Kappa Bridge over the clear Azusa River in Kamikochi, with autumn larches and the Hotaka mountains

Japan planning guides

Guides

Every Japan guide on Tripnook, written in Australia for travellers everywhere, with prices in your own currency.

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These are Tripnook’s Japan planning guides, written in Australia for travellers everywhere, with prices shown in your currency and Australian dollars as the default. Start with the First-Time Japan guide for routes, rail passes and costs, then open the city guides for the places on your itinerary, from Tokyo in the east to Hiroshima in the west.

By Tripnook editorial. Researched from official tourism and transport sources; prices checked 14 November 2026 (Australia/Sydney). Other costs are approximate estimates, not a booking quote.

The red-brick Marunouchi building of Tokyo Station under a blue sky

First-Time Japan

A 14-day route, rail and IC card basics, and what a first trip costs.

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 The large wooden torii gate at Meiji Jingu in Tokyo, seen on a clear day

Tokyo

Neighbourhoods, a dawn temple visit and easy day trips from the capital.

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 The Taihei-kaku covered bridge reflected in the pond of the Heian Shrine garden, Kyoto

Kyoto

Temples at opening time, old streets and four unhurried days.

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 Looking up at the linked towers of the Umeda Sky Building in Osaka

Osaka

Street food and a practical base for Kyoto, Nara and the west.

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 Rows of moss-covered stone lanterns and vermilion buildings at Kasuga-taisha, Nara

Nara

The deer park, great temples and Japan’s first permanent capital.

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 A red Hakone Tozan Railway train waiting at Hakone-Yumoto station

Hakone

Lake Ashi, ropeways and an onsen overnight west of Tokyo.

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 Snow-capped Mount Fuji above the village of Oshino under a deep blue winter sky

Mount Fuji

Lake views from the Five Lakes, with flexible nights for clear weather.

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 A corner turret and long stone wall of Hiroshima Castle reflected in the moat

Hiroshima

The Peace Memorial Park and museum, then a day on Miyajima.

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For official visitor averages, example fares and 7 and 14-day budgets, see how much a trip to Japan costs from Australia.

The route we recommend

TokyoHakoneMount FujiKyotoNaraOsakaHiroshima

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