Quick answer: Plan a Japan trip by theme. See the Three Great Gardens (Kenroku-en, Koraku-en, Kairaku-en), family zoos like Ueno and aquariums like Okinawa Churaumi and Osaka Kaiyukan. Okinawa and its islands have the best beaches. Stay at least one night in a ryokan, wander Shirakawa-go or Takayama, and explore ruins and Hashima Island. No tipping is needed.
Last updated: 23 Oct 2026, by Spiddy Ng
Table of contents
- Which Japanese gardens are worth visiting?
- Which zoos and aquariums in Japan are best for families?
- Where are the best beaches and beach resorts in Japan?
- What is it like to stay in a ryokan?
- Which romantic stays and capsule hotels suit couples?
- Which towns and villages in Japan are the most beautiful?
- Which ancient ruins and historic sites can you visit?
- Which areas in Japan should visitors be careful in?
- Do you tip in Japan, and what counts as 'evening'?
- Which Japan Truly guide answers your question?
- Frequently asked questions
1. Which Japanese gardens are worth visiting?
| Garden | Where | Style and highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Kenroku-en | Kanazawa, Ishikawa | One of the Three Great Gardens; strolling garden with ponds, stone lanterns and winter yukitsuri rope supports |
| Koraku-en | Okayama | One of the Three Great Gardens; wide lawns, tea fields and views of Okayama Castle |
| Kairaku-en | Mito, Ibaraki | One of the Three Great Gardens; known for its plum (ume) groves |
| Ritsurin Garden | Takamatsu, Kagawa | Daimyo strolling garden set against Mount Shiun |
| Ryoan-ji | Kyoto | The famous dry rock garden (karesansui) of a Zen temple |
Main garden styles: strolling gardens (kaiyu-shiki), dry Zen rock gardens (karesansui), tea gardens (roji) and moss gardens. To time your visit for blossoms, see Japanese flowers by month. Can't get to Japan? See the best Japanese gardens in America.
2. Which zoos and aquariums in Japan are best for families?
| Place | Type | Area | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ueno Zoo | Zoo | Tokyo | Japan's oldest zoo, inside Ueno Park |
| Zoorasia | Zoo | Yokohama | Animals grouped by climate zone |
| Maruyama Zoo | Zoo | Hokkaido (Sapporo) | Cold-climate animals such as polar bears |
| Fuji Safari Park, Kyushu Natural Animal Park | Safari park | Shizuoka; Oita | Drive-through safari routes |
| Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium | Aquarium | Motobu, Okinawa | Huge Kuroshio Sea tank with whale sharks and manta rays |
| Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan | Aquarium | Osaka Bay | Pacific Rim habitats around a giant central tank |
| Kamogawa Sea World | Aquarium | Chiba | Orca and marine-mammal shows |
| Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, Port of Nagoya, Kyoto, Toba, Aquamarine Fukushima | Aquariums | Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, Mie, Fukushima | Good regional options on a wider trip |
Check each venue's own website for current animals, opening days and tickets before you go.
3. Where are the best beaches and beach resorts in Japan?
| Region | Why go |
|---|---|
| Okinawa main island | Resort coast around Onna and Motobu; easy to pair with Churaumi Aquarium |
| Miyako and Yaeyama islands (Ishigaki, Taketomi, Iriomote, Kohama) | Clear water, coral reefs and quieter island stays |
| Amami and Yoron (Kagoshima) | Subtropical beaches between Kyushu and Okinawa |
| Izu Peninsula (Shimoda) and Boso (Chiba) | Beach trips within reach of Tokyo |
| Awaji Island (Hyogo) | Seaside resorts near Kobe and Osaka |
4. What is it like to stay in a ryokan?
| Ryokan | Hotel | |
|---|---|---|
| Room | Tatami floor, low table, sliding doors | Carpet or wood floor, Western furniture |
| Bed | Futon laid out by staff in the evening | Western bed |
| Meals | Often a multi-course kaiseki dinner and Japanese breakfast | Usually optional, buffet or à la carte |
| Bath | Often a communal onsen; some rooms have a private bath | In-room bathroom |
| Dress | Yukata provided to wear around the inn | None |
Mountain ryokan in the Japanese Alps (Takayama, Okuhida, Kamikochi) pair hot springs with alpine views. For bath etiquette and tattoos, see how to find a tattoo-friendly onsen and our culture and etiquette guide. For a private bath in Kyoto, see Kyoto ryokan with private onsen. Curious about the floor? Read about tatami mats.
5. Which romantic stays and capsule hotels suit couples?
| Stay type | Good for couples? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ryokan with private bath (kashikiri or in-room onsen) | Yes | The classic romantic choice |
| Luxury city hotel (Tokyo, Kyoto) | Yes | Night views and easy transport |
| Kyoto machiya townhouse | Yes | A whole traditional house to yourselves |
| Capsule hotel | Not really | Capsules sleep one and many floors are gender-separated; book two capsules or a cabin hotel with double rooms |
6. Which towns and villages in Japan are the most beautiful?
| Town | Prefecture | Why it is special |
|---|---|---|
| Shirakawa-go | Gifu | UNESCO-listed gassho-zukuri thatched farmhouses |
| Hida-Takayama | Gifu | Preserved Edo-era merchant streets, "Little Kyoto" |
| Magome and Tsumago | Gifu / Nagano | Post towns on the Nakasendo trail |
| Ine | Kyoto | Funaya boathouses on the water |
| Kamakura | Kanagawa | Temples, the Great Buddha and the coast |
| Otaru, Biei, Furano | Hokkaido | Canal town; flower fields and rolling hills |
| Kanazawa, Nara, Hakone, Karuizawa | Various | Historic cities and mountain retreats |
Lanterns are part of the old-town look: see our guide to traditional Japanese lighting.
7. Which ancient ruins and historic sites can you visit?
| Site | Where | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Sannai-Maruyama | Aomori | A large Jomon-period settlement, part of the UNESCO Jomon Prehistoric Sites |
| Oyu Stone Circles | Akita | Jomon stone circles, also in that UNESCO listing |
| Fujiwara Palace site | Nara | Remains of an early imperial capital |
| Okinawa gusuku castle ruins | Okinawa | Stone castle walls of the Ryukyu Kingdom |
| Hashima (Gunkanjima) | Nagasaki | Abandoned mining island, part of the UNESCO Meiji Industrial Revolution sites; boat tours only |
| Kofun burial mounds (Sakitama Kofun Park) | Saitama | Ancient keyhole-shaped tombs |
8. Which areas in Japan should visitors be careful in?
Japan is one of the safest countries to travel in, but nightlife districts such as Kabukicho and Roppongi in Tokyo, Susukino in Sapporo and Nakasu in Fukuoka have street touts and overcharging bars. Ignore touts, check prices before you order, and keep an eye on your drink. Some famous sights are crowded or underwhelming at peak times, so go early or pick quieter alternatives.
9. Do you tip in Japan, and what counts as 'evening'?
Tipping: not expected anywhere, and it can cause confusion. If you want to thank ryokan staff or a private guide, a small gift or an envelope is the polite way, never loose cash.
"Evening" in Japan: in Japan Meteorological Agency forecast terms, yūgata (evening) covers roughly 3 pm to 6 pm, and yoru (night) comes after. In everyday speech, people greet each other with konbanwa from about sunset.
Seasonal festivals can shape a themed trip, too: see Chou-you no Sekku, the chrysanthemum festival.
10. Which Japan Truly guide answers your question?
| If you want… | Read |
|---|---|
| A first trip to Tokyo | Tokyo travel guide |
| Shopping and outlet malls | Japan outlet malls guide |
| Flowers and seasons | Japanese flowers by month |
| Food and drink | Japanese food and drink guide |
| Manners and customs | culture and etiquette guide |
| Onsen and ryokan | Kyoto ryokan with private onsen, tattoo-friendly onsen |
| Quirky themed dining | robot restaurants and cafés |
Frequently asked questions
What are the Three Great Gardens of Japan?
Kenroku-en in Kanazawa, Koraku-en in Okayama and Kairaku-en in Mito are traditionally called the Three Great Gardens of Japan (Nihon Sanmeien).
What is the difference between a ryokan and a hotel in Japan?
A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn with tatami rooms, futon bedding, yukata robes and often a communal or private onsen bath and a multi-course dinner. A hotel has Western-style beds and usually no set meals.
Can couples stay in a capsule hotel in Japan?
Most capsules sleep one person and many capsule hotels separate floors by gender, so couples usually book two capsules or a cabin-style hotel with private double rooms. Check each hotel's policy before booking.
Should you tip in Japan?
No. Tipping is not expected in restaurants, taxis or hotels, and staff may hand the money back. Good manners and a sincere thank you (arigatou gozaimasu) are the norm.
What is Hashima Island?
Hashima, nicknamed Gunkanjima (Battleship Island), is an abandoned coal-mining island off Nagasaki. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution and can be visited on licensed boat tours, weather permitting.
Featured image: "December view - Korakuen (Okayama) - DSC01521" by Daderot, Wikimedia Commons, CC0.
