Beyond the Trend: 10 Reasons Japan Should Be Your Destination This Year
Okay — there’s really 15 reasons. I’ve added a queer-focused list of 5 at the end.
As a lifelong storyteller and former actor, one of the things I love most about travel is the chance it gives you to step outside your everyday life and inhabit the world a little differently. You slip out of routine and into a new sense of place—and in doing so, you naturally try on different hats: explorer, observer, improviser, inquirer.
But sometimes, it’s not just about playing a role. Sometimes, a place catches you off guard. You find yourself moved by a detail, disoriented by a moment, or struck by a feeling you didn’t expect. And in that moment—somewhere between surprise and stillness—you meet a version of yourself you didn’t know was waiting.
If you give yourself the time to slow down, to wander with intention, to get a little lost… you just might be surprised by what you find. About the world and about yourself.
And it’s through slow travel—when you allow the stillness to catch up to you—that those moments of discovery begin to settle into something deeper. You begin to ask:
What might it look like to do life here, not just visit?
What does this place offer that I’ve never thought to seek?
If I started from scratch, what would I do differently?
What does this city—its people, its rhythm—reflect back to me about my own life?
For me, no place has prompted these questions, encouraged reflection, or been more transformative than Japan.
I lived there over a decade ago, and not a single year passes that I don’t dream about going back. Japan rearranged how I saw the world. It still does. And this year? All signs are pointing to now being the perfect time to go.
Trending hard for 2025
Both Skyscanner and Kayak rank Tokyo in their top 5 global destinations.
The New York Times article “2025 Travel Destinations: 52 Places to Visit” includes Toyama and Osaka in the 30th & 38th spots respectively.
Travel + Leisure and Lonely Planet both list Osaka as a top destination for food and culture.
According to Google’s AI assistant, Osaka is the #1 trending global travel destination based on review growth.
It’s not hard to see why. Japan offers everything a traveler could want: rich culture, next-level food, polite hospitality, breathtaking nature, clean and efficient infrastructure, and an unmatched sense of aesthetic precision. You can hike misty mountain trails in the morning, soak in a centuries-old onsen by noon, and be sipping whiskey in a futuristic Tokyo bar by nightfall.
But even beyond the bells and buzzwords, Japan is a place that asks you to pay attention. To the placement of your shoes. To the temperature of your tea. To the seasonal shift of ingredients, colors, and customs. It’s not just a destination—it’s an invitation to be more present in your life.
So whether Japan’s been on your radar for years or has never even crossed your mind, let me make the case. Here are 10 reasons (plus a few queer-centric bonuses) why this layered, complex, beautiful country might just be your destination of the year:
10 Reasons to Visit Japan in 2025
1. Your money goes further than ever.
Thanks to the historically weak yen, international travelers (especially from the U.S., U.K., and Europe) are enjoying one of the most favorable exchange rates in years. When I lived there in 2011, $1 USD was about ¥80. Today? Nearly ¥145. From boutique hotels to Michelin-starred noodles, your travel budget stretches further than almost anywhere else right now—and Japan isn’t exactly known for being cheap, so this matters. (As of June 17, 2025)
2. The government wants you there.
Post-pandemic, Japan’s leaning into tourism recovery with some delightful perks—like discounted or free domestic flights for international travelers and expanded regional rail passes. Translation: seeing more of the country just got a lot easier (and cheaper). For more information and details, check out this article from The Travel.
3. It’s one of the safest countries on earth.
Clean cities. Low crime. Lost wallets returned. Japan consistently ranks in the top 10 safest countries globally. Whether you're a solo traveler or queer couple, Japan is a dream destination built on a culture of respect, honesty, and social harmony. It’s one of the few places where "safe" doesn’t mean "boring."
4. It’s weird—and that’s wonderful.
From robot-run restaurants and 3D cat billboards to Kawaii Culture and toilets with more settings than your phone, Japan is a playground of the unexpected. Even the vending machines are an experience. Embrace the culture shock—it’s kind of the point.
5. The food will ruin you (in the best way).
And it’s not just sushi or ramen. Think melt-in-your-mouth wagyu, sizzling okonomiyaki cooked on your tabletop, charcoal-grilled yakitori, Kaiseki meals that feel like edible art, and convenience store egg sandwiches that slap. It’s a culinary masterclass—just maybe skip the chicken sashimi (trust me on this one).
*Spoiler: I ate it. It was delicious. I ended up in a Japanese hospital for 3 days.
6. Ancient and futuristic exist side by side.
One minute, you're standing in a 1,000-year-old Shinto shrine; the next, you're speeding past Mount Fuji in a bullet train. Japan is a masterclass in balance—ritual and innovation, tradition and tech, sacred and surreal. I’ve never been somewhere that weaves the past and future together so seamlessly. And beautifully, I might add.
7. Getting around is dreamy.
The infrastructure is practically a love letter to order and efficiency. Trains are punctual to the second (and if one IS late or causes you to miss your connection, you can get a note from the conductor excusing your tardiness from work!). Stations and their public restrooms are spotless (I once saw a woman cleaning a subway railing with a toothbrush…talk about detailing). Even the chaos feels oddly choreographed. With intuitive signage in both Japanese and English, you’ll feel like a local before you realize it.
8. There’s rich life beyond Tokyo.
From the alpine charm of Takayama to the art installations of Naoshima; from the spiritual island of Shikoku to the street food capital of Osaka—every region tells a different story and Japan’s lesser-known regions deserve their moment. Each offers a unique lens on Japanese culture—and many are easier to get to than you think. (Post #2 will dive into these.)
9. It invites you to pay attention.
Japan rewards presence. Whether it’s the seasonal shift of ingredients, the quiet grace of a tea ceremony, or the way your feet touch the tatami, travel here is a kind of mindfulness. It asks you to see—not just look.
10. It stays with you.
Some destinations you visit. Japan imprints. It’s a place that shifts your palate, your pace, and your perspective. For me, it’s the country I lived in over a decade ago—and I still find myself dreaming about. You don’t just visit Japan, it becomes part of you.
5 Bonus Reasons (For the Queer & Quietly Curious)
11. Queer joy exists—even if it’s quiet.
Japan may not have the same visibility or legal recognition as some Western countries (no marriage equality yet), and it doesn’t always shout its queerness—but it hums with it. In tiny bars, drag shows, whispered nods of recognition, and decades of lived resilience. You won’t always see rainbow flags, but you might find something more sacred: belonging without performance.
12. Ni-chōme is its own kind of queer pilgrimage.
Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ni-chōme is home to the highest concentration of queer bars in the world—over 300 in just a few blocks. Some are tiny. Some are wild. Some cater to foreigners. Many don’t. But step through the right door, and you’ll feel it: the magic of community in all its messy, marvelous forms.
13. Gender is a playground, not a prison.
From Harajuku streetwear to onnagata kabuki performers, Japan embraces the performative side of gender in ways that often feel freer than the West. Don’t be surprised if you feel more yourself in a place that doesn’t insist on defining you.
14. Privacy = peace, not isolation.
In Japan, discretion isn’t always a sign of shame—it can be a form of respect. PDA (queer or straight) is rare, but so is overt judgment. There’s space to be yourself, explore your identity, and travel solo or with a partner without fear of harassment, commentary, or intrusion.
15. It’s the perfect place for a queer inner pilgrimage.
Hot spring soaks. Solo karaoke booths. Bento under a cherry blossom tree. Japan makes space for you to listen to yourself. It's giving healing girl era. Queer monk sabbatical. Main character energy. Whatever version of you needs nurturing—bring them.
Ready to Go?
Japan is calling. Whether you're craving a culture immersion, a culinary awakening, a solo sabbatical, or just a beautifully strange new lens on life—there’s never been a better time to go.
Need help planning your trip? Want inspiration for day trips, side quests, and exactly when to go to make the most out of cultural events? I found these two websites indispensable when I lived there.
JAPANiCAN — Great for deals, recommendations, and holiday travel packages to destinations, hotels, activities, and more.
Japan Guide — One of the most all-encompassing travel companions when visiting Japan — my “go to”. And they have EVERYTHING — from articles like this designed for inspiration, travel news to educate, an interactive “explore” map of Japan, and tools to plan your trip. They even have a cherry blossom forecast each spring to make the most out of this fleeting season.
Up next: 5 destinations in Japan that aren’t Tokyo—but might be even better.
