Hey there! Planning a visit to Japan? Questioning the place you must go and what you must do?
I do know precisely how you are feeling!
My household visited Japan in June 2023. My teenagers had been ages 16 and 19. We flew out and in of Tokyo and there was SO MUCH we needed to do and SO MANY particulars to determine that we felt overwhelmed at first.
We did a whole lot of analysis within the months earlier than our journey and determined to go to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. We centered on the highlights of every metropolis and the actions that my household would take pleasure in most.
This itinerary is crammed with enjoyable actions for youths and youths. My daughter was in control of the primary draft and my husband and I took it from there. After which we made adjustments through the journey. This itinerary is what we truly did, which is a bit totally different from what we deliberate.
You’ll want to take a look at these articles too: 12 Suggestions for Your First Journey to Japan and What Does a Journey to Japan Value? With this itinerary, they need to assist make planning your journey to Japan sooner and simpler!
This is our two-week Japan itinerary, with ideas for profiting from your journey.
Day 1 – Tokyo
- Arrive at Haneda Airport. We arrived within the afternoon.
- Handle your Customs type on-line, prematurely at https:www.vjw.digital.go.jp
- Decide up our Japan Wi-fi transportable Wifi machine on the airport.
- Change JR voucher or purchase JR (Japan Rail) Move on the airport workplace. We waited in a protracted, scorching line for this and will have accomplished it later at any JR practice station, so that is non-compulsory for those who need not experience a JR practice instantly.
- Purchase a Suica Card (or different transportation card) at an airport machine to take the practice from the airport. Public transportation labored effectively for us. The practice is clear, secure, and environment friendly in Japan. Google Maps helped us discover probably the most environment friendly and least costly routes.
- Test in to JR East Resort Mets Tokyo Bay Shinkiba. We selected this lodge as a result of it was two practice stops from Tokyo Disneyland, had simple practice entry to the remainder of Tokyo, and was reasonably priced.
- By the point we had accomplished all that, plus the time distinction, we had been EXHAUSTED. We ate dinner from a comfort retailer and spent the night settling in at our lodge.
Day 2 – Tokyo
- Toyosu or Tsukiji Fish Markets – Jet lag will in all probability wake you up early, and these are good early-morning actions. We selected Tsukiji, however Toyosu is newer. Eat breakfast right here at one (or extra) of the various meals stalls.
- TeamLab Planets – This interactive museum is enjoyable with children and youths. It is widespread, and reservations had been required on the time of our go to. Put on quick or free pants. You’ll stroll via water as much as your knees in a single exhibit.
- Hachi Statue and Shibuya Crossing – The Hachiko Statue is a well-known Tokyo landmark and Shibuya Crossing is among the most busy and well-known intersections on the earth. You may discover each simply outdoors of Shibuya Station.
- Lunch at Gusto Cafe – This family-friendly chain restaurant overlooks Shibuya Crossing. The meals wasn’t wonderful (it jogged my memory of Denny’s), however everybody discovered one thing they favored. Bonus: You order on an iPad and a robotic brings your meals.Â
- Purchasing in Shibuya – Should you like to buy, there are a whole lot of acquainted and new (to us) shops within the malls surrounding Shibuya Crossing.
- Meiji-Jinko Shrine and Yoyagi Park – The shrine is in Yoyagi Park. It is beautiful, historic, and peaceable.
- Takeshita Dori – This slim, crowded buying road is within the coronary heart of the Harajuku neighborhood and it is enjoyable to wander down it. We stopped at Marion Crepes for a scrumptious snack.
- Our dinner plans had been thwarted (lengthy story), however many eating places are close by. We simply did comfort retailer meals once more at our lodge. Comfort shops in Japan are superior. Search for 7-11, Household Mart, or Lawson’s on each nook.
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Days 3 and 4 – Tokyo
- Tokyo Disneyland Resort – We’re Disney individuals and we spent two valuable days at Tokyo Disneyland Resort – one at Disneyland and one at Disney Sea. It was SO FUN and I extremely advocate it for those who love Disney parks too. You’ll want to learn all my ideas for visiting Tokyo Disney Resort.
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Day 5 – Tokyo
- Take a look at of Shinkiba Resort. Test into Richmond Resort Premier Asakusa Worldwide. This lodge was extra centrally situated in a historic a part of Tokyo. We beloved this location and this was our favourite lodge.
- Senso-ji Shrine – one of the widespread and colourful shrines in Tokyo. It was virtually subsequent door to our lodge.
- Nakamise Dori – buying at small road stalls round Senso-ji
- Purchasing at Don Quijote – it is a chain division retailer in Japan. It is an ideal place to top off on cheap snacks and souvenirs.
- Ghibli Museum – We love Studio Ghibli films and had been fortunate to get tickets to this widespread and kooky museum. Reservations promote out in minutes. We loved it, however it’s situated within the suburbs of Tokyo and it is a small museum. In case you are not a hardcore fan, don’t be concerned for those who miss this one.
Day 6 – Tokyo
- Purchasing in Asakusa, the neighborhood round our lodge
- Conveyor Belt Sushi at Kura Flagship in Asakusa – it is a chain restaurant, however we had by no means accomplished conveyor belt sushi earlier than. It was a whole lot of enjoyable!
- Yayoi Kusama Museum – Trendy artwork museum in Shinjuku. It is a widespread and acclaimed museum, however it’s additionally small and never near different sights. My household likes fashionable artwork however did not suppose this museum was value it except you’re keen on Yayoi Kusama.
- Shinjuku sightseeing – Brilliant colours, flashing lights, Godzilla statue on the lodge roof… that is the Shinjuku neighborhood of Tokyo.
- Tokyo Skytree – There are two or three tall towers the place you may see all of Tokyo, That is the one which we selected. Make reservations prematurely. A lot of buying right here too!
Day 7 – Hiroshima
- Journey to Hiroshima on Shinkansen (bullet practice/JR Move). 4-5 hours. Made reservations at a practice station kiosk prematurely to make certain all of us acquired seats collectively.
- Test in to Capsule Resort CUBE. A capsule lodge is a uniquely Japanese expertise, and we’re glad we did it for one evening. This lodge has a walkable downtown location. Ages 16+ solely. Women and men on totally different flooring. Nice worth. The beds weren’t very snug, however our teenagers did not discover.
- Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Park – There was one constructing left standing after the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and the Atomic Bomb Dome nonetheless stands as a reminder of that day. The Peace Memorial Park is an attractive public park. The museum was effectively accomplished and worthwhile, however sobering.
- Dinner at Okonomiyaki Village – This was one in all our favourite meals of the journey – particularly for my vegetarian son who had a tough time discovering good vegetarian meals in Japan. Think about three flooring of stalls, all serving okonomiyaki. It is a pancake loaded with meat, eggs, greens, and different toppings. It was simple to customise for particular person preferences.
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Day 8 – Hiroshima
- Take a look at of the capsule lodge. Retailer baggage in lockers on the practice station.
- Practice and ferry to Miyajima Island. Each the practice and ferry had been included on our JR Move.
- Floating Torii Gate – a 10-minute stroll from the ferry. Could also be underwater or not, relying on the tides. We didn’t pay to go inside Itsukushima Shrine.
- Daisho-in Temple – We meant to go to this one, however I believe we truly noticed Daigan-ji. It is smaller, nearer to the Torii Gate, and in addition beautiful.
- Purchasing and Road Meals on Miyajima Omotesando – Should you like oysters, it is a good place for them. We ate lunch right here.
- Wild Deer – These animals wander throughout close to the ferry. They’re cute however generally is a little aggressive.
- Ferry/Practice again to Hiroshima fundamental station
- Journey by Shinkansen (bullet practice/JR Move) to Kyoto – about 1 hour 40 minutes
- Public transit to Ranzan lodge – this was a ryokan in Arashiyama the place we had the choice of a standard Japanese room with futons on the ground or a Western-style room. We selected the normal Japanese room.
Day 9 – Kyoto
- Iwatayama Monkey Park – I skipped this one due to the uphill hike, however my husband and youngsters loved seeing monkeys within the wild. It was simply throughout the well-known Togetsu-kyo Bridge from our lodge.
- Tenryu-ji – this beautiful Buddhist temple was subsequent to our lodge.
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest – accessible from a number of factors in Arashiyama. We entered close to Tenryu-ji. It will get crowded. My husband and daughter returned early within the morning on our final day to get pictures with out different individuals. Stroll via as a lot of it as you want.
- Lunch in Arashiyama – there are many enjoyable locations right here and most of them shut earlier than dinner
- Public transit to Kinkaku-ji (Golden Palace) – one of many high sights in Kyoto
- Ryoan-ji Temple – Stroll from Kinkaku-ji for a well-known rock backyard. Uncrowded and peaceable by comparability.
Day 10 – Kyoto
- Fushimi Inari – Well-known purple Torii gates. We arrived early to keep away from the crowds and are glad we did. Hike up so far as you need
- Nijo Fort – Historic Imperial Palace
- Lunch at Menbaka – quick stroll from Nijo Fort. FUN ramen restaurant with a vegetarian set menu possibility. Count on a wait.
- Higashiyama District/Kiyomizu-dera Temple – winding streets with conventional retailers and well-known temples
- Gion neighborhood – historic geisha district
- Nishiki Market – meals stalls and buying in downtown Kyoto
Day 11 – Kyoto
- Scenic practice journey from Arashiyama to Kameoka
- Karaoke in downtown Kyoto
- Purchasing/Nishiki Market in downtown Kyoto – we had been too drained to take pleasure in these locations the primary time, so we went again
- Gion/Dinner in Pontocho Alley
Day 12 – Kyoto to Tokyo
- Journey to Tokyo on Shinkansen – about 3 hours
- Flight leaves Haneda Airport within the afternoon
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Alternate/Further Actions
We walked 15,000-20,000 steps per day on our journey and had been worn out by the top of the journey. However the tempo and number of actions match our household’s persona and targets.
If we had extra time or had been to do a few issues in a different way, listed here are some actions we thought-about, however did not do.Â
Tokyo
- Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station neighborhood
- Dinner or karaoke in Roppongi neighborhood
- Purchasing/sightseeing in Akihabara neighborhood
- Ueno Park
- Tokyo Nationwide Museum
Kyoto
- Day journey to Nara
- Thinker’s Path – extra shrines and temples
Osaka
This can be a metropolis we might have beloved to go to! Subsequent time…
Conclusion
Japan was a dream journey! Actually, it wasn’t my dream earlier than we went and I felt sleep-deprived and a bit overwhelmed throughout most of it. However as I replicate on all the gorgeous and fascinating locations we visited there, I lengthy to return. It is one in all my favourite journeys.
I hope that our expertise helps your loved ones plan an ideal journey to Japan!
Comfortable travels!
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