JAPAN · PLAN YOUR TRIP · BY LAURA

Your first trip to Japan: where to start?

You can already picture yourself in Tokyo’s streets, in a Japanese garden or enjoying a good bowl of ramen… then comes the question: where do I start? For your first trip to Japan, I suggest beginning with your wishes. The rest takes shape, one step at a time.

First, the Japan you want to discover

What makes you most excited about going? Lively neighbourhoods, food, gardens, popular culture or open spaces? Keep two or three wishes as your guiding thread. They will help you choose your stops and set aside what appeals to you less. You can love Japan without wanting to visit every temple or every major city.

An itinerary with time to enjoy it

Tokyo and Kyoto can be lovely starting points, with a quieter stop between them or at the end. Remember hotel arrivals, journeys and the time you need to find your bearings. A few nights in one place bring the pleasure of getting to know a neighbourhood, returning to a small restaurant and gradually feeling at home.

Tokyo Tower in the cityscape — A first glimpse of urban Japan.

Your comfort is part of the journey

A beautiful room is appealing, but also check its location, size and type of bed. If a futon does not appeal to you, a Western-style bed can be a simple choice for better rest. A convenient base also helps avoid long journeys at the end of the day, especially after plenty of walking.

Small preparations that bring reassurance

Before you leave, keep your addresses and itinerary available offline. Check entry requirements, opening hours and visits that need booking with official sources. Having those details at hand means less time searching for information and more time enjoying what is around you.

Cherry blossoms above a canal in Japan — The atmosphere of a journey changes with the seasons too.

First trip to Japan without speaking English: is it possible?

Yes, you can prepare a first trip to Japan even if you do not speak English. Keep your hotel addresses in Japanese, prepare a translation app and download your itinerary for offline use. A detailed travel book with stations, exits and routes helps you move at your own pace. A French-speaking guide can be arranged for selected visits, subject to availability and your quote.

French-speaking airport welcome in Japan: how does it work?

After a long flight, a welcome in French can make a difference. Depending on your airport, arrival time and availability, we can arrange someone to help you find your bearings and reach your accommodation. The welcome and the transfer are separate services: assistance on public transport or a private vehicle will be specified in your quote. Share your flight details and needs when we talk.

Arrivals hall at a Japanese airport: finding your bearings. Photo: Nanashinodensyaku / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized).

Getting around Japan without a guide: what should you prepare?

Travelling independently does not mean improvising everything. Note your station name, the right exit and the final route to your hotel. We recommend Suica for compatible transport: it is a rechargeable prepaid card and does not replace every ticket, including some train reservations. Allow extra time on arrival and choose accommodation that is easy to reach. Your travel book can explain routes in detail for a calmer journey.

Tapping a Suica card at the ticket gates. Photo: タチヤマカムイ / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized).

Shall we plan your first Japan trip together?

If you have ideas but are not sure how to connect them, let’s talk. I help you create a personalised itinerary and a detailed travel guide, with the support we agree together. Your starting point can be simple: your dates, budget and what you dream of discovering.