East Asia
Japan
Exceptionally safe, clean and efficient, and easy to do alone: superb trains, convenience stores and solo-friendly dining. Costs add up, English thins out beyond big cities, and famous sights are crowded.
- US travel advisoryLevel 1Exercise normal precautionsDetails
- Visa71 of 198passports can visit visa-freeDetails
- CurrencyJPYUS$1 ≈ ¥157.82Details
- Price level65%of US prices (World Bank PPP)Details
- English2/5LimitedDetails
- PlugsType A, BDetails
- Emergency110Police 110 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 050-3816-2787
- Tap waterYes, drinkableSafe to drink everywhere; restaurants serve free water or tea, and many stations and parks have fountains.Details
- LGBTQ+LegalQuietly tolerant; Tokyo's Shinjuku Ni-chome has a big scene.Details
- Internet234 MbpsMedian fixed broadband · mobile 66 MbpsDetails
- DrivingOn the leftBring a 1949 Geneva Convention IDP; licences from Germany, France, Switzerland, Taiwan and a few others need a JAF translation.
- Digital nomad visaYesDigital Nomad (Designated Activities)Details
Where to go in Japan
36 places with full guides. Comfortable monthly budget for one person, rent included.
| Place | Safety | Month, comfortable | Best months | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TokyoCapital city | 5/5 | $1,900–2,850 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 44/100 |
| KyotoCity | 5/5 | $1,580–2,410 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 58/100 |
| OsakaCity | 5/5 | $1,520–2,220 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 63/100 |
| HiroshimaCity | 5/5 | $1,270–1,900 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 76/100 |
| NaraCity | 5/5 | $1,270–1,900 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 75/100 |
| SapporoCity | 5/5 | $1,390–2,090 | Feb, Jun–Sep | 70/100 |
| OkinawaIsland | 5/5 | $1,390–2,090 | Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov | 75/100 |
| HakoneMountain town | 5/5 | $1,140–1,770 | Apr–May, Oct–Dec | 78/100 |
| FukuokaCity | 5/5 | $1,390–2,090 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 69/100 |
| KawaguchikoMountain town | 5/5 | $1,010–1,650 | Oct–Feb | 84/100 |
| NisekoMountain town | 5/5 | $1,900–3,170 | Jul–Aug, Dec–Mar | 44/100 |
| YokohamaCity | 5/5 | $1,650–2,410 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 58/100 |
| KanazawaCity | 5/5 | $1,390–2,090 | Apr–May, Oct–Nov | 68/100 |
| TakayamaTown | 5/5 | $1,080–1,710 | Apr–May, Oct–Nov | 86/100 |
| NagoyaCity | 5/5 | $1,390–2,090 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 66/100 |
| NikkoTown | 5/5 | $1,080–1,710 | May, Jul–Aug, Oct–Nov | 82/100 |
| KamakuraTown | 5/5 | $1,580–2,220 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 62/100 |
| KobeCity | 5/5 | $1,330–1,900 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 74/100 |
| HakubaMountain town | 5/5 | $2,220–3,490 | Jan–Feb, Jul–Sep | 33/100 |
| IshigakiIsland | 5/5 | $1,390–2,030 | Apr–May, Jul, Sep–Oct | 74/100 |
| NagasakiCity | 5/5 | $1,200–1,770 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 78/100 |
| Shirakawa-goTown | 5/5 | $1,770–2,660 | Feb, May, Oct–Nov | 50/100 |
| MiyakojimaIsland | 5/5 | $1,330–1,960 | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | 76/100 |
| HakodateCity | 5/5 | $1,200–1,770 | Jun–Oct | 80/100 |
| OtaruTown | 5/5 | $1,200–1,770 | Feb, Jun–Sep | 79/100 |
| BeppuTown | 5/5 | $1,140–1,650 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 82/100 |
| MatsumotoCity | 5/5 | $1,200–1,770 | Apr–May, Sep–Nov | 79/100 |
| KoyasanMountain town | 5/5 | $1,770–2,660 | Apr–May, Oct–Nov | 48/100 |
| FuranoTown | 5/5 | $1,140–1,770 | Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug | 81/100 |
| SendaiCity | 5/5 | $1,270–1,900 | Apr–May, Sep–Nov | 77/100 |
| YakushimaIsland | 5/5 | $1,580–2,410 | Apr–May, Oct–Nov | 57/100 |
| KagoshimaCity | 5/5 | $1,170–1,710 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 81/100 |
| NaoshimaIsland | 5/5 | $1,770–2,850 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 49/100 |
| Kumano KodoRegion | 5/5 | $1,770–2,850 | Mar–May, Oct–Nov | 47/100 |
| Kinosaki OnsenTown | 5/5 | $1,900–3,040 | Nov–Mar | 41/100 |
| Nozawa OnsenMountain town | 5/5 | $2,410–3,800 | Oct, Dec–Mar | 25/100 |
When to visit Japan
Mar–May and Oct–Nov are mild with blossoms or foliage. June is rainy (not Hokkaido), Jul–Aug hot and humid, Aug–Oct typhoon season; winter suits Hokkaido skiing.
Good to know
Entry
- Register on Visit Japan Web before flying to get immigration and customs QR codes instead of paper forms.
- JESTA, an online pre-travel authorization for visa-exempt visitors, is planned by fiscal 2028; it is not required yet.
- The International Tourist Tax rose to ¥3,000 per departure on 1 July 2026, normally included in airfares.
- From 1 Nov 2026 tax-free shopping becomes a refund: pay tax in store, get it back at departure customs.
Laws visitors break by accident
- Short-term visitors must carry their passport at all times; police may ask for it.
- Adderall and strong pseudoephedrine decongestants are banned; check medicines before packing.
- Cannabis, including CBD with THC, is illegal; using it has been a crime since Dec 2024.
Etiquette
- Don't tip; a thank-you is enough.
- Take shoes off in homes, ryokan, temples and some restaurants.
- Keep quiet on trains and skip phone calls.
- Tattoos can mean refusal at onsen, pools and gyms; look for tattoo-friendly baths.
Tipping
Not done and can confuse staff. Some restaurants add a 10% service charge, and izakaya often add a small seating charge (otoshi).
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Immigration Services Agency: Digital Nomad status
- Visit Japan Web (Digital Agency)
- Japan Tourism Agency: tax-free shopping
- Seven Bank: overseas cards at ATMs
- Speedtest Global Index: Japan
- World Bank open data
Country facts are researched by SoloSquare; advisory levels, crime, health and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.