Overview
The art of omotenashi
Japanese hospitality is often summed up in the word omotenashi — anticipating a guest's needs before they are voiced. You'll feel it in the quiet precision of a city hotel, in the ceremony of a ryokan dinner and in the care taken over every small detail.
When to go
- Spring: cherry blossom season, typically late March to early April in Tokyo and Kyoto. Book well ahead.
- Autumn: crisp air and maple colour, peaking around November in much of central Japan.
- Winter: clear skies in Tokyo and snow in the north — ideal for onsen.
- Summer: warm and humid, with June often bringing the rainy season.
Where to stay
Tokyo
Otemachi & Marunouchi offer calm, polished streets beside Tokyo Station — perfect if you're travelling onward by rail. Ginza suits shoppers and gallery-goers, while Shibuya and Omotesando bring youthful energy and design-led boutiques.
Kyoto
The Higashiyama district puts you among temples and lantern-lit lanes; the areas along the Kamo River combine central convenience with riverside walks.
Editorial tip
Pair a city hotel with at least one night in a traditional ryokan. The contrast is the point.
Getting around
Japan's Shinkansen network links Tokyo and Kyoto in a little over two hours. Within cities, trains and subways are punctual and well signed in English. Rail pass options and prices change, so check official Japan Railways sources before buying.
Etiquette worth knowing
- Remove shoes where indicated — often at ryokan entrances and on tatami.
- At onsen, wash thoroughly before entering the shared bath; some baths restrict tattoos.
- Tipping is not customary; warm thanks is appreciated.