5 Japan Travel Planning Mistakes To Avoid
Planning an amazing trip to Japan is a dream for many travellers.
But without the right approach, you can find yourself with more questions than answers! And it's easy to make planning mistakes that can lead to disappointment and headaches.
After helping thousands of travellers plan unforgettable Japan adventures over the years, I've seen these five common travel planning pitfalls:
1. Not leaving enough time for research
Failing to allocate sufficient time for in-depth Japan trip research often leads to rushed, poorly thought-out and inefficient itineraries. You'll likely miss out on incredible experiences or waste time with inconvenient logistics.
Good pre-trip planning can prevent transit and logistical headaches during your travels in Japan
2. Following outdated or low-quality blogs/guides
The internet is full of outdated information (hello Tripadvisor!) and advice from inexperienced bloggers. Relying on these sources can steer you towards mistakes like tourist traps, inefficient itineraries, cultural missteps and more.
3. Overlooking unique cultural experiences
With so much to see and do, many travellers inadvertently focus only on the major cities and sights. This causes you to miss rich cultural experiences like local festivals, the iconic Japanese tea ceremony, even unique lodging and more.
Performers from the theatre production Akan-Yukar: Lost Kamuy - a unique cultural experience | Photo: Klook
4. Cramming to much into your itinerary
An over-ambitious, poorly-designed itinerary leads to a stressful, unsatisfying trip. You'll spend more time transiting than you need to, rather than experiencing Japan at a reasonable pace. Proper planning ensures a good balance.
5. Failing to optimise your transit routes
Japan's public transport system is incredible but can also be complex. Without optimising your routing and passes, you'll overpay and deal with extra headaches getting between destinations and risk missing connections.
There are many more reasons people don't end up having their dream trip to Japan, but if you can overcome these 5 common ones, you'll be ahead of the crowd with your trip planning.
Of course, having a knowledgeable guide - someone who has extensive, up-to-date knowledge of Japan's top destinations, logistics, customs and more - significantly increases the chances of getting that dream trip you deserve.
If that sounds useful, stay tuned, because I'll shortly be launching a new personalised Japan travel planning service to give you that expert guidance on tap!
Discover Okinawa: Japan’s Subtropical Paradise Unveiled
The waters around Okinawa Islands are home to coral reefs, providing a haven for marine life
The first time I went to Okinawa I was so surprised by what I saw.
This wasn’t the Japan I’d seen in the media when I was growing up. I didn’t even know Japan had regions with subtropical jungles. Visiting Okinawa gives you an experience of Japan that’s nothing like any of its better-known counterparts.
This introductory guide focuses on Okinawa Island, but also touches on some of the other, smaller islands included within the larger Okinawa Prefecture.
Its culture reflects external influences over thousands of years, and its landscapes challenge the common perception of what Japan looks like.
Looking to escape the mainland crowds? Okinawa offers the ultimate Japanese getaway.
Soak up the East China Sea's turquoise waters and relax on its golden sand beaches. Delve into the vibrant Ryukyu Kingdom culture at historic sites like Shuri Castle. Snorkel along kaleidoscopic coral reefs or simply unwind with an Orion beer in hand.
Get ready to embrace Japan's sun-soaked southwestern frontier...
Island Guides - Exploring Japan's Diverse Landscapes
Some of my Japan Island Guides
Since I've just published my latest Japan island guide (for Okinawa) - I thought it timely to highlight where you can find all my Japan Island Guides.
Most of Japan's best-known cities and attractions are found on the main island Honshu.
But there's a lot more to The Real Japan than just Honshu (you knew I was going to say that, right?!).
So far, I have 5 Island Guides:
- Discover Honshu - The big one!
- Discover Kyushu - Volcanoes, onsen, ancient forests
- Discover Shikoku - The hidden gem
- Discover Hokkaido - Japan’s national park
- Discover Okinawa - Southern subtropical paradise
I also have a 6th planned - for the mysterious Sado.
If you’re looking for an introduction to each of Japan’s largest islands then bookmark my growing list of Japan Island Guides...
Did You See...?
POST: Where To Stay in Kyushu (Updated Island Guide)
VIDEO: Don't Miss Awaji Island - Godzilla!, Palm Trees and Beaches
Mobal Adds 100GB eSIMs To Their Range
Okinawa Playlist Added to YouTube
Cheap Flights To Japan: Top 10 Tips and Flying FAQs
UPDATED! 38 Japan Travel Sites and Resources You Should Know
