Read next
Sapporo in more detail
Choose one base and avoid too many day trips.
JAPAN TRAVEL · FIND YOUR NEXT DESTINATION
Where will your next Japan trip take you?
Purpose, cost, atmosphere and travelling with family. Compare the differences and picture the trip that suits you.
1
First, compare the regions
City life, nature or a restful onsen stay? Start with what you want from your trip.
| Region | Purpose | Domestic travel and cost factors | Accommodation and cost factors | Atmosphere | Family considerations | Local food | Compare places |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hokkaido | Nature, snow and food | Compare flights and local transport | City hotels to countryside stays | Open landscapes and city comforts | Check rural distances and winter conditions | Seafood and grilled lamb | Compare ↓ |
| Tohoku | Hot springs, mountains and seasons | Shinkansen plus mountain transfers | Station hotels and onsen inns | Cities and quiet mountain towns | Plan for snow, transfers and breaks | Fish cakes and wanko soba | Compare ↓ |
| Kanto | City walks, shopping and onsen | Shorter trips when based in Tokyo | City hotels to inns with meals | Lively old towns and mountain retreats | Check crowds and onsen transfers | Monjayaki and clam rice | Compare ↓ |
| Chubu | Gardens, crafts and old towns | Shinkansen, express trains and local travel | Hotels, inns and smaller stays | Historic streets and mountain scenery | Check rural routes and walking distances | Jibuni stew and miso dishes | Compare ↓ |
| Kansai | Old capitals, culture, food and cities | Compare trains and flights from Tokyo | Choose city hotels or traditional inns | Old-city calm and urban energy | Check crowds, walks and venue rules | Yudofu tofu and takoyaki | Compare ↓ |
| Chugoku | History, islands and coastal scenery | Train or flight, sometimes ferries | City hotels and coastal stays | Historic cities and the Seto Inland Sea | Check ferries, hills and walking | Okonomiyaki and oysters | Compare ↓ |
| Shikoku | Islands, hot springs and food | Flight or rail, then bus or car | City hotels and onsen inns | A slower pace by the sea and onsen | Check service frequency and breaks | Sanuki udon and bonito | Compare ↓ |
| Kyushu | Onsen, food and nature | Flight or train plus onsen transfers | City hotels to onsen inns | Urban pleasures and onsen retreats | Check transfers between cities and onsen | Mizutaki chicken hot pot and local dishes | Compare ↓ |
| Okinawa | Beaches, resorts and Ryukyu culture | Flight plus transfers or car hire | City hotels to beachfront resorts | A relaxed island atmosphere | Check sea conditions and age limits | Goya champuru and Okinawa soba | Compare ↓ |
Swipe the table sideways; region names stay visible on the left.
2
Compare two destinations side by side
Choose two places and imagine how you would spend your days.
Comparing Hakone and Asakusa
| Compare | SapporoCity comforts and Hokkaido food | FuranoOpen countryside and seasonal flowers | SendaiAn urban base for exploring Tohoku | ZaoMountains and hot springs | HakoneSlow down at an onsen inn | AsakusaOld-town walks and food | KanazawaGardens, crafts and historic streets | TakayamaSlow walks through historic streets | KyotoHistoric streets, gardens and culture | OsakaLively city life and food | HiroshimaHistory and the Seto Inland Sea | OnomichiHillside streets and sea views | TakamatsuA city base for the inland-sea islands | Dogo OnsenRelaxed walks in an onsen town | FukuokaEnjoy Kyushu food in the city | YufuinMountain scenery and onsen stays | NahaOkinawan city life and culture | OnnaUnwind at a seaside resort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Food, city walks and seasonal events | Nature, flowers and scenic drives | City walks, food and nearby sights | Onsen, mountains and seasonal scenery | Onsen, inns, nature and museums | Walks, a temple and shopping streets | Gardens, traditional crafts and food | Historic streets, traditions and food | Temples, shrines, gardens and culture | Food, shopping and city sights | History, walks and island trips | Walks, temples and inland-sea views | Gardens, udon and island trips | Onsen, inns and town walks | Food, city walks and shopping | Onsen, inns and nature | Walks, food and Ryukyu culture | Beaches, resorts and rest |
| Domestic travel and cost factors | Flight plus rail and subway; add rural travel costs. | Flight plus train, bus or car; include local transport. | Shinkansen from Tokyo; add nearby train and bus trips. | Shinkansen plus bus; choose the exact Zao area first. | Rail and bus from Tokyo; compare only the passes you need. | Tokyo rail and subway; a shorter trip when staying in Tokyo. | Shinkansen from Tokyo plus local buses and other transport. | Connect by Shinkansen and express trains; compare routes from your starting point. | Shinkansen from Tokyo, then local trains and buses. | Train or flight from Tokyo; include airport transfers. | Train or flight from Tokyo; include ferries for island trips. | Shinkansen and local rail; add island transport if needed. | Flight or rail; include ferries on island days. | Flight or rail to Matsuyama, then local transport. | Flight or Shinkansen from Tokyo, then city transport. | Train, bus or car from Kyushu airports and cities. | Flight plus monorail, bus and other transport. | Flight plus transfers, bus or car; compare transport during your stay. |
| Accommodation and cost factors | City hotels: compare station access and room size. | Hotels and small stays: check access without a car. | Station-area hotels: compare access for side trips. | Onsen inns and hotels: compare meals and transfers. | Inns and hotels: meals and private baths affect the price. | City hotels: compare rooms for the same party size. | Compare station-area and sightseeing-area stays with transport. | Hotels and inns: check access to the station and old town. | Hotels and inns: compare sightseeing access and peak-date prices. | City hotels: compare station access and family rooms. | City hotels: choose a base for city or island sightseeing. | Hotels and small stays: check hills and station access. | Compare bases near the station, port or city centre. | Inns and hotels: compare meals, bathing and transfers. | City hotels: compare access to food and sightseeing. | Onsen inns: compare meals, room baths and transfers. | City hotels: compare access to stations and sights. | Resort hotels: compare rooms, meals and facilities together. |
| Atmosphere | City comforts and Hokkaido food | Open countryside and seasonal flowers | An urban base for exploring Tohoku | Mountains and hot springs | Slow down at an onsen inn | Old-town walks and food | Gardens, crafts and historic streets | Slow walks through historic streets | Historic streets, gardens and culture | Lively city life and food | History and the Seto Inland Sea | Hillside streets and sea views | A city base for the inland-sea islands | Relaxed walks in an onsen town | Enjoy Kyushu food in the city | Mountain scenery and onsen stays | Okinawan city life and culture | Unwind at a seaside resort |
| Family considerations | Check snowy travel and distances for trips outside the city. | Plan travel time and places for children to rest. | Keep day trips light and include breaks. | Check mountain weather, footing and activity age limits. | Check rooms, meals, bathing rules and transfers. | Check crowds, walking distances and stroller access. | Check walking distances and indoor rest stops. | Allow for travel time and breaks during walks. | Adjust for stairs, walking distances and crowds. | Check crowds, walking distances and venue requirements. | Consider exhibition content, walking and ferry schedules. | Adapt hilly routes and stairs to your children’s ages. | Check return ferries and plan for heat. | Check bathing rules and walking distances. | Check restaurant seating, meal times and evening travel. | Check access, meals and bathing rules. | Plan for heat, walking distances and rest stops. | Check sea conditions, activity age limits and transfers. |
| Local food | Seafood and grilled lamb | Local vegetables and dairy products | Sasakamaboko fish cakes and local dishes | Inn meals and regional dishes | Inn meals and soba | Tempura, soba and Japanese sweets | Jibuni stew and seafood | Hoba miso and regional dishes | Yudofu tofu, Kyoto cuisine and sweets | Takoyaki and okonomiyaki | Okonomiyaki and oysters | Local noodle dishes and seafood | Sanuki udon | Regional fish dishes and citrus | Mizutaki hot pot and tonkotsu ramen | Inn meals and regional cuisine | Okinawa soba and goya champuru | Okinawa soba and pork dishes |
| Pace | Choose one base and avoid too many day trips. | Choose a few stops and allow time between them. | Separate city walks and trips outside the city. | Leave time for onsen and scenery. | Keep sightseeing light and allow time at your inn. | Combine short walks with breaks. | Avoid packing gardens, crafts and food into one day. | Focus on the town; save distant sights for another day. | Focus on one area each day. | Group food and walking stops by area. | Separate city history visits and island sightseeing. | Combine hillside walks with breaks by the water. | Separate city and garden visits from island days. | Combine bathing with short, relaxed walks. | Group stops within the same city area. | Make time at your inn the focus. | Combine short walks with indoor breaks. | Use your hotel as a base and minimise transfers. |
| Season and practical checks | Allow extra time and warm clothing in winter. | Check flower seasons and opening dates. | Check winter travel and event crowds. | Routes differ on the Yamagata and Miyagi sides; check transport and weather. | Check weather-related transport changes and crowds. | Check whether you can avoid busy days and times. | Plan options for rain and snow. | Check winter snow and festival crowds. | Check prices and crowds in blossom and autumn-leaf seasons. | Allow for weekend and event crowds. | Check weather for ferries and outdoor visits. | Heat and rain affect walking comfort. | Check ferry services and venue closing days. | Check opening and reservation rules for your chosen bath. | Check weekend and event crowds. | Check service frequency and weather. | Check weather-related flight and transport changes. | Check weather-related changes to flights and sea activities. |
3
Picture the trip in more detail
References
Regional and food descriptions draw on JNTO guidance. Suggested pace and family checks are editorial planning suggestions. Confirm current fares, accommodation prices, opening times and usage rules with the provider.