5 Reasons Japan Should Be Your Next Trip
Japan is a country that has fascinated and captivated people from all over the world for decades. Ancient traditions sit alongside cutting-edge technology, world-class food is available on every street corner, and the transport system runs with a precision that makes other countries look disorganised. Whether you’re planning your first trip or finally committing to one you’ve been putting off, here are five reasons Japan should be next.
1. The technology is unlike anywhere else on earth
Japan’s relationship with technology isn’t just impressive, it’s genuinely fun to experience as a traveller. The Shinkansen bullet train travels at up to 320km/h and departs to the second! No late trains here. Smart toilets in budget hotels have features most countries reserve for luxury spas. You can even find luxury toilets in some parks! Vending machines sell everything from hot ramen to fresh flowers, and they’re on every block in every city.
Beyond the novelty, Japan’s technology shapes how the country feels to travel through. The transport network is so efficient and well-signed that navigating a city of 38 million people becomes straightforward within a day. Cashless payment has expanded significantly in recent years, though having some yen on hand is still useful for smaller local vendors and markets.
2. The food scene is one of the best in the world
Japan has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other country on earth. But the most memorable meals often cost less than ¥1,000 at a standing ramen counter or a konbini at midnight. The range is extraordinary. A bowl of tonkotsu ramen in Fukuoka, fresh sushi at Tsukiji’s outer market in Tokyo, okonomiyaki in Osaka, wagyu beef in Takayama, each region has its own food identity and its own ingredients. Delicious!
For a deeper look at what to eat and where, see our Japanese food guide and our 10 must-try foods in Osaka.
3. The cultural contrasts are genuinely striking
Japan is one of the few places where the contrast between ancient and modern doesn’t feel forced; it feels entirely natural. You can spend a morning at Fushimi Inari walking through thousands of torii gates in near-silence, and be in Akihabara’s neon-lit electronics district by the afternoon. Kyoto’s Gion district preserves Edo-period streetscapes a short walk from a Starbucks with a matcha latte menu.
This contrast extends to daily life. Bowing as a greeting, removing shoes at entrances, the quiet discipline of a crowded train – these customs are genuinely observed and add a layer of cultural immersion that’s hard to find in destinations that have been more heavily shaped by Western tourism.
4. It’s one of the most accessible first-time destinations in Asia
Japan has a well-earned reputation for being safe, clean, and navigable even without Japanese language skills. Major train stations and tourist sites are signed in English, Google Maps works reliably throughout, and convenience stores function as everything from ATMs to pharmacies to late-night restaurants.
A few things worth knowing before you arrive:
- Cash is still preferred at smaller local restaurants, temples, and markets. Carry some yen even if you plan to use cards elsewhere.
- Tipping is not practised and is considered unnecessary.
- Removing shoes when entering a home or traditional ryokan is expected.
- Learning a few basic phrases: konnichiwa (hello), arigatou gozaimasu (thank you), sumimasen (excuse me) – is appreciated and goes a long way.
For a full first-timer’s breakdown of cities, budgets and itineraries, see our Japan travel guide for first-time visitors.
5. The seasonal experiences are unlike anywhere else
Japan has four genuinely distinct seasons and each one offers something different. Spring brings cherry blossom season (typically late March through April across central Japan) when parks, castle grounds and riversides transform into something that has to be seen in person to be believed.
Autumn brings fiery red and gold foliage across the same locations. Winter brings snow-covered temples, ski resorts with some of the best powder in the world, and a quieter, more atmospheric version of the country’s most visited cities.
For the best cherry blossom spots and timing, see our Japan cherry blossom guide. For winter travel specifically, our Japan Winter Classic tour covers the season with an optional ski extension.
