From Tokyo and Kyoto to Osaka, Kanazawa and Naoshima, 18 Japanese cities, each distilled to ten things worth your time, mapped and filmed.
First-timers should pair Tokyo and Kyoto with a day in Osaka or Hakone; repeat visitors trade up for Kanazawa, Naoshima and the Japan Alps. The best windows are late March–April for cherry blossom and October–November for autumn color, both worth booking months ahead.
The Shinkansen links every city on this list. A JR Pass pays off on a multi-city loop.
Increasingly cashless, but carry some yen for shrines, markets and small ramen counters.
English signage in big stations and tourist hubs; a translation app covers the rest.
Visa-free short stays for most Western passports. Always confirm for your nationality.
Japan's national tourism office: trip planning, regional guides and seasonal events.
One fully-researched Japanese city (mapped, filmed and ready to book) in your inbox every Thursday.
