Japan Travel Guide 2025: Plan The Ultimate Japan Trip

Traveling to Japan in 2025 and worried you’ll miss the most must-see sights and things to do? We’d never let that happen.

Plan your perfect trip with our Japan Travel Guide 2025, packed with the latest events, attractions, seasonal must-sees and new experiences, taking you from Tokyo and Kyoto to Osaka and beyond. 

Discover the best place to spot Japan’s 2025 cherry blossoms and fall foliage, or join the crowds at the latest music festivals and sports events. No matter how you spend your time here, Japan in 2025 is going to be something you remember for the rest of your life.

From playing games with geisha in Fukuoka and exploring the neighborhood dubbed "Tokyo's coolest" to tasting delicious sushi, matcha, wagyu and ramen, start planning out your 2025 Japan trip with us.

Only available on: 14, 20, 21 or 24 January 2025

When it comes to Japanese sumo, it doesn’t get bigger — no pun intended — than Japan's Grand Sumo Tournament. 

The energy is high from morning at Ryogoku Kokugikan, where fans line up at the venue long before the event in hopes of spotting their favorite rikishi (wrestler). All day, iconic sumo wrestlers take to the ring for their chance to take the title as Japan’s 2025 sumo champion; behind them, a backdrop of energetic crowds and fluttering banners.

Getting tickets, however? As difficult as joining the fight yourself, but we have something just as good...

Discover Ryogoku Sumo Town, Tokyo’s sumo heartland! Visit the iconic Ryogoku Kokugikan arena, training stables and key landmarks by joining Yoko for an engaging walking tour, delving into sumo’s rich history and culture. 

Explore the training stables and learn about the sport's traditions. Afterward, enjoy a traditional chanko nabe lunch, a hearty hot-pot meal beloved by sumo wrestlers.

This Japanese sumo experience will put you right in the heart of the action, turning you into a sumo lover for life.

Book Ryogoku Sumo Town: Walking Tour & Chanko Nabe Lunch

Omakase sushi is a Japanese dining experience where the chef selects and serves a variety of premium sushi, showcasing the freshest seasonal ingredients. It’s a personalized, artistic approach to sushi, where diners trust the chef’s expertise. The focus is on high-quality fish, immaculate presentation and an intimate dining atmosphere that changes with the season.

For recommendations of the best omakase sushi in Japan, here's everything you need:

• Best omakase sushi in Tokyo
• Best omakase sushi in Kyoto
• Best omakase sushi in Osaka
• Best omakase sushi in Japan

Time Out ranked Gakugeidaigaku as one of the “Coolest Neighborhoods in the World” — the only one in Japan this year, and it also may just be one of the city’s best-kept secrets. 

Near Shibuya, Ebisu and Nakameguro, but less known and crowded than the three, this overlooked corner of Tokyo has so much to explore, from new restaurants and cafes to long-standing, family-owned mom and pop shops.

In this video, meet some of the locals who make Gakugeidaigaku so cool and explore some of its best eats, restaurants and cafes.

Find out more: Best Restaurants in Gakugeidaigaku

Viral foods in Japan often gain popularity through social media, with unique and eye-catching dishes capturing attention. Join Shizuka as she takes a peek — and a bite — our of Japan's most viral foods.

Find out more: Must-Try Viral Restaurants in Japan

Just hours Southwest of Tokyo, Atami is a picturesque seaside town on the Izu Peninsula, known for its beaches, hot springs and rich cultural traditions. On this tour, you’ll explore local culinary specialties with your host, Yuri, visiting three traditional shops.

You’ll taste ingredients like green tea, wasabi zuke, katsuobushi and tofu, learning from local shopkeepers about their craft, cultural significance and unique offerings.

Yuri's insights will help you discover what makes Atami special, enhancing your culinary journey.

Book Savor Atami: Traditional Tea, Tofu and Local Eats

Join Shizuka, the YouTube host who’s shared her love for Japanese food worldwide, for an exciting food tour in Harajuku! Explore Takeshita Street, sampling Instagram-worthy sweet treats and street food. 

Then, head to Shizuka's favorite okonomiyaki restaurant, where you'll make savory Japanese pancakes and enjoy drinks together. This is a unique opportunity to hang out with one of byFood's YouTube channel while experiencing the tasty street foods of Harajuku!

Book Harajuku Sweets & Street Food Tour With Shizuka Anderson

Join Soma and his hosts for a unique Shibuya bar hop and izakaya crawl! Explore hidden bars and lively izakayas in the vibrant backstreets of Shibuya. Along the way, connect with locals, enjoy delicious food, and soak in the city’s energy.

Indulge in authentic izakaya dishes like karaage, tempura and yakitori, and make unforgettable memories on this fun, social adventure.

Book Shibuya Scramble: Hidden Bars & Lively Izakayas

Embark on a delicious three-hour guided food tour through Hakata, exploring the city’s best culinary offerings. Begin with 72-hour marinated chicken skin skewers at Hakata Guruguru Torikawa, followed by mentaiko (cod roe) bread at the award-winning Mentaiko France bakery.

Visit the serene Kushida Shrine, then savor Hakata-style ramen at Hakataya Ramen, known for its rich, creamy pork bone broth. Conclude with Japanese tea and snacks at Mitsuya Seikaen Chaho, a teahouse that's over 300 years old, where you'll enjoy hon gyokuro, a locally famous, espresso-like tea.

This Hakata tour combines flavorful dishes and cultural highlights for an unforgettable experience in Fukuoka.

Book Hakata Food Tour: Chicken, Ramen, Mentaiko Bread, & More

Gifu, located in central Japan, is a city rich in history and natural beauty. Known for its picturesque mountains and rivers, it’s a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Gifu’s attractions include the historic Gifu Castle, stunning Shirakawa-go village, and hot springs in nearby Gero.

The region also boasts traditional crafts like cormorant fishing on the Nagara River and vibrant local festivals. With a mix of cultural heritage and natural wonders, Gifu offers a peaceful yet adventurous escape.

Nestled by the Nagaragawa River, Kawaramachi Izumiya has been a Gifu landmark since 1887. Specializing in ayu (sweetfish), the fifth-generation owner, Izumi Zenshichi, prepares wild-caught fish grilled over Kishu binchotan charcoal.

The delicate flavor of the fish, often described as "the queen of clear rivers," is showcased in dishes like tempura ayu, shioyaki, ayu sushi wrapped in bamboo leaves and signature noodle soup with sun-dried ayu.

For the ultimate experience, indulge in a multi-course sweetfish meal that celebrates the fish’s journey.

Reserve Kawaramachi Izumiya

When: March 2, 2025

Fancy yourself as a master marathoner? You’re going to want to add the Tokyo Marathon 2025 to your list of things to do in Japan.

Opening at 9:10 am until 4:10 pm, entry into the Tokyo Marathon costs ¥16,500, taking you on a sprint through some of Tokyo’s most iconic areas and landmarks.

Beginning at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, you’ll run past Suidobashi, Ueno-hirokoji, Kanda, Nihombashi, Asakusa Kaminarimon Gate, Ryogoku, Monzen-nakacho, Ginza, Tamachi, Hibiya and finally, the light at the end of the tunnel, hit the finish line at Tokyo Station.

Get your tickets to the Tokyo Marathon 2025.

When: February 27 to March 1, 2025

Preceding the Tokyo Marathon 2025 by a few days, the Tokyo Marathon Expo 2025 is perfect for grabbing anything you might need for the marathon.

Entry is free, and the event shows off the latest developments in running equipment, gear and apparel. While it’s a must-visit for anyone taking part in the Tokyo Marathon, it’s also open to anyone interested in creating a healthy lifestyle.

Let a local guide take you on a bar-hopping tour of Tokyo’s drinking alleys and hidden gems of Kichijoji and Harmonica Yokocho, sharing Japanese drinking culture and etiquette tips along the way.

Try the most popular Japanese drinks, taking you from Japanese beer and wine to cocktails, highballs and umeshu plum wine. Raise a glass to new friends and new memories of nightlife in Tokyo!

Book The Midnight Diners: Tokyo Experience

Japan’s cherry blossom season happens every year, but it never gets old. Each year that the sakura bloom — painting the skies, parks and rivers with picturesque pastel pinks — people travel from far and wide to get a glimpse of their fleeting beauty. 2025 is no different.

At the time of writing, Japan’s 2025 cherry blossom forecast has not yet been released. As soon as it is, we’ll be releasing our handy cherry blossom forecast.

However, cherry blossom season usually begins in mid to late-March and sweeps into early to mid-April, with the sakura petals reaching full bloom and lasting for about two weeks.

Find out more: Spring in Japan: Best things to do

Think you’ll be in Tokyo for Japan’s 2025 cherry blossoms? Here’s everything you need to know.

Cherry blossoms in Tokyo tend to appear in late-March, reaching full bloom within the first week or so of April. Tokyo’s best cherry-blossom viewing spots include:

• Shinjuku-gyoen (Shinjuku Park)

• Naka-Meguro

• Ueno Park

Find out more: Where to see sakura in Tokyo 

In this Tokyo cherry blossom tour, you’ll wander through the historic backstreets of Yanaka, a charming area of the city. 

Get a taste for local snacks, Tokyo street food, sake and more while your stroll is framed by gorgeous cherry blossoms — something you’ll be sure to capture with the photography tips from your guide!

Another mindblowing spot for viewing cherry blossoms in Tokyo is Nakameguro, blessed with a sakura-lined canal that brings people every year for street food and cherry blossom festivals.

Try out the local snacks and sweets, take in the petal-covered sights and then enjoy a hearty dinner at a local izakaya pub.

Find out more: Japanese Izakaya Etiquette You Need To Know

Just when you think Kyoto couldn’t get any more scenic, its traditional architecture and geisha-trodden streets burst into visions of pink with cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Kyoto’s cherry blossoms tend to bloom in early April, similarly to Tokyo. The best places for seeing cherry blossoms in Kyoto include:

• Kiyomizu-dera Temple

• Arashiyama

• Fushimi Inari Shrine

Find out more: Where to see sakura in Kyoto

Experience hanami (cherry blossom viewing) like a local in the Demachiyanagi area of Kyoto, where you’ll enjoy a guided cherry blossom tour — complete with a mini hanami picnic — and a few extra tips on taking the best cherry blossom photos.

Browse local shops and sample seasonal treats as you go, but save room for dinner at a local Kyoto restaurant, where you’ll soon be enjoying a spring-inspired feast.

Osaka may not be first on your list when it comes to see Japan’s nature; you’re likely to think of Osaka for the famous Universal Studio Japan or the mouthwatering street food waiting to be found in Dotonbori. Even so, cherry blossoms make their way to Osaka in

Osaka’s best cherry-blossom viewing spots include:

• Osaka Castle

• Okawa River

• Kema Sakuranomiya Park

Find out more: Where to see sakura in Osaka 

In this exclusive Osaka cherry blossom tour, you’ll have inside access to secret communal gardens, be led through the maze-like backstreets of this lively city and soak up the sakura sights at a less crowded hanami spot that only the locals know about.

On the way, you’ll get to peruse the foods and souvenirs of local shops, embracing the revitalizing nature of the season alongside fellow travelers and locals alike, before stopping for a spot of lunch in Osaka.

When: Friday 4 to Sunday 6 April, 2025

Due to its position near the end of the Formula One World Championship, the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture is many racers’ last chance to claim the title before the F1 World Championship ends for another year.

So, if you love F1, catching the Formula One World Championship 2025 while you’re in Japan will be a dream come true. Take a seat for lightning-fast action around a track known for its figure-of-eight structure, sharp corners and technical demands. 

Get your tickets for the F1 World Championship Japanese Grand Prix 2025.

When: Running from April 14, 2025 to October 13, 2025

The Osaka Expo 2025 has been years in the making, with Osaka promoting and celebrating their hosting duties for years — and rightly so. The first ever Osaka Expo was held in 1970, marking the first of its kind not only in Japan, but in the entirety of Asia. 

What is the Osaka Expo, you ask? It’s “an event that brings together people and innovations from around the world in an effort to address issues facing humankind on a global scale.”

Perhaps a few examples of the kind of world-changing technology shown off at these events in the past will give you a better idea of its importance:

• 1853: Elevator

• 1876: Telephone

• 1970: Family restaurants, wireless telephones, electric cars and moving sidewalks

• 2005: Entry tickets embedded with IC chips, AED and dry mist

Starting to see just how important the Osaka Expo 2025 is?

A big focus in 2025 will be Society 5.0, “Japan’s national strategy to develop a human-centered society that progresses economically... [resolving] a variety of issues on a global scale with technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), AI, robotics, big data and biotechnology.”

Get your tickets to Osaka Expo 2025.

When: Friday April 18 to Sunday May 25 (Spring), Friday August 1 to Sunday August 31 (Summer) and Friday October 3 to Sunday November 9 (Fall).

The Setouchi Triennale is a modern art festival held every three years on the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. It lasts an impressive 100 days and is launched three times across spring, summer and fall. It is believed to attract about one million domestic and international visitors, making it one of Japan’s biggest international art festivals.

Depending on which island, venue and season you visit, you can expect different works and exhibitions. One thing, however, won’t change — each will be inspired by local history, culture, lifestyle and more, making it worth a trip to different venues or even the same venue in another season.

The Setouchi Triennale 2025 — the sixth triennial overall and the return of the event in a post-COVID-19 world — will be an event to remember from your Japan trip.

Get your tickets to the Setouchi Triennale 2025.

Fuji Rock Festival 2024 is the biggest music festival in Japan, bringing between 100,000 to 150,000 attendees to its three-day festival at Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture, only a 90-minute train ride from Tokyo.

As it’s an outdoor music festival, you need to be prepared for any kind of weather — think sun-screen and a waterproof poncho. Since it’s in the nature-rich region of Niigata, you get an unbeatable combination of live music, onsen hot springs and relaxing nature walks.

Find out more about Fuji Rock Festival 2025.

Held across two consecutive weekends in August, Rock in Japan Festival 2025 is where lovers of J-pop and K-pop music go for five days of unforgettable live music. 

Previous years have seen the likes of ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION and Enhypen take the stage — of which there are actually four — giving you options to jump between your favorite bands and follow the beat to your own perfect summer music festival in Japan.

Tickets must be purchased in advance through a lottery system. A one-day ticket will cost you around ¥15,000, so if you have your eye set on all five days of the festival, you may be looking at around ¥75,000.

Find out more about Rock in Japan 2025.

If you’re looking for a summer music festival in Japan that’s perhaps a little more approachable, maybe Summer Sonic 2025 is the one for you. It’s held in Tokyo and Osaka at the same time, so you can make the most of your next Japan city break.

Previous Summer Sonic events have had the honor of hosting a wide range of bands across multiple genres, including Coldplay, Zedd, BABYMETAL, The Chainsmokers, Radwimps, BLACKPINK, Perfume, Red Hot Chili Peppers and more.

Electronic music more your style? Add ULTRA JAPAN 2025 to your list of things to do in Japan. It’s the place to be for electro, bringing together renowned artists and DJs from across the globe.

Alongside the electric beats, expect elaborate stages, light shows and audio-visual elements to take your love of EDM to the next level. Make sure you get your hands on tickets and then start planning the rest of your Japan trip!

Get your tickets to ULTRA JAPAN 2025.

When you’re thinking of spending New Year’s Eve in Japan, there’s only one place that can help you celebrate like you deserve: Countdown Japan 2025.

Held at the Makuhari Messe on December 28, 29, 30 and 31, 2025, you’ll have a few options for fitting this NYE festival around your current plans, like indulging at Tokyo’s best Michelin-starred restaurants.

In this four-day celebration of Japanese rock and the coming of a new year, you’ll see in the end of 2025 with over 150 acts alongside almost 200,000 fellow festival-goers.

Find out more about Countdown Japan 2025.

In case you haven’t heard, the Nintendo Museum opened in Kyoto on October 2, 2024. That means it needs to be on your 2025 Japan travel plans!

Though it may not look like much on the outside, you’ll be bathed in a sense of nostalgia and childlike wonder once you enter the world of Nintendo waiting inside. A range of exhibitions take you on a journey through eras of Nintendo and the beloved consoles and gadgets that came with them.

This must-visit attraction also makes for a great family day out. There are eight family-friendly interactive games to try, you can create your own customized burger in the Nintendo Museum cafe, and — perhaps the reason you really want to visit — buy some exclusive Nintendo merchandise in the museum shop.

How to get tickets? Tickets to the Nintendo Museum are drawn in a monthly lottery system. To reserve tickets, you go to the calendar, select three desired dates and then cross your fingers and hope you’re chosen.

You may need to enter the ticket lottery as early as three months ahead of your desired visit date.

Just like Japan’s cherry blossom season, the fall foliage period brings out the fiery leaf fanatics. And, if you’re one of them, make sure you’re in Japan for 2025’s autumn leaves, imbuing all your snaps with unforgettable reds, oranges and yellows.

We’re still waiting for Japan’s 2025 fall foliage forecast, but based on the fall leaves in 2024, the leaves will begin to change in the south first and burn a path towards the north. This tends to bring autumn leaves to Honshu, the main island of Japan, in mid to late-November or early December. Can you imagine a Tokyo Christmas Market amidst fall foliage?

As soon as the forecast is shared, we’ll tell you all about it on our 2025 Japan Fall Foliage Forecast. 

While you wait, brush up on Japan’s fall foods, see the best things to do, or explore the best spots for autumn leaves across Japan.  

Even as the biggest city in the world, Tokyo has more than its fair share of lush green spots, from city-center parks and ponds to traditional Japanese gardens. During autumn, these places come to life in visions of red and orange, with the best places for fall foliage in Tokyo including:

• Shinjuku-Gyoen

• Hamarikyu Gardens

• Meijijingu Gaien

Find out more: Fall in Tokyo 

Some would say that Kyoto is at its most beautiful in fall, framing its countless temples and shrines with maple and ginkgo leaves. We can’t say we disagree, especially once you’ve seen the fall foliage at one of these spots:

• Tofukuji Temple

• Arashiyama

• Bishamon-do Temple

Find out more: Fall in Kyoto 

For a Christmas like no other, spend Christmas 2025 in Japan, famous for festive feasts of KFC and pizza, stunning winter illuminations, gift swapping between friends and couples, and some of the coziest Christmas markets in Asia.

Some of the best Christmas 2025 events in Japan include:

• Christmas markets: Tokyo Christmas Market, Yokohama’s Red Brick Warehouse and Hokkaido’s Odori Park

• Winter illuminations: Tokyo Mega Illumi (Tokyo), Hirakata Park Flowering Illumination (Osaka) and Garden of Japanese Lights at Heian Jingu Shrine (Kyoto)

For a few more ideas of things to do in Japan this Christmas, browse popular Japanese Christmas foods, treat yourself to Christmas dinner in Tokyo and explore Christmas market foods.

If you’re sticking around Tokyo for winter, here’s what you need to know about Christmas in Tokyo. 

And just like that, you’re ready to travel to Japan in 2025, complete with a travel guide of things to do, see and eat. Need a few extra ideas? Use our 2-week Japan itinerary and see the best time to visit Japan.