About Japan
Getting to Japan
Turkish Airlines operates at least one direct flight per day from Istanbul to Tokyo, Japan’s capital. To choose your travel dates, go to the Tokyo flight ticket link.
When to visit Japan
- Spring is the most popular season in Japan, particularly due to the sakura season – the peak of the cherry blossoms. However, the sakura season is short, lasting only a week or two, and the dates are not necessarily predictable. While the months of April and May, when the average temperature is around 20 degrees, are an ideal time to visit, prices are also much higher and crowds much denser, especially in tourist destinations such as Tokyo.
- Japan tends to be quite rainy during June and July, and August is hot and humid. Keep this in mind when planning a summer visit.
- Although the cherry blossoms are absent during the months of October and November, the country’s maple trees are gorgeous and the temperatures are moderate.
- Winter months are also a fine time to travel in Japan. Temperatures are around 5-10 degrees, there are fewer tourists, and the country offers a range of winter sports, including skiing.
Tokyo, Japan’s capital, and other Japanese cities
Capital of Japan: Tokyo
Before heading to Tokyo, you may want to put together a budget. Tokyo is the fifth most expensive city in the world, according to CNN Travel’s 2022 report. This hasn’t necessarily discouraged people from living there: Tokyo’s population in 2021 was reported at 13.9 million. As lively and bustling Tokyo is, we must note that the city has its own set of rules. For example, there is no smoking on the streets, riders are expected to speak quietly on public transportation, and people are expected to wait patiently in queues. Tokyo is also known as an electronic product paradise, with the Akihabara area considered one of the best for purchasing such items. Other highlights of Japan’s capital include the following.
- Meiji Jingu Temple: Meiji Jingu, the city’s most visited temple, is nestled among more than 100,000 trees and houses the Meiji Jingu Shrine, built in 1920.
- The Imperial Palace: Set in the Chiyoda region, the Palace serves as the official residence of the Emperor and his family.
- Yayoi Kusama Museum: Japanese modern art phenomenon Kusama is an icon in Japan’s capital. Explore the extraordinary story of the “princess of polka dot” at the museum.
- Tokyo National Museum: Open to the public since 1872, the museum provides a unique and in-depth look at Japanese art history.
- Yoyogi Park: One of Tokyo’s largest city parks, Yoyogi is beautiful in the summer and popular for outdoor activities throughout the year.
- Shibuya District: This is the heart of Tokyo and the crowds are legendary. There’s a viewing terrace in the Magnet by Shibuya 109 shopping center where you can observe (and photograph) the famous Shibuya Crossing.
Kyoto
Kyoto, one of Japan’s historical and cultural capitals, is on the southwestern coast of the island of Honshu.
Kyoto was the former capital of Japan and thus played – and continues to play – an important role in the country’s political and cultural life. Today, the city is home to 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Monuments. Although the city has developed and modernized, Kyoto has beautifully preserved its historical texture; it is a popular tourist destination that allows visitors to explore traditional Japanese culture and architecture. Among the highlights of Kyoto:
- Gion District: Gion, ‘the Geisha District’ is considered the center of traditional Japanese entertainment.
- Katsura River: Join boat tours to discover the beauty of this fascinating river.
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple: One of Kyoto’s most famous and beautiful temples.
- Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji): Set on the edge of a lake, the upper stories of this Zen Buddhist temple are covered in gold leaf.
- Silver Pavilion (Ginkaku-ji): Zen temple famous for its gardens and elegant architecture.
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest: Visitors come to listen to the soothing rhythm of tall bamboo trees rustling in the wind.
- Ryoan-ji Temple: The world-famous Ryoan-ji Zen garden is composed of 15 rocks and is regarded as a pioneer in Japanese garden design.
Osaka
Osaka, Japan’s third largest city, is in the Kansai region and considered both economically and culturally important. Osaka Castle is the city’s most famous structure, surrounded by Osaka Castle Park. Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori districts offer colorful nightlife, restaurants, shopping malls, and entertainment centers that blend the traditional and the modern. Shitenno-ji Temple, Sumiyoshi Taisha Temple, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Universal Studios Japan, and Osaka Science Museum are also must-sees in the city.
Dining in Japan
Japanese cuisine is rightfully famous. Some of the country’s most well-known dishes are listed below.
- Sushi, ramen, and tempura: these general terms cover an array of dishes and ingredients.
- Udon and soba, noodles of varying thicknesses and composition, are served with a variety of spices and sauces.
- Gyoza, or Japanese dumplings, consist of meat, vegetables and spices wrapped in a thin dough, which is then fried or steamed.
- Local delicacies to sample in Osaka include okonomiyaki (a type of Japanese omelet made with vegetables and meat/seafood) and takoyaki (a squid-filled snack).
- Matcha tea: an intense tea made from ground green tea leaves.
Practical information
Capital of Japan: Tokyo
Official language of Japan: Japanese
Japan currency: Japanese Yen
Japan population: 124.2 million (as of 2023)
