{"id":97076,"date":"2025-08-27T09:55:46","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T23:55:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.signatureluxurytravel.com.au\/?p=97076"},"modified":"2026-01-20T11:10:31","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T00:10:31","slug":"japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.signatureluxurytravel.com.au\/japan\/","title":{"rendered":"Signature’s curated guide to Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1752105913269{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”]From thumping metropolises and sub-tropical coastlines to the snow-dusted peaks of the alps, these are the best places to visit in Japan.<\/strong> By Laura Barry<\/em><\/p>\n

As I finally extract myself from the heaving throng of <\/span>people<\/span> on <\/span>Nakamise-dori<\/span>,<\/span> my ears are assaulted by the rattling thrash of fortune-telling omikuji-<\/em><\/span>sen<\/em>.<\/span> Sens\u014d<\/span>-ji towers before me, its giant lantern swinging <\/span>above <\/span>a <\/span>haze of burning incense.<\/span> Tourists dressed in rented kimono <\/span>\u2013 complete<\/span> with hair pins<\/span> and geta<\/em><\/span> sandals<\/span> \u2013 pose for pictures in front of the five-storied pagoda<\/span>. <\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> a tourist trap for <\/span>sure, but<\/span> venture beyond the <\/span>Buddhist<\/span> temple and <\/span>you\u2019ll<\/span> discover <\/span>izakaya-lined street<\/span>s and locals going about their everyday business. <\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Land of the Rising Sun is a country built upon balance. In Tokyo, the wards of Shibuya and Shinjuku pulsate to a relentless urban rhythm, while just an hour away lies a leafy escape set upon the crests of Mount Takao. Shinto shrines are treasured and stand testament to Japan’s commitment to tradition, yet technology, gaming and lightning-fast trains suggest a society firmly focused on the future. Beyond Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto is a world away from our own, a cornucopia of culinary treasures, craftsmanship and cultural riches. Read on for Signature’s curated collection of the best places to visit in Japan.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1751944459198{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

How to get to Japan<\/h3>\n

Floating to the east of China in the Pacific Ocean, Japan is an archipelago comprised of thousands of islands; Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku are the largest. A direct flight from Australia to Japan takes less than 11 hours, and passengers can fly in business class when traveling with Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways or Qantas.<\/p>\n

Japan travel facts<\/h3>\n

Currency<\/strong>: Japanese yen \u00a5
\nLanguage<\/strong>: Japanese
\nReligion<\/strong>: Shinto and Buddhism
\nCapital<\/strong>: Tokyo
\nEmergency numbers<\/strong>: fire, ambulance and rescue: 119 Police: 110
\nTime zone<\/strong>: Japan Standard Time (GMT+9) Canberra, Australia is one hour ahead of Tokyo, Japan
\nVisa<\/strong>: Australian travellers entering Japan for tourism, business or transit for a duration of less than 90 days do not require a visa to enter Japan.
\nPeak season<\/strong>: spring (from March to May) and autumn (from September to November)
\nLow season<\/strong>: winter (from December to February)
\nCherry blossom season<\/strong>: late March to early April[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”97127″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1752041465156{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1752106044475{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Understanding Japan’s islands, regions and prefectures <\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

While the best places to visit in Japan are spread across the archipelago, visitors typically find themselves staying on one of the four main islands: Honsh\u016b, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku. Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto are all found on Honshu. Japan has eight regions: Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu-Okinawa. Each region is divided into prefectures, and there are 47 prefectures across the country. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kant\u014d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n