10 Day Japan Travel Guide
Is a trip to Japan on your bucket list?
Planning on traveling there, but don’t know where to begin? I felt the same way only a few months ago.
When the stars aligned and gave me an opportunity to visit Japan, I was ecstatic. But regardless of how many cool pictures I had seen or what I had read about it, I was also overwhelmed by how much I did not know about planning a trip there. And it can be a little complicated to figure out!
But after recently spending 10 days there I can say that Japan is a very special place. What makes it different from anywhere else in the world is exactly what makes it so amazing.
We met the kindest people, had the most amazing food, felt a feeling of safety and respect that is unmatched, and witnessed so much innovation and efficiency.
Trust me, it’s worth it. And I’m here to help!
10 Day Guide
There is so much to explore in Japan, and it’s impossible to see the whole country in ten days. But it is certainly enough time to fall in love with it.
Here is how we broke it out!
6 days in Tokyo
3 days in Kyoto
1 day in Osaka
This was a great outline for a first trip to Japan! Of course, hindsight is 20/20 and after traveling there I would recommend a few changes to make it EVEN better.
I’ve got the tips. Reach out and I’ll help you plan the perfect trip.
Before we get into it, here are some tools that will come in handy on your trip!
Currency Converter - so you know how much to pay in Yen. (Some places are cash only but many accept card!)
Google Translate - when conversations get tough, or you want to translate a sign/menu. The live photo function is so useful!
Google Maps - save all your destinations down, and navigate there faster.
Getting There
I flew Delta roundtrip from New York to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, and the total travel time was around 20 hours.
On the way there I had a 2 hour layover in Detroit, and then we flew 14.5 hours overnight. Even though it was a very long day, and so much time was lost, it was still manageable. And again. it’s worth it!
If you are looking into flights from the East Coast, United Airlines actually flies direct from NYC to Tokyo which I thought was unbelievable. It takes about 14.5 hours, and a typical range is $1,200 to $1,600 but it depends on the time of year. I decided to spend a bit more to fly on Delta instead, which is my preferred airline, because I have a lot of trust in them. I upgraded my seat to Comfort, and had access to the Sky Lounge through my credit card, which came in handy for those International flights when you need to be there 3 hours early.
Unfortunately I faced some delays on the way there but overall I didn’t find the travel to be too extreme.
Jet lag and Time Difference
The time difference between Tokyo and New York during the time of my trip was 14 hours. Between the long travel, and this time change, I felt a little rocked that first week in Tokyo. I wasn’t sleeping well, just about 5 hours a night at best, and my main reason for going was to run the Tokyo Marathon. Luckily, I had a lot of adrenaline and excitement just being there. I was committed to maximizing our trip regardless!
Advice for managing it:
Try to adjust the week before by waking up a little bit earlier each morning.
Adjust on the flight over to feel more acclimated.
We flew overnight but I tried to stay up and occupy myself with books, television, skincare and hydration routines, and walks around the plane so that I could better adjust to the sleeping schedule of our 9pm arrival in Japan.
Not only did this help me increase circulation and avoid cramping or stiffness before running the Marathon days later, but I was able to fall asleep at midnight on our first evening and sleep through the whole night.
Invest in some sleep aids like melatonin
Getting Around Japan
If you will be traveling to Kyoto, or multiple cities, you may want to invest in the JR Rail Pass - it’s how you get around Japan by bullet train, at a lower cost. I did a 7 day pass which was plenty, and for $270 I was able to get round trip to Kyoto (about $200 alone), and to Osaka. Originally we were going to also go to Hiroshima, so that would have increased the value of our pass, but it was a lot to cram in.
I loved the bullet train and I felt like it was an experience in itself. It was fast and efficient. We took the shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto, which is about 2 hours and 15 minutes each way. If you are planning to go to more than just Kyoto (perhaps Kobe, Nara, or Hiroshima) I would definitely invest in the JR pass.
Outside of the JR pass, you will still need a separate card for local transportation within the cities, like the subway. My recommendation is to get a Suica card for the subway (but you can also get a Pasmo). Add it as payment method in your Apple Wallet, it’s so convenient. You can load money on it directly without ever having to use ticket machines, and access all the subways with just a tap on your phone.
Accomodations in Japan
There many gorgeous hotels throughout Japan. One thing to keep in mind is that hotel rooms generally are smaller, but it’s common for them to have spectacular service and rooms that are fully stocked with all the toiletries you’ll need.
If you are traveling as a couple there are plenty of queen and king rooms to choose from. If you are a family or group its slightly harder to find a space for four people, as double rooms with two queens are not standard here. It’s even easier to find a triple with 3 twin beds!
Im really happy with the hotels we selected and would recommend all of them!
Here is where we stayed:
Kimpton Shinjuku - Brand new, amazing customer service, located in Shinjuku next to the Park Hyatt. It felt similar to home, like the feel of New York.
Hotel The Mitsui - Amazing 5 star hotel in Kyoto by Nijo Castle
The beautiful spa was a highlight for me in Kyoto, and helped me to rest and relax after walking so many miles each day around the city. I’d highly recommend finding and taking advantage of the hot springs in Kyoto.
The Thousand Hotel - A great option close to Kyoto Station. Small rooms but space for 3 guests with individual twins.
Ritz Carlton Tokyo - This was a beautiful 5 star hotel in Roppongi Hills.
Looking for a more unique experience?
While there are plenty of hotels to choose from, I also recommend exploring a stay at a traditional ryokan. This is an inn that provides elaborate teas and meals with local cuisine, and a hot spring for guests to enjoy. You can reserve a private Japanese style room with futon beds laid directly on the floor, a Japanese bath, and a low dining area for tea. I would love to experience this on a future visit to Japan.
My top recommendation for a ryokan in Tokyo is Yuen Shinjuku
The swankiest I’ve seen is Hoshinoya
Want a hybrid? The Japanese style rooms at Grand Prince Hotel (Takanawa Hanakohro) have a traditional look and feel, immersed in nature but still in a central area of Tokyo.
Interested in a capsule hotel for one of the more unique Japanese experiences? One option is Nine Hours in Shinjuku
Ever hear of a Love Hotel? I had no idea that Tokyo had a red light district, but Kabukicho is where you will find one. Here they have hotels with wild rooms, intended as a place to engage in some X rated behavior.
Looking for something small but chic and well designed? Check out the beautiful K5 hotel in Nihonbashi. Reminds me of a Hoxton.
Explore the stunning Ginzan Onsen in Yamagata, in Northern Japan. You can book a ryokan against a snowy backdrop. It looks like its a scene from Spirited Away.
When to Go & Weather in Japan
Did you know that Tokyo is about the same latitude as Los Angeles? Weather in March was slightly warmer than I originally anticipated with temperatures getting up to 75 degrees! The sunshine felt amazing. But the temperature also dipped down to the low 40’s, and at night you needed a warm jacket. Needless to say, packing was a challenge and I suggest on bringing layers.
The most popular time to travel to Japan is late March and April for cherry blossom season in the Spring. We were fortunate enough to be there at the beginning of it and see the flowers start to bloom. Though it’s more expensive this time of year, it was pretty perfect! There was no rain, and it was so nice to walk around each day.
There are four seasons in Japan, and a lot to love about all of them!
In the summer it’s super green throughout the country and I’m sure this would be beautiful too.
Skiing in the mountains in the North of Japan is bucket list for snow lovers! A winter vacation can include an onsen in Nagano surrounded by snow monkeys, or snowboarding in Niseko. Grab a beer in snowy Sapporo or a hot spring in Hokkaido.
See the gorgeous Fall foliage and bright red Japanese maple trees of Nara
In summary, you can go to Japan essentially any time.
Japanese Food
I have to confess… I went to Japan without loving seafood.
I am new to eating fish. Calamari, tuna salad, rock shrimp I could do throughout adulthood. I always try different dishes but frequently I’d feel nauseous after a few bites. It wasn’t until recently that I developed a taste for raw tuna, and it became a gateway for me to tolerate and ultimately enjoy other kinds of fish.
But there was still so I hadn’t tasted, and in the past I had been worried I’d encounter some pescatarian restaurants or dishes in Asia that would be a challenge for me. But there is such a range of food in Japan, and I always had options! Even better, in the past two years I’ve become obsessed with raw tuna, and I’ve been enjoying a variety of sushi, even nigiri. I was excited to have it fresh in Japan, and it totally lived up to my expectations. The seafood was truly so fresh, it never smelled or tasted fishy. The quality was consistent, and so it gave me the confidence to be adventurous.
Perhaps more shocking was the fact that the fish wasn’t even the highlight of our food journey. It was the BEEF that stole the show! From the Japanese BBQ, to the katsu sandwiches, to the yakitori skewers. It was probably the best steak I’ve had in my whole life.
There are so many amazing Japanese dishes it’s hard to name them all. We had excellent ramen and gyoza, curry, teriyaki, karaage, edamame and treats like mochi.
Truly, the food scene is just beyond. If you love to eat, you are in for a TREAT!
Tokyo
One of the craziest places I’ve ever been. As bright, vibrant, and electric as New York City. As quiet and clean as Singapore. Anything you could want to do is at your fingertips. A range and variety like no other. From the food, to the shopping, to the activities and fun. You want to go to Disney? Explore museums? See castles and temples? Watch sports? The sky’s the limit, but with all the vertical retail and towering skyscrapers it really doesn’t feel like a limit exists.
After all, it’s the biggest city in the world.
We spent our first few days in Tokyo and it was a lovely introduction to Japan.
Here are some recs for Tokyo!
Sensoji Temple & Asakusa Market
Walking through the massive Kaminarimon Gate and it’s oversized paper lantern, you know that your’re crossing into somewhere special. Behind the crowded entrance you will find The Asakusa Market with over 90 different shops and vendors. This is a great place to try different snacks, find unique gifts, and take in the buzzing atmosphere.
Past the market you approach the ancient Buddhist temple of Sensoji. For a small donation you can make an offering here for good fortune.
The shops in Asakusa Market
We winded off the main path into the smaller alleys on our return from Sensoji.
Tsukiji Outer Market
This famous fish market was one of the most recommended stops in Tokyo by others, and if you love raw tuna you must go here. It is pulled right out of the sea that morning…. It was so fresh and delicious.
We arrived early, and immediately understood we’d be eating like it was our job. We hit a tuna stand with a small line by 10:30am, that only continued to grow as time went on. We also tasted chicken yakitori, fresh strawberries, tamagoyaki (sweet egg on a stick) but again the seafood was the highlight of this market!
The market opens early at 5am and begins with a tuna auction (an attraction in itself!) and closes around noon. So make sure to arrange this as the first stop of your day to beat some of the crowds, get the freshest fish, and maybe catch the show at the auction too!
From there we went on to pick up my race bib at the Tokyo Big Sight where the Tokyo Marathon Expo took place.
It felt like 3x the size of the Jacob Javits center in New York. Not sure if that’s accurate.. but it was a cool location to visit regardless of the expo being there.
Team Lab Planets Tokyo
Team Lab Planets was one of the coolest museums I’ve ever been to, and such an immersive experience. It was so about much more than what we saw in each exhibit, but what we felt.
I didn’t know what to expect, but I had seen pictures of the flower room and crystal light room on social media. What I didn’t know was that the journey through the museum and to these most popular areas was some of the best parts of it all.
It started with a walk through water. Rushing water flowing down a staircase as we ascended it. We entered a room of what felt like bean bags and quick sand, that we had to climb through, upward to get to the next level.
We saw a room of floating flowers across a domed ceiling that made me feel like I was suspended in space with them. Another room was bright neon colored covered in balloons that could be moved around. Eventually we went into an outdoor moss covered garden, with large mirrored bean-shaped “ovoids” that actually glow after dark.
The
The last room was the floating flower garden. It’s full of thousands of hanging flowers, that move up and down to reveal open spaces and private corners. It was stunning.
I was just blown away. It’s a necessary stop on your visit to Tokyo!
Shibuya Sky
This is THE BEST 360 view of Tokyo. The observation deck of Shibuya Sky is on the 47th floor looks out over the entire city. It is vast, and you can see so many landmarks and other towers from around the open rooftop. There is also a big turf space where we relaxed in the sun. There was some lines for certain photo ops within the space, but they never rush you to leave which I love.
Reserve a time here and buy tickets in advance or else you may have to check in and come back.
After Shibuya Sky, you must head to the world’s most famous crosswalk to watch the Shibuya scramble.
First you need to experience the organized chaos of the crosswalk yourself, maybe like us you do this a few times for fun. People come from every direction, all at once. But you better follow the signals, because when the light turns green cars efficiently zoom through.
A Morning in Daikanyama
One day we took a city bus from Shibuya over to the neighborhood of Daikanya. There was a ton of shopping, with not only some recognizable brands but cool concept stores. We spent some time walking around the T-site which includes a massive Tsutaya bookstore, a cute restaurant called Ivy Place with outdoor seating, and a coffee shop that we snacked from.
I loved this neighborhood, and it felt so cool and different from the more crowded parts of Tokyo, and definitely less known amongst tourists. It reminds me fondly of Brooklyn.
An Afternoon in Harajuku
This was such a fun area to explore! Located in Shibuya, it’s known for its eccentric fashion across all the stores. It’s super youthful with funky boutiques and stores down its main road, Takeshita Street or the bustling pedestrian road called Cat Street.
Neon signs, jumbo digital screens, anime shops, vintage or thrift stores, and of course the animal cafes. Harajuku is unlike anywhere else.
Tokyu Plaza
At the busy corner of Meji-doro Ave and Omotesando Street you’ll find Tokyu Plaza, a massive shopping mall that is hard to miss. It’s beautiful escalator entrance looks like a mirrored kaleidoscope.
It’s multiple levels of stores, but we went straight to the beautiful tree covered rooftop.
Hedgehog Cafe!
Located in Harajuku, this little second floor cafe is full of hedgehogs. You may have a short wait, but you essentially pay a small price upfront for access to see and hold the hedgehogs.
If you’re nervous about getting hurt from their prickly spines or their bite, don’t be too afraid. You’ll get a pair of gloves to hold them, and they only react when startled.
You get 1 free drink upfront as well, but don’t expect too much from this “cafe.” it was a cup of water from a vending machine! You’re really here to see these little cuties upfront.
Hedgehogs not your thing? Check out the Mipig Cafe in Harajuku instead and hold a micro pig! It also has better food and drinks like donut and latte’s.
One of the best parts about this afternoon was wandering off the beaten paths of Takeshita and Harajuku street, and getting lost. Feeling no rush or pressure to go somewhere specific. We snuck away from the crowds down some quiet alleys like Brahms Path, stumbling upon hidden gems.
On our walk down Harajuku Street we stopped into Cafe Reissue to watch some latte art be made in action. I struck gold by seeing a Totoro appear in cold foam before me! What an artist.
We poked our heads into the Togo Shrine and Kamiike, and a beautiful little pond.
As our last stop, we had a nice little coffee chat and happy hour at nearby SYNdicate Cafe killing time before dinner in Omotesando and I’d highly recommend checking this out if you’re in the area! It was a super chic space serving up some drinks and Australian style coffee.
Ueno Zoo
This place was a magical. Though it wasn’t a very large zoo, it had plenty of great exhibits and cool creatures. We saw so many animals that were unique to Asia.
The best part was it only cost about $10 for two tickets!
The highlight for us was seeing a panda (the first one I’ve ever witnessed in real life) named RiRi!
Though we would have loved to see the mom and cub, the line was super long, and we didn’t want to spend so much time wasted waiting. But I imagine they were so cute!
When you exit Ueno Zoo, make a left and find the Gojoten-jinja Shrine and Shichifuku-sha Shrine. It was one of many temples we stumbled upon in Tokyo.
Shinobazu Pond
This is a prime location during cherry blossom season! It’s a beautiful little pond with boat rentals, and lots of birds and fish to watch.
Exploring Ueno
The area around the Ueno station was so awesome, and unexpected. Walking through alleys with little stacked crates for seating, fresh fish presented on ice outside of shops, packed restaurants at lunch overflowing into the streets. It felt approachable, down to earth and fun.
Park Hyatt Tokyo
The Park Hyatt Tokyo is iconic. If you haven’t seen Lost In Translation, you could be wondering “what’s the big deal?” But even if you haven’t watched the scenes of Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson sipping Suntory Whiskey at a bar overlooking all of Tokyo, you could appreciate the idea of that just looking at this view. We sat right where they did, pondering their existence, but we felt on top of the actual world.
We loved it so much that we visited not once, but twice, during the trip. The night after I ran the marathon the girls surprised me with a dinner at the New York Grill! The food was phenomenal, and I devoured some of the best steak of my life!
Not only is the whole hotel classic and gorgeous, but the New York Bar has an amazing vibe. On the 52nd floor you can take in the views of the Tokyo skyline, going as far as the eye can see. There was a piano player in the background at dinner, but as the night went on we got to watch a beautiful performance.
If you plan on dining at the Park Hyatt, make a reservation in advance here.
Yoyogi Park, Shinjuku
One morning I had a great run through a field full of cherry blossoms in Yoyogi Park near Shinjuku. While we didn’t make it to Meiji Jingu Temple it’s a Shinto shrine in the middle of a thick forest, while also situated amongst the business of Tokyo. I’ve heard amazing things about Meiji and would definitely add it to the list. Yoyogi is a bit more accessible!
Metropolitan Government Building
This was one of the first spots that we explored in Tokyo because we heard it was a great view! This was actually the starting line for the Tokyo Marathon, and I wanted to check it out before the race.
It happened to be next to our hotel so we went over - but if it’s not convenient this is something that can be skipped. The views from Shibuya Sky are better since it’s outdoor!
We took the elevator 45 stories up and look out across the city to really take in the sheer size of it, and where you are standing. It will make you feel like just a speck of dust in the biggest city in the world.
Where to Eat in Tokyo
The food scene is no joke. The city owns the record for the most Michelin rated restaurants in the entire world.
Sushiro Conveyor Belt Sushi
I loved the experience at Sushiro. We descended a flight of stairs into the basement and took a ticket. After waiting briefly our number was called on screen and we were taken to a table. We didn’t engage much with the wait staff which makes it a great place for someone who doesn’t speak Japanese. We saw plates stacked on tables high, some with piles and piles.
We navigated through the options on a small digital screen on our table, placed an order order on a digital screen, and watched our dishes travel to our table via a conveyor belt within minutes.
It was so fun! And the sushi was actually better than I expected.
Ushimatsu Ebisu Japanese BBQ
I was eager try Japanese BBQ, or Yakiniku, while in Japan. I was hoping to find a place that would bbq it for us since we started the trip grilling our own meats at a Korean BBQ spot! And we ended the trip here at Ushimatsu Ebisu with this spectacular show of Japanese beef.
Upon doing some research this was a popular small chain with a lot of great reviews. They offer 3 different menu’s to choose from ranging from a more basic menu to a larger option of specialty dishes. We went with the smaller menu which felt like PLENTY, we were eating for what felt like hours. The staff grilled the various pieces of beef to perfection, sharing the different cuts as we long. Surprisingly one of our favorites was the cow tongue!
Make a reservation if you can!
Kotobuki Omakase Sushi
I had never had omakase before dining at Kotobuki in Japan. There are some world famous omakase sushi restaurants in Japan, and my friends and I were looking to dine at one of the best. We knew that they would be expensive, potentially $400 or $500 per person. But it was surprisingly difficult to find an available reservation for one of the well known spots I had received recommendations for.
Our hotel swooped in and helped arrange a reservation somewhere more reasonable at $165/person. This ended up working out so well since it was more approachable, and the chef was accepting of us enjoying some wine, and taking our time through the courses. If you are not an Omakase aficionado I’d recommend an experience like this.
It was conveniently located in the lower level of a retail center, in the middle of Shinjuku, in close proximity to our hotel. There were about 10 seats available at the sushi counter, and the ambiance was sleek and minimalistic. The dinnerware was beautiful. The chefs looked professional and serious. But the focus was meant to be on the food.
We knew there would be many courses, but the presentation of food and drinks was like a show. Sixteen courses came out ranging from fish soup, to tuna, to some more intense tastes like uni, eel and mackerel. I somehow even ate the blowfish risotto and oyster, though those were some of the hardest for me to enjoy. We finished the meal with a miso soup, green tea, and a sweet bite of mochi. Overall, I’m so glad that I had this experience even though it was so out of my comfort zone.
Butagumi Tonkatsu
I was so excited to try Butagumi, famous for its Tonkatsu, but I wasn’t sure if I’d have a shot at dining there since I had heard stories of its popularity. But we ultimately ended up walking in right when it opened and dined at a traditional sunken table upstairs.
I loved that we took our shoes off to enter the room, and that the food was served in the most beautiful patterned bowls.
The crispy pork was delectable. The curry sauce was like an icing on an already perfect cake. One of the best meals of the whole trip!
A Happy Pancake
We wanted to try fluffy pancakes while in Tokyo, and this shop was one of the well rated places, along with Gram.
At A Happy Pancake we tried a bunch of different styles, some classic and some seasonal flavors. Overall, I like a traditional pancake better but I’m glad we tried them!
Tenkaippin Kabuki-cho
Our first night we found a very cheap and lowkey ramen spot in Shinjuku that was serving delicious fried rice and gyoza. This was my first meal in Tokyo, at around 11:30 pm on a Wednesday night. Even though this wasn’t the best meal I would have, it was so satisfying in that moment. And I couldn’t believe that the restaurant and the whole neighborhood was open, packed, and buzzing at that hour.
Golden Gai
This is such a cool tiny neighborhood, with small bars that sometimes fit only 4 people at once. Some places are for locals only, but we found a few spots that had availability for drinks and welcomed us in warmly. As it’s very common in Japan, some bars can only be accessed by stairs to a second or third floor space.
We had such a laugh trying to navigate through these “no menu” “no English” establishments. All a part of the journey though!
More places to go out in Tokyo
There are nice bars. Dive bars. Some traditionally Japanese, some emulating the vibe of New York. Some are pubs, some are sake bars. And some totally themed.
The list is long, and I don’t know the name of every place we went to (like the late night karaoke we joined with strangers somewhere in Ebisu at 1am).
But we had SO MUCH FUN.
Omoide Yokocho
Piss Alley
Memory Lane
Pretty much anywhere in Shinjuku (but specifically Ben Fiddich - one of the top 50 bars in the world)
Ebisu (especially quiet but cool Bar Martha)
Kyoto
Of all the places we visited in Japan, my favorite was Kyoto. Even though it’s a pretty big city, it’s different from Tokyo. Though it had a central area around the train station of skyscrapers, towers, and commercial district it felt more like concentrated neighborhoods that felt like you were not just in a city somewhere in the world, but it could only be in Japan. It had so much culture, history, charm, and a little more nature than we experienced in Tokyo.
Here are some of my favorite things we did in Kyoto!
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Take a walk into this unusual forrest.
The famous Sagano Bamboo Forest was pretty awesome to see in real life, after seeing so many pictures of it on Instagram over the years. While it was definitely a sight to behold, its a classic “social media versus reality” check as we were walking through crowds of tourists along the way. But this was an awesome area of Kyoto to explore and make a day of.
Fushimi Inari Shrine
This beautiful shrine located upon a hill in Fushimi is devoted to Inari, the head of good harvest and success.
It is the shinto god of grains, and so the property is covered in fox statues that are meant to be protectors of rice.
A visit to Fushimi Inari is something to do early in the morning, and i’d say only then is it worth the hike there. It was about 25 minutes in a car to reach the mountainside shrine, and we probably only spent 30 minutes there since it was so crowded when we arrived at 10:30 am.
I’d recommend arriving around 7:30 am if possible to experience less crowds. It would be much more enjoyable!
If you want to make it active, wear some sneakers and embark on the full journey through the forest. The orange gates cover almost a 3 mile trail which make it a (literal hike).
More to do in Kyoto!
Even though we didn’t make it to these popular attractions because of time, but they are well known in Kyoto and I wish we could have visited! Our time in Kyoto was so special. I could have spent weeks there and it wouldn’t have been enough.
Kinkaku-ji Golden Temple
Nijo Castle
Nishiki Market
Gion District & Higashiyama Ward
This was by far my favorite area in Kyoto. I loved the historic quarter, and wandering through the streets stumbling upon little shops. It’s something you must experience in Kyoto, and it may be the moment it truly hits you that you’re in Japan.
I loved that from so many angles, you could see Hokan-ji pagoda towering over the Gion district.
In Gion we also explored the Yasaka shrine, which is known for one of the most famous festivals in Japan.
We also saw stopped by the Yasaka Kōshin-dō (Kongō-ji) Temple and its vibrant balls.
One of the highlights was meeting a shop owner who was 81 years old, and had been in business his whole life selling wood block paint prints at a shop on Ninenzaka.
He sells a different flower on traditional paper for each month of the year, and each season. Watching him work you could see how complex it was, and how talented he was. It was such a great part of the entire trip, and another example of how kind, friendly, and hard working the people of Japan are.
Even though we didn’t go Kōdai-Ji, we also caught a glimpse of the big buddha at Ryozen Kannon.
Kiyomizudera Temple
Kiyomizudera Temple was like reaching the finish line and receiving a prize at the end of a race. The journey to get there was half the fun, but despite how crowded the temple area was I still felt in awe of this place. The bright orange colored pagoda’s and the bright pink cherry blossoms were almost glowing against a grey sky.
It was stunning.
We also visited the Studio Ghibli Donguri Kyowakoku store on Sannenzaka. We had to see the life size Totoro. Was fun acting like a kid again, seeing appreciation for all these characters that my siblings and I loved during our childhood.
In some ways going to Japan was like being dropped into the set of one of these movies I had seen so many hundreds of times when I was little.
Traditional Tea Ceremony
Tea Ceremony Kyoto was a pretty cool thing to do while you’re on a quest to better understand Japanese culture.. There are many different options to have a traditional tea experience in Japan, but our hotel recommended this particular place which luckily had availability on our last night in Kyoto. The host was knowledgeable and proud.
We learned the rich history and ritual of drinking tea in Japan. She also told us about the Grandmaster title that has been passed down generations within one family, dating back hundreds of years and generations.
To the person before you on your right you say “I will join you.”
To the person after you on your left you say “excuse me for drinking before you.”
And to your host you say “thank you for the tea.”
Kyoto Tower
at some point you will likely travel in and out of the Kyoto Train Station. While it’s huge, and easy to get lost, try exiting to get a view of Kyoto Tower.
Where to Hang Out in Kyoto
Randomly, my friend knew someone who was traveling through Kyoto at the same time as us. It was great because we were able to join forces and all go out together. We didn’t know where to go, but through talking to locals they were told to go explore a little neighborhood by the Kamogawa river that cuts through Kyoto, called Pontocho.
I’d highly recommend checking out Pontocho, it was so fun and buzzing even on a Monday night. It was glowy, quiet, and beautiful when walking through the street. It didn’t seem that inviting from the outside, but the fact was it was welcoming to people who weren’t locals. But every bar had its own unique crowd, vibe, and atmosphere masterfully orchestrated by the owner and managed by usually just one bartender.
We must have popped into three of four bars before it became the wee hours and we ended the night at McDonald’s (which is also amazing by the way) at 2am. I may never know the name of most of them, other than that I had a little whiskey sour at Bar Shimon. But my feeling on Pontocho is that it’s more about which door feels like a good one to walk through. Get your recommendation for the next spot from another local, or the bartender.
Is anything better?
Where to Eat in Kyoto
The food was so fantastic across the board, but one restaurant in particular I couldn’t wait to share here. And that restaurant is Monk.
Monk
I admittedly did not know much about Monk before arriving in Kyoto. The restaurant had been featured in an episode of Chef’s Table on Netflix which could only mean it was incredible to begin with. It’s surprisingly known for its brick oven pizza, something unique in Japan, and for its locally sourced ingredients. After the show it became extremely popular and reservations are rarely available. Our hotel said that we got truly lucky!
There are two seatings, 5:30pm and 8:30pm, and we chose the latter. We arrived at the restaurant by the Philosopher’s Path, and were brought up a narrow staircase to the second floor. We took off our shoes, hung up our jackets, and sat at a large wooden table with another couple. We dined separately, but exchanged conversation and compliments to the food.
It was an incredible tasting experience from Chef Yoshi. Each course was strategically prepared by him, but you never knew what to expect next. There was no paper menu given at the start of the meal, let alone one to be found on a website. I loved the presentation of each course, and how Chef Toshi or his staff described every dish to us with a clear vision. It was a privilege to dine there.
So make a reservation in advance and experience Monk for yourself!
Hafuu
We were dying to try a wagyu cutlet katsu sando known to be a specialty in Japan. But we weren’t sure exactly where to get one. Hafuu was one of the best recommendations we received.
The sandwich is simple, but effective. Deliciously soft wagyu beef with a little lettuce and dressing sandwiched between two white bread slices. You have to try it!
Osaka
Because we didn’t have too much time we decided to do a day trip from Kyoto. It is only a 15 minute ride on the bullet train.
Even though we spent less time there than I would have ideally liked, we still covered a lot of ground in Osaka, and conquered about 10 miles of walking. It was one of our most spontaneous days! In the span of ten hours we traveled 35 miles south. Had one of the most surprisingly delicious meals of the trip. Explored castles, markets, and arcades. And didn’t stop until we literally dropped (and all fell asleep on the train borderline leaning on strangers).
In my opinion, It felt like a mix of some of the best parts of Tokyo and Kyoto combined. It had both the historic castles and temples we saw in the Gion, and the lights and electric atmosphere of Harajuku.
Here is a little taste of Osaka.
Despite some issues we faced with transportation this day, we had a really good time, and did close to everything we wanted to in Osaka!
If you want to take the train, map out the journey in advance and take the bullet train if you can! The trip was 45 minutes for us on the local line but it wasn’t too bad when all was said and done.
Osaka Castle
This was so sick! The Osaka Castle is perched on top of the park above a walled moat, overlooking all of Osaka below it.
Walking through the park we saw blooming fields of plum trees and cherry blossoms.
Dotonbori
This area of Osaka is a hot spot, located along the Dotonbori canal. It has tons of shops and restaurants, is covered in neon signs and attractions. Even though we went during the day it’s said to be most popular at night.
There were a ton of people everywhere. I had a blast in the arcade to win gifts for the kids in our lives, and stopped in toy shops for souvenirs.
We found this little temple In the Namba district in Osaka.
We had some amazing food walking through this market. From sushi, to wagyu beef yakitori, and teppanyaki! It was a great way to sample different things.
Katsudon Curry
Katsudon Tamoya is a hidden gem! Breaded pork over rice with curry. This was one of the best bites I had, not only in Osaka. You can have it made in several different ways, including egg. It was just delicious, and the owner was helpful and kind.
Mount Fuji
I wish we had more time to go to one of the smaller towns around Mount Fuji, but the closest we got was seeing it in the window on the train from Kyoto to Tokyo.
We heard it was difficult to see during March, often covered in clouds. But that day it was as clear as day.
It’s shear size was hard to wrap my head around. We could see it’s white snow capped peak from far away, and you could tell it was massive. I hope next time to visit a town like Hakone, or Fujiyoshida.
Some reminders you are not in America
I so appreciated the things that were different about Japan. I wanted to capture some of the things that were unique to me like women’s only subway cars, outdoor smoking sections, baby seats in toilet stalls, animal cafe’s, and warm drinks in vending machines just to name a few.
Language
Speaking Japanese is not easy. After many lessons on Duolingo all I really mastered was “i chi, ni, san” which translates to “1, 2, 3”. Even if you don’t know much, it is kind and respectful to learn some basic conversational Japanese before you go.
“Sumimasen” means sorry or excuse me.
“Arigato” means thank you.
“Onigai” is please.
“hai” is yes.
and “sayonara” is goodbye.
Overall Cost
My trip to Japan cost about $6,500. I would expect to spend somewhere around this. Here was the breakdown:
Roundtrip Airfare from NY to Tokyo (Delta Comfort): $2,100
Hotels: $2,400 (in addition to using points for some of the nicest hotels)
Meals and drinks: $1,500
Spending on gifts, snacks, taxi’s: $500
While this is pretty expensive, it’s possible to make this a budget friendly trip. Here are just a few ways:
Use Google Flights, Sky Scanner, or Hopper to compare flight prices months in advance, you may get lucky and find roundtrip options for less than $1,000!
Hotels tend to be nice, safe and clean across the board and can be trusted especially in larger cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. If you are on a budget, you don’t need to spend more on a brand name chain hotel. Use booking.com to compare prices and you can find rooms for around $100 a night!
The food is amazing, everywhere. And great quality can still be very affordable! If you are looking for excellent sushi and ramen, you don’t need to pay an arm and leg at a 5 star restaurant. It’s at 7-11.
Shopping for souvenirs? You can find more affordable options at the markets or big stores like Don Quijote.
Overall, try to calculate the exchange rate before you pay for something at the markets. Only happened once, but a man fooled me and I paid $10 for a magnet and I didn’t realize until after that it should have been $5 and he owed me change.
Arigato! Thank you for reading about my trip to Japan.
I’m in awe of this incredible place and I’m so grateful for my friends for taking this memorable journey with me. I hope you take this journey someday too!
Xx Gab
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