Japan from AustraliaStart Here

Start Here: Planning a Japan Trip from Australia

If you're an Australian planning your first trip to Japan, this is the place to begin. Below is the order we'd tackle the big decisions in — each links to a detailed guide.

The planning order we'd use

  1. When to visit — pick your window around weather and Australian school holidays.
  2. Getting there from Australia — flights from your city, visas, and budgeting in AUD.
  3. Getting around — the JR Pass, IC cards, the Shinkansen and airport transfers.
  4. Staying connected and covered — eSIMs, travel insurance and the practical bits.
  5. Still deciding? — honest head-to-head comparisons to settle the close calls.

Travelling with children? See Japan with kids.

This is a living guide. We're building it out cornerstone by cornerstone ahead of a first-hand research trip. [POST-TRIP] sections will be refreshed with original photography and on-the-ground detail.