Japan for Indonesian Travelers

Welcome to our Japan Travel Guide for Beginners, specially crafted by the Japankuru team for our Indonesian friends. If you’re dreaming of your first trip to Japan, you’re in the right place! There’s a lot to think about when visiting a new country, but we’ve put together this easy guide to make the process a little bit easier – and a little more exciting, too. Whether you’ve already started planning a vacation or you just began to consider Japan as your next destination, let us show you why this unique country should be at the top of your travel list.

Why We Think Japan Is the Best Travel Destination

Visa-Free Access for Indonesian e-Passport Holders

Good news! If you’re an Indonesian citizen with an e-passport, you can easily register for a visa waiver at your nearest Japanese embassy or consulate (see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website), and visit Japan without a visa for short-term stays. That means fewer hurdles and more spontaneous adventures! Instead of waiting weeks or months to see if your visa came through, get the 3-year visa waiver, and head to Japan whenever it suits your schedule – it’s just a 7-hour flight away (give or take).

Halal Dining & Convenient Shopping

From sushi to ramen, Japan is a food-lover’s paradise, and many travelers arrive in Japan with hungry stomachs and an itinerary full of food tours! Of course, it can be hard traveling with any kind of dietary restriction, but Japan makes it easy to find delicious halal-friendly options too. Fresh platters of Japan’s famous sashimi can be found just about anywhere (although we recommend the seaside for the freshest flavor), and an increasing number of halal-certified yakiniku (barbecue) restaurants offer a chance to enjoy the mouth-watering flavor of Japanese wagyu beef, especially in major cities. Even famous ramen restaurants like Ichiran (normally known for their pork-broth ramen) have come up with new recipes and opened a handful of halal restaurants!

If you’re the kind of traveler who wants to browse the latest Harajuku fashions, shop for traditional souvenirs in Kyoto, and hunt for the best deals at Japan’s many outlet malls, you’ll be happy to hear that Japan’s shopping facilities are not only clean and comfortable, but an increasing number of them also offer prayer rooms!

World-Class Hospitality & Safe, Clean Transportation

Japanese customer service is famous for a reason. Not only will you find polite staff wherever you go, but even on the street friendly locals will often go out of their way to offer you clear directions. The complicated train systems can be a little confusing at first, but that’s because they’re huge systems made to get you anywhere you need to go – and station staff are always ready to lend a hand when you need it. Clean cities, punctual trains, and smiling staff make travel stress-free, even for first-timers.

Anime, J-Pop, and Traditional Japanese Culture in Every Direction

For those of us who grew up on a steady diet of anime, a visit to Japan is a dream come true, with unlimited opportunities for everything from anime exhibitions to unique themed cafes. But, of course, anime and manga aren’t Japan’s only cultural exports! Catch a Japanese pop show during your trip, or book tickets to a kabuki performance to dive into the deep well of traditional Japanese arts! Whether you’re a die-hard Naruto fan or curious about tea ceremonies, Japan is the ultimate playground for cultural exploration.

3 Must-Visit Cities in Japan for First-Time Travelers

1. Tokyo: Discover the Newest Food & Japanese Cultural Innovations

Tokyo is where ancient shrines rest beside futuristic skyscrapers, a megacity with 23 wards, and each one boasts its own unique atmosphere. Spend a morning relaxing within the serene beauty of Meiji Shrine, enjoy the chaos of Shibuya Crossing, try the street food in the shadow of Asakusa’s Sensoji Temple, and watch the city sparkle after dark from the observation decks in Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, or even the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku. Whatever delicious delicacies you’re hoping to try in Japan, you’ll find them in Tokyo, and you could spend a lifetime sightseeing and enjoying the city’s many famous attractions, like the TeamLab museums. A trip to Tokyo is a key part of experiencing Japan!

▶︎ Read more about Tokyo!

2. Kyoto: Explore Japan’s Ancient Traditions

Japan’s historic capital, Kyoto offers a glimpse into Japan’s past, with its countless temples and shrines, peaceful gardens, and kimono-clad locals working to preserve Japan’s traditional arts and culture. Walk under the brilliant vermilion gates of the Fushimi Inari Shrine, slip through the picturesque alleys of Gion, and admire a carefully raked rock garden or two before relaxing with a cup of Kyoto’s famous matcha. If you can plan a trip in spring or autumn you’ll be rewarded with unforgettable scenery – spots like Kiyomizudera Temple are particularly famous for their seasonal beauty.

▶︎ Read more about Kyoto in English.

3. Osaka: Find Flavor, Fun & Friendly Locals

Known as “Japan’s kitchen,” Osaka is paradise for street food lovers, so join the crowds along Dotonbori to try takoyaki and okonomiyaki, head to Kuromon Market for fresh seafood, and stop in for some kushi-katsu in Shinsekai, too! Sightseers know Osaka for fun spots like Universal Studios Japan, Kaiyukan Aquarium, and Osaka Castle, but people usually fall in love with the city thanks to its down-to-earth charm and friendly locals – they say that the people of Osaka are natural comedians!

▶︎ Read more about Osaka in English.

Bonus: Mt. Fuji, the Icon of Japan

No trip is complete without seeing the majestic silhouette of Japan’s tallest mountain, Mt. Fuji. You can actually spot the mountain from tall buildings in Tokyo (look for Mt. Fuji on the horizon whenever you find any southwest-facing windows), but there’s nothing like getting out of the city, heading to the foothills of Mt. Fuji, and enjoying the fresh countryside air! Whether you’re planning a hike to the peak, or you’re happy snapping photos from the shores of the picturesque Lake Kawaguchi (AKA Kawaguchiko), we’re wishing you clear, sunny weather for the best view.

▶︎ Read more about Mt. Fuji in English.

Japan Travel Tips for First-Timers

The Best Time to Visit Japan

Japan has four beautiful seasons, and the country celebrates each of these with long-held seasonal traditions, but there are certain times of year that feel particularly special. Arrive in spring to catch a glimpse of Japan’s famous cherry blossoms, which usually bloom in a spectacular profusion of pink petals for just a few weeks from late March to mid-April. Even if you miss the height of sakura season, you’ll probably get the chance to enjoy the beautiful plum blossoms, azaleas, wisterias, or other spring flowers that come into bloom before and after the cherry blossoms.

We also recommend aiming for the autumn, especially October and November, when the weather turns crisp and refreshing, and the leaves become a mesmerizing mosaic of reds, yellows, and oranges! And if you’re a fan of winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, a winter trip to one of Japan’s many popular mountainside resorts is a great way to experience the fluffy phenomenon of “Japan Powder” snow. Of course, if you come in summer you can experience all the fun of a Japanese summer festival, from fireworks to shaved ice, but the high temperatures and intense humidity can make it a little less appealing for overseas travelers.

Get a SIM Card or Pocket Wi-Fi Device to Stay Connected

With so many visitors arriving in Japan for a few days or weeks at a time, it’s now easy to get a short-term SIM card (including data-only options) or pocket wi-fi device as soon as you arrive in Japan, so you can check Google Maps, translate the ingredients on convenience store packaging, and look up sightseeing info throughout your trip. Japanese SIM cards can be purchased at convenience stores, or you can reserve a pocket wi-fi device online ahead of time, and pick it up at a counter in the airport as soon as you arrive – it’s never been easier to access all the info you need!

Choose the Right Accommodations for Your Trip

Wondering what to look for when choosing your hotel in Japan? The perfect accommodations might look different depending on what you want out of your trip to Japan! Local Japanese travelers often choose traditional “ryokan” inns when they go on vacation, focusing on the rooms with tatami mat floors, onsen (hot spring) baths, and decadent traditional meals – but these accommodations are usually located in the Japanese countryside. If you’re ready to get out and explore Japan, we recommend looking for hotels near train stations, so you can take advantage of the massive train networks found around Japan, especially in big cities like Tokyo and Osaka.

Stay Tuned for Japan Travel Info in Indonesian!

Look out for more Japanese sightseeing information, halal-friendly restaurants, shopping recommendations, special deals for foreigners, fun projects, and collaborations, all coming soon to our new Japankuru in Indonesian page! We’ll be adding lots more Japanese travel guides, tips, and updates in Indonesian so that your journey to Japan is not only easy, but a trip you’ll remember for the rest of your life. So go ahead, start planning your Japan adventure today!

For more info and updates from Japan, check out the latest articles in English and Indonesian at Japankuru.com, and don’t forget to follow us on X (Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook!