the list for many people visiting Japan.Travellers often stay around Lake Kawaguchiko or visit the Fuji area as a day trip from Tokyo.
If you have visited Mount Fuji, share your advice about viewpoints, accommodation, transportation, hiking or the best places to photograph the mountain.
Japan's cherry blossom season is also closely associated with some spectacular Fuji scenery, although flowering dates vary each year and by location. (Japan Travel)
Explore Beyond Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka
Japan has far more to offer than its best-known cities.Consider starting discussions about destinations including:
Hokkaido – Sapporo, national parks, skiing, snow festivals and spectacular landscapes.
Hiroshima – history, food and nearby Miyajima.
Nara – temples, historic sites and the famous deer around Nara Park.
Kanazawa – traditional neighbourhoods, gardens and samurai history.
Nagano – mountains, hot springs and winter activities.
Fukuoka – food, nightlife and a convenient base for exploring Kyushu.
Okinawa – subtropical islands, beaches, diving and a culture distinct from mainland Japan.
Japanese Alps – mountain scenery, hiking and historic towns.
There are also hundreds of smaller towns, islands and rural destinations that deserve far more attention from international travellers.
Japan Cherry Blossom Travel
Japan's cherry blossom season, or sakura season, is one of the country's most popular periods for tourism.Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and many other regions have famous cherry blossom viewing locations, while the timing of flowering varies according to location and weather conditions. (Japan Guide)
If you have travelled during cherry blossom season, share your photographs, itinerary and recommendations.
Useful discussion topics could include:
- Best places to see cherry blossoms in Japan
- Tokyo cherry blossom viewing spots
- Kyoto during sakura season
- Mount Fuji and cherry blossoms
- Avoiding crowds during peak season
- When to book hotels
- Alternative cherry blossom destinations
Japanese Food and Restaurants
Food is one of the highlights of travelling around Japan.Beyond sushi and ramen, visitors can discover tempura, yakitori, okonomiyaki, tonkatsu, udon, soba, curry, wagyu beef and regional specialities throughout the country.
Tell other travellers about a memorable restaurant, street-food stall, market or local dish you discovered.
You could also start discussions about:
- Best food to try in Japan
- Tokyo restaurant recommendations
- Osaka street food
- Kyoto traditional cuisine
- Japanese convenience stores
- Vegetarian and vegan food in Japan
- Food markets
- Regional Japanese dishes
Share Your Japan Travel Experience
The most useful travel forums are built from the experiences of travellers themselves.If you have recently returned from Japan, consider posting a Japan trip report explaining where you travelled, where you stayed, what you enjoyed and anything you would do differently next time.
Your experience could help someone planning exactly the same journey.
Photos are also welcome, whether they show Tokyo at night, a quiet Kyoto temple, Mount Fuji, Japanese food, a rural railway journey or somewhere completely off the usual tourist trail.
Start a Japan Travel Discussion
Have a question about Japan?Start a new thread and ask the forum.
You might ask:
Where should I stay in Tokyo for my first visit?
How many days should I spend in Kyoto?
Is Osaka worth adding to a Japan itinerary?
What is the best way to travel between Tokyo and Kyoto?
Where are the best places to see Mount Fuji?
What are the best day trips from Tokyo?
Which lesser-known places in Japan are worth visiting?
Or simply tell us about your own journey.
Whether you are researching a future holiday, currently travelling through Japan or have years of experience visiting the country, your questions, recommendations, photographs and travel stories can help build the forum4travel Japan Travel Forum into a useful resource for travellers around the world.
Start a discussion, share your Japan travel tips and help other travellers plan their next Japanese adventure.