Japan rewards a first visit more generously than almost any other country we would point an Australian traveller to. It is safe, punctual and arranged so that a stranger with a phone and an IC card can move around without much friction. Ten days is the sweet spot: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and a day in Nara, with time to breathe.
The real gift is the contrast. A centuries-old shrine can sit behind a glass tower. A bowl of ramen can be made with more care than many restaurants bring to a whole menu. Japan does not ask you to choose between the ancient and the modern. It hands you both, and a timetable so you can fit them into one day.
Who is a first trip to Japan for?
It suits first-time visitors to Asia who want a country that is safe and culturally rich without being intimidating, food lovers at every budget, solo travellers who want to eat at a counter and be welcomed, families who need clean transport, and photographers chasing contrast.
Consider another destination if you came mainly for beaches and warm-water swimming, if you want late loud nightlife every night (Tokyo and Osaka can deliver, but most of Japan sleeps early), or if you are hoping for Southeast Asian backpacker prices. July and August heat is genuinely hard work in the cities.
When is the best time to visit Japan?
- Spring, March to May. Cherry blossom from late March to early April is beautiful, crowded and expensive. See our 2027 cherry blossom guide for average bloom dates by city. May is often the smarter spring choice: warmer, greener and quieter.
- Summer, June to August. June brings the rainy season. July and August bring harsh heat and humidity, plus festivals and mountain escapes.
- Autumn, September to November. For many travellers this is the best overall window: drier weather, maple colour, and lighter crowds than spring. October and November are especially good.
- Winter, December to February. The quietest and often the most affordable season, with clear days and the year’s best Mount Fuji views.
For weather, Japan holidays and Australian school holidays in every month, see our guide to the best time to visit Japan, month by month.
What does a first Japan trip cost?
These daily ranges are Tripnook estimates, not official fares. They exclude international flights. Treat them as approximate starting points.
| Style | Daily cost (AUD, approx.) | Local daily (yen) | What it usually covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | from approx. approx. A$83 to approx. A$119 | about 9,000 to 13,000 yen | Hostels or capsules, konbini breakfasts, teishoku or ramen, IC-card transport, free shrines and paid temple entries |
| Comfort | from approx. approx. A$184 to approx. A$322 | about 20,000 to 35,000 yen | Business hotels, restaurant meals, museum entries, occasional taxis, a Shinkansen leg or two |
| Luxury | from approx. approx. A$735 and up | about 80,000 yen and up | Hotels or ryokan, formal dining, guides and reserved experiences |
How long should I stay?
- 7 days, Tokyo and Kyoto. Tight but doable: three days in Tokyo, two in Kyoto, and a day trip. Expect early mornings and one Shinkansen leg.
- 10 days, the classic triangle. Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and a Nara day, with room for one slower morning. This is the first trip we recommend most often.
- 14 days, the Japan journey. Adds a Hakone or Mount Fuji overnight, Nara properly, and Hiroshima with Miyajima.
What routes work for a first visit?
10 days, the classic triangle: Tokyo (about 4 days), Kyoto (3 days), Osaka (3 days), with a Nara day from Kyoto or Osaka.
10 days, a cultural focus: Tokyo (4), Kyoto (4), Nara (2).
14 days, the Japan journey: we now link the full westbound route, including Osaka and Hiroshima.
If you want an onsen night, build it in Hakone rather than leaving it as a loose idea. Mount Fuji views are a weather gamble; read the Mount Fuji guide before you lock a night at Kawaguchiko.
Want these as day-by-day plans? See our 7, 10 and 14-day Japan itineraries.
Do I need a Japan Rail Pass?
Not always. The nationwide pass is useful when you make two or more long Shinkansen trips within its validity. For Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka only, point-to-point tickets or a Kansai pass can be cheaper. Official online prices (ordinary adult) are 50,000 yen for 7 days, 80,000 yen for 14 days and 100,000 yen for 21 days. Overseas agency prices are higher from 1 October 2026. See the sourced table below, then do the maths for your legs. A Nozomi or Mizuho ride needs an extra ticket even with the pass.
Our full breakdown, with worked examples in Australian dollars and the regional passes, is in Is the JR Pass worth it in 2026-27?
What should I pack?
Slip-on shoes, because you will take them off often. Layers for spring and autumn. A compact umbrella all year. A Type A adapter, a pocket battery, and enough cash for small restaurants and temples (5,000 to 10,000 yen is a sensible float, topped up at 7-Eleven or post office ATMs). An eSIM or other data plan on landing is more useful than a Wi-Fi-counter queue. We do not currently have an affiliate programme for eSIM or insurance, so we do not name a paid partner here.
Is there a useful official video for this place?
How do I get there from Australia or elsewhere?
These airline and airport notes were checked against official pages on 13 November 2026 (Australia/Sydney). Flying times are not quoted here; check the airline site for current durations when you book.
- Qantas lists direct services between Tokyo (Haneda) and Sydney, Tokyo (Narita) and Brisbane, and Tokyo (Narita) and Melbourne. It also lists a seasonal Sapporo-Sydney service from 7 December 2026 to 31 March 2027. Its international routes page does not list a direct Japan-Perth flight. Source: Qantas, international flight routes.
- ANA lists, for 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027, daily Haneda-Sydney services (NH879 and NH889, and NH880 and NH890 the other way) and daily Narita-Perth services (NH881 and NH882). Source: ANA, international route information.
- JAL lists daily Haneda-Sydney flights (JL051 and JL052) and daily Narita-Melbourne flights (JL773 and JL774) for departures from 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027. Source: JAL, Oceania routes, 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027.
- If you connect in Tokyo between Haneda and Narita, Qantas’s Jetstar Japan partner page says the airports are about 80 km apart and tells you to allow at least four to five hours between flights. Source: Qantas, Jetstar Japan partner page.
From Adelaide, and for any one-stop itinerary, compare official airline timetables rather than assuming a direct service. If you want to start in Osaka or Kyoto, check both Kansai International Airport (KIX) and a Tokyo arrival plus a Shinkansen transfer, and confirm current direct Australia-Kansai services on the airline sites.
Most first-time visitors from Australia start in Tokyo. If your first nights are in Osaka or Kyoto, compare a Kansai arrival as well. Perth has an official ANA Narita service in the current ANA timetable; Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have official Qantas Tokyo services as listed above.
Where should I stay on a first trip?
Start in Tokyo, in a neighbourhood that matches your first mornings and your arrival airport hop: Shinjuku and Ueno are practical for rail, Asakusa is slower, Shibuya is late and busy. In Kansai, sleep in Kyoto if temple mornings matter most, or in Osaka if you want easier evenings and food. Nara, Hakone, Kawaguchiko and Hiroshima are worth their own nights when the trip is long enough, not as a maybe added at the end. The city guides have more on each area. Use the hotel search and the daily ranges earlier on this page as a planning floor, rather than a typical room rate.
How do I get around once I arrive?
A stored-value IC card is the simplest way to ride trains and buses in most cities, and to pay at many convenience stores. Official visitor options differ by region. Figures below are official yen amounts, last checked 14 November 2026, with Australian dollar conversions marked as approx.
Welcome Suica (JR East) is sold to visitors with no deposit. You choose an opening balance from 1,000 yen (approx. approx. A$9.21) to 10,000 yen (approx. approx. A$92). The card is valid for 28 days from the date of purchase, including that day. Remaining credit is not refundable, and you can top up in yen only. Source: JR East, Welcome Suica purchase.
JR East’s FAQ also says a regular Suica has no fixed use-by period but requires a 500 yen (approx. approx. A$4.61) deposit, unlike Welcome Suica. Source: JR East, Suica and Welcome Suica FAQ.
In Kansai, JR West sells an original-design ICOCA for foreign visitors at the JR Ticket Office at Kansai-airport Station. The official price is 2,000 yen (approx. approx. A$18.42), including a 500 yen deposit, one card per person, for visitors with a non-Japanese passport and Temporary Visitor status. Source: JR West, ICOCA.
Buy an IC card that matches where you land: Welcome Suica is convenient if you start in Tokyo; the official visitor ICOCA is sold at Kansai-airport Station if you start in Kansai. Add a Tokyo Subway Ticket only if you will ride Metro and Toei heavily for a day or two. Add a Kyoto Subway and Bus 1-Day Pass if you will hop buses between temples on a single calendar day. The Hakone Freepass is worth reading if you overnight in Hakone. The nationwide Japan Rail Pass still needs a separate calculation against your Shinkansen legs.
What does a first week actually feel like on the ground?
The 7, 10 and 14 day routes earlier on this page are the planning frame. On the ground, a useful first week is slower than it looks on a map.
Keep the first day in Tokyo short. Eat near the hotel, get an IC card, and do one neighbourhood well. On days two and three, add a shrine morning and one busy district, not five. When you ride the Shinkansen west, keep the arrival afternoon light in Kyoto. Use a Nara day from Kyoto or Osaka rather than inventing a fourth city. If you have a second week, that is when Hakone, Mount Fuji and Hiroshima start to fit without sprinting.
What should I expect to eat on a first trip?
Japan is straightforward to eat in, even if you do not speak the language. Picture menus, ticket machines and convenience stores do a lot of the work. Budget days often mean a store breakfast, a lunch set and a simple dinner. Comfort days add restaurant meals and the odd reserved counter. If you have allergies, learn the key phrases and do not rely on a random translation alone. We do not present any of this as dietary advice.
What etiquette should I actually bother with?
A little goes a long way. Say sumimasen and arigatou, take your shoes off when you see a step or a rack, and keep phone calls off quiet train carriages. At shrines and temples, follow the posted path and do not block the offering box for a photo. Cash is still useful for small places. Tattoos can be an issue in some public baths; ask when you book, or choose a room with a private bath.
If you remember only three things: shoes off when asked, quiet phones on trains, and cash in your pocket for the places that still want it.
What mistakes do first-time visitors make?
The usual ones are packing the days too tightly, buying a nationwide rail pass without doing the maths, and arriving without a way to pay for a train. Get the IC card or pass sorted on day one. People also underestimate summer heat and leave a mountain night or Hiroshima as a maybe that never happens. Book the rooms that will sell out, and leave some afternoons unplanned.
The special first-trip mistake is adding cities because they are on the same rail line, then seeing none of them well. The triangle plus one extra, done calmly, beats a seven-city sprint.
How do I book flights and hotels?
Most first-time visitors from Australia fly into Tokyo. If your first nights are in Osaka or Kyoto, compare arrivals into Kansai International Airport as well. Search links below open Aviasales with a departure city near you (Sydney if we cannot tell), and Trip.com’s hotel search for your region. These are starting points, not quotes.
Which figures have been checked against official sources?
Yen amounts below are as published on the official pages, last checked 14 November 2026. Australian dollar figures are approx. conversions using the ECB reference rate via Frankfurter on 13 November 2026 (1 AUD = 108.56 JPY). They are estimates, not a ticket price.
Rail passes and IC cards 8 items
| Item | Official figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Japan Rail Pass, ordinary adult, official online purchase | 7-day 50,000 yen (approx. approx. A$461); 14-day 80,000 yen (approx. approx. A$737); 21-day 100,000 yen (approx. approx. A$921) | JR Group, Japan Rail Pass types and prices |
| Japan Rail Pass, ordinary adult, overseas agency from 1 October 2026 | 7-day 53,000 yen (approx. approx. A$488); 14-day 84,000 yen (approx. approx. A$774); 21-day 105,000 yen (approx. approx. A$967) | JR Group, Japan Rail Pass types and prices |
| Welcome Suica, official visitor IC card (JR East) | No deposit. Opening balance from 1,000 yen (approx. approx. A$9.21) to 10,000 yen (approx. approx. A$92). Valid 28 days from the date of purchase, including that day. Remaining credit is not refundable. | JR East, Welcome Suica purchase |
| Tokyo Subway Ticket, adult (Metro and Toei) | 24-hour 1,000 yen (approx. approx. A$9.21); 48-hour 1,500 yen (approx. approx. A$13.82); 72-hour 2,000 yen (approx. approx. A$18.42). Child tickets half. Valid from the travel starting time. | Tokyo Metro, Tokyo Subway Ticket |
| Tokyo Metro 24-hour Ticket, Metro lines only | Adult 700 yen (approx. approx. A$6.45); child 350 yen (approx. approx. A$3.22). | Tokyo Metro, 1-Day Open Tickets |
| Kyoto City Subway and Bus 1-Day Pass | Adult 1,100 yen (approx. approx. A$10.13); child 550 yen (approx. approx. A$5.07). Valid on the calendar day of activation, not for 24 hours. Some routes excluded; late-night buses cost extra. | Kyoto City Transportation Bureau, Subway and Bus 1-Day Pass |
| Visitor ICOCA (original design), JR West, Kansai-airport Station | 2,000 yen (approx. approx. A$18.42), including a 500 yen deposit. One per person, Temporary Visitor status, non-Japanese passport. Sold at the JR Ticket Office at Kansai-airport Station. | JR West, ICOCA |
| Hakone Freepass, official adult prices from 1 October 2025 | From Shinjuku: 2-day 7,100 yen (approx. approx. A$65), 3-day 7,500 yen (approx. approx. A$69). From Odawara: 2-day 6,000 yen (approx. approx. A$55), 3-day 6,400 yen (approx. approx. A$59). Romancecar limited express is extra. | Hakone Navi, Hakone Freepass |
Airport trains and departure tax 4 items
| Item | Official figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Haneda-Narita connection allowance, Qantas partner page | About 80 km between the airports; allow at least four to five hours between flights when you have to change airports. | Qantas, Jetstar Japan partner page |
| Narita Express (N’EX), Narita Airport to Tokyo, ordinary reserved seat | One way 3,140 yen (approx. approx. A$29). N’EX Tokyo Round Trip Ticket for non-Japanese passport holders: 5,200 yen (approx. approx. A$48) adult, valid 14 days for one ride each way. | JR East, N’EX tickets |
| HARUKA discounted one-way ticket (JR West), tickets bought from 1 November 2026 | Kansai Airport to Shin-Osaka or Osaka 1,900 yen (approx. approx. A$17.50); to Kyoto 2,700 yen (approx. approx. A$25). Foreign passport and Temporary Visitor status required. | JR West, HARUKA One-way Ticket |
| International Tourist Tax (departure tax) | 3,000 yen (approx. approx. A$28) per departure from 1 July 2026; 1,000 yen on tickets issued by 30 June 2026. Under-2s exempt. | National Tax Agency |
Flights from Australia 3 items
| Item | Official figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Qantas published Australia-Japan routes (no airborne times quoted) | Direct: Tokyo Haneda-Sydney; Tokyo Narita-Brisbane; Tokyo Narita-Melbourne. Seasonal Sapporo-Sydney from 7 December 2026 to 31 March 2027. No direct Japan-Perth service listed on this page. | Qantas, international flight routes |
| ANA published Australia routes, 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027 | Daily Haneda-Sydney (NH879/889 and NH880/890) and daily Narita-Perth (NH881/882). | ANA, international route information |
| JAL published Australia routes, 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027 | Daily Haneda-Sydney (JL051/JL052) and daily Narita-Melbourne (JL773/JL774). | JAL, Oceania routes |
What do I need to enter and leave Japan in 2026?
Check your passport on Japan’s official visa exemption list, register on Visit Japan Web if you want a faster arrival, and expect two changes this year: a higher departure tax and a new refund system for tax-free shopping.
Entry requirements by passport
Visa rules depend on your passport, not on where you fly from. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa exemption list shows which passports can visit for a short stay without a visa, for how long, and any ePassport conditions. We do not repeat that list here, because it changes; check it for your own passport before you book.
- Visit Japan Web. The Digital Agency’s Visit Japan Web lets you register immigration and customs details before you land and show a 2D code on arrival. It is also used for the new tax-refund step at some airports.
- JESTA is not needed yet. Japan has passed a law creating JESTA, an electronic travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors. The Immigration Services Agency says the start date will be set by Cabinet Order, no later than 31 March 2029, and the government has said it is aiming for fiscal 2028. Until then there is nothing to apply for. Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
- Departure tax. Japan’s International Tourist Tax is 3,000 yen (approx. approx. A$28) per departure from 1 July 2026. If your ticket was issued on or before 30 June 2026, the old 1,000 yen rate applies. Airlines normally include it in the fare, and children under 2 are exempt. Source: National Tax Agency.
- Tax-free shopping is now a refund. For purchases from 1 November 2026, tax-free shops charge the full price including consumption tax. The tax is refunded after customs confirms at departure, within 90 days of purchase, that you are taking the goods out of Japan. Purchases need to reach 5,000 yen (before tax) per store per day. At the airport, do the customs check at a tax-refund kiosk, or online through Visit Japan Web at Narita, Haneda, Kansai and some other airports, before you check in any bag holding those goods. Source: Japan Customs.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Japan?
It depends on your passport. Check it on the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa exemption list, which shows the countries and regions that can visit for a short stay without a visa and for how long. JESTA, Japan’s planned travel authorisation, is not required yet. See the MOFA list.
How does tax-free shopping work in Japan now?
From 1 November 2026 it is a refund. You pay the tax-inclusive price at a tax-free shop, then the consumption tax is refunded after a customs check when you leave Japan, within 90 days of purchase. Do the airport check before you check in the bag holding those goods.
Is there a departure tax in Japan?
Yes. The International Tourist Tax is 3,000 yen per departure from 1 July 2026 (1,000 yen on tickets issued by 30 June 2026). It is normally included in your airfare, and children under 2 are exempt.
Is Japan expensive?
Less than its reputation, if you plan. Budget travellers can manage on around 11,000 yen a day with hostels, konbini meals and IC-card transport. Comfort travel sits around 27,000 yen in our editorial estimates. Peak-season rooms are the cost outlier: book early or travel in the shoulder months.
What is the best time to visit Japan?
October to November for dry weather and autumn colour, or late March to April for cherry blossom. May is the underrated month. December to February is the quietest and often the most affordable.
How long should I stay?
Ten days is the sweet spot for a first visit. Seven is possible but fast. Fourteen lets you add Hiroshima and a mountain night and still keep a slow morning.
Do I need a Japan Rail Pass?
Only if the official pass price is lower than your actual JR legs. Many first-time Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka trips are cheaper on individual tickets.
Is Japan safe?
Exceptionally so by the standards of large cities. The main practical risks are summer heat and slippery temple steps, not street crime. Solo travel, including for women, is a normal way to see the country.
Do I need to speak Japanese?
No, but a little helps. Major stations have English signage and translation apps handle most menus. Learning sumimasen, arigatou and kore goes a long way.
Can I use credit cards?
Often yes at hotels, department stores and chains. Many small restaurants, temples and markets are still cash-only. Carry cash and use 7-Eleven or post office ATMs.
Are tattoos a problem?
At some traditional onsens and public baths, yes. Many ryokan now have private baths. Ask when you book. Temples, restaurants and city streets have no such restriction. For an onsen stay, start with our Hakone guide.
Which Australian cities have direct flights to Japan?
On official pages we checked, Qantas lists Tokyo services from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, plus a seasonal Sapporo-Sydney flight in the dates it publishes. ANA lists daily Sydney-Haneda and Perth-Narita services in its 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027 table. Confirm Adelaide and any other routing on the airline sites. JAL lists daily Sydney-Haneda and Melbourne-Narita flights for 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027.
Should I buy Welcome Suica or ICOCA?
Buy the card that matches where you land. Welcome Suica is a JR East visitor card with no deposit and a 28-day life. The official visitor ICOCA is sold at Kansai-airport Station and includes a 500 yen deposit in its 2,000 yen price.
Photo credits
- Hero image: Photo: Syced, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
