Japan: Beyond Tokyo’s neon lights
What to see
Imperial Palace, Tokyo
Located in the heart of Tokyo, the Imperial Palace stands on the former site of Edo Castle and remains the residence of Japan’s Emperor. Despite being surrounded by one of the world's largest cities, the palace grounds feel remarkably peaceful, with expansive gardens, moats and centuries of history.
Visiting offers a glimpse into Japan’s imperial heritage and the elegance that continues to influence Japanese culture today.
Mount Fuji
No symbol is more closely associated with Japan than Mount Fuji. This UNESCO World Heritage Site dominates the landscape with its perfectly symmetrical cone and changes character with every season.
Cherry blossoms frame the mountain in spring, hiking trails open during summer, autumn brings vibrant foliage and winter covers the peak in snow.
Ise-Shima
Ise-Shima is a region known for its rugged coastline, exceptional seafood and spiritual significance.
At its heart is Ise Grand Shrine, considered Japan’s most sacred Shinto site. Every visit brings a sense of calm and reflection. Walking beneath towering ancient trees, exploring the traditional streets of Okage Yokocho, and taking in the views from Yokoyama Observatory creates an experience that feels uniquely Japanese.
The region combines nature, history and cuisine into a single journey.
Hidden gem: Ouchi-juku, Fukushima
While many visitors focus on Kyoto’s famous temples, Ouchi-juku offers a quieter glimpse into old Japan.
This beautifully preserved Edo-period post town features traditional thatched-roof houses lining a single historic street. With few modern buildings in sight, it feels like stepping back several centuries.
In winter, when snow blankets the village, the entire landscape becomes almost magical.
A defining local experience: relax in an onsen
If there is one experience that truly captures the spirit of Japan, it is soaking in an onsen.
More than just a hot spring bath, an onsen reflects a Japanese approach to relaxation, mindfulness, and connection with nature. Whether surrounded by forests, mountains or rivers, the experience encourages you to slow down and appreciate the moment.
Before entering an onsen, always wash thoroughly at the shower stations first.
Proper bathing etiquette is an important part of the experience and shows respect for other guests.
What to eat and drink
Japan's culinary reputation is well deserved, but a few experiences stand out:
Ramen
Every region has its own style, from rich tonkotsu broths to hearty miso-based bowls.Sushi
From high-end omakase restaurants to casual conveyor-belt counters, quality is consistently impressive.
My favourite place is 炭火焼濃厚中華そば 海富道 (Seafood Ramen Seafudou), a small Tokyo ramen shop known for its charcoal-grilled seafood broths.
The flavors are unlike typical pork or chicken ramen and offer a creative take on a Japanese classic.
Staying safe during your travels in Japan
Stay protected while you travel with Kaspersky
A trip should be about the journey ahead, not about worrying whether your phone, your accounts, or your personal data are safe along the way. But travel is exactly when your digital life can be exposed: you're booking things on the go, tapping links from unfamiliar senders, logging in to new apps, and connecting to whatever Wi-Fi you can find. Kaspersky helps you stay protected through all of it, so you can focus on where you're going.
It often starts before you even leave. As you book flights, hotels, and transport, Kaspersky Premium helps protect you from common travel scams, for example, fake booking links, misleading travel offers, and scam messages designed to catch you mid-plan. With Safe Messaging feature, it can flag suspicious links and messages before you tap, whether you're confirming a reservation, arranging a ride, paying online, or chatting on the go with a local guide.
With Kaspersky eSIM, you can get online as soon as you arrive without searching for a local SIM card or relying on unsecured public Wi-Fi. Whether you need to check directions, contact your accommodation, book a taxi or let your family know you've arrived safely, staying connected from the very beginning of your trip is simple and convenient.
Once you're on the move, the Wi-Fi at airports, hotels, cafés, and train stations becomes part of everyday travel, and that's where Kaspersky VPN comes in. By encrypting your internet traffic, it helps you use public networks more safely when you browse, check your plans, or access your accounts. It also helps you stay connected to the services you rely on at home — from banking and personal accounts to your favorite apps, websites, and streaming services — even while you're abroad.
And because travel means juggling more accounts than usual — airline apps, hotel sites, booking platforms, email, payment services — Kaspersky Password Manager keeps your credentials secure and within easy reach from your mobile device. It can create and manage strong passwords so you're not relying on weak or reused ones, and it lets you log in quickly wherever you are. You can also keep important travel documents (passport details, tickets, and booking confirmations) in a secure vault, so they're ready the moment you need them.
Together, these tools help protect your personal data across your devices and alert you to potential risks as you go, so the only thing you have to think about is the journey, not your digital safety.
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- Windows®
- macOS®
- Android™
- iOS®
- A bank-grade encrypted vault
- Safer passwords in one click
- Faster sign-in across devices
- Your sensitive data is protected
- A second layer of sign-in security
- Real-time Antivirus
- Online Payments Protection
- Performance Optimization
- Unlimited Superfast VPN
- Data Leak Checker
- Identity Protection
- Expert Virus Check & Removal
- Kaspersky Safe Kids
- Windows®
- macOS®
- Android™
- iOS®
- Real-time Antivirus
- Online Payments Protection
- Performance Optimization
- Unlimited Superfast VPN
- Data Leak Checker
- Identity Protection
- Expert Virus Check & Removal
- Kaspersky Safe Kids
Kaspersky has no commercial relationships with any of the organizations mentioned.