The Spinny Index: Japan
Spinny's verdict: unscientific, but built on a lot of travel. 5 wheels = maximum.
Kyoto: a thousand years as capital, temple lanes and torii tunnels
Kyoto was Japan's imperial capital from 794 until 1868. Its historic monuments are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
In Higashiyama, the sloping lanes of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka run between the Yasaka Pagoda and Kiyomizu-dera, a temple famous for its stage over the hillside.
At Fushimi Inari Taisha, thousands of vermilion torii gates line the trails up Mount Inari. In the Gion district, you may glimpse geiko and maiko.
Best for: history, culture, romance · Spinny tip: Walk from Kiyomizu-dera down Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka at dawn, before the crowds arrive.
The Japanese are obsessed with…
Ramen, kuidaore and food halls: eating your way through Japan
Every region has its own ramen. Rich tonkotsu is especially popular in Fukuoka, and miso ramen was born in Sapporo, in Hokkaido.
Osaka's motto is kuidaore, “eat until you drop”, and the riverside stalls of Dotonbori serve takoyaki.
Under the department stores, depachika food halls are a feast in themselves. Far to the south in Okinawa, try goya chanpuru, bitter melon stir-fried with tofu.
Best for: food, nightlife, city breaks · Spinny tip: Many ramen shops use a ticket machine. Choose and pay there, then hand the ticket to the staff.
Spinny's food dare
Four words that open doors
| Hello | こんにちは | kon-ni-tshi-WA |
| Thank you | ありがとう | a-ri-GA-to |
| Cheers! | 乾杯！ | kan-PAI |
| Goodbye | さようなら | sa-jo-NA-ra |
Capitals = stressed syllable. ə = a short, neutral vowel.
Tokyo: scramble crossings, an old temple and tiny bars
Shibuya Crossing is Tokyo at full volume. A short ride away, Meiji Jingu shrine stands in a 70-hectare forest in the middle of the city.
In Asakusa, Tokyo's oldest temple, Sensō-ji, is reached through the Kaminarimon gate and its huge red lantern.
Then pick a neighborhood: the tiny bars of Golden Gai in Shinjuku, anime and manga in Akihabara, or the observation decks of Tokyo Skytree. More in our guide to city breaks in Japan.
Best for: city breaks, shopping, nightlife · Spinny tip: Get an IC card such as Suica or Pasmo. It works on trains and buses and in convenience stores.
Japan in 60 seconds
- 794 The imperial capital moves to Heian-kyō, today's Kyoto.
- 1603 Tokugawa Ieyasu becomes shogun, and the Edo period begins.
- 1868 The Meiji Restoration: the capital moves to Edo, renamed Tokyo.
- 1964 The Tokaido Shinkansen opens, the world's first high-speed railway line.
- Today A parliamentary democracy with an emperor, and Tokyo as its capital.
Mount Fuji, the Alps and the islands: Japan beyond the cities
At the Fuji Five Lakes, Mount Fuji, Japan's highest mountain, is mirrored in Lake Kawaguchi on calm, clear days.
In the Japanese Alps, the Kiso Valley keeps a well-preserved stretch of the old Nakasendo road, and wild snow monkeys bathe in a hot spring at Jigokudani.
In the Seto Inland Sea, the island of Naoshima is known for its art, while Okinawa's islands are ringed by coral reefs.
Best for: hiking, nature, hot springs · Spinny tip: Climbing Fuji? The official season runs only in summer, from early July to September 10.
Japan: three easy mistakes
Japan by numbers
Myth vs truth
💶 What it costs
Tokyo and Kyoto are the most expensive places to stay in Japan. Convenience stores, ramen shops and lunch sets keep food affordable, while long-distance bullet trains take a big share of a budget.
🛂 Visa & entry (tourist stays)
- EU/EEA citizens: No visa needed for stays up to 90 days. Citizens of Austria, Germany and Ireland can apply in Japan, before the 90 days end, to stay up to 6 months.
- US citizens: No visa needed for stays up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for your whole stay.
- UK citizens: No visa needed for stays up to 90 days, which you can apply to extend in Japan to up to 6 months. Your passport must be valid for your whole stay.
Other nationalities, longer stays or work: check the official source.
General guidance only, not legal advice. This information is collected automatically and may be incomplete or out of date. SpinYourDestination takes no responsibility for your entry to any country – always check the official source or the embassy before you travel.
