There are two types of people– those who travel to chill by the pool with an alcoholic cocktail in their hands and those who want to explore the world with a less comfortable approach (i.e. backpacking). The first way of travelling is usually planned ahead in terms of hotels, flights etc.etc., whereas the second one is often driven by our free will of where we want to head next.
I understand that travelling may be a real life ‘awesome adventure time’. However, travelling to countries where English may not be the easiest way of communicating and the cultural difference noticeable at first sight might be overwhelming. –> So here is my suggestion of how to prepare yourself before travelling to Japan for two weeks and not get lost.
JR PASS
Travelling around Japan can be really expensive. Therefore, I am strongly suggesting getting a JR pass, which is also an investment but it will be much cheaper than purchasing single tickets for each route. Not everything will be free with the pass, but most of the lines within Tokyo boundaries, as well as Shinkansen (‘bullet train’). You can get it at jrpass.com, but the pass is only for tourists so remember to purchase it BEFORE your trip as it will be impossible to buy in Japan.
ACCOMODATION
I do not provide any suggestions regarding accommodation as it all depends on your personal budget. I personally was always searching for hotel and private rooms through airbnb.com and booking.com with a filter “close to station” turned on. You should try having the majority of your accommodation booked in advance as depending on the season many locations may be fully booked.
DAY 1: FLYING IN TO TOKYO
After flying for many, many hours to Japan all you will want to do is getting to the city quickly and in a most comfortable way, but remember that taxi can be really expensive (around $200 one way). So if you are not willing to spend that much there is a direct train for only quarter of that price that will get you there in 40minutes.
DAY 2,3,4: TOKYO
There is no correct way of exploring Tokyo and there is also never enough time to see everything, but here are spots you should definitely try to visits:
Central Tokyo-Akihabara- famous for electronic shops, pachinko and otaku culture.
Northern Tokyo- Asakusa- main temple area in Tokyo.
Ueno Park- One of Japan’s most well known parks, full of museums, temples, shrines and a Zoo.
Rappongi Hills-A party place, but if you wanna see Tokyo from upstairs you can climb Mori Tower and have the best view.
Kappabashi- also called the Kitchen Town, for any gastronomical enthusiast this will be the place to be.
Western Tokyo- Shibuya- I’m sure you have heard of the busiest crossroad in the world, here it is!
Love Hotel Hill- part of Shibuya, a hill with loads of hotels where people book a few hour stay to do whatever they please 😉
Shinjuku-party district!
Harajuku-crazy fashion can be seen here.
Yoyogi Park-one of the biggest parks, it is really nice and is perfect if you just want to have a break and lay down before you head somewhere else.
DAY 5: MONKEY PARK, JIKOGUDANI
Have you ever heard of monkeys chilling in the hot springs? This is where you can find them. The journey is to Monkey is a bit off route from other places so I would suggest visiting is during the day and going back to Tokyo for a night before heading to Kyoto.
Furthermore, depending on time of year monkeys may spend less or more time in the springs. Google this place for more information accordingly to your plan.
DAY 6,7 : KYOTO
Kyoto is very different from Tokyo, much more traditional in terms of its architecture.Hopefully you will want explore more of religious culture by now and Kyoto is the perfect place as it is full of temples and shrines and here is the list so you do not miss anything:
Central Kyoto
Nijo Castle- Tokugawa Ieyasu first place
Kyoto Imperial Palace- where Shogunato lived and ruled with his imperial family.
Northern Kyoto
Kinkakuji- also known as golden pavilion as it is covered in gold
Western Kyoto
Kokedera- UNESCO World Heritage, known for over 120 different varieties of moss
Southern Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Shrine- known for thousands of tori gates, treated as a 2 hour long spiritual walk.
Eastern Kyoto
Kiyomizudera- another UNESCO World Heritage, the most beautiful site in Kyoto for many
Gion- geisha district
DAY 8: NARA
As you may have followed my previous posts, what makes Nara worth visiting is definitely the presence of wild deers all around the city but the majority of them like it where it is green and pretty so do not hesitate to head straight to the Nara Park where you can feed them and play with them. However, remember despite them being extremely cute on some occasion they may kick or bite so be careful!
Apart from having fun with deers here are other things you should see in Nara Park:
-Todaji Temple;
-Kofukuji Temple
-Nara National Museum.
DAY 9: MT KOYA/ KOYASAN
Mount Koya is often called the most beautiful place in Japan. Full of temples, many of which you can stay at and be offered a tasty vegetarian meal cooked by local monks, will give you the most traditional japanese experience.
There is no specific spot where you should start your journey there, but I would suggest getting there as early as possible, leaving your staff at your chosen accommodation (honestly tho, I am highly recommending staying at a temple) and simply enjoy the surroundings!
DAY 10: OSAKA
Osaka is another metropolitan city, much smaller than Tokyo but very similar architecture wise. To see the city at its finest I would suggest a tour all the way up Tsutenkaku where you can enjoy Osaka’s panorama.
Furthermore, to embrace city’s culture in terms of shops and restaurants, where you can eat the best Okonomiyaki of your life, you must visit Shinsaibashi. Here you will most likely spend some time exploring local’s most fun districts.
Lastly, to see the more traditional side of the city, Osaka Castle Park will give the best insights.
DAY 11: TRAVEL DAY- FUJI
This day will be mostly spent on getting from Osaka to Tokyo but depending on the weather you should try stopping by Mount Fuji. I am saying depending on the weather because on a cloudy day it is unlikely for you to be actually capable of seeing anything. So fingers crossed!!
DAY 12,13: TOKYO- SHOPPING & FUN
Here are your last two days in Japan so plan it well and simply have fun :). I am sure many of your friends will ask you for some souvenirs so go back to your favorite spots or explore some new ones and shop, shop, shop until your wallet goes empty!
DAY 14: FLYING HOME
Soooo this was my suggestion of how you should plan your two weeks journey in Japan. I am sure you will customise the route accordingly to your personal interests but I hope I managed to give you an overall idea of what Japan is like and helped you understanding it better! GOOD LUCK!
Ueno Park is open to public with lots lots museums of western culture as well as traditional japanese museum. It took me a little over two hours to go through it all with only walking into Tokyo National Museum, where I could learn something about Japanese decorative arts, their religion and experience my first meeting with real japanese gardens.
Unfortunately, I was jetlagged and tired so I went back to the hotel to have a 2hrs nap. When I woke up and went out of the hotel I was shocked how different the area seemed to me with all the lights on! I was truly amused because even though I used to live in New York it was something I have never seen before! I decided to walk from the Ueno Park down the street to Akihabara, which is an are very famous for their video games playing and music stores, also please do not forget that amazing restaurants are pretty much everywhere!
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