Travel guide · Japan
Japan Travel Guide
Japan tour packages cover Tokyo with a day at Mount Fuji, the bullet train to the temples and shrines of Kyoto, the Great Buddha and deer of Nara, Osaka, the hot-spring hills of Hakone, and Hiroshima with the island of Miyajima. Our itineraries run 5 to 8 days and are land only, with standard / 3-star hotels and breakfast; flights, visas and rail tickets are quoted separately.
By Holiday Guru Travel · Updated 8 Oct 2026
In short: Temples and shrines, mount fuji, the bullet train and modern cities. Kyoto's Fushimi Inari and Kinkaku-ji, Nara's Todai-ji and Tokyo's Senso-ji. Spring (March to May) for cherry blossom and autumn (October to November) for colours are the best times to visit Japan.
Japan quick facts
- Trip length
- 5–8 days (5 itineraries)
- Best time
- Spring (March to May) for cherry blossom and autumn (October to November) for colours are the best times to visit Japan.
- Key places
- Tokyo, Mount Fuji and Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima and Miyajima
- Tours start in
- Tokyo, Osaka
- Hotels
- Standard / 3-star equivalent on all 5 itineraries
- Meal plans
- Breakfast on all 5 itineraries
- Suits
- Couples, Families, Friends
Best places to visit in Japan
Tokyo, Mount Fuji and Hakone, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka are the places our Japan itineraries are built around.
Tokyo
Senso-ji in Asakusa, the Meiji shrine, Shibuya and Shinjuku.
Mount Fuji and Hakone
Lake Kawaguchiko, the Chureito Pagoda, Lake Ashi and Owakudani.
Kyoto
Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama and Gion.
Nara
The Great Buddha of Todai-ji and the deer of Nara Park.
Osaka
Osaka Castle, Dotonbori and Universal Studios Japan.
Hiroshima and Miyajima
The Peace Memorial and the floating torii of the Itsukushima shrine.
Things to do
- Walk through the red gates of Fushimi Inari
- See Mount Fuji from Lake Kawaguchiko
- Ride the Shinkansen bullet train
- Feed the deer in Nara Park
- Cross the Shibuya crossing
- Visit the Peace Memorial in Hiroshima
How many days do you need?
Five days covers Tokyo with Mount Fuji, or Kyoto, Nara and Osaka; seven days covers the Golden Route from Tokyo to Osaka; allow eight to add Hakone or Hiroshima.
| Trip length | What it covers | Our itinerary |
|---|---|---|
| 5 days | Tokyo and Mount Fuji | Tokyo and Mount Fuji |
| 5 days | Osaka, Kyoto and Nara | Osaka, Kyoto and Nara |
| 7 days | Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka | Japan Golden Route: Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka |
| 7 days | Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka | Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka |
| 8 days | Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Osaka | Japan with Hakone: Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Osaka |
Best time to visit Japan
Spring (March to May) for cherry blossom and autumn (October to November) for colours are the best times to visit Japan.
| Months | Season | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| March – May | Spring | Cherry blossom from late March to early April; the busiest and most expensive time. |
| June – August | Summer | Rainy in June and hot in July and August; the Fuji fifth station road is usually open. |
| September – November | Autumn | Clear days and autumn colours, especially in Kyoto in November. |
| December – February | Winter | Cold and clear, with the best Fuji views; quieter cities. |
Suggested Japan routes
Routes from our own Japan itineraries, by trip length.
- 4 Nights / 5 Days: Kyoto → Osaka — Osaka, Kyoto and Nara
- 6 Nights / 7 Days: Kyoto → Hiroshima → Osaka — Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka
- 7 Nights / 8 Days: Tokyo → Hakone → Kyoto → Osaka — Japan with Hakone: Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Osaka
Things to consider
Getting there and around: Packages are land only: airport transfers and sightseeing as specified, mostly by train and metro. Flights from India and Shinkansen tickets or rail passes are quoted separately. Cable cars, cruises and entry fees are paid locally.
Where you stay: Standard / 3-star equivalent hotels with breakfast, as listed on each package; Japanese city hotel rooms are compact.
- Indian passport holders need a visa for Japan; we confirm the current rules when you book.
- Carry some yen in cash; smaller shops and temples may not take cards.
- Pack light: trains have limited luggage space, and luggage forwarding is available.
- Vegetarian food takes some planning; we can suggest restaurants.
Japan travel questions
What is Japan known for?
Temples and shrines, mount fuji, the bullet train and modern cities. Kyoto's Fushimi Inari and Kinkaku-ji, Nara's Todai-ji and Tokyo's Senso-ji.
How many days should I spend in Japan?
Five days covers Tokyo with Mount Fuji, or Kyoto, Nara and Osaka; seven days covers the Golden Route from Tokyo to Osaka; allow eight to add Hakone or Hiroshima. Our Japan itineraries run 5–8 days.
What is the best time to visit Japan?
Spring (March to May) for cherry blossom and autumn (October to November) for colours are the best times to visit Japan.
Which places should I include in a Japan trip?
Tokyo, Mount Fuji and Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Hiroshima and Miyajima. Tokyo: Senso-ji in Asakusa, the Meiji shrine, Shibuya and Shinjuku.
Which Holiday Guru Travel packages cover Japan?
5 itineraries: Osaka, Kyoto and Nara (4 Nights / 5 Days); Tokyo and Mount Fuji (4 Nights / 5 Days); Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka (6 Nights / 7 Days); Japan Golden Route: Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka (6 Nights / 7 Days); Japan with Hakone: Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Osaka (7 Nights / 8 Days).
Can a Japan itinerary be customised?
Yes. Any of our Japan itineraries can be changed — add or remove nights, change the hotel category or add sightseeing. Tell us what you need and we send a quote for your dates.
Japan holiday packages
All 5 Holiday Guru Travel itineraries for Japan, shortest first. Each can be customised.
| Package ID | Package | Duration | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0302 | Osaka, Kyoto and Nara | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Kyoto → Osaka |
| 0301 | Tokyo and Mount Fuji | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Tokyo → Asakusa → Mount Fuji → Kawaguchiko |
| 0305 | Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka | 6 Nights / 7 Days | Kyoto → Hiroshima → Osaka |
| 0303 | Japan Golden Route: Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka | 6 Nights / 7 Days | Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka |
| 0304 | Japan with Hakone: Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Osaka | 7 Nights / 8 Days | Tokyo → Hakone → Kyoto → Osaka |