Japan is unlike anywhere else on earth — ancient temples beside neon-lit skyscrapers, world-class sushi for ₹200, and a culture of breathtaking precision and hospitality. For Indians, Japan requires a visa but the process is increasingly streamlined, and the country more than rewards the effort.
The short answer: Indian passport holders need a visa for Japan, applied for before you fly. Plan 7 to 10 nights for a first trip covering Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Using this page’s own budget table, that trip runs ₹2,48,000 per couple at the budget end and ₹3,98,000 mid-range for 10 nights, including return flights from India, hotels, a 14-day rail pass for two, food and attractions.
Do Indians need a visa for Japan?
Yes — Japan is not visa-free for Indian passport holders, and the visa has to be in hand before you travel. Applications from India are submitted through the Japan Visa Application Centres run by VFS Global rather than at the consulate counter, and the Embassy of Japan in India also runs a JAPAN eVISA for short-term tourism, where the visa is issued electronically instead of as a sticker in your passport. Fees and the document list change from time to time, so read them on the Embassy of Japan in India visa page before you book anything. The figures below were current when this guide was last updated.
- Fee: ₹500 visa fee for Indian nationals (single or multiple entry), plus a ₹800 VFS service charge per application
- Processing: 4–6 working days
- Documents: passport, photo, application form, bank statement, ITR/employment letter, confirmed bookings
- Good news: Japan has been easing restrictions — approval rates for Indian tourists have improved significantly since 2023
For documents, fees and where to apply, see our Japan visa guide for Indians.
Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it?
The Japan Rail Pass gives unlimited travel on JR trains including the Shinkansen (bullet train). It must be purchased outside Japan. Cost: ¥50,000 for 7 days (~₹27,500), ¥80,000 for 14 days (~₹44,000). If you plan Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka-Hiroshima, the pass pays for itself on just the first Shinkansen round trip.
Where should you go on a first trip to Japan?
Tokyo (3–4 days)
Japan's capital never stops. Shibuya Crossing (world's busiest pedestrian crossing), Senso-ji temple in Asakusa (free, beautiful at dawn), teamLab Borderless digital art museum (book ahead), Tsukiji Outer Market for breakfast sushi, Harajuku for quirky street fashion, and Akihabara for electronics and anime culture.
Kyoto (2–3 days)
Japan's cultural capital with 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Fushimi Inari's 10,000 torii gates (free, hike at sunrise to beat crowds), Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), and Gion district for geisha spotting in the early evening. See our dedicated Kyoto guide →
Osaka (1–2 days)
The food capital of Japan — "eat yourself bankrupt" is the city motto. Dotonbori street for takoyaki and ramen, Osaka Castle, Den Den Town electronics district. Day trip to Nara to feed the free-roaming deer (they bow to you!) and see Todai-ji's giant Buddha.
Hiroshima & Miyajima (1 day)
The Peace Memorial Park and Museum are among the most moving sights in the world. A 30-minute ferry takes you to Miyajima Island where Itsukushima Shrine's floating torii gate appears to hover over the sea at high tide — one of Japan's most iconic images.
When is the best time to visit Japan?
| Season | Months | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry Blossom | Late March–April | Most magical; book 6+ months ahead |
| Summer | July–August | Festivals; very hot and humid |
| Autumn Foliage | October–November | Red/gold maple leaves; crisp weather |
| Winter | December–February | Snow, skiing, lower prices |
How much does a Japan trip cost from India?
| Item | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Return flights from India | ₹55,000 | ₹90,000 |
| 10 nights hotel/capsule | ₹60,000 | ₹1,40,000 |
| JR Pass 14-day (2 pax) | ₹88,000 | ₹88,000 |
| Food (convenience stores to restaurants) | ₹25,000 | ₹45,000 |
| Attractions & city transport | ₹20,000 | ₹35,000 |
| Total per couple | ₹2,48,000 | ₹3,98,000 |
Is Japan hard for vegetarians and Jains?
Japan can be challenging for strict vegetarians as dashi (fish stock) appears in many dishes. In Tokyo, look for vegetarian ramen shops and Indian restaurants in Shinjuku. In Kyoto, Buddhist shojin ryori (temple cuisine) is entirely plant-based and exquisite. Download the "HappyCow" app to find vegetarian/vegan restaurants near you.
How many days do you need in Japan?
Seven to ten nights is the honest answer for a first trip, and that comes straight out of the city stays above rather than from a round number. Three to four days in Tokyo, two to three in Kyoto, one to two in Osaka and a single day for Hiroshima and Miyajima add up to seven to ten nights before you count the travel days at either end. Anything shorter and you spend the trip on trains; anything longer and most first-timers start adding Hakone, Nara or the Japanese Alps, which is a different holiday.
The budget table on this page is built on ten nights and a 14-day rail pass, so if you cut the trip to seven nights the pass drops to the 7-day version and the accommodation and food lines fall with it. That is the single biggest lever on the total.
What should Indians know before booking Japan?
Three things catch Indian travellers out. The rail pass must be bought before you leave India, so it cannot be an afterthought at Narita. Cherry blossom season is the one time of year when six months of notice is genuinely not enough for the best hotels. And Japan still runs far more on cash than its reputation suggests, so a Suica or similar IC card for city transport and some yen in hand will save you repeatedly.
For seasonal forecasts, festival dates and region guides, the Japan National Tourism Organization publishes an India-facing site: Japan National Tourism Organization. For visa fees, forms and the current document list, use the Embassy of Japan in India page rather than any third-party summary, including this one.
Planning a Japan trip with Curate Your Vacation
Japan is not one of our off-the-shelf packages. We publish fixed prices where we hold contracted rates — that is the Maldives, Bali and Pondicherry on our packages page — and we build Japan to order around your dates, your pace and whether cherry blossom or autumn foliage matters more to you. That means we will not quote you a Japan number on a web page we have not checked against live flight and hotel availability for your dates.
Our offices are in Bangalore and Coimbatore, and either will plan the trip: Bangalore 9945534012, Coimbatore 9994042247. Tell us your travel window and how many nights you can take, and we will come back with a costed itinerary rather than a brochure range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Indians need a visa to visit Japan?
Yes. Japan is not visa-free for Indian passport holders. Applications from India go through the Japan Visa Application Centres run by VFS Global, and the Embassy of Japan in India also runs a JAPAN eVISA for short-term tourism, issued electronically instead of as a passport sticker.
How much does a 10-night Japan trip cost for a couple from India?
This page’s budget table puts it at ₹2,48,000 per couple at the budget end and ₹3,98,000 mid-range. Both totals include return flights from India, ten nights of accommodation, a 14-day rail pass for two people, food and attractions.
How many days do you need for a first trip to Japan?
Seven to ten nights. Adding up the city stays on this page — three to four days in Tokyo, two to three in Kyoto, one to two in Osaka and a day for Hiroshima and Miyajima — gives seven to ten nights before travel days.
Is the Japan Rail Pass worth buying?
If your route is Tokyo to Kyoto to Osaka to Hiroshima, yes — the pass pays for itself on the first Shinkansen round trip alone. It has to be bought outside Japan, so order it before you fly.
When is cherry blossom season in Japan?
Late March into April. It is the most popular time to visit, so book six or more months ahead. October and November are the quieter alternative, with red and gold maple foliage and crisp weather.
Can vegetarians and Jains eat well in Japan?
Yes, with planning. Dashi, a fish stock, turns up in many everyday dishes, so look for vegetarian ramen shops and Indian restaurants in Tokyo, and shojin ryori, the entirely plant-based Buddhist temple cuisine, in Kyoto.
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