Japan

Japan rewards a first trip built around a simple route: Tokyo for the big-city energy, Kyoto for temples and old streets, and Osaka for food and nightlife, with day trips to places like Nara, Hiroshima or Hakone in between. Ten days is enough to do that loop without rushing, two weeks lets you add the Alps or a night in a ryokan.

The trains make it easy. The Shinkansen runs from Tokyo to Kyoto in a little over two hours, and Kyoto to Osaka takes about 15 minutes by bullet train or around half an hour on a JR local rapid. Load a Suica or ICOCA card on your phone for metros and buses, and do the maths before buying a JR Pass: since the 2023 price rise it only pays off for longer routes.

Start with where to stay in Tokyo, which compares nine areas by budget and airport access, then use Kyoto vs Osaka to decide your base in Kansai. Late March to early April (cherry blossom) and November (autumn leaves) are the most beautiful and the busiest; June is the rainy season and July to August are hot and humid. To stay online from the moment you land, our guide to the best eSIM for Japan compares plans that cover Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.