INDEPENDENT JAPAN TRAVEL GUIDES
Find a route that fits your time—with realistic hotel bases, transport checks and room to explore.
A first taste of Japan · 6 nights
Three bases. For fewer check-ins, stay in Tokyo and Kyoto and visit Osaka for the day.
See this 7-day plan
Photo: Basile Morin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Bamboo Forest, Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan.jpg · Basile Morin · CC BY-SA 4.0.
Source credit: Own work
Resized to 960 pixels wide by Wikimedia thumbnail service; no other edits. The displayed image remains available under the linked license. No endorsement by the photographer is implied.
FIND YOUR KIND OF TRIP
Four possible starting points—not one combined route. Pick a region, then build around it.
Photo: Basile Morin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Asahi Breweries headquarters building with the Asahi Flame and Skytree at blue hour with full moon, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, Japan.jpg · Basile Morin · CC BY-SA 4.0.
Source credit: Own work
Resized to 960 pixels wide by Wikimedia thumbnail service; no other edits. The displayed image remains available under the linked license. No endorsement by the photographer is implied.
Neighbourhoods, food & design
Photo: Basile Morin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Bamboo Forest, Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan.jpg · Basile Morin · CC BY-SA 4.0.
Source credit: Own work
Resized to 960 pixels wide by Wikimedia thumbnail service; no other edits. The displayed image remains available under the linked license. No endorsement by the photographer is implied.
Temples, tea & traditional craft
Photo: MaedaAkihiko · CC BY-SA 4.0
Biei Blue-pond.jpg · MaedaAkihiko · CC BY-SA 4.0.
Source credit: Own work
Resized to 960 pixels wide by Wikimedia thumbnail service; no other edits. The displayed image remains available under the linked license. No endorsement by the photographer is implied.
Open landscapes & regional food
Photo: そらみみ (Soramimi) · CC BY-SA 4.0
Futamigaura Beach from observation deck of Futamigaura Cemetery 1.JPG · そらみみ (Soramimi) · CC BY-SA 4.0.
Source credit: Own work
Resized to 960 pixels wide by Wikimedia thumbnail service; no other edits. The displayed image remains available under the linked license. No endorsement by the photographer is implied.
Food stalls & a Kyushu starting point
Photo: 663highland · CC BY 2.5
Minoh Falls Minoh Osaka pref Japan07s3.jpg · 663highland · CC BY 2.5.
Source credit: Own work
Resized to 960 pixels wide by Wikimedia thumbnail service; no other edits. The displayed image remains available under the linked license. No endorsement by the photographer is implied.
Food streets & easy city days
Photo: Leela Soden · CC BY-SA 3.0
Ritsurin.JPG · Leela Soden · CC BY-SA 3.0.
Source credit: Own work
Resized to 960 pixels wide by Wikimedia thumbnail service; no other edits. The displayed image remains available under the linked license. No endorsement by the photographer is implied.
Sanuki udon & art-island planning
Photo: TsuruSho7 · CC BY 4.0
Saga-The rice terrace in Hamanoura-xl.jpg · TsuruSho7 · CC BY 4.0.
Source credit: https://search.find47.jp/ja/i/yZwz5
Resized to 960 pixels wide by Wikimedia thumbnail service; no other edits. The displayed image remains available under the linked license. No endorsement by the photographer is implied.
Pottery towns & hot-spring stays
Photo: Chi King · CC BY 3.0
Kasumigaike Pond at Kenrokuen 500px photo (188687285).jpg · Chi King · CC BY 3.0.
Source credit: Imported from 500px (archived version) by the Archive Team. (detail page)
Attribution source 1 · Attribution source 2 · Attribution source 3 · Attribution source 4 · Attribution source 5
Resized to 960 pixels wide by Wikimedia thumbnail service; no other edits. The displayed image remains available under the linked license. No endorsement by the photographer is implied.
Kanazawa gardens, markets & craft
Photo: Luka Peternel · CC BY-SA 4.0
Yoshino-yama-cherry-blossom-2018-Luka-Peternel.jpg · Luka Peternel · CC BY-SA 4.0.
Source credit: Own work
Resized to 960 pixels wide by Wikimedia thumbnail service; no other edits. The displayed image remains available under the linked license. No endorsement by the photographer is implied.
Ancient temples & historic lanes
Photo: lumoplank · CC0
Kamikochi - Kamikochi6529.jpg · lumoplank · CC0.
Source credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/199350666@N08/55047338673
Attribution source 1 · Attribution source 2
Resized to 960 pixels wide by Wikimedia thumbnail service; no other edits. The displayed image remains available under the linked license. No endorsement by the photographer is implied.
Mountain bases & castle towns
Photo: Suicasmo · CC BY-SA 4.0
Mount Yufu 20221022-2.jpg · Suicasmo · CC BY-SA 4.0.
Source credit: Own work
Resized to 960 pixels wide by Wikimedia thumbnail service; no other edits. The displayed image remains available under the linked license. No endorsement by the photographer is implied.
Beppu & Yufuin onsen choices
Photo: 663highland · CC BY 2.5
Kabira Bay Ishigaki Island40bs3s4592.jpg · 663highland · CC BY 2.5.
Source credit: Own work
Resized to 960 pixels wide by Wikimedia thumbnail service; no other edits. The displayed image remains available under the linked license. No endorsement by the photographer is implied.
Island stays & coastal scenery
PLAN THE PRACTICAL PARTS
WHAT’S COMING UP
Sources checked: 26 Sept 2026 · Confirm dates with the organizer before booking.
Photo: Marine-Blue · CC BY-SA 4.0
Rotate festival car at Nagasaki Kunchi.jpg · Marine-Blue. Taken 2014-10-08. CC BY-SA 4.0.
Wikimedia Commons resized preview; displayed uncropped, with no other edits. The image remains available under its linked license. Historical photograph, not a preview of the 2026 programme. No photographer or organizer endorsement is implied.
NAGASAKI
Festival guide: dates & access →
Photo: Sjaak Kempe · CC BY 2.0
20131010 14 Takayama - Autumn festival (10491256606).jpg · Sjaak Kempe. Taken 2013-10-10. CC BY 2.0.
Wikimedia Commons resized preview; displayed uncropped, with no other edits. The image remains available under its linked license. Historical photograph, not a preview of the 2026 programme. No photographer or organizer endorsement is implied.
TAKAYAMA
Festival guide: dates & access →
Photo: Pekachu · CC BY-SA 4.0
Saga balloon fiesta take off at the same time 2015 01.JPG · Pekachu. Taken 2015-11-01. CC BY-SA 4.0.
Wikimedia Commons resized preview; displayed uncropped, with no other edits. The image remains available under its linked license. Historical photograph, not a preview of the 2026 programme. No photographer or organizer endorsement is implied.
SAGA
Festival guide: dates & access →