Japan Travel Planning Guide 2026: Everything First-Time Visitors Need to Know

Описание: Get our FREE digital trip planning guide: https://www.insidekyoto.com/japan-tri...

Planning your first trip to Japan doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. In this step-by-step Japan travel guide, you’ll learn the 10 essential steps to plan a stress-free, well-organized, and unforgettable Japan vacation — perfect for first-time visitors who want clarity, comfort, and confidence.

In this video, you’ll discover when to visit, how long to stay, where to go, how to book flights, hotels, and ryokan, whether the Japan Rail Pass is worth it, and the must-know tips for luggage, Wi-Fi, IC cards, and booking tours.

If you’re planning a first-time trip to Japan in 2025 or 2026, this is the guide you’ve been looking for.

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📌 What You’ll Learn in This Japan Trip Planning Guide (and Links to Additional Information)

1. When to visit Japan (best seasons, crowds, prices)
https://www.insidekyoto.com/whens-the...

2. How long to stay for first-timers (7, 10, or 14 days)
https://www.insidekyoto.com/how-long-...

3. The best places to visit — Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Kinosaki Onsen & more
https://www.insidekyoto.com/japan-iti...

4. How to book flights to Tokyo (Haneda vs Narita)
https://www.insidekyoto.com/flying-to...

5. Where to stay — hotels vs traditional ryokan
https://www.insidekyoto.com/where-to-...

6. Whether the Japan Rail Pass is worth it
https://www.insidekyoto.com/should-yo...

7. How to pack smart for Japan’s trains, hotels, and weather
https://www.insidekyoto.com/the-best-...

8. How to stay connected (pocket Wi-Fi, SIM, eSIM)
https://www.insidekyoto.com/best-esim...

9. Why you need an IC card (Suica/Pasmo)
https://www.insidekyoto.com/kyoto-pre...
https://www.insidekyoto.com/ride-the-...

10. Book tours & activities in advance
For private walking tours visit www.chrisrowthorn.com

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🗾 Video Chapter Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: How to plan your Japan trip
00:16 – Step 1: Best time to visit Japan
00:58 – Step 2: How long to stay
01:32 – Step 3: Where to go (Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima & more)
02:01 – Step 4: Booking flights (Haneda vs Narita)
02:24 – Step 5: Choosing hotels & ryokan
02:55 – Step 6: Japan Rail Pass vs single tickets
03:30 – Step 7: How to pack for Japan
03:59 – Step 8: Staying connected (pocket Wi-Fi, SIM, eSIM)
04:34 – Step 9: Suica/IC cards + Smart EX
05:08 – Step 10: Book tours & activities
05:28 – Final thoughts

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🎒 Helpful Japan Travel Tools Mentioned

Pocket Wi-Fi / SIM / eSIM: Stay connected easily
Suica / Pasmo digital IC cards: For trains, vending machines & stores
Smart EX app: Book Shinkansen tickets in advance
Takkyubin luggage delivery: Travel light between hotels

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💬 Question of the Day

Where are you planning to go first — Tokyo, Kyoto, or somewhere off the beaten path?
Comment below! I answer every question. 👇

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👍 If this video helped you…

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