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Japan holiday

Travel tips, best time to visit & highlights for your Japan holiday in Asia

Japan is fascinatingly different: millennia-old temples next to neon advertisements, high-tech trains through cherry blossom landscapes, the best food culture in the world, and a politeness that leaves you speechless.

Capital

Tokyo

Language

Japanese

Currency

Yen (¥)

Time zone

UTC+9

Flight time from DE

approx. 11–12 hours

Entry requirements

Passport, 90 days visa-free

All travel facts for Japan: tipping, plugs, customs, emergency numbers →

Which hotels in Japan are recommended?

Selected hotels and holiday accommodations in Japan — with images, reviews, and direct booking links with our partners.

What are the highlights of Japan?

The best-known highlights of Japan include Tokyo, Kyoto, Fuji, Osaka, Hiroshima.

The places you absolutely must not miss.

1

Tokyo

Shibuya Crossing, Akihabara, Meiji Shrine, Tsukiji Market – the largest city in the world.

2

Kyoto

2,000 temples and shrines, bamboo forests, the Geisha district Gion, and tea ceremonies.

3

Fuji

Japan's sacred mountain – whether climbing it or admiring it from Lake Kawaguchiko.

4

Osaka

Japan's street food capital: Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, and the lively Dotonbori.

5

Hiroshima

Peace Park, Atomic Bomb Museum, and the nearby island of Miyajima with the torii in the water.

Hotels in Japan

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Reise-SIM für Japan

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Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie

When is the best time to visit Japan?

The best time to visit Japan is March–May (cherry blossom), Sep–Nov (autumn leaves). In summer: 25–35°C. In winter: 2–10°C.

Recommended travel time

March–May (cherry blossom), Sep–Nov (autumn leaves)

Summer

25–35°C

Winter

2–10°C

How much does a holiday in Japan cost?

A holiday in Japan costs roughly 60–90€ per person per day (excluding flights) on a budget, 90–160€ mid-range and 160–400€ for luxury travel.

Average cost per person per day (excluding flight)

Budget

60–90€

Hostel, street food, public transport

Mid-range

90–160€

Hotel, restaurant, excursions

Luxury

160–400€

Boutique hotel, fine dining

How long is the flight from Germany to Japan?

From Germany you reach Japan in approx. 11–12 hours.

What travel tips are there for Japan?

Insider knowledge to make your holiday better.

Buy Japan Rail Pass before the trip – saves hundreds of euros

Take cash – many small shops do not accept cards

Do not talk on the phone or speak loudly on the train

Wash before entering an onsen (hot springs) – being naked is mandatory

Konbinis (7-Eleven, Lawson) have fantastic food

What do people eat in Japan?

Typical dishes in Japan are Sushi & Sashimi, Ramen, Tempura, Takoyaki, Wagyu Beef, Matcha Desserts.

These dishes you must try!

Sushi & Sashimi
Ramen
Tempura
Takoyaki
Wagyu Beef
Matcha Desserts

Which regions and places in Japan are worth visiting?

30 regions, cities and highlights in Japan

Cities

Kawasaki

Kawasaki is strategically located between Tokyo and Yokohama on the coast of Tokyo Bay and is much more than an industrial suburb. The city, with over 1.5 million inhabitants, …

TemplePop CultureDoraemon
white and red concrete building near green trees during daytime

Kitakyushu

Kitakyushu is located at the northern tip of the Japanese island of Kyushu and is a fascinating city of change: from a former industrial giant to one of the greenest cities in …

WisteriaJapanTunnel
blue and red train door

Nagasaki

Nagasaki is a city of contrasts and reconciliation - a place that became world-famous due to its tragic history, but surprises every visitor with its unique cultural diversity, …

JapanPeaceHistory

Niigata

Niigata is Japan's rice capital and sake paradise — the prefecture produces the best rice and the most sake in the country. The port city on the coast of the Sea of Japan offers a …

SakeRiceGeisha
a bride and groom walking down a set of stairs

Saitama

Saitama is the capital of the eponymous prefecture and lies directly north of Tokyo. The million-inhabitant city is much more than a suburb of the capital — it offers a …

Railway MuseumBonsaiShinto

Sendai

Sendai is the city of trees — a green metropolis in northeastern Japan that serves as the gateway to the spectacular Tohoku region. With around 1.1 million inhabitants, Sendai is …

TanabataSamuraiMatsushima
a busy city street with people crossing the street

Tokyo

Tokyo, the megalopolis on the west coast of Tokyo Bay, is the urban epicenter of Japan and a city that overwhelms all the senses at once. The metropolis, officially consisting of …

CultureFoodTechnology
bird's eye view of city beside wide body of water during daytime

Yokohama

Yokohama is the second largest city in Japan with over 3.7 million inhabitants and is located directly south of Tokyo on Tokyo Bay. The port city was one of the first Japanese …

PortChinatownRamen

Tokyo

Tokyo, the pulsating capital of Japan, is a metropolis of superlatives and contrasts: Here, centuries-old Shinto shrines stand next to futuristic skyscrapers, quiet Zen gardens …

MegacityAnimeCulinary
a building with a pond in front of it

Kyoto

Kyoto, for over 1,000 years the imperial capital of Japan, is the cultural heart of the country and preserves a heritage of such density and beauty that one would need weeks to …

TempleGeishaZen

Osaka

Osaka, Japan's third-largest city and unofficial culinary capital, pulses with a down-to-earth energy that stands in stark contrast to the polite understatement of Tokyo and …

Street FoodNightlifeCastle

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a city that has risen from the darkest hour of human history and today impresses as a vibrant memorial for peace as well as a modern, lively metropolis. On August 6, …

PeaceHistoryUNESCO

Nara

Nara, Japan's first permanent capital (710–784), is a city where history literally comes alive: Over 1,200 sacred Sika deer roam freely through parks, temple complexes, and even …

DeerUNESCOTemple
gray concrete brick wall during daytime

Kamakura

Kamakura, located just an hour south of Tokyo, was the capital of the first shogunate in the 12th and 13th centuries and still radiates an aura of quiet dignity that is unmatched …

BuddhaBeachDay trip

Nikko

Nikko, nestled in the densely forested mountains north of Tokyo, is one of Japan's most opulent sacred sites and a UNESCO World Heritage site of overwhelming splendor. While most …

UNESCOshrineautumn foliage
white and black roof house

Kanazawa

Kanazawa on the Sea of Japan coast is one of the best-preserved historical cities in Japan: Since the city was spared from bombings during World War II, it retains a unique …

GardenSamuraiGeisha

Nagoya

Nagoya, Japan's fourth largest city and the center of the Chubu region, is often overlooked by travelers — unjustly so. The birthplace of Japan's three great unifiers (Oda …

CuisineCastleToyota
A traditional boat sails in a bustling harbor.

Kobe

Kobe, picturesque between the Rokko Mountains and Osaka Bay, is a cosmopolitan port city that has absorbed Western influences like few other Japanese cities since the opening of …

Kobe BeefHarborSake

Fukuoka

Fukuoka on the southern island of Kyushu is Japan's fastest-growing metropolis, combining urban energy with a relaxed, almost southern lifestyle that is distinctly different from …

RamenYataiRelaxed
A woman in a yellow jacket looking at a display case

Sapporo

Sapporo, the capital of the northern island of Hokkaido, is a modern, spacious city that fundamentally differs from the rest of Japan. Founded in 1869 as a planned city modeled …

Snow FestivalRamenBeer

Package holiday to Japan

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Holiday apartment in Japan

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Complete guide for Japan

Regions, attractions, food, routes, costs & practical tips — all in one digital guide.

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Ready for Japan?

Plan your Japan holiday now with our free tools.

How do I plan a holiday in Japan?

Japan is one of the most popular travel destinations in Asia, offering Culture, Food, City and much more. The best time to visit Japan is March–May (cherry blossom), Sep–Nov (autumn leaves), when the weather is ideal for exploration and relaxation. With a daily budget starting from 60–90€ (Budget) to 160–400€ (Luxury), Japan is suitable for various travel budgets.

From the capital Tokyo, Japan can be excellently explored. The official language is Japanese, and the currency is Yen (¥). From Germany, you can reach Japan in approx. 11–12 hours. Whether you want to try culinary highlights like Sushi & Sashimi, Ramen, Tempura, visit top attractions, or simply enjoy the atmosphere: Japan has something for every type of traveller.

Use our free travel tools to prepare your Japan holiday perfectly. With the holiday finder, you can discover if Japan is the right destination for you. The budget calculator helps you plan costs realistically, and with the packing list, you won't forget anything.

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