Japan · Cities
Which Japan city fits your trip?
From Tokyo's crossing lights to Kyoto moss gardens — pick a base and build around it.
Compare them
Filter by how many days you have and what you like — then open the guides that exist today.
| Best for | Best months | Fly in? | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nara Ancient capital — overnight beats rushed day trip. | 1–2 days | €85 | Deer park, Todai-ji, day trip from Kyoto | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | Via Tokyo |
| Osaka Takoyaki and neon — 30 minutes from Kyoto by train. | 2–3 days | €95 | Street food, Dotonbori, base for Nara | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | Yes |
| Hiroshima Peace Memorial and Miyajima torii — shinkansen from Osaka. | 2 nights | €90 | Peace Park, Miyajima island | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | Via Tokyo |
| Hakone Hot springs loop from Tokyo — not a Kyoto side trip. | 2 nights | €115 | Onsen, Fuji views, ryokan night | Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov | Via Tokyo |
| Kanazawa Hokuriku shinkansen — gold leaf and samurai district. | 2–3 nights | €92 | Kenroku-en garden, crafts, seafood | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | Via Tokyo |
| Fukuoka Ramen and night stalls — west Japan fly-in hub. | 2–3 nights | €88 | Yatai stalls, Kyushu gateway | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | Yes |
| Nagoya Chubu hub between Tokyo and Kyoto — miso katsu and castle. | 2–3 nights | €92 | Shinkansen stop, castle, Toyota museum | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | Yes |
| Nagasaki Western slopes and peace park — Kyushu west coast. | 2–3 nights | €88 | Peace history, Glover Garden, tram city | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | Yes |
| Takayama Hida merchant streets — bus to gassho villages. | 2–3 nights | €95 | Old town, morning market, Shirakawa-go | Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov | Via Tokyo |
| Sendai Tohoku capital — cooler than Tokyo, Matsushima day trip. | 2–3 nights | €90 | Gyutan, Matsushima bay, Tohoku base | Apr–Oct | Yes |
| Kawaguchiko Fuji Five Lakes — clearer views than Hakone on lucky days. | 2 nights | €100 | Fuji views, Chureito pagoda, photographers | Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov | Via Tokyo |
| Beppu Kyushu onsen capital — steam cooking and jigoku circuit. | 2–3 nights | €92 | Onsen hells, sand bath, Yufuin add-on | Oct–Apr | Via Tokyo |
| Kagoshima Southern Kyushu — active volcano across the bay. | 2–3 nights | €88 | Sakurajima volcano, Satsuma history | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | Yes |
| Naoshima Benesse art island — ferry from Okayama/Uno. | 2–3 nights | €105 | Art museums, Setouchi, slow island | Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov | Via Tokyo |
| Matsumoto Original black keep — en route to Takayama or Alps. | 2 nights | €88 | Black castle, Alps gateway, Kamikochi access | Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov | Via Tokyo |
| Tokyo Main hub — temples, Shibuya, Tsukiji, day trips. | 3–5 days | €110 | First trips, food, neon districts | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | Yes |
| Kyoto Golden route heart — Fushimi Inari, Gion, Arashiyama. | 3–4 days | €105 | Shrines, kaiseki, autumn foliage | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | Via Tokyo |
| Sapporo Hokkaido capital — fly from Tokyo, not train. | 3–4 nights | €100 | Snow Festival, soup curry, Hokkaido base | Dec–Mar, Jul–Aug | Yes |
| Naha Subtropical Okinawa — typhoon season differs from Tokyo. | 3–5 nights | €95 | Okinawa beaches, Shuri Castle, slow island pace | Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov | Yes |
Showing 19 of 19. Daily figures are per person at mid tier, excluding flights.
Pairings that work — and ones that don't
Choosing cities is really choosing combinations, because the flight map between them is not what the road map suggests.
- 4 days
Tokyo
A first taste, a long weekend, or an open-jaw stopover.
- 7 days
Tokyo + Kyoto
The standard two-city first trip without Osaka nights.
- 10 days
Tokyo + Kyoto + Osaka
Golden route with food-focused Osaka finish.
- varies
Sapporo + Nahaawkward
Hokkaido versus Okinawa — fly via Tokyo both ways; not one loop by train
- varies
Tokyo + Nahaawkward
fine by flight — but do not combine with Sapporo in one week without dropping bases
- varies
Hakone + Kyotoawkward
Hakone pairs with Tokyo — routing via Odawara shinkansen; awkward from Kansai same day
- varies
Kanazawa + Nahaawkward
opposite corners — fly from Komatsu or Tokyo; no direct link
- varies
Nara + Sapporoawkward
Kansai day-trip town versus Hokkaido — fly from KIX or ITM via Tokyo
- varies
Naoshima + Sapporoawkward
Setouchi art island versus Hokkaido — fly via Tokyo or Osaka only
- varies
Kawaguchiko + Hakoneawkward
Both Fuji bases — pick one unless five-plus nights from Tokyo
- varies
Beppu + Nahaawkward
Kyushu onsen versus Okinawa beach — fly between, no train link
- varies
Takayama + Nahaawkward
Alpine old town versus subtropical south — route via Tokyo minimum
Guides still being written
Honest about coverage: each city below still gets the two or three facts that help you decide whether to wait for the full guide.
Common questions
How many days do you need in Japan?+
Ten to fourteen days covers Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka with one add-on like Hiroshima or Hakone. Seven days works for Tokyo and Kyoto only.
Do I need a visa for Japan?+
Many nationalities enter visa-free for short stays — rules depend on your passport. Check Visit Japan Web and official MFA sources; we do not give visa advice.
Is Japan expensive?+
Mid-range on the ground runs roughly €90 to €120 per person per day excluding flights — cheaper than Switzerland, pricier than Thailand. Cherry blossom weeks push hotels up.
What is the best month to visit?+
March to May for cherry blossom and pleasant walking. October to November for autumn colour in Kyoto. Hokkaido summer is mild; Okinawa has a different typhoon season than Tokyo.
Kyoto or Osaka as base?+
Kyoto for shrines and ryokan calm; Osaka for cheaper food and nightlife — they are 30 minutes apart, so pick one and day-trip the other.
Costs are research-based estimates, not live prices — verify before booking.