Japan has always been one of our favourite destinations — with its scenic landmarks, oishii food and quirky attractions. In fact, we’ve been there more than 20 times! But we understand that if it’s your first time in Japan, it can be a little overwhelming. In this video, we’ve come up with the ultimate Japan Travel Guide covering popular places to visit, where to eat, and things to do!
For starters, we recommend hitting up Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, where there are plenty of things to eat and do. Some must-see attractions in Japan include the iconic Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, and Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. As for where to eat, try Nishiki Market in Kyoto or Dotonbori in Osaka — both offer authentic local street food such as takoyaki and okonomiyaki.
Don’t know where to start? Check out our 10-day Japan itinerary from Tokyo to Osaka for a detailed budget breakdown to help plan your trip!
Must-visit Attractions on Your Japan Itinerary
TOKYO – 1:26
1:40 – Capsule Hotel — An affordable and unique accommodation where you get a little cube all to yourself, with blinds for privacy too!
1:56 – Sensoji Temple — Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple, flanked by huge lanterns and decorated with beautiful ceiling paintings.
2:17 – Rickshaw Ride — Hop on a rickshaw ride and explore Tokyo city from a different view.
2:24 – Shibuya Crossing — Experience what it’s like crossing the busiest crosswalk in the world!
2:38 – Robot Restaurant (permanently closed now but it was once a one-of-a-kind dining experience featuring quirky performances with robots, dinosaurs and lasers.)
2:59 – Kagaya Bar (permanently closed too but let’s just say the menu is written in crayons and the cup vibrates when you pick them up, we’ll leave the rest up to your imagination.)
3:21 – Kurand Sake Market — Choose from over 100 different types of Japanese rice wine, with unique flavours like mango, yogurt and milk.
3:40 – Akihabara — Famous for all things anime, manga and cosplay-related, this is an otaku’s shopping haven!
3:51 – Don Quijote — From Japanese snacks to T-shirts and tote bags, get all your souvenirs here in Tokyo.
4:03 – Mount Fuji — Challenge yourself and hike up the highest (and most iconic) mountain in Japan at 3,776m high!
4:24 – Lake Kawaguchiko — The most accessible one out of the Five Fuji Lakes, offering stunning views of Mount Fuji.
4:37 – Fuji Q (From ~S$46) — Scream your lungs out at an amusement park housing one of the world’s steepest rollercoasters, with a 121° drop!
4:49 – Shinkansen — One of the fastest and most convenient ways to travel from city to city in Japan.
KYOTO – 4:48
5:42 – Fushimi Inari Shrine — Visit this famous Kyoto attraction known for its thousands of red Torii gates.
5:53 – Arashiyama — Go for a stroll and snap IG-worthy photos along a serene bamboo grove.
6:03 – Nishiki Market — Feast on fresh seafood and sweet desserts at this traditional food market in Kyoto.
6:15 – Kiyomizu-dera Temple (¥400) — Immerse yourself in Japan’s culture by visiting this temple with unique traditional Japanese architecture.
6:17 – Tenryu-Ji Temple (¥500) — It may not be as famous as Kiyomizu-dera but this temple is also a UNESCO World Heritage site in Kyoto!
6:19 – Gion District — Dress up in a kimono and explore Kyoto’s most well-known entertainment district.
NARA – 6:26
6:29 – Nara Park — Buy a pack of treats and feed the adorable free-roaming deers in Nara.
OSAKA – 6:41
6:48 – Dotonbori — You won’t go hungry with plenty of affordable food choices here like okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and ramen!
7:17 – Fukutaro Okonomiyaki — Serves up savoury pancakes that are crispy, fluffy, and cooked fresh off the grill.
7:20 – Beef Cutlet Takeru (permanently closed now but their crispy katsu beef bowls are super yummy and we even got to cook our beef to how we liked it, on a personalised mini grill.)
7:22 – Hanumaruken Ramen — Delicious ramen topped with tender slow-cooked pork that melts in your mouth.
7:31 – Osaka Castle (¥600) — This iconic castle has a history of more than 400 years and is surrounded by a large moat and a garden with cherry trees!
7:34 – Universal Studios Japan (From ~S$88) — Spend a full day exploring attractions like Super Nintendo World, Minion Park, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
7:42 – Osaka Aquarium (From ¥2,700) — Houses over 15 large tanks and around 620 species, with the main attraction being two huge whale sharks!
7:43 – Momofuku Ramen Museum — Learn about the history and evolution of Japanese ramen, and get the chance to create your very own too.
7:46 – Shinsaibashi — Perfect for tax-free shopping from various clothing shops and drugstores stretching around 600m.
Places to visit in Japan for free
If it’s your first time in Japan, some of the best places to visit are Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka — here’s a list of free things to do and see there!
Tokyo
Kyoto
Nara
Osaka
Of course, some experiences do require a fee but trust us, it’s worth it — it’s not every day you can ride a rollercoaster with a backdrop of Mount Fuji! Plus, since you’re already in Japan, why not?
Getting Around Japan
Getting around Japan is easy, especially within the cities as public transport like trains and buses are widely available. All you need is an IC card (like our EZ-link) to tap in and out! Plus, you can even use the card to pay at certain convenience stores and vending machines too. For travelling between cities like Tokyo to Kyoto, we took the shinkansen (bullet train) as it’s one of the most convenient ways — it only took 2.5 hours! Check out our guide on how to use the Japan Rail pass!
Flights to Japan
Unlike Singapore, Japan has multiple airports across the country so choose the one closest to where you’d like to start your trip — Narita and Haneda Airports are nearer to Tokyo while Kansai Airport is nearer to Osaka and Kyoto. There are also many airlines which fly directly from Singapore to Japan, so we recommend using online tools like Skyscanner to compare the cheapest flight fares!
