Overview
Japan is the destination that consistently changes how people think about travel. A country where ancient Buddhist temples sit blocks from neon-lit modern cities, where bullet trains glide past Mount Fuji at 300 km/h, and where every meal — from a Michelin-star counter to a 7-Eleven onigiri — is prepared with extraordinary care. For Indian travelers, Japan requires more planning and a larger budget than Southeast Asia, but delivers an experience in a completely different league.
Best Time to Visit
Mar–Apr
Cherry blossom — Japan's most beautiful season, very busy
May
Post-sakura: greens, warm, manageable crowds
Oct–Nov
Autumn foliage — equally spectacular, fewer tourists than sakura
Jun–Aug
Summer: Fuji hiking season, festivals, but hot and humid
Dec–Feb
Winter: Snow in Hokkaido, skiing, onsen (hot springs) ideal
Top Highlights
- Shibuya Crossing and Shinjuku by night (Tokyo)
- Senso-ji Temple and Asakusa district (Tokyo)
- Fushimi Inari Shrine at dawn (Kyoto)
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (Kyoto)
- Nishiki Market — pickles, mochi, street food (Kyoto)
- Osaka Castle and Dotonbori food street
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial + Miyajima floating torii
- Mount Fuji view from Kawaguchiko lake
Sample Itinerary
Day 1–2
Tokyo — Modern Japan
Arrive Narita/Haneda. Shibuya Crossing, Harajuku Takeshita Street. Shinjuku night. Tsukiji Market morning.
Day 3
Tokyo — Traditional Side
Senso-ji Temple and Asakusa. Ueno Park and museum. Akihabara electronics district. TeamLab digital art (optional).
Day 4
Day Trip — Nikko or Kamakura
Nikko (UNESCO shrines, 2 hrs) or Kamakura (Giant Buddha, 1 hr). Return Tokyo evening.
Day 5
Shinkansen to Kyoto
2.5-hour bullet train. Fushimi Inari Shrine (go early). Nishiki Market. Gion district evening walk.
Day 6
Kyoto — Temples & Bamboo
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove at dawn. Tenryu-ji garden. Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). Philosopher's Path.
Day 7
Nara Day Trip + Return Kyoto
Todai-ji temple and free-roaming deer. Naramachi heritage district. Return Kyoto.
Day 8
Osaka — Dotonbori & Castle
Shinkansen to Osaka (15 min). Osaka Castle. Dotonbori street food. Kuromon Ichiba market.
Day 9
Hiroshima + Miyajima
Shinkansen to Hiroshima. Peace Memorial Park and Museum. Ferry to Miyajima — Itsukushima floating torii.
Day 10
Mount Fuji Area
Train to Kawaguchiko. Fuji view from lakeside or Chureito Pagoda (cherry blossoms in April). Onsen evening.
Day 11
Return Tokyo + Departure
Return to Tokyo. Shopping in Ginza or Shibuya. Late-night flight home.
* Sample itinerary. Customised based on your dates, group size, and preferences.
Available Packages
Custom itineraries available for Japan. Packages coming soon.
📞 Request Custom PlanPractical Information
Visa
Free Japan tourist visa for Indian passport holders (as of 2024). Apply through VFS Global — documents: passport, bank statement, itinerary. Approval in 5–7 working days.
Getting There
Most flights are 1-stop from India (Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur). ANA, JAL, Singapore Airlines, IndiGo codeshares. Tokyo Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND).
JR Pass
Buy the 7-day or 14-day JR Pass before arriving (available through authorised agents in India). Covers all Shinkansen bullet trains between cities — massive savings.
Currency
Japan is still largely cash-based outside hotels. Exchange INR to JPY before arrival or at airport. 7-Eleven ATMs accept most foreign cards.
Weather
Spring (Mar–May): 10–22°C. Summer (Jun–Sep): 25–35°C, humid. Autumn (Oct–Nov): 12–22°C. Winter: 0–10°C in Tokyo.
Good to Know
Cash is still essential at shrines, small restaurants, and vending machines. IC card (Suica/Pasmo) for metro. Google Maps works perfectly for navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
₹1,80,000–₹2,50,000/person for 10 nights including flights covers the basics comfortably. Sakura season (late March–April) adds 30–50% to hotel prices.
Yes, if you're doing Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka–Hiroshima circuit. 7-day JR Pass (~₹30,000) pays for itself in 2 Shinkansen trips. Not worth it for Tokyo-only trips.
Moderate. Look for shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine), ramen shops with miso base, sushi (vegetable rolls), and tofu dishes. Apps like Happy Cow help.
Late March to mid-April (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka). Exact dates vary by year — sakura forecast apps track blooms. Book flights and hotels 4–6 months ahead.
