Where to start planning a trip to Japan?

Where to Start Planning a Trip to Japan: The First Steps

Many people like go on holiday and often a trip far away is a nice highlight in the year. Still planning a trip to Japan can feel overwhelming. With so much to see and do, many travelers ask, “Where do I even start?” If you’re feeling lost in the planning process, don’t worry! This guide will help you take the first steps to get a solid start on your Japan trip.

Step 1: Set Your Conditions

Before diving into specific locations, take a moment to define your trip conditions. This may sound obvious, but many travelers skip this step and later realize how important it is.

Interests: Are you into history, food, nature, anime, or modern cities?
Budget: How much are you willing to spend on flights, accommodations, food, and activities?
Travel Dates: When can you go, and which seasons or events interest you?
Special Occasions: Do you want to see cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, or festivals?
Trip Length: How much time do you have, and what pace do you prefer?

Once you’ve set these conditions, you’ll have a clearer idea of how to shape your trip.

Step 2: Get Your Tools Ready

Having the right tools can make planning much easier. Before you start, prepare:

A Map Tool (Google My Maps or an offline map app) to save locations.
An Excel or Google Sheets file for rough planning and keeping track of your itinerary.
Bookmark useful websites for train routes, travel guides, and booking platforms.
A travel budget calculator to estimate costs per day.

These tools will help keep your trip organized from start to finish.

Step 3: Collect Places That Fit Your Interests

Now that you know your interests and conditions, start researching and saving locations that fit your trip.

Look at travel blogs, Instagram, YouTube, and official tourism websites.
Mark down must-visit places and optional spots.
Organize them in your map tool under categories like “Must See,” “Food,” and “Hidden Gems.”

At this stage, don’t worry about the exact order—just focus on gathering places that excite you.

Step 4: Pick a Route & Plan Your Days

With your saved locations, it’s time to outline a route that makes sense:

Cluster places together (e.g., all Tokyo sights in one group, Kyoto in another).
Estimate time needed per place (half a day, full day, or just a quick stop?).
Draft an itinerary in Excel with a rough breakdown:
- Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo
- Day 2: Explore Tokyo (Sights 1, 2, 3)
- Day 3: Day trip to Nikko
- Day 4-5: Travel to Kyoto, visit Fushimi Inari & Arashiyama
- Day 6: Nara or Osaka
- Day 7: Return to Tokyo or fly home

This structure will help you see if your plan is realistic or too rushed.

Step 5: Finalize Before Booking

Before you book anything, finalize your rough plan first. Make sure you’re happy with the balance between travel time and sightseeing. Many travelers regret booking hotels too soon, only to find they need more time in one place.

✅ Check transport times to avoid long travel days. ✅ Consider staying longer in key locations instead of rushing. ✅ Look at hotel locations to make sure they are convenient for your itinerary.

Once you feel confident, you can start booking hotels, transport, and key activities.

Tip: Keep Your Plan Flexible

No itinerary goes 100% as planned. Leave room for adjustments, spontaneous discoveries, and downtime. Planning well in advance helps reduce stress, but flexibility will make your trip even better!

Now that you have a solid starting point, it’s time to bring your Japan trip to life! 🇯🇵✨