Tokyo
Kantō
Thirteen cities in one. Late-night alleyways, quiet shrines and the best eating in the world — if you know where to look.
The Sakura Insider Guide
Japan, but better.
Insider guides, smart itineraries and unforgettable experiences for your next trip to Japan.
Explore
Where will Japan take you?
From neon-lit Tokyo to quiet mountain towns, discover the places that make Japan unforgettable.
Explore Japan
Plan your trip
Your Japan itinerary, sorted.
Not sure where to start? These tried-and-tested routes make planning Japan simple.
Featured itineraries
7 DaysJapan in 7 Days
Tokyo → Hakone → Tokyo
A first week built around one base, with day trips instead of daily packing. Ideal if you'd rather go deep than wide.
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10 DaysJapan in 10 Days
Tokyo → Kyoto → Nara → Osaka
The classic route, paced properly. Three cities, one rail line and enough room to keep evenings unplanned.
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14 DaysJapan in 14 Days
Tokyo → Fuji → Kyoto → Hiroshima → Osaka
Cities, mountains and a slower stretch in between. The trip most first-timers wish they had booked.
View itineraryInsider picks
Things worth leaving the hotel for.
Food, culture, nature, nightlife, hidden gems and day trips — chosen by people who keep going back.
Insider picks
Travel Tips
Japan eSIM Guide: What Tourists Need to Know in 2026
A clear, practical guide to eSIMs for travellers in Japan in 2026. What to expect, how to prepare, and how to avoid common pitfalls.
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Transport
Japan Rail Pass: Is It Worth It for Tourists?
Is the Japan Rail Pass still worth it for tourists? This 2026 guide breaks down who saves, who doesn't, and how to decide using current prices and rules, with no guesswork.
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Food
Where to eat ramen in Tokyo
How to read a ticket machine, when to queue and how to find the shops locals actually return to.
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Culture
Kyoto after dark
The city empties at dusk. A walking route through lantern-lit lanes once the tour buses leave.
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Hidden gems
5 experiences worth booking before you fly
A short list of the things that genuinely sell out — and the ones you can safely decide on later.
Read moreNightlife
Tokyo's best hidden neighbourhoods
Beyond Shibuya: where to spend an evening when you want the city, not the crowd.
Read moreStay
Where to stay in Japan
From design hotels in Tokyo to traditional ryokan in Kyoto.
Where to stay in Japan
Stay
Tokyo
Design hotels, quiet neighbourhood stays and where to base yourself for a first visit.
Explore Tokyo hotels
Stay
Kyoto
Traditional ryokan, machiya townhouses and the districts worth paying more for.
Explore Kyoto hotels
Stay
Osaka
Central, well-connected stays for a city you'll mostly explore on foot at night.
Explore Osaka hotels
Sakura Insider tips
Know before you go.
The practical decisions that shape a trip — explained once, properly.
Sakura Insider tips
Transport01
JR Pass & Trains in Japan
When a nationwide rail pass makes sense, and when point-to-point tickets are the better call.
Transport02
IC Cards: Suica, Pasmo and ICOCA
The single card — or phone — that opens almost every turnstile in Japan.
Practical03
eSIM & Mobile Data in Japan
Landing with working data, without hunting for a counter at the airport.
Planning04
The Best Time to Visit Japan
What each season actually feels like, and which months suit which kind of trip.
Culture05
Japanese Etiquette for Visitors
The handful of customs that matter most to travellers, without the lecture.
Practical06
Money & Payments in Japan
Where cards work, where cash still rules and how much to carry.
Japan deals
Good trips. Better deals.
Handpicked Japan travel deals, hotel offers and experiences worth knowing about.
Japan deals
TransportExample
Rail & transport offers
Seasonal rail passes and regional transport deals, reviewed before we recommend them.
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StayExample
Hotel offers in Tokyo & Kyoto
Selected stays with flexible rates or added value — only where we'd book ourselves.
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ExperiencesExample
Experiences worth pre-booking
Tours, tastings and tickets that tend to sell out in peak season.
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