Destinations / Japan

Japan✓ Verified June 2026

Japan

Bullet trains, temples and neon — the bucket-list trip, made navigable.

A sample 6-day Japan itinerary

A realistic, low-backtracking route. Generate your own — shaped to your dates, budget and pace — in minutes.

Tokyo arrival

Settle in, Shibuya crossing and Shinjuku at night.

Hotel check-inShibuya CrossingShinjuku / Omoide Yokocho

Tokyo highlights

Asakusa, Akihabara and a teamLab museum.

Senso-ji (Asakusa)AkihabarateamLab Planets

Shinkansen to Kyoto

Bullet train, then eastern Kyoto temples.

Shinkansen rideKiyomizu-deraGion old quarter

Kyoto & Arashiyama

Fushimi Inari gates and the bamboo grove.

Fushimi InariArashiyama bambooKinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Nara day trip → Osaka

Nara deer and Todai-ji, then Osaka nightlife.

Nara deer parkTodai-jiDotonbori, Osaka

Osaka & fly

Osaka Castle, last bites, then depart.

Osaka CastleKuromon MarketDeparture

Best time to visit

The two golden windows are late March to May (cherry blossom, sakura) and October to November (autumn colours) — mild and beautiful, but busy and pricey. Summer (Jun–Aug) is hot and humid with a rainy spell; winter (Dec–Feb) is cold but great for snow and fewer crowds.

When

Weather

Crowd

Notes

Mar–May

Mild, cherry blossom

Peak

Sakura — book months ahead

Jun–Aug

Hot, humid, rainy spell

Medium

Festivals; cheaper shoulder

Oct–Nov

Crisp, autumn colours

High

Second-best window

Dec–Feb

Cold, clear

Medium

Snow, fewer crowds, lower prices

Visa for Indians

Tourist visa required for Indian passport holdersFee: Nominal (often free for single-entry tourist visa)· 5–7 working days (apply early in peak season)

Indian citizens need a visa for Japan, applied before travel through the embassy/consulate or its authorised agency (VFS), or via the Japan eVisa system where eligible. You submit an itinerary, proof of funds and flight/hotel bookings. Apply 2–3 weeks ahead.

1Confirm passport validity of 6+ months

2Prepare a day-by-day itinerary, flight and hotel bookings

3Show proof of funds (bank statements) and ITR

4Apply via the embassy/VFS or the Japan eVisa portal where eligible

5Collect the visa and reconfirm entry details before flying

✦

Visa rules change — always reconfirm on the official portal before booking. We re-verify these pages regularly (updated June 2026).

Trip cost from India

Japan is one of the pricier trips, though the weak yen helps. Per-person, per-day excluding international flights:

Backpacker

₹5,000–8,000/day

Hostels/capsules, convenience-store meals, IC card

Comfort · popular

₹10,000–18,000/day

3–4★ stays, JR travel, mix of dining

Luxury

₹30,000+/day

Ryokan, fine dining, premium experiences

Ballpark for a 6-day trip: ₹1,10,000–1,60,000 per person incl. return flights (comfort).

Veg & Jain food

Be honest with yourself here: Japan is the hardest of these destinations for strict vegetarians and especially Jains, because dashi (fish stock) hides in many dishes. It is very doable with planning — Indian and vegan restaurants in big cities, shojin-ryori (Buddhist temple food), and convenience-store basics. Learn to ask for "no katsuo dashi".

Shojin-ryori (Buddhist veg)Veg ramen / vegan spots (cities)Onigiri (check fillings)Tempura veg & soba

Safety & scams

Japan is one of the safest countries on earth — low crime, lost wallets get returned. The real challenges are language, cash (carry some yen; not everywhere takes cards) and navigating the train system.

⚠Almost no scams; mind tout-heavy nightlife areas (Kabukicho)

⚠Carry cash — smaller places are cash-only

⚠Validate the right rail pass for your route before buying

Japan FAQs

Yes — Indian passport holders need a tourist visa, applied before travel via the embassy/VFS or the Japan eVisa system where eligible. You submit an itinerary, funds proof and bookings.

6–7 days covers Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka. Add days for Hakone, Hiroshima or Hokkaido.

It is one of the pricier trips, though the weak yen helps. A comfortable 6-day trip is roughly ₹1.1–1.6 lakh per person including flights.

Possible with planning — dashi (fish stock) is common, so seek out Indian/vegan spots and shojin-ryori, and learn to ask for no fish stock. Jains should plan carefully.

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Get your own verified Japan plan

Shaped to your dates, budget, food and pace — with live prices and your-passport visa. Days 1–2 free.