Where to go

I am not particularly on top of all the Regions, Prefectures, Cities etc divisions of places. I'm just going to stick with naming places in an "as you would travel to them" way and then break it down from there. For example, I won't he harping on about the Kanto region, or Kyushu etc. I will say Tokyo because that will realistically be your starting point in Kanto and also what you know!

I think where to go does depend a lot on whether you have been to Japan before, and what your interests are. Like, if you are a skier then you will probably be looking to go more mountains and northern! But, you can work that out, because it's not me!

First time in Japan?

The classic first time trip is to go to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Honestly, that's probably a good starting point in general. That's what we did, and we loved it! Tokyo and Kyoto in particular are two of my favourite cities. I didn't like Osaka much, but a lot of people love it! I did find on our most recent trip, where we started in Osaka, I liked it a lot more! If you can, I would start in Osaka rather than Tokyo, and you will enjoy it more that way.

Something different?

Last trip we went to Kanazawa, and we looooved it. It was a lot less busy, both in terms of the actual population and the number of tourists there. It made for a more relaxed time, and I definitely think it's worth a visit.

This October we will be going to Nikko, which I'm really looking forward to. We had planned to go here way back in 2019 with a nearly 3 year old, but the first part of the trip he struggled with the travel and hotel hopping etc, so we bailed on it. We've wanted to do it ever since!

We are also planning to finally go to Hakone this October. It has been our standing "day trip from Tokyo" plan for every trip we've done, but just never made it. We are locking in for it this time!