Well unless your main purpose is hitting the ski slopes, the best periods are March through to May and September through to November, but of course costs rise accordingly. June through August can be very hot and humid (except Hokkaido, which has a relatively climate dry year-round). The rainy season falls usually in July. Every year you will find a “Cherry Blossom Forecast” online to indicate (fairly accurately) what region  is blooming over what days  (generally you can expect blooms to be 5 – 7 days in duration depending on weather), and likewise Autumn (Sept – Nov) the gorgeous vermillion momiji, and yellow larch and poplar tree colours come out in a similar kind of wave as cherry blossoms up the archipelago.

Japan Rail Pass

Is available as consecutive 7, 14, or 21 days passes beginning on the date the pass can actually be first used. It really is almost indispensable for travel in Japan and valid for all JR train (including bullet train), bus and ferry services throughout Japan either a whole country or regional passes. Simply hop on and hop off! – although planning and making reservations is a recommendation.

Japan Rail (JR) pass.

You might also Google to order through your most local pass vendor.  You purchase a pass (approx 10% cheaper out of country) and receive an Exchange Order voucher which you can validate that at the JR desk at MAJOR Stations  and Narita, Haneda Kansai Airports USING THE PASS 

IC cards –  rechargeable transit fare cards that can be used to conveniently pay fares on public transportation and to make payments at many vending machines, shops and restaurants by simply touching the card on a reader.  The most convenient (valid for use throughout the country) are SUICA / PASMO / ICOCA, though even these may not be valid in some cases, albeit rare. It might be prudent to check when boarding. They can also be used for bullet train fares but that requires a particular registration. There are many different brands but others types than the above mentioned, you might come across tend to be limited region/metropolitan use. In my expereince ICOCA is the most user friendly (recharging and range of usability)

IC cards can be purchased at ticket machines and ticket counters at most major railway stations. The initial cost consists of a refundable deposit of ¥500 plus an initial amount (typically ¥1500) to be charged onto the card. The maximum amount to be charged onto a card is ¥20,000.

Japan has an image of being one of the most expensive countries in the world, and if you’re staying in hotels, eating out, and traveling around a lot, it can be. 

 currency calculator LINK 

Accommodation costs really depend on your preferences but choices range from AIrBnB (it’s still a bit new here and pay close attention to the detail), Capsule hotels (even as a one-off adventure!), Manga Cafe, Temple Lodgings,-  there is a seemingly vast range of options compared with other countries you might have visited:

Surprisingly you can eat well for comparatively little in Japan. Of course You might want to splash out on a high class sushi or tempura meal, or if you stay at a Ryokan or Minshuku you will get a delicious  banquet of relative size and variety. 

The restaurant chain stores are very cheap, very good quality and very hygiene focused and here below are a few suggestions to get you going! They generally follow the MacDonald model (not like that food production!)

Ootoya

Sukiya

Yoshinoya

Matsuya

Yayoiken

Coco Ichi  (curry house) 

Gyukaku (BBQ) 

Most sushi train restaurant range from ¥100 – ¥500 approx per plate

Convenience Stores (Seven Eleven / Family Mart / Lawson sell fresh good quality low cost meals. In my opinion Lawson does the best coffee.

Hyakuen Stores(dollar / pound store) like Daiso sell cheap snacks

Vegetarian

Some people erroneously assume that Japanese food has a vegetarian tradition (according to its relationship with Buddhism). Not so.  In Tokyo Osaka Nagoya you will not have too much trouble but in the countryside and regional cities your choices are very limited if any at all.  But vegetarians or usually accustomed so I recommend planning ahead. For particular locations I can make recommendations if you’d like to contact me. 

This is an entirely subjective thing but if you’re a first-time, or even third or fourth time visitor, these places are are well worth spending time at.  

I will very happily provide advice on attractions and plans via contact me.

If you’d advice on more off-the-beaten track, or would like an itinerary (self guided / or guided by me), I’d love to share my expertise with you and please contact me.