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Planet Japan

A journey to the “Planet Japan” calls for special preparation
Discover why

Five Keys to Japan

Key points on the map

Immersive Experiences

Culinary Detours
Unique Experiences
Japan For Insiders

Rustic Japan

Living tradition: a Japan where time flows differently
Find Out How It’s Possible

Planet Japan

A journey to the “Planet Japan” calls for special preparation. The first trip offers just a taste of this extraordinary place, while future visits demand a creative approach to planning. The people working on this site are foreigners who have spent most of their lives in Japan, speak the language, understand the culture, and have guided travelers for many years.

Unlocking Japan

Japan without a guide is a series of fleeting impressions, soon swept by the wind. With a thoughtful guide, however, it’s like receiving a distilled 20-year immersion in Japan, tailored to be meaningful and accessible for visitors.

We once asked the same questions you have at the start of your journey—and we found the answers. Our insights, combined with your experiences in Japan, reveal the full picture of the “Planet Japan”.

Planet Japan: So Far, Yet So Near

With us, this distant “Planet Japan” becomes a close and deeply understandable country.

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Five Keys

5 Keys to Japan

  • Get lost in the bustling Tokyo metropolis for a day or two.

  • Escape to the serene suburbs: Nikko, Kamakura, Fuji, Hakone.

  • Finally, reach the heart of Japan in Kyoto and Nara.

  • End on a high note with a taste of vibrant Osaka.

  • Leave, only to return.

// North : hokkaido (secondary) // North: Aomori (secondary) // North: Hiraizumi (secondary) // North: Matsushima (secondary) // Mountains: Oze (secondary) // Mountains: Kamikochi (secondary) // Mountains: Kanazawa-Takayama-Shirakawa-go (secondary) // Mountains: Kumano (secondary) // Mountains: Koyasan (secondary) // South: Kyushi (secondary) // Tokyo (primary) // Kyoto (primary) // Kyoto-suburbs: Nara-Uji-Osaka (primary) // Kyoto-suburbs: Hiroshima (secondary) // Kyoto-suburbs: Naoshima (secondary) // Tokyo-suburbs: Nikko (primary) // Tokyo-suburbs: Fuji-Hakone-Kamakura (primary)
Select a point on the map

Tokyo

Two days in this immense city is just right—enough to capture its essence without overstaying.

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Kamakura — Hakone — Fuji — Nikko

Tokyo’s suburbs let you escape the city’s buzz and reconnect with nature and history.

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Kyoto

The tranquil spirit of Kyoto remains undisturbed — neither millions of tourists nor modern technology can shake it.

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Nara — Uji — Osaka — Hiroshima

The suburbs of Kyoto and areas further south add essential brushstrokes to the world of Kyoto — without them, the picture of Japan is incomplete.

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North

Sendai, Aomori, Hokkaido... Japan’s north holds the least-trodden paths — and the spirit of a Japan that has remained true to itself.

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South

Kyushu is where Japan took root — shaped by steaming springs, the force of nature, and deep tradition. Okinawa, by contrast, drifts farther south — a chain of sunlit islands moving to a gentler rhythm, with a culture as warm and distinct as Hawaii’s

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Mountains

In Japan’s mountains, silence becomes the only sound. Each step draws you inward. And as evening steam rises from the hot springs, time seems to stand still.

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Top LocationsHidden Gems

Map points List

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Rustic Japan
1|8

Imperial Palace

Although the palace itself is off-limits, the picturesque Eyeglass Bridge and tranquil pine park make the visit worthwhile. Be sure to explore the East Garden—the only part open to the public.
2|8

Ginza

Ginza is a brilliant showcase of global brands — and a glittering stage for bold personalities.
3|8

Asakusa

Asakusa is one of the few districts in Tokyo where the spirit of old Edo still lingers.
4|8

Akihabara

Akihabara may have started with electronics — but that was just the beginning.
5|8

Meiji Shrine

In the heart of the metropolis, hidden within a deep forest, stands Meiji Shrine — Tokyo’s main Shinto sanctuary.
6|8

Takeshita Street

Just a hundred meters from Meiji’s tranquil woods lies Takeshita Street — an entirely different world where cosplay, color, and youthful eccentricity crowd every corner, far surpassing any conventional norm.
7|8

Omotesando

Omotesando pulls you out of cosplay chaos and into the arms of high fashion. Behind sleek shopfronts, you’ll find art cafés, galleries, and concept boutiques.
8|8

Odaiba

Odaiba is Tokyo’s hub of tech innovation — an artificial island home to museums of future science, digital art, and cutting-edge Japanese creativity.
1|4

Kamakura

Kamakura — the samurai capital by the Pacific Ocean. From the samurai way of life grew much of what we now call Japanese tradition: Zen, gardens, tea, cherry blossom viewing, and the code of honor.
2|4

Hakone

Hakone is a natural reserve known not so much for its landmarks as for its stunning views of Mount Fuji.
3|4

Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is more than a beautifully shaped peak or a national symbol — it is the heart of Japan, deeply woven into the spirit of its people.
4|4

Nikko

Don’t say “kekkō” until you’ve seen Nikko. Don’t say you’ve seen it all — until you’ve seen Nikko.
1|12

Nijo Castle

Nijō Castle stands apart from other Japanese castles: its intricate layout was shaped by fear of conspiracy — and a parallel desire for refined beauty.
2|12

The Golden Pavilion

The Golden Pavilion is Japan’s iconic landmark.
3|12

Ryoan-ji Temple

Home to the world-famous rock garden, where 15 stones arranged on raked gravel have puzzled and inspired viewers for centuries. Not a single plant grows in this minimalist space.
4|12

Saiho-ji Temple

The moss garden at Saihō-ji Temple feels like a gateway to another world — a forest draped in living, translucent moss. It’s a fairytale-like experience that lingers long after you leave.
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Tenryu-ji Temple

Western Kyoto is the world of Arashiyama, where the Temple of the Flying Dragon and its garden blend seamlessly into the surrounding mountains — extending far beyond the temple walls.
6|12

The Bamboo Grove

The Temple of the Flying Dragon flows seamlessly into the bamboo forest — one of Kyoto’s most iconic and Instagram-loved landscapes.
7|12

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Fushimi Inari is Kyoto’s main Shinto shrine — a guardian against misfortune, protector of harvests, and symbol of prosperity. Yet today, it draws visitors for another reason entirely.
8|12

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple

At the foot of the western mountain slope lies the hidden temple of Otagi Nenbutsu — home to 1,200 carved stone figures of the Buddha’s followers.
9|12

Sanjusangendo

Sanjusangendo, or the Temple of 33 Bays, houses 1,001 statues of the bodhisattva Kannon — an awe-inspiring sight of devotion and detail.
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Kiyomizu-dera

Kyoto’s Higashiyama district holds the highest concentration of UNESCO World Heritage sites — and at its heart stands the iconic Kiyomizu Temple.
11|12

Historic Rickshaw Ride

Kimono, rickshaws, streets barely touched by time — this is how you step into Japan. And how Japan quietly steps into you.
12|12

Night out in Gion

As evening falls, wander through Gion — the district of teahouses, where far more than tea is shared. The glow of lanterns, the hush of footsteps, the rustle of silk... it feels like a dream set in motion. But beneath the beauty moves a living tradition — graceful, elusive, and centuries old.
1|5

Nara

An ancient capital even older than Kyoto, Nara preserves the past like a time capsule.
2|5

Uji

A small historic town known for its beautiful temples and Japan's finest tea.
3|5

Osaka

Once a capital, now a lively hub of food, fun, and commerce.
4|5

Hiroshima

Hiroshima is far more than its Peace Memorial Museum — it holds one of the nation’s most powerful symbols.
5|5

Naoshima and Teshima

Once quiet fishing islands, now global art destinations.

Rustic Japan

Rustic Japan

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Immersive Experiences
1|7

Kyushu

While most people visit Kyoto and its suburbs to see the “real” Japan, Japan's story actually begins in the south—with the island of Kyushu.
2|7

Beppu

The hot spring capital, where digging almost anywhere will bring up a jet of steaming water.
3|7

Takachiho Gorge

One of Japan’s most scenic spots, said to be where the first emperor descended from the heavens.
4|7

Mount Aso

The world’s largest active caldera, with a 128 km perimeter.
5|7

Kumamoto, Nagasaki, and Shimabara

Places where hidden Christians once took refuge and where the "last samurai" made their final stand.
6|7

Kagoshima

Land of the active Sakurajima volcano, unique hot sand baths, and the kamikaze pilot training sites.
7|7

Okinawa

Okinawa is Japan’s Hawaii, with white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, colorful fish, peaceful hotels, and an eight-month summer season.
1|5

The Tohoku Region

Japan’s least-trodden paths lie in the north. Many who fell out of favor at court escaped here, bringing refined culture that still lingers.
2|5

Matsushima Bay

Ranked among Japan’s top scenic views.
3|5

Hiraizumi

“The Kyoto of the North” — a city once home to exiled Kyoto aristocracy.
4|5

Aomori

Aomori captivates with contrasts you wouldn’t expect this far north.
5|5

Hokkaido

Hokkaido captivates with its open landscapes—rare in the rest of Japan.
1|6

Kamikochi

Often called Japan’s most beautiful valley, once a retreat for samurai and aristocrats, and from the 1920s, a popular mountain getaway.
2|6

Takayama – Shirakawa-go – Kanazawa

Tucked away in the Japanese Alps, these towns and villages feel as if they’ve been frozen in time since the feudal era.
3|6

Upper Nikko

Wild, untouched nature with waterfalls and marshes, close to the town of Nikko.
4|6

The Kumano and Akame Mountains

Sacred pilgrimage trails, ancient temples, and the Akame waterfalls. These forests were also ninja training grounds.
5|6

Koyasan

The monastic republic atop Mount Koya
6|6

Oze National Park

An oasis of untouched nature

Classic Japan

Immersive Experiences

If Japan has left you wanting more, here are a few ideas to take your journey further

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Add your ingredient

Maybe your kids (or secretly, you too) love Japanese comics. Or you see Japanese fishing as the ultimate art. Or maybe you're on a quest to find the last samurai. Whatever it is — tell us, and we'll be happy to join you.

Here are some more ideas you might like. Match your trip to your hobbies, and turn your vacation into a story worth telling.

If Japan has left you wanting more, here are a few ideas to take your journey further
Share your ideas

Culinary Detours

Food in Japan is more than just taste — it’s a reflection of local culture and heartfelt hospitality. In both restaurants and humble eateries, you’ll find vibrant flavors and a welcoming atmosphere. Here are a few places in the capital where the spirit of “old” Tokyo still lingers. A few examples of Japan’s finest cuisine are saved for the end.

1|9

Omoide Yokocho

A memory-filled lane where older Japanese quietly relive their postwar youth, sharing stories and drinks beneath dim lights.
2|9

Nonbei Yokocho

It’s Tokyo in slow motion — tiny bars, lifelong regulars, and conversations that span decades.
3|9

Tsukiji Outer Market

The outer rows of Tsukiji still carry the memory of a noisy, vibrant fish market — vendors calling out, sharing the bounty of their freshly caught waters, while humble restaurants serve what may truly be the finest fresh fish in the world.
4|9

Ameyoko

It’s chaos with soul — vendors shouting, dried squid, the scent of spices thick in the air, and tight spaces where the pulse of the old city still beats.
5|9

Hoppy Dori

A corner of old Tokyo where weary company workers still lose themselves over mugs of cheap Hoppy and the smoke of the grill — as if it were still the 1960s.
6|9

Gado Shita

Cozy taverns beneath the railway tracks — the thunder of passing trains, soot-stained walls, low-hanging lamps, and the smoky flavor of street food. Here, Japan breathes in its rawest form.
7|9

Omakase

It’s not just a meal, but a ritual of trust — placing your experience in the hands of a chef who knows what will truly delight you.
8|9

Teppanyaki

Fire, knife, and spatula move in perfect rhythm in the chef’s hands. Ingredients fly, slice through the air, and hit the teppan with a sizzle. You hold your breath — silently mesmerized by a true culinary performance.
9|9

Kaiseki

This is the art of Japanese haute cuisine: a sequence of carefully chosen, artfully arranged dishes — first tasted with the eyes, then savored with the palate. Each course follows the rhythm of nature and the changing colors of the seasons.

Workshops and Hands-On Experiences

Observing Japan is fascinating — but true connection begins when you create something with your own hands, trying to grasp its meaning through the process itself. A Japanese master is more than a teacher; often, the interaction with them holds more value than the lesson.

1|9

Taiko Drumming

Master the basic rhythm, and within an hour you can prepare a mini-concert.
2|9

Samurai Sword Fighting

Sparring with a kendo master, you never quite know when they are your teacher — and when they’ve become your opponent.
3|9

Flower Arrangement

To arrange fresh flowers in a vase is to shape a quiet universe — delicate, fleeting, and entirely your own.
4|9

Calligraphy

Writing a kanji is like composing a poem, one stroke at a time. Calligraphy doesn’t just convey meaning - it expresses your quietest emotions.
5|9

Tea Ceremony

It’s not just about tea, but the unspoken communication between master and guest.
6|9

Meditation with a Monk

A talk on Buddhism and a short meditation help deepen your understanding of the Japanese spirit.
7|9

Japanese Cooking Classes

Japanese cooking is simple — just accessible ingredients and gentle, deliberate movements. You’ll be surprised how naturally it all comes to you.
8|9

Manga Drawing Lessons

A few simple lines, shapes, and your favorite character’s design — and within hours, it begins to come alive beneath your hand.

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