Japan is one of the easiest countries in the world to travel and one of the hardest to improvise in. Trains run to the second, but popular ryokan, seasonal restaurants and cherry-blossom accommodation are booked months ahead. The Shinkansen network makes Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima a comfortable single itinerary. Seasons are taken seriously and shape what is worth seeing: cherry blossom moves north through late March and April, autumn colour moves south through November, and both draw significant domestic crowds. Summer is hot and humid across most of the country. An IC card handles local transport in every major city, and cash remains useful in smaller towns and at shrines despite widespread card acceptance elsewhere.
asia
Japan
Exceptional public transport, deep seasonal traditions, and a country that rewards planning more than improvisation.
Photograph: mos design / Unsplash