10 Days in Japan Itinerary for First Time Guests…
Planning a visit to Japan?
After spending years taking a look at lovely and unique photographs of Japan, we knew we wanted to go to Japan and see the nation for ourselves.
We wished to see the colourful temples and shrines, eat the world’s finest sushi, journey on a bullet prepare, be dazzled by its neon lights and take in Japanese popular culture.
We did all of this and extra on a beautiful 10 days in Japan itinerary that targeted on the very best websites in Tokyo and Kyoto.
The place to go in Japan?
There are such a lot of fabulous locations to go to in Japan, however if you’re touring to Japan for the primary time, stick to those two basic Japanese cities.
Tokyo provides up the fashionable futuristic aspect of Japan, whereas Kyoto provides you the chance to expertise the historical past and tradition of imperial Japan.
We spent 5 days in Tokyo and 5 days in Kyoto, which allowed us to essentially get to know every metropolis.
To attenuate transportation time and price, we flew into Osaka and visited Kyoto first. We then took the bullet prepare as much as Tokyo, the place we flew out 10 days later.
10 Days in Japan Itinerary
Kyoto Itinerary (four days)
One of many highest methods to expertise Kyoto is by staying in a standard Japanese inn, a ryokan.
This cultural immersion expertise means that you can sleep on tatami mats, eat elaborate kaseki meals and bathtub in an onsen.
Ryokans usually embody your meals and could be fairly costly. Whereas we might have liked to remain in a single for the entire time we have been in Kyoto, we opted to remain one night time.
Earlier than you go, study what to anticipate staying at a ryokan to be sure to don’t make any etiquette fake pas.
Kyoto is residence to over 2,00zero temples and shrines and every one among them is extremely distinctive and delightful. It’s simple to get “templed out” in Kyoto, so that you wish to tempo your self.
On this Kyoto itinerary you might have 4 days to expertise the entire highlights of Kyoto.
Day 1 – Higashiyama
The Higashiyama district is one among Kyoto’s finest preserved heritage areas and an incredible place to start out exploring Kyoto.
There are quite a few temples and shrines, Japanese gardens and tea homes finest explored by strolling the slender streets.
The spotlight is Kiyomizu-dera temple, a UNESCO Heritage Website with wonderful views over Kyoto.
As you strategy the temple and stroll the heritage Yasaka and Kiyomizu-michi Streets, you’ll soften into the bustling crowd.
A preferred exercise for each home and overseas vacationers is to decorate up in geisha or maiko costumes whereas exploring the world. There are many alternatives to buy within the wood storefronts promoting Japanese trinkets and matcha goodies.
In case your legs aren’t too drained, have a wander via Gion, the place you would possibly simply spot a geisha going to a night engagement.
Have dinner in close by Pontocho Alley, a slender avenue filled with eating places, many overlooking the river.
Day 2 – Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji
Arashiyama is a district on the western aspect of Kyoto, finest identified for its towering bamboo groves.
As probably the most widespread locations to go to in Kyoto, it will get busy rapidly so get an early begin to your day to get pleasure from some quiet time earlier than the crowds arrive.
You may lease bicycles and discover the quiet and rural streets of Arashiyama.
Close by Monkey Park Iwatayama provides lovely views over Kyoto and the prospect to see and work together with the wild monkeys that reside on the hill.
Within the afternoon, head over to Kinkaku-ji, one other UNESCO website and probably the most photographed locations in all of Japan.
Generally known as the Golden Temple, that is probably the most zen place I’ve ever visited and top-of-the-line issues to do in Kyoto, even with the crowds.
Each little element of the temple and gardens have been thought out so rigorously.
Day Three – Fushimi Inari, Manga Museum and Markets
Fushimi Inari is completely breathtaking with its pathways of orange torii gates on the aspect of a mountain.
The upper you stroll, the much less crowds you will see that. You may simply spend 2-Three hours right here following the four kilometers of pathways within the forest.
As probably the most well-known Kyoto points of interest, positively put Fushimi Inari in your Japan itinerary!
Subsequent, head again to downtown Kyoto to go to the Manga Museum.
Manga and comedian books are on the middle of Japanese popular culture and the Manga Museum is sort of a manga library the place followers can devour the massive assortment.
For us, the spotlight of our go to was having the children’ portraits drawn by a manga artist.
It’s wonderful how a lot character the artists imbue of their drawings and they’re our favourite souvenirs from the journey.
End your day by wandering via Nishiki Market, a five-block procuring avenue.
Amongst the memento outlets, you will see that recent native substances, tempting take-away fare and specialty meals merchandise.
Day four – Nijo Fortress or Daytrip to Kibune or Nara
To your final day in Kyoto, select to discover extra of what the town has to supply or do a day journey to the encircling space.
In case you are staying in Kyoto, go to Nijo Fortress, residence of shoguns because the Edo period. That is additionally an incredible wet day exercise. This 400 yr outdated citadel options lovely murals, wood flooring that make nightingale sounds as you step and elaborate Japanese gardens.
Spend the remainder of your day strolling the Philosophers Stroll in northern Higashiyama or collaborating in a tea ceremony.
Probably the greatest day journeys from Kyoto is to Nara, well-known for the deer that roam freely and its spectacular temples. Simply an hour from Kyoto by prepare, Nara is a powerful metropolis to spend the day in.
In case you are trying to see a few of Japan’s countryside, head to Karama and hike to Kibune.
This half day hike (four km, 2-Three hours) winds via temples and forest. In case you are there within the hotter months, you may eat lunch on the platforms constructed over the river because the water flows beneath you.
Day 5 – Bullet Prepare to Tokyo
No journey to Japan is full with out taking the shinkansan, the Japanese trains that journey at speeds as much as 320 km/hr.
There are many trains between Kyoto and Tokyo, so no have to e-book the Kyoto to Tokyo bullet prepare upfront.
In case you are doing multiple prepare journey, it might be cost-effective to buy the Japan Rail (JR) Go, which have to be bought earlier than arriving.
Sit on the left aspect of the Kyoto to Tokyo prepare for an opportunity to see Mount Fuji on a transparent day.
As soon as in Tokyo, get your bearings and begin working your manner via the wonderful meals experiences it has to supply.
Tokyo Itinerary (5 days)
Tokyo is huge and you may spend weeks exploring all of its completely different neighborhoods and websites.
With a 5 day Tokyo itinerary, you’ll have the time to see the principle Tokyo points of interest and immerse your self in Tokyo life.
Getting round Tokyo by metro could look daunting, however as you’ll anticipate in Japan, it’s a very environment friendly system.
Take a look at these Tokyo ideas from bloggers and different travellers.
Day 6 – West Facet: Shibuyu and Harajuku
The Shibuyu Crossing was made well-known in “Misplaced in Translation” and also you positively wish to expertise the world’s busiest pedestrian intersection, ideally at rush hour.
It’s one of many craziest locations to go to in Tokyo!
Take a wander down Middle-Gai, a pedestrian procuring avenue. Cease at one of many karaoke bars and spend an hour belting out some tunes with your pals.
Additionally, you will wish to queue at Genki Sushi, the place your sushi shall be custom-delivered to you on conveyor belts.
Within the afternoon, take the metro over to Harajuku, the notorious youth kawaii district.
However earlier than you head into the loopy world of Harajuku, head to Meiji-jingu shrine for some peace and quiet in Yoyogi-koen Park.
After a few hours strolling the peaceable trails round Meiji-jingu, you’ll really feel higher ready to tackly Harajuku’s principal procuring avenue, Takeshita.
Something goes right here and you will see that a number of curious characters youthfully expressing themselves.
For dinner head to Sakura-tei for okonomiyaki – Japanese savoury pancakes you prepare dinner proper at your desk.
Day 7 – East Facet: Asakusa and Ueno
The Edo period in Japan was an interesting time and to raised study extra about it, go to Fukagawa Edo Museum.
This open-air museum recreates a working class neighborhood within the Edo period. It brings historical past to life as you may stroll into the buildings and choose up the interval artifacts.
In case you are trying to study much more, go to the Edo-Tokyo Museum.
Subsequent up is a go to to the normal neighborhood of Asakusa.
The principle website right here is Senso-ji, the oldest temple in Tokyo. Method the temple from Nakamise-dori and get swept up within the bustling ambiance and Japanese craft and candy outlets.
The atmospheric aspect streets are price exploring, which trace at a bygone period.
In case you nonetheless have time and vitality, head to Ueno on foot. Ueno Park is the proper place to do some individuals watching and the Ueno Zoo is widespread with young and old alike.
In case you are nearing the tip of your day in Asakusa, the Tokyo Sky Tree provides up beautiful views from its remark decks.
On a transparent day you would possibly have the ability to spot Mt Fuji or go for the glittering after darkish view.
Day eight – Tsukiji Fish Market and Shinjuku
You may’t go to Japan and go to Tokyo with out experiencing the most important seafood market on this planet. It’s probably the most widespread locations to go in Japan.
The market was set to maneuver to an outer suburb, nonetheless that has been postponed till no less than fall 2018.
In case you actually wish to see the tuna public sale, plan to reach and queue for tickets by Three am.
Nonetheless, even in the event you don’t wish to rise up in the midst of the night time, Tsukiji ought to be in your Tokyo itinerary.
Plan to reach at 9:30 as vacationers aren’t allowed to enter the interior market till 10 am when enterprise is concluding.
You’ll then have about 30 minutes to wander round and see what was on the market that day, earlier than issues wind down at 10:30 am.
You may pattern the freshest (and really costly) sushi on the outer market, the place queues can get fairly lengthy for the most well-liked eating places.
Subsequent up, take the metro to Shinjuku.
Right here you’ll expertise the world’s busiest prepare station with over Three million individuals passing via it every day.
Shinjuku is the Tokyo you image with its neon lights, plenty of individuals and high-tech every thing. This can be a excellent place to get some procuring completed in Shinjuku’s many malls and outlets.
If you wish to see Tokyo from above, however don’t wish to shell out for the Skytree or Tokyo Tower, you may ascend to the highest of the Tokyo Metropolitan Authorities Constructing without cost.
For dinner, bask in one other must-have Tokyo meals expertise: ordering ramen from a merchandising machine.
The Ichiran retailers are rumoured to be the very best within the metropolis, however like all good issues, be ready to queue.
Day 9 – Day Journey: Disney or Hakone
On the ninth day of your Japan trip, select to go to a Disney park or take a 2 day/1 night time journey to Hakone – top-of-the-line day journeys from Tokyo!
Tokyo is residence to 2 Disney parks: Tokyo Disney and Disney Sea.
Each provide the basic Disney expertise, however with a uniquely Japanese twist.
The meals alone is price a go to with attention-grabbing snacks like gyoza canine, curry popcorn and mochi dumplings. Attempt to go to mid-week and purchase your tickets upfront, as queues could be very lengthy.
If Disney isn’t your fashion, take an in a single day journey to Hakone.
Greatest identified for its scorching spring resorts, that is one other excellent place to remain in a ryokan.
An effective way to benefit from the area is by doing the Hakone Circuit with the Hakone Free Go. This lets you take 5 completely different modes of transportation via its countryside and lakes.
Day 10 – Alternative: Leisure, Purchasing or Hakone
In your final day, in the event you didn’t go to Hakone, select one among this stuff to do in Tokyo:
- In case you like procuring – head to Ginza, the primary neighborhood to modernize in Tokyo. As Tokyo’s fifth Avenue, that is residence to high-end retailers.
- In case you like leisure – head to Odaiba, a man-made island in Tokyo Bay, accessible by mono-rail. From theme parks to science centres, and even a scorching springs amusement facility, Odaiba provides a number of alternative.
- In case you are considering electronics – head to Akihabara, Tokyo’s geek tradition wonderland.
- In case you are considering sumo – attend a sumo match at Ryogoku if you’re visiting in January, Could or September.
- In case you are into movie – rating tickets upfront for The Ghibli Museum and enter the world of animator Miyazaki Hayao.
- In case you are into sports activities – purchase tickets to the Yomuiri Giants baseball recreation on the Tokyo Dome if visiting from March to October.
An Introduction to Japan
This 10 days in Japan itinerary is a good way to get a style of this wonderful nation.
Visiting Kyoto and Tokyo will whet your urge for food for all of the locations to see in Japan and you can be planning your subsequent Japan journey earlier than you even go away.
Japan really is not like some other nation on earth.
In an period of globalization, Japan manages to keep up a totally overseas really feel that we as vacationers thrive upon.
From its wealthy tradition, to its futuristic and high-tech cities, to its orderly methods, Japan is a vacation spot that you need to go to to expertise.
Planning a Journey to Japan
- Reserving.com has properties throughout Japan. You get free cancellation on most rooms and a finest value assure.
Flights to Japan
- Skyscanner is a comparability web site that searches thousands and thousands of flights. As soon as you discover your finest deal, e-book instantly via the airline (no additional charges).
Japan Excursions
- Viator is a Journey Advisor firm and provides small group excursions of Kyoto and Tokyo to the most well-liked locations and points of interest
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