Weather and what to wear, events and festivals, attractions, cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, winter scenery, onsen, fireworks, airport access, travel passes and getting between cities: everything you need to plan a trip to Japan, in one place.
Day trips to 5-day plans you can save and edit as your own
Which neighborhood to stay in, with quick picks by travel style
Kimono, tea ceremony, wagashi making, zazen and more traditional culture
Tournament dates, tickets, how to get to the 4 venues and which seats to choose
Real-life locations and museums from the Anime Tourism 88-Spots
Shrines, temples and nature by theme — love, prosperity, good fortune
Temperatures, rainfall and clothing tips by region and month
When and where Japan’s festivals and seasonal events take place
Prices and opening hours for theme parks, aquariums and zoos
Typical peak dates, illuminations and access
Typical peak dates, special openings and illuminations
Snow festivals, snow monsters, drift ice and more
Day-bath prices and hours, spring types and tattoo policies
Typical dates, number of shells and where to watch
Trains, buses and taxis from major airports to the city
JR Pass and regional passes: prices and coverage
Shinkansen, flights and highway buses compared
Selected from typical dates and peak seasons. Check each page for this year’s schedule.
🗺 5 days, 4 nightsAutumnChubu & Hokuriku ・ 15 stops ・ October・November
An autumn route that starts at Narai-juku and Matsumoto Castle, then takes in the fall colors of Kamikochi, the hot springs of Okuhida and the Shinhotaka Ropeway, Hida-Takayama and Gero Onsen before ending in Nagoya. You travel from mountain foliage down to city foliage, losing altitude as you go.
🗺 Day tripAutumnKansai ・ 4 stops ・ October・November
A day trip that takes you through Nara Park in autumn, to Kasuga Taisha and Todai-ji, and then to the Shosoin Exhibition, held only at this time of year. You can walk from the station to the museum, making it well suited to a day trip from Kyoto or Osaka.
February–DecemberTokyo & Around ・ Izu
Usually held a dozen or more times a year in spring (April–May), summer (July–August), autumn (September–November), and winter (December–February). Each show runs around 20:20–20:40 (from 20:15 in July and August)
Next show: Oct 25, 2026 (Sun), followed by Nov 8, Nov 23, Dec 6, Dec 25, and Feb 21, 2027 (all 20:20–20:40)
April–OctoberHokkaido ・ Noboribetsu & Lake Toya
Usually every night from late April to October 31 (about 20 minutes from 20:45)
2026: Apr 28 – Oct 31 (held nightly; currently underway)
May–OctoberKansai ・ Kyoto City
Kamogawa Noryo Yuka usually runs May 1 – October 15, and Kibune Kawadoko usually runs May 1 – September 30 (season and hours vary by restaurant). In 2026, Kamogawa Noryo Yuka runs until October 15
September–OctoberHokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually early to late September, or into early October (about 3 weeks)
2026: Sep 11 – Oct 3 (currently underway)
September–OctoberKansai ・ Osaka
The September festival is usually on a weekend in mid- to late September, and the October festival on a weekend in early to mid-October (2 days each)
Next: 2026 October festival (Higashi-Kishiwada district and others), Oct 10 – Oct 11. The 2026 September festival was held Sep 19 – Sep 20
OctoberKansai ・ Kyoto City
Every year on October 22 (postponed to the 23rd if it rains)
2026: Oct 22 (Thu). Postponed to Oct 23 if it rains
🎆 OctoberKansai ・ Yodogawa-ku, Osaka, Osaka
🎆 In recent years, a Saturday in mid-October (October 18 in 2025, October 17 in 2026)
Mountain & highlandChubu & Hokuriku ・ Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Toyama
🍁 Typical peak: Mid Sep – Mid Oct
Park
Hot spring town
Mountain & highland
Mountain & highland
Gorge
