Visiting Japan for the first time

What a first Japan trip actually needs now: how many days to plan, whether the rail pass still pays off, how to split Tokyo and Kyoto, and what current crowds and cash surprises mean for you.

• Is Japan still worth it despite the crowds? Yes, if you go off the beaten path.
• How many days do I need for a first trip? Five to seven days.
• Is the rail pass still worth buying? Still worth it if you're doing long-distance hops.
• How should I split Tokyo and Kyoto? 5 nights Tokyo, 3 nights Kyoto.
• What surprised first-timers about money and cash? Cash is still king in the places you'd least expect.
• What would people skip next time? People skip the overpriced extras.

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