If you’ve spent any time on social media over the last couple of months, you’ve probably noticed that Japan is a top destination for Australian travellers this year. Why? It's no mystery. This beautiful country offers a vast array of breathtaking landscapes, intriguing history, a plethora of cultural experiences, mouth-watering cuisine, and a vibe that’s distinctly different from what we have Down Under. This year, however, the influx of tourists is largely due to the Japanese Yen reaching its lowest level since 1990.

Although the Yen's depreciation isn’t great for the Japanese economy, it has encouraged more travellers to visit major cities, eager to make their money stretch further. In fact, the combination of the weak Yen and the allure of cherry blossom season led to Japan welcoming its highest number of visitors ever in a single month, surpassing three million. This breaks the previous record of 3 million set in 2019.

In essence, Japan is currently teeming with tourists. As part of this throng, I quickly learned that visiting most main attractions often means jostling with other enthusiastic travellers. From this experience, I gathered some tips and tricks to help dodge the crowds and make the most of my time in Japan.

If you’re planning a trip (which you absolutely should!!!), here are my suggestions.

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Book in Advance

This is a lesson I learned the hard way. If you’re aiming for popular attractions — it’s best to secure tickets or reservations as early as possible. Some of these hotspots include the renowned Ghibli Park, Ghibli Museum, the Pokémon Cafe, TeamLab Museums , and Tokyo Skytree. But this advice isn’t limited to just the heavily touristy areas.

Tokyo Sky Tree is a massive tourist attraction. (Image: Getty)

TeamLabs Planets is a must if you want to frolic among giant balls like me!!!! (Image: Laura Masia)

I was heartbroken to miss out on both the Ghibli Museum and Ghibli Park. (Image: Studio Ghibli Museum)

With travel vlogs about Japan flooding Reels and TikTok, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to spontaneously visit places that have gained any viral popularity.

My biggest letdown was arriving at the Macho Bar — a quirky spot where muscular men not only escort you to your table but also use their biceps to squirt tomato sauce onto your nuggets — only to find it fully booked for every night I was in Kyoto. It was straight-up devastating. The only consolation was a cheeky flex and a warm “Thank you very macho” as I departed.

Unfortunately, this also applies to hostels and hotels. Typically, I book my accommodations last minute, enjoying the flexibility to decide my next move on the fly. But in Japan right now, that’s not entirely feasible. To find reasonably priced lodging, it’s best to book your hostels in advance; otherwise, you might end up paying a hefty amount for a shared room.

Consider this your warning!!!

Wake Up Early

As someone who enjoys a few cheeky highballs, a couple of Asahi frothy boys, and a couple of -196 lemon sours during a night out, waking up early for sightseeing was the toughest tip for me to follow. Yet, it was always worth it — even when nursing a hangover.

At major tourist attractions, the crowds become overwhelming after 8 am. This is especially true in Kyoto, where main spots like Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-Dera, and Yasaka Shrine aren't designed to accommodate large crowds. Even other attractions like the bamboo forest in Arashiyama and deer-filled Nara feel crowded when you’re trying to capture a lovely photo amidst throngs of people.

Don’t believe me? Check out these nifty people-free pics below, taken bright and early.

So, my advice is to rise at the crack of dawn and hit the town to reach the sights you’re eager to see. It might be tough, but experiencing the attractions in the crisp morning air is undoubtedly worth it.

Venture Off the Beaten Path

Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are incredible. They’re all filled with beauty and definitely worth visiting. However, they’re not the only places in Japan that deserve your attention.

There’s so much to explore, I promise!!! From Miyajima to Sapporo to Nagoya and Kyushu, there are numerous stunning locations to discover!

On this trip, I visited Tottori, a prefecture in Western Japan located three hours from Kyoto by bus. It’s the least populated prefecture in the country, famous for its vast sand dunes, stunning mountainous coastlines, nashi pears, and the sand museum featuring intricate sand sculptures that change annually.

It was delightful to visit somewhere less crowded, soak in the sights, and stay in a relatively empty hostel. I even got to experience a local Wakame (seaweed) festival while I was there. Sitting outdoors in the fresh ocean air, it was pure joy to bask in the sun, cheer for idol group Momokuro Obaa Z, and enjoy the local Wakame club’s original song celebrating their love for seaweed.

The entire experience made me feel incredibly lucky.

Look at all this wakame!!!! (Image: Laura Masia)

Wakame shabu shabu? Sign me up! (Image: Laura Masia)

Explore Beyond TikTok’s Recommendations

TikTok is a fantastic resource for discovering things to do and places to stay, but it can make visiting viral spots and booking accommodations challenging. During my visit between April and May, finding affordable lodging in popular city areas was tough.

In Tokyo, the subway system is so efficient that you can essentially book anywhere without it significantly affecting your travel plans. So instead of staying in Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ginza, consider venturing out to other neighborhoods. I assure you they’ll be equally intriguing in their own way.

Fun fact: I stayed at a hostel aptly named Hostel Bedgasm. It was far better than the name suggests.

Shibuya is a great place to party and explore, but it’s worth staying elsewhere, to be honest. (Image: Laura Masia)

Avoid Visiting in March and April

March and April are the peak travel months for Japan due to the cherry blossoms. Don’t get me wrong, they’re stunning. A must-see. A sight to behold, indeed.

However, if you’re like me and get anxious weaving through constant crowds, March and April might not be the ideal time to visit Japan. The good news is there are plenty of other wonderful times to go!

In May, the weather is lovely and warm as it transitions into spring. If you prefer a balmy vacation, June to August is summer. September to November is autumn, which I find the most beautiful time in any city due to the vibrant foliage. And then there’s the snowy winter from December to March. Stunning!!!

There are many options, and they’re likely cheaper too.

I may be wearing a beanie, but May offers lovely warm weather! Would recommend it to a friend! (Image: Laura Masia)

Embrace the Unexpected

Sometimes, despite meticulous planning, you can’t predict what will happen during your travels. But, truthfully, that’s the charm of it all.

The most memorable moments of my trip were entirely unplanned. Like finding myself in a karaoke room with incredible strangers after being turned away from Macho Bar. Or being trailed by a Japanese TV crew for a news segment through Dotonbori. Or even stumbling upon a religious festival in Tokyo while out for drinks with a new friend.

These experiences were all incredible, and as cliché as it might sound, they created memories I’ll cherish. So my advice for avoiding crowds is to keep your plans flexible and go with the flow.

Who knows, where you end up might be even better.

Laura Masia is PEDESTRIAN.TV’s entertainment reporter, but when she’s not busy typing away at work, she loves a spontaneous backpacking trip. You can follow her adventures on Instagram HERE.