Japan Trip
If you want to experience a culture shock, a trip in Japan is a good choice!
Within 12 days you can see all the highlights that the country has to offer. Kamiel has already visited the country to make the trip a little easier for you 😉
Tokyo
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
- Arrival at Narita or Haneda airport. The Japanese are very strict about checking your documents. So check in advance whether you are certain vaccinations Need!
- Buy a Suica Subway card. With this card you can travel through Tokyo and other cities in Japan. The pass works the same as in most countries. Make sure you charge your card before!
- Take the Monorail to Central Station, and check into your hotel. We recommend staying in a central location such as Shinjuku, Shibuya or Asakusa.
- Enjoy the neighborhood by trying local eateries and experiencing the cozy atmosphere of the neighborhood
Day 2: Tokyo Highlights
- Morning: Visit Hamarikyu Garden. This is without a doubt the most beautiful park in Japan, where green meets the city. Try the Matcha tea here, in a cafe in the middle of the park.
Hamarikyu Garden Cafe, Tokyo
- Afternoon: Visit Nezu Shrine. This temple, which you have probably seen many times in photos, looks just as magical in real life 😉
- Evening: Take a walk through Akihabara, which is teeming with Anime figures and arcades with a slightly larger format as we know them. After your dinner, visit one of the many vibrant nightclubs in Shibuya.
Nezu Shrine, Tokyo
- Morning: Visit Meiji Temple near Yoyogi Park.
- Afternoon: Explore the vibrant fashion district of Harajuku, famous for Takeshita Street.
- Evening: This time take a little more time for Shibuya, known for its iconic intersection. Enjoy one of the many sushi restaurants here, and explore the entertainment area around Shibuya Station again.
Day 3: Exploring Tokyo
Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Mt. Fuji
Day 4: Travel to Mt. Fuji
- After checking out of your hotel, take the Shinkansen from the nearest station to the town of Fuji in the morning. Buses to the mountain leave from this station.
- Upon arrival from Mt. Fuji, we recommend that you rent bicycles, which should not be a problem for your cycling genes 😉
- Take the bus back to Fuji, where you can then have a nice bite to eat. We recommend that you find an overnight stay here, so that you are fresh the next morning for the rest of your journey.
Mt. Fuji, Japan
Kyoto
Day 5: Travel to Kyoto
- Take the Shinkansen again, this time to Kyoto Station, and check into your hotel.
- Evening: Visit Fushimi Inari Temple, famous for its thousands of red torii gates, which are especially magical at sunset.
Day 6: Historical sights of Kyoto
- Morning: Explore Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), known for its beautiful facade covered in gold leaf.
Kinkaku-ju Temple, Kyoto
- Afternoon: Visit Monkey Mountain in Arashiyama. For us this was the highlight of the trip. Here you can watch monkeys with a view over the entire city, which fortunately leave you alone.
Arashiyama Monkey Mountain, Kyoto- Evening: Discover the surroundings of Arashiyama, with the great river along the mountain. End your day with dinner at one of the many great restaurants near your Hotel.
Day 7: Temples and tea ceremony in Kyoto
- Morning: Visit Kiyomizudera Temple for its wooden podium and panoramic views.
- Afternoon: Visit Toji Temple. In addition to the beautiful temple, there are many local traditional houses here, where you can also buy souvenirs to take home!
- Evening: Experience a traditional tea ceremony at one of the city's teahouses, and end your day at one of the many Ramen restaurants the city has to offer 😉
Toji Temple, Kyoto
Nara
Day 8: Day trip to Nara
- Morning: Take the train to Nara, and visit Nara Park, home to friendly deer. Explore Todai-ji Temple, where the Great Buddha is located.
- Afternoon: Stroll through Kasuga Taisha Shrine with its lantern-lined paths.
- Evening: the city is very quiet in the evening. We recommend you grab a bite to eat and spend the night here to relax from all the hectic places you have been before 😉
Osaka
Day 9: Travel to Osaka
- Morning: Take the train to Osaka (about 30 minutes from Kyoto).
- Check in at your hotel. We recommend that you stay near Shinsaibashi, a vibrant district with plenty of lights and entertainment options.
- Afternoon: Explore Dotonbori, a vibrant neighborhood known for its street food, entertainment and iconic plates.
- Evening: Visit Abeno Harukas, the tallest tower in the city. Here you have a great view of the entire city at sunset! There are also plenty of sushi restaurants in the area.
Abeno Harukas Tower, Osaka
Day 10: Sightseeing in Osaka
- Morning: Visit Osaka Castle, a historic monument set in a beautiful park.
Osaka Castle, Osaka
- Afternoon: Go to Minoh Park. This park is located north of the city, but is easily accessible by the metro system. This park has both waterfalls and a colorful appearance, if you are there in the spring or fall season.
- Evening: Return to your hotel, freshen up and enjoy the modern atmosphere of Shinsaibashi. Grab a bite to eat here and discover one of the many nightclubs.
Shinsaibashi, Osaka
Day 11: Back to Tokyo
- Take the Shinkansen back to Tokyo, and check into your hotel.
- Visit the port area (Downtown), which is connected by an impressive metro line. Grab a bite of fish at the Tsjuki fish market, which is known for its quality.
- Return to your hotel and rest.
Day 12: Departure
- Check out of your hotel and depart for the airport by monorail.
Adjust it to your own preferences and travel pace and enjoy your adventurous tour in Japan! If you have longer, take a look at the less touristy parts of Japan, which are a bit further away by train!
