What to do in Japan: between megacities, temples and wide open spaces 🌏🇯🇵

Japan fascinates, surprises and captivates. Between futuristic skyscrapers, thousand-year-old sanctuaries, exceptional cuisine and breathtaking nature, the archipelago offers a unique palette of experiences. If you're preparing your trip, start by taking a look at the dedicated GoMoWorld page to organize your connectivity on site and secure your data while traveling, directly to Japan.

We come to Japan to experience an almost magical harmony between tradition and modernity. In Tokyo, you go from a specialty cafe to a discreet sanctuary around an alley. In Kyoto, the golden light at sunset reveals vermilion toriis and zen gardens. In Hokkaidō, hikes follow one another on volcanic trails, while in Okinawa, we slow down to find the island rhythm. And everywhere, you eat incredibly well, from the neighborhood joint beloved by its regulars to renowned sushi counters.

GoMoWorld tip With a single eSIM for more than 200 destinations, you install once and you're set for your next trips. In Japan, you activate your data plan at the chosen time, directly in the app, and you can then leave for Thailand or Italy without reinstalling anything.

Japan can be visited year-round, but your experience will change depending on the season. In spring, cherry blossom (sakura) attracts the whole world. Parks are covered in delicate pink and the atmosphere is celebratory. In autumn, maples turn red (kōyō) and offer superb panoramas in gardens and mountains. Summer is hot and humid in the city, but perfect for festivals (matsuri), swimming in Okinawa and mountain hikes. Winter, meanwhile, is ideal for steaming onsen and Hokkaidō's legendary powder, a skiing paradise.

Timing advice If you're targeting cherry blossoms or autumn foliage, book accommodations and trains in advance. Weather windows vary by region: sakuras arrive earlier in Kyūshū than in Hokkaidō.

Tokyo embodies the world-city. Shibuya and its legendary crossing give the measure of the local rhythm. A few stations away, Harajuku reveals its trendy shops, while Omotesandō seduces with its contemporary architecture and design cafes. In Asakusa, Sensō-ji temple keeps its historic charm, giant lanterns and shopping alleys included. Pop culture fans pass through Akihabara and Nakano Broadway. For a green break, Ueno Park mixes museums and ponds, and the Imperial Palace gardens offer a breath of history.

In the evening, head to Omoide Yokocho or Golden Gai for a drink in a micro-bar, taste yakitori, or try a neighborhood izakaya. The city also shines through its markets and gastronomic addresses, from cult ramen to omakase sushi. View-wise, Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Skytree or Shinjuku City Hall (free observatories) deliver exceptional panoramas.

Former imperial capital, Kyoto charms with its pavilions and gardens. Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) and Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) are admired throughout the seasons. The Philosopher's Path is a pleasant walk, especially in spring. Fushimi Inari and its thousands of toriis plunge into a timeless atmosphere: leave early to enjoy the place in calm. Arashiyama, with its bamboo grove and temples, is superb at dawn, before the crowds.

The Gion district, with wooden houses, recalls the tradition of arts and tea. If you have the opportunity, attend a tea ceremony or explore renovated machiya. Kyoto is savored slowly, on foot or by bus, alternating major sites and small neighborhood shrines.

Osaka loves to eat and claims it. Dōtonbori, with its neon signs and street food stands, is a permanent party. Takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu: taste everything, or almost. Osaka Castle, surrounded by its park, makes a pleasant stop. For a contemporary touch, Umeda Sky Building offers a clear view of the city. Osaka is also a good starting point for Nara, famous for its free-roaming deer and Great Buddha, as well as for Kōyasan, a high place of esoteric Buddhism where you can sleep in shukubō (temple lodging).

Hiroshima invites contemplation at the Peace Memorial Park and Genbaku Dome. The museum, powerful and educational, places history in its complexity and remains one of the most striking visits in the country. A short ferry ride away, Miyajima island displays its famous floating torii of Itsukushima-jinja, its shaded paths and peaceful deer. Spend the night on the island if you can, to enjoy the evening lights.

Kanazawa is renowned for its Kenroku-en garden, one of Japan's most beautiful, and its samurai district, Nagamachi. The tea houses of Higashi Chaya reveal a still vibrant craftsmanship, notably gold leaf that even appears... in pastry decoration. Not far away, the villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama reveal impressive gasshō-zukuri thatched-roof dwellings, especially under snow.

Takayama, in the Japanese Alps, is a gem with wooden houses and sake breweries. It's also a gateway to Kamikōchi, an alpine valley perfect for summer hiking, and to Mount Norikura.

Hokkaidō attracts outdoor lovers. In winter, Niseko and Furano delight skiers. In summer, national parks like Daisetsuzan offer sumptuous hiking routes, volcanic lakes and vast flower meadows included. Sapporo, the island's capital, combines gastronomy (miso ramen, crab) and gentle living, and its winter snow festival is a spectacular event.

White sand beaches, corals, clear waters: Okinawa surprises with its subtropical atmosphere and ryūkyū heritage distinct from the rest of Japan. Between diving, kayaking and snorkeling, we change tempo. Naha offers a good starting point, but ideally branch out to the Kerama, Miyako or Ishigaki islands to fully feel the island gentleness.

Around the five lakes (Fujigoko), between Kawaguchiko and Yamanakako, views of Mount Fuji are memorable on clear days. The most athletic will plan an ascent in summer, during the official season. Access rules are evolving in places to better protect the mountain and hikers' experience; inquire before leaving and favor an early morning departure or a night in a refuge to enjoy the sunrise.

Good to know Climbing Fuji is demanding. Even in good weather, bring warm clothes, water and a safety margin. Trails and refuges may be subject to quotas or reservations depending on the period.

In Japan, cuisine is a journey within a journey. At breakfast, try onsen tamago and grilled fish in a ryokan. At lunch, let yourself be tempted by a bowl of tonkotsu ramen in Kyūshū, soba in Nagano, chirashi in Hokkaidō, or curry katsu in Tokyo. In the evening, the izakaya scene invites sharing and discovery, between local sake and small plates. Markets like Nishiki in Kyoto or Kuromon in Osaka allow you to snack while strolling. And if you're curious, treat yourself to a kaiseki, a traditional menu that celebrates seasonality.

The archipelago is dotted with hot springs. Hakone, Beppu, Kusatsu, Noboribetsu... each resort has its personality. Slipping into an onsen after a day of walking is total bliss, especially in winter. A night in a ryokan completes the experience, with tatami, soft futons and kaiseki dinner. Respect bath etiquette (cleanliness before entry, towel outside the basin, swimsuit forbidden except dedicated pools) and you'll enjoy a deeply soothing moment.

Onsen etiquette Shower carefully before entering the bath, tie up long hair and leave your towel on the edge. Mixed onsen exist but remain rare; men/women separation is the norm.

Between shintō shrines and Buddhist temples, Japan is a great open book. Contemporary art museums in Naoshima amaze, the traditional tea house soothes, and neighborhoods dedicated to animation and manga energize evenings. Studio Ghibli now has a park in Nagoya, designed as a poetic walk through its universes. In another register, sumo at Ryōgoku, nō or kabuki theater and neighborhood festivals bring a nice variety of experiences.

Japan's rail network is a model of efficiency. Shinkansen connect major cities at high speed, with remarkable comfort. IC transport cards (Suica, Pasmo, Icoca, etc.) make life easier on metros and buses; you recharge them and simply pass the gate. The Japan Rail Pass has seen fare changes in recent years; its relevance now depends heavily on your itinerary. For a Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka-Hiroshima focused stay in a few days, it may remain interesting. For more local trips, individual tickets or regional passes are often more economical.

Ticket tip Booking certain trains can be useful in high season. Use station vending machines or ask at the counter. Keep your tickets until exit: they may be checked.

Japan is increasingly cashless, but small change remains useful for shrines, vending machines and small shops. International bank cards are well accepted in the city. ATMs at konbini (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson) generally allow withdrawals with foreign cards. Trash cans are rare; you often carry your waste to the next sorting point. Security is excellent, but politeness remains the rule: speak softly on transport, remove your shoes when requested, and follow queues.

Traveling to Japan means juggling maps, reservations, schedules and translations. A reliable connection simplifies everything. With GoMoWorld, you install a single eSIM valid in more than 200 destinations. Installation is done only via the iOS or Android app, without QR code, and requires only an email (the same one if you purchased on the site). Once the eSIM is in place, you choose and activate your data plans when you need them. Plans don't activate automatically upon arrival: you keep control, you click Start when you want to begin.

In Japan, several options cover traveler profiles. If you stay three to four weeks or you like light streaming, the 30-day plan with 15GB at €29.99 offers you a good margin. For two intensive weeks photographing, translating and finding your way, the 30-day plan with 10GB at €19.99 is an excellent compromise. For a week-long city trip or supplementary needs, the 7-day plan with 1GB at €3.99 is perfect in light mode. And if you just want to keep Maps, messaging and some searches, the 30-day plan with 4GB at €10.99 is often enough, especially if you take advantage of hotel and cafe Wi‑Fi.

The strong point is flexibility: as long as your plans are not activated, they never expire. So you can buy in advance and trigger them later, even if your itinerary changes. All plans allow hotspot connection sharing, convenient for connecting a tablet or a friend's computer. And the app includes an integrated VPN that secures your connections, useful on public Wi‑Fi.

Important reminder Install your GoMoWorld eSIM via the app before leaving or upon arrival. There is no QR code. Buy on the site or in the app, log in with the same email, then activate your plan when you're ready.

Download the GoMoWorld app, create your account, then install the eSIM by following the steps in the app. It's guided from start to finish. One eSIM is enough for your entire trip around the world: if you follow with a stay in Thailand or a weekend in Italy, no need to reinstall, you'll just add a local data plan and click Start when desired. You can also do a Japan + Canada combo and go to Canada for the Rockies, or plan a cultural jump to the gates of North Africa returning via Morocco: your eSIM stays the same, everywhere.

Data budget tip Adjust data volume to your actual usage. Maps, translation, reservations and social networks consume less than HD video. Enable "low consumption" mode on your phone if you want to maximize your plan.

For a first discovery in a week, focus on Tokyo and Kyoto. Start with Tokyo: Shibuya, Asakusa, Ueno, an evening in Shinjuku, a sunset at Odaiba. Then shinkansen to Kyoto for the great classics: Fushimi Inari at dawn, Kinkaku-ji, Gion at dusk, Arashiyama very early. An excursion to Nara if the pace suits you, and return to Tokyo the day before departure.

Over 10 to 12 days, add Osaka and Hiroshima/Miyajima. Tokyo 3-4 nights, Kyoto 3 nights, Osaka 1-2 nights, Hiroshima 1 night and Miyajima 1 night. This gives a nice balance between city, history and landscapes. If you prefer mountains, replace Hiroshima with the Japanese Alps: Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go, Takayama. Regional trains add charm to transfers.

Over 2 to 3 weeks, you can push further. After Tokyo and Kyoto, head to Hokkaidō for summer hiking or skiing, or to Kyūshū for onsen and volcanoes (Beppu, Aso, Kagoshima). Okinawa is a perfect break between two big cities if you love the sea. In any case, keep some spontaneity: Japan always reserves a surprise around the corner.

At the end of your stay, if Asia still attracts you, extend to Southeast Asia: in Thailand, alternate temples, beaches and street food. If you're returning via Europe, stop in Italy for a weekend in Rome or Milan. For a breath of wide open spaces, follow with a road trip to Canada. And if you crave medinas and atlas, head to Morocco: your GoMoWorld eSIM follows you seamlessly.

Travel extension Thanks to the single eSIM, you can buy a plan for Japan, then add another for your next destination without reinstallation. Convenient when combining several countries on the same trip.

Budget-wise, accommodation often weighs the most, especially in spring and autumn. Business hotels offer good value in the city; ryokan cost more, but often include dinner and onsen. For eating, you feast well without breaking the bank at izakaya, ramen shops and quality local chains. Transport is an important item if you multiply long distances; optimize with regional passes or choose a tight itinerary.

For reservations, high-end restaurants sometimes require several weeks' notice, especially in Tokyo and Kyoto. Very popular attractions (timed-entry museums, theme parks) often require a time-stamped ticket: watch official sites to avoid queues. For Fuji, refuges and some trails may have access rules or quotas in high season: again, anticipate.

Public politeness No loud phone in trains, no snacking in the metro, queue calmly, pay at the counter, say thank you. These simple gestures make all the difference.

On public Wi‑Fi in hotels, cafes or stations, it's wise to secure your exchanges. The GoMoWorld app includes a VPN that encrypts your connection: you can pay, book, work stress-free, wherever you are. And if you travel as a couple or family, connection sharing (hotspot) included on all plans allows you to connect multiple devices without multiplying purchases. All without bill surprises: GoMoWorld is prepaid, period.

In Japan, you're spoiled for choice in terms of data, with simple and no-surprise offers. For long duration, the 30-day plan with 15GB at €29.99 provides good autonomy. If you're more reasonable with data, the 30-day plan with 10GB at €19.99 broadly covers navigation, translation, maps, messaging and a bit of streaming. Tight budgets or short stays will prefer the 30-day plan with 4GB at €10.99, or the 7-day plan with 1GB at €3.99 if you're mainly coming for a city break. All activate manually in the app, when you decide.

Before leaving Download the app, install the eSIM via the app (no QR code), and buy your plans. They never expire as long as you haven't activated them, so you can prepare your trip calmly.

Allow yourself quiet times to stroll in residential neighborhoods, try a public bath, enter a bookstore or record shop, taste a local pastry. Japan reveals itself in these micro-moments, far from mere "must-see lists". Respect sacred places, support artisans, and don't forget that smiling and patience open many doors.

If you combine several countries, think about your return itinerary or stopovers that make sense for you. A gourmet stop in Italy, a warm escape in Thailand, a big breath of fresh air in Canada or a cultural immersion in Morocco: your GoMoWorld eSIM covers you everywhere, with the same simplicity.

Japan is a country that stays with you long after your return. Its temples, its izakaya, its punctual trains, its discreet smiles and its thousand-faceted neighborhoods form a memory both precise and diffuse, like music you recognize immediately. To make the most of every moment, keep a light spirit: a GoMoWorld eSIM installed via the app, a data plan adapted to your rhythm and the freedom to activate your connection when you decide. In Japan as elsewhere, you stay connected, protected thanks to the integrated VPN and free to share the connection via hotspot. All you have to do is trace your route, from the torii of Fushimi Inari to the snows of Hokkaidō, from the alleys of Gion to the beaches of Okinawa. Bon voyage!