Why do you want to visit Japan? The answer is unique to you. Perhaps, like me, you’re yearning for an outside hot spring that overlooks the ocean. Or maybe it’s all about finding the best hidden ramen shop and diving into the world of your favorite anime.
How do you pick the best experiences for your limited time without burning yourself out or missing the essentials?
Focusing on why you want to visit Japan and what you want to see and do is essential. At the same time, Japan has grown so much in popularity that the crowds can keep you from having your best experience if you haven’t intentionally made your plans.
Let’s consider how to craft our itineraries with the focus you want without the stress you don’t need.
1. Do YOU want to experience the beauty and serenity of ancient Japan?
The true reward of a visit isn’t just seeing old buildings, but finding quiet spaces where that tradition still lives, allowing you to breathe and reflect.
- The Serenity Hack: Everyone wants to see Kyoto, so the most famous spots, like Kiyomizu-dera Temple, are best experienced at sunrise or late afternoon. For a quieter, deep-cut spiritual experience, take a short trip to Wakayama’s Mount Koya for an immersive overnight stay with “shojin ryori” (Buddhist vegetarian meals) and an uncrowded town of beautiful temples.
- Torii Gate Strategy: Any visit to Kyoto wouldn’t be complete without seeing the Fushimi Inari Taisha. When you visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, commit to hiking past the main clearing. The crowds thin out quickly, giving you a quiet, reflective path through a stunning forest of shrines. The further I walked into the grounds, the better my experience was.
2. Is Japanese food a priority for YOU?
Everyone knows that the best Japanese food is found in Osaka and the Kansai region around Osaka. The local cuisine is a cultural event, reflecting generations of dedication to flavor and presentation. Your focus should be on the experience, not just the dish.
- Ramen Mastery: Go beyond the tourist chains and seek out a regional legend! Try Muteppou (Osaka/Kyoto) for an ultra-rich, dense Tonkotsu (pork bone) broth that is famous across the region. If you get down to Wakayama, you must eat at Ide Shoten. Ramen lovers from all over Japan travel to Wakayama just to get this rich ramen.
- The Traditional Feast: If you stay at a ryokan (traditional inn), choose the dinner-included plan. This guarantees you the multi-course Kaiseki feast, which is the ultimate, season-driven expression of Japanese culinary art. These are some of the best Japanese meals I’ve ever eaten.
- Foodie Street: Ditch the formal setting and head to Kuromon Ichiba Market in Namba (south side of Osaka). Known as the city’s kitchen, you can sample fresh seafood, Kobe beef skewers, and regional street foods. Even if you don’t eat anything, which I can’t imagine happening, the experience of seeing this marketplace will be unforgettable.
3. Are nature and seasons YOUR biggest draw?
Japan is 70% mountains, which means therapeutic escapes and stress reduction are always close by, even from the busiest cities.
- The Iconic Vista: Head to the Chureito Pagoda (near Lake Kawaguchiko) for the classic photo of the pagoda with Mount Fuji in the background. Strategic Timing: Fuji is notoriously shy! Early mornings are almost always your best chance for a clear view.
- The Hot Spring Escape: For maximum relaxation with minimum travel stress, visit Hakone Onsen. It’s a fast, easy trip from Tokyo where you can soak in volcanic hot springs and traditional ryokan with beautiful mountain scenery. If you are in Osaka, Arima Onsen is your best choice for proximity and a great hot spring experience away from the city sights.
- Forest Immersion: There is never enough that can be said for how beautiful the hikes are in the Japan Alps, so a trip into Nagano and Kamikochi from Tokyo is well worth it. If you are in Osaka, Wakayama’s Kumano Kodo is a hike you must experience at least once in your life. Both offer deeply satisfying, uncrowded natural immersion.
4. Are YOU fascinated with Anime and gaming?
During my son’s most recent visit to Japan, he intentionally set aside a half day just to go the movie theater to see two popular anime films he didn’t have access to in the US, and he was so happy he went. If you’re a fan, this is a chance to step right into the futuristic worlds you grew up loving.
- The Main Hub: Dive into the heart of Otaku culture in Akihabara: Electric Town (Tokyo), the best place for massive arcades, electronics, and specialized stores.
- The Collector’s Choice: For the serious fan, Nakano Broadway is a multi-story indoor complex that specializes in niche, retro, and rare second-hand manga and collectibles, and is less overwhelming than Akihabara.
- The Immersive World: Visit Ghibli Park (near Nagoya). Instead of a small museum, this massive outdoor space recreates the actual worlds of Studio Ghibli films like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro.
5. Do YOU want both the old and new of Japan?
If seeing Tokyo is a non-negotiable for you, you can still enjoy the contrast of Japan’s ancient traditions and modern innovations. The core of the Japan experience is seeing how the most futuristic cities seamlessly preserve the most ancient traditions.
- The Perfect Balance: The Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in Tokyo sits right at the foot of Shinjuku’s soaring skyscrapers. Sitting on a bench and looking up at the towers from a perfect traditional garden is the ultimate snapshot of Japan’s two worlds coexisting.
- Old World Charm: Stroll the preserved wooden streets of the Gion District in Kyoto. The best time to spot a geisha or maiko (apprentice) in their beautiful kimonos is between 5:30 PM and 7:00 PM as they hurry to appointments.
- Modern Icon: Stand at the Shibuya Scramble Crossing in Tokyo. It’s the world’s busiest intersection and an easy, electrifying visual that captures the sheer energy and efficiency of modern Japanese life.
Your Next Step
By narrowing down why you want to visit Japan and what you want to see, you can feel less overwhelmed with planning. It takes away the struggle and allows you to curate a more rewarding journey when you visit Japan.
Let me know which of these five reasons resonates the loudest for you. I’d be happy to share my favorite hidden gems for that specific experience.