Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto & Beyond

Japan is one of the most extraordinary trips on earth, a country where ancient temples, neon cities, and impossibly good food live side by side, all wrapped in a culture of care you feel everywhere. Here is how I plan a first trip.

The classic route

• Tokyo, the electric capital, neighborhoods from serene to dazzling, world-class dining, and endless energy.
• Kyoto, the soul of old Japan, temples, shrines, bamboo groves, and geisha districts.
• Osaka, the country’s street-food capital, casual, fun, and delicious.
• Hakone or Mt. Fuji, hot springs and views, an easy add from Tokyo.

When to go

Spring for the cherry blossoms and fall for the foliage are magical (and busy); both need booking well ahead. The bullet train ties it all together, and a night in a traditional ryokan with an onsen is a must.

Going further

If Japan has you hooked on Asia, South Korea (Seoul) makes a brilliant add or a trip of its own.

The part first-timers underestimate. The cherry-blossom and fall-foliage windows are narrow and shift by the year, the best ryokan and counter-seat restaurants open their books two to three months out and fill almost immediately, and moving between Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka means timing seat reservations on the bullet train around the crowds. None of it is hard once it is sequenced, and all of it slips away when it is left late, which is where I come in with my local vetted partners on the ground.

Why plan Japan with me

Japan rewards a smart route, the right rail passes, and reservations for the restaurants and experiences that book out, and the language and logistics are much easier with help. I arrange it through my trusted partners on the ground. Because it is a long-haul flight, it is worth reading whether business class is worth it for the journey.