One of the biggest messages I want you to take on board when planning any trip in Japan, especially your first, is not to make the mistake of thinking that if you spend a week or more in Tokyo then you'll have a great grounding in the country.
You won't.
Here's why you need to go beyond Tokyo.
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Trying harder and digging deeper
For discovering and experiencing The Real Japan you've got to try harder, dig deeper, look further. The good news is – that's what this website is here for. To do some of the time-consuming and often difficult ground work for you.
Suizenji Garden, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu
Jump to: Complete List of Low Cost Airlines in Japan
Of course, capital cities are globally recognisable for a reason. If you are travelling a long way to a country it's understandable that you'll want to take in the capital (particularly if it is Tokyo!).
If only to be able to regale friends on the quirks of local culture that (in all honesty) you were already familiar with from a distance via TV, movies and the internet, but had simply never experienced first hand.
And that's all fine.
Japanese farmstead, Hokkaido
Avoid this fundamental error
However, the key here is not to save up money and holidays to spend two, maybe three weeks in Japan and then make the fundamental error of spending half (or more) of your time in the one place.
This applies to most capital cities around the world, but never more so in Japan. Our goal here, lest we forget, is to discover and experience The Real Japan – the Japan that most tourists never see.
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You can see a lot of Japan in 2 weeks
Of course, there will always be budgetary considerations to factor in that will influence your plans, but going off the beaten track doesn't have to be prohibitively expensive. Travel passes such as the Japan Rail Pass and Regional Rail Passes can offer fantastic value and unlimited travel. Do your homework in advance and take advantage of these tools.
As much as having months to do a grand tour of the country would be lovely, for most people it's also highly unrealistic.
But that's not a problem.
You do not need months to see a lot of Japan.
You can see a lot of Japan in just 2 weeks; the length of time many visitors to Japan are limited to. Indeed, my next trip will be for 2 weeks, but I'll still be visiting 9 different locations.
Only 2 days of my 2 weeks will be spent in Tokyo. It just takes a little planning and setting your priorities. Of course, if you want to spend more time in Tokyo than 2 days - feel free. It's your trip!
SEE ALSO: Japan Rail Pass Ultimate Guide
Takachiho Gorge, Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyushu
Cheap rail and air travel
Rail Passes (purchased in advance from your home country) can save you a fortune on rail travel.
For what they cost and what they include they are fantastic value for money. In the last few years, Japan has also woken up to and embraced the budget airline phenomenon that those in others countries have taken advantage of for a long time.
New, low-cost carriers like Air Asia, Air Do, Jetstar, Peach, and Vanilla Air mean you can fly internally in Japan cheaply. The network connects the more remote and exotic islands, far more easily than in the past. Japan has an extensive internal airline network, there are currently 97 airports in country, make the most of them.
I also have a more detailed guide called Cheap Flights to Japan you might like to check out.
Kansai International Airport at dawn
Focus on booking (flights, accommodation, trains, day trips, etc.) directly rather than buying an all-inclusive package tour. Those can be fine but you will be paying a premium for the simplicity of a pre-set itinerary and, chances are, you'll just be traipsing in the same, well-trodden footsteps of millions of other overseas tourists, ticking off the major sights.
That's not what The Real Japan is about.
Japan is made up of 6,800 islands
To be fair, it is largely a repetitive diet of countless (clichéd) images and stories those outside of Japan are fed by the mainstream media of the iconic city of Tokyo, which accounts for what feels like 90% of coverage of Japan. (Natural or man-made disaster stories excluded.)
Don't get me wrong, Tokyo is part of The Real Japan, as are white-faced geisha strolling around the streets of Kyoto, but they are merely aspects of it, and certainly not representative. Japan is made up of more than 6,800 islands – don't you want to see some of them!?
There's so much beyond Tokyo
Most people understand it would be wrong to think that spending two weeks in London or New York City gives you an accurate impression of England or America, or of the breadth and variety both of those countries offer. There's so much more beyond those capital cities. The same goes for Japan and Tokyo.
So, by all means, build in a stay in Tokyo into your itinerary – you'll never forget it! But think about keeping it focused on giving you the kind of experiences and memories that most package tourists won't leave with, and allow plenty of time to explore some of the lesser-known areas.
You'll be surprised at what is out there.
About the Author
A writer and publisher from England, Rob has been exploring Japan’s islands since 2000. He specialises in travelling off the beaten track, whether on remote atolls or in the hidden streets of major cities. He’s the founder of TheRealJapan.com.
Resources
Japan Rail Pass Ultimate Guide
https://www.therealjapan.com/japan-rail-pass/
Official Japan Rail Pass website
http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/
Complete List of Low Cost Airlines in Japan
Air Asia
http://www.airasia.com/ot/en/home.page
Air-Do
http://www.airdo.jp/ap/en/index.html
JetStar
http://www.jetstar.com
Skymark Airlines
http://www.skymark.co.jp/en/
Solaseed Air
http://www.skynetasia.co.jp/eng/fare/price/visit.html
Spring Airlines Japan
http://en.ch.com/
StarFlyer
http://www.starflyer.jp/en/
Vanilla-Air
http://www.vanilla-air.com
Further Related Guides
5 Essential Things You Need Before You Go To Japan
The Best Time To Visit Japan – All You Need To Know
Cheap Flights to Japan & Flying FAQs
Exploring Japan With The ANA Experience Japan Fare
Japan Rail Pass Ultimate Guide
Plan A Trip to Japan In Just 4 Steps
Uncovering Japan’s Spectacular Sustainable Accommodation
I am trying to find out the timetable for the Kodama trains to Hiroshima and Kyoto from Tokyo and am having difficulty in doing so, would appreciate any help you could give me
Hell Gwen, the two best websites/apps for train and transportation planning & timetables in Japan are Japan Route Finder by NAVITIME and Japan Transit Planner by Jorudan. Both have app versions as well (although some useful features are only available in the paid version of the Jorudan one). Here’s links to both:
https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/route/ and https://world.jorudan.co.jp/mln/en/
Dear #RobDyer,
#AkemashiteOmedetouGozaimasu!
#HappyNewYear!
Great orientations and guidance: #DomoArigatôGuzaimasu !
Thought you could also suggest some #interactive Genuine Souvenirs shops and Crafts: Keno the cat you make yourself, those Zashiki Warashi dolls you create, colorful Fans, tie_dye tees, #sumi_e workshops with the #Artist and so forth.
Things we always bring back to our Family members and co-workers that always expects some gifts when we return home…
See if there are teaching workshops for each item… people love when they can Interact, play along, especially children find it extremelly entertaining !
Building and painting those items would also add some magic to our trip… how about that !
Sayonara!,
Regina Rianelli
You’re right to point out all the various and wonderfully unusual gift opportunities when travelling in Japan. A lot of them are very traditional crafts and I like your idea of getting hands on with making them too.
I’m not a big shopper myself but I think an article suggesting ideas for gifts is a good one. I may develop that into a post.
I did go to a noodle factory to make my own noodles once – which was great fun! I had thought about writing about that as well. Thanks for the suggestions!
Dear #RobDyer #san,
#DomoArigatôGuzaimasu for your #precious #time and #replies !
They are very much appreciated, sir !
WOW… this #noodle #Factory #experiment is very interesting!
See if You can also add in this #Article #Workshops as #paint your own #Fan; #Sumi_e workshop with the #Artist; #embroid your own #bag; make your own #Keno the cat; #tie_dye your own t-shirt; #elaborate your own #Zashiki #Warashi doll in customizing the color of the doll’s hair, picking the clothing and so forth this March…
All be #Best !
Sayonara!,
Regina Rianelli
Good to hear you find the noodle factory visit interesting. I’ll add that to my list of articles to write.
I don’t have any experience of the other ideas you suggest – perhaps other TRJ readers do and can share that??
Dear #RobDyer #san,
#DomoArigatôGuzaimasu : #ThankYOU for your kind reply !
Perhaps You can also get in Contact with some Artists and organize a couple Hours SHODO Workshop !
Count me in… I would enjoy learning to write words as: Love, Happiness, Joy, Prosperity, Family values – in such amazing and beautiful Caligraphy.
You know, there’s a great Artist called Mitsuro Nagata from Kyoto @nagatayakyoto who also organizes wonderful Shodo Workshops, but he is currently living in Barcelona – Spain. When he visits his country, he could arrange to have some students of his increadible Art in Japan.
I am willing to take part in this Workshop !
Thank YOU in advance!
#Sayonara + my Best !,
Regina Rianelli