Capital
Tokyo
Japan Travel Guide
with notes for Indian travellers
Updated: October 22, 2026
It’s hard to put into words why Japan keeps pulling us back. Maybe it’s the way Tokyo’s chaos sits five hours away from a snow-covered onsen in the mountains. Or the fact that you can have the best meal of your life inside a 6-seater ramen shop with no English menu. This guide pulls together everything we’ve learned across our five trips – from the obvious (Tokyo, Kyoto) to the underrated (Kanazawa, Kawaguchiko).
Currency
Japanese Yen - JPY (¥)
Time zone
JST (UTC+9)
Language
Japanese
When to Visit Japan
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
- Winter
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Best time to go
Spring (late Mar–May) & Autumn (Oct–Nov)
Japan is beautiful all year round and if you ask me, I don’t think it has a bad season.
See the season-by-season breakdown
Spring (March to May): Spring in Japan is famous for cherry blossom, which draws in people from all around the world. The weather is mild but expect huge crowds around this time.
Summer (June to August): Hot, humid, and surprisingly underrated. You’ll get smaller crowds and lower prices, and Hokkaido stays cool enough to be genuinely pleasant. Just plan around the late-June rainy stretch.
Autumn (September to November): My personal favourite. Daytime temperatures hover around 15–22°C in October–November – perfect for long temple walks in Kyoto.
Winter (December to February): Cold up north – Hokkaido turns into one of the world’s best ski destinations, and even Tokyo gets crisp clear-blue days that are great for sightseeing. Fewer crowds.
Cherry blossom and autumn seasons see a price surge - book in advance.
Visa for Indian passport holders
Last verified — May 2026
Indian passport holders need a visa before flying to Japan. There are two ways to get it: the traditional Temporary Visitor visa through VFS Global centres in India, or if you qualify — the newer MOFA Japan eVISA processed entirely online. Both are for tourism stays of up to 90 days.
Visa type
Temporary Visitor — tourism (single-entry common; multi if granted)
Validity
Up to 90 days stay
Fee
₹500 as visa fee + ₹800 as VFS service charge (₹550 optional courier)
Processing
Minimum 5 working days after submission to embassy
Apply at
VFS Global Japan visa application centres across India + online appointment system — see latest info on the link below
Flying in from India
Japan is 7.5 to 14 hours away from major Indian metros, with common waypoints in Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong. Direct flights are also available from Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, operated by JAL and Air India. Best fares typically open 3–5 months ahead for March-April and October busy seasons.
Currency and Budget for Japan
Exchange rate
₹1 = ¥1.66
The pricing also depends on the season you are going. Prices during winter are cheaper compared to peak seasons.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stay | ₹3,000/night | ₹8,000/night | ₹18,000+/night |
| Food/day | ₹1,500 | ₹3,500 | ₹8,000 |
| Transport | ₹500-₹900/day | ₹1,200-₹2,500/day | JR Pass / domestic flights / taxi |
| Daily total | ~₹5,500 | ~₹13,500+ | ~₹35,000+ |
Already decided?
Take me there Check out my 14-day Japan golden route itinerary
Getting Around Japan
Metro / Subway
Fast, clean, and best for Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima. Fares are distance-based. Get an IC card like Suica or ICOCA at the airport or any major station. It works on metros, buses, convenience stores, lockers, and even vending machines. Just tap in and go - no need to buy tickets every time.
Bus
Budget option for inter-city travel. We prefer this while going from Tokyo to Kawaguchiko.
Shinkansen (High-Speed Rail)
Expensive but the fastest way to travel between major cities - Tokyo to Kyoto in 2h 15m, for example.
Taxi
Expensive. Expect ¥ shock for long hops.
Safety in Japan
Japan is one of the safest countries I've travelled to. Walking back to the hotel at night in Tokyo or Kyoto never once felt sketchy.
Solo Female Travel
Very safe; harassment exists but comparatively rare. I had no problems when I travelled alone.
Pickpocketing/Scams
Very low risk. Standard caution applies, but it's the kind of place where lost wallets often come back to you.
Health & Medical
Excellent healthcare. Use of English in pharmacies is patchy outside cities - use a translator app.
Good to Know
Japan is in the Pacific "Ring of Fire" which means it is prone to earthquakes, tornadoes and tsunamis. While one can never plan for natural disasters, be aware of any warnings before you go.
Language & Greetings in Japan
Japanese is the only language you'll really see and hear, written in a mix of Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. English signage is decent in Tokyo and at major train stations, but it gets thin fast once you step off the tourist trail - keep Google Translate (with the camera mode) handy.
| English | Japanese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | こんにちは | Konnichiwa |
| Thank you | ありがとうございます | Arigatō gozaimasu |
| Vegetarian possible? | ベジタリアンできますか | Vegetarian dekimasu ka |
| Yes / No | はい／いいえ | Hai / īe |
| Excuse me / Sorry | すみません | Sumimasen |
Places to See in Japan
FAQs about Japan
What are the best places to visit in Japan for first-time travelers?
For a first-timer with 7–10 days, I’d stick to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka – they cover the modern, traditional, and food-forward sides of Japan. Add Hakone or Kawaguchiko if you want a Mt. Fuji view, and Hiroshima if you have more time.
When is the best time to visit Japan?
Spring (late March to early May) and autumn (October to November) are the best seasons – cherry blossoms in spring, red maple foliage in autumn. Both are stunning, both are crowded, and both will cost you 30–50% more in flights and hotels. If you don’t care about either, late November or January–February are far cheaper and just as beautiful.
What are the must-try foods in Japan?
Beyond the obvious sushi-ramen-gyoza trio, don’t miss okonomiyaki in Osaka and Hiroshima, Taiyaki from a street vendor, and as much matcha and mochi dessert as you can fit in. Convenience store food (yes, really) is also surprisingly excellent.
What cultural etiquette should I be aware of when visiting Japan?
The big ones: take your shoes off before stepping into a ryokan, temple, or someone’s home (look for the step in the floor – that’s your cue). Don’t tip. Don’t talk loudly on trains. And don’t blow your nose in public – Japanese people will excuse themselves to the bathroom for that.
Will I get vegetarian food in Japan?
Japan is tougher than most Asian countries for veg food — even “vegetable” broths often have dashi (fish stock) in them. Stick to:
- Shojin ryori (Buddhist temple cuisine, fully vegetarian) – Kyoto has the best spots
- Indian/Nepali restaurants – surprisingly common in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto
- Convenience stores – onigiri (rice balls) with umeboshi or konbu fillings, edamame, salads
- Pasta and pizza chains – cheap and reliable
Honestly when I first visited Japan 7 years ago, I struggled a lot. But in recent times, there have been a lot more vegan places that have cropped up everywhere which makes it much easier.
How can I travel around Japan efficiently?
Trains run the country. Get a Suica or ICOCA card on day one – it works on metros, buses, vending machines, even lockers. For city-to-city travel, the Shinkansen is fast but pricey; only get the JR Pass if you’re hopping between 3+ major cities (otherwise individual tickets are cheaper since the 2023 price hike).