Don’t waste hours staring at a map. 🗺️
Planning a trip to Japan can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you have 7 days to see the highlights or 3 weeks to get lost in the countryside, I have crafted the perfect route for you.
These step-by-step guides cover the Golden Route (Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka), off-the-beaten-path adventures, and specific plans for families and solo travelers. Just pick your duration below and start packing!
Konnichiwa! I’m Kaori, your local friend in Tokyo. If you are reading this, you are probably standing at the edge of a great adventure. Planning a trip to Japan can feel overwhelming. I see it all the time with my friends from abroad. They have 50 tabs open, worrying about train passes, language barriers, and … Read more
Konnichiwa! I’m Kaori. Born in the quiet, temple-filled streets of Kyoto and now navigating the neon rush of Tokyo, I’ve spent my life bridging these two worlds. I started JapanPaths.com to help travelers like you look past the postcards and find the real, breathing Japan. Japan is a country of unwritten rules. We call it … Read more
Japan gives first-time visitors an amazing mix of buzzing cities, ancient temples, and beautiful scenery. The Golden Route links Tokyo, Hakone, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Osaka in one trip, so you get a real taste of the country. In just ten days, you’ll wander from busy shopping streets to peaceful bamboo forests. This itinerary takes you … Read more
Traveling to Japan can feel overwhelming. You land in a country with a different language and complex transit systems. I’ve learned that having the right apps ready on your phone before you arrive makes everything smoother. It takes a lot of the stress out of getting around. The key to a successful Japan trip is … Read more
Planning your first trip to Japan can feel like a lot. With just seven days, you have to be smart about what you pick and choose. The trick is to focus on three cities. That way, you get a real taste of Japan’s modern buzz, deep-rooted culture, and wild food scene—without running yourself ragged. A … Read more
The Japan Rail Pass used to be an automatic purchase for most visitors to Japan. After the significant price increases in late 2023, travelers now face a much tougher decision. The 7-day pass jumped to 50,000 yen. The 14-day pass hit 80,000 yen, and the 21-day pass soared to 100,000 yen. The JR Pass is … Read more