Japan! This has been on my travel bucket list for a very long time! The itinerary below is for 8 days and 8 nights and is a bit of a whirlwind. If it's your first time you may want to tone it down a bit or just extend your trip. Regardless, I hope this helps your planning.
Tip: Buy the JR Rail Pass. It was $345 and fully worth it. A round trip to the airport plus a round trip to Kyoto, which you will want to do on your trip, more than covers the cost. You can also use it almost everywhere you would need to go within Tokyo. It was bought at a Japan travel agency in Toronto called H.I.S. Canada. They give you a voucher, which you then have to take to a customer service desk in Japan (at the airport or a major train station - check where they are located online) and redeem the voucher for a rail pass. You can also pick your start date. Note that the pass is not by time, but by day. If you start the pass at 8 pm., you lose out on a full day of using the pass.
There may be cheaper travel options in Japan, but if you are planning to move between cities and want to take a bullet train (a very quick and smooth ride), you should get the JR Rail Pass.
Tip: Buy the JR Rail Pass. It was $345 and fully worth it. A round trip to the airport plus a round trip to Kyoto, which you will want to do on your trip, more than covers the cost. You can also use it almost everywhere you would need to go within Tokyo. It was bought at a Japan travel agency in Toronto called H.I.S. Canada. They give you a voucher, which you then have to take to a customer service desk in Japan (at the airport or a major train station - check where they are located online) and redeem the voucher for a rail pass. You can also pick your start date. Note that the pass is not by time, but by day. If you start the pass at 8 pm., you lose out on a full day of using the pass.
There may be cheaper travel options in Japan, but if you are planning to move between cities and want to take a bullet train (a very quick and smooth ride), you should get the JR Rail Pass.
Where to Stay
Tokyo
- On this particular trip, the ladies had one night in Tokyo before moving on to Kyoto for 3 days. Belkin Hotel near Tokyo station was a good option as you will be leaving from Tokyo station to head to Kyoto.
- Nine Hours Shinjuku - capsule hotel in Korea town in Shinjuku. This was on the nicer end of capsule hotels and is essentially a hostel with shared bathrooms, showers and common areas. It is a fairly interesting experience for one night and felt futuristic. They also lend out pajamas for everyone to wear. You may want to bring earplugs.
- Premier Hotel Cabin in Shinjuku
Kyoto
- Ryokan Ryokufuso (traditional Japanese Ryokan where you get to sleep on tatami mats).
What to Do
Tokyo
- Check out the shops and restaurants inside Tokyo station.
- See the Shibuya crossing, which is the busiest intersection in the world. You really don't understand where all the people keep coming from.
- Walk from Shibuya to Harajuku. Stop at the multitude of shops along the way.
- Walk down along Takeshita street.
- At the end of Takeshita street, closest to Harajuku station is a cat cafe and below that, there is a photo booth place, which ended up being surprisingly fun for only 400 yen.
- If you don't make it to Japan during one of the sumo tournament months to see a tournament, look into watching a sumo practice! You can try to see it at the Musashigawa Beya Sumo Stable.
Tip: Look into this in advance if you are interested as you may have to call and ask for permission to watch. There is very specific etiquette to going to a practice. You have to stay for the entire time, no food/drinks allowed. You may also want to try to go early in the morning if you can't get a hold of them over the phone.
- Toyosu Fish Market - check out this post for everything you need to know. This is the NEW fish market where you can watch the fish auction. Keep in mind you have to go super early to not miss the auction. They have a lot of sushi restaurants here.
- Tsukiji Fish Market - this is the OLD fish market. You cannot watch the auction here anymore, but it's a traditional fish market with lots of shops for you to explore.
- Check out Galleria/Plaza at Rappongi station. There are interesting restaurants and bakeries but it is an expensive area.
- Golden gai bars - place to go out at night
- Robot restaurant show in Shinjuku - a very bizarre experience (maybe youtube it first to see if this is for you)!
- Day trip to Hakone - a must!
- Take the JR Shinkansen from Tokyo station to Odwara (it's a stop on the way to Kyoto). From Odwara, go to the customer service desk and buy a day pass that allows you to get a train then a bus into Hakone.
- Walk around Hakone and enjoy the magnificent views of Mount Fuji. Plan to go on a clear sunny day because the views are fantastic.
- Go to the hot springs - yuryo onsen. Bring your own towel or buy one for 450 yen.
- Walk around Akihabara district.
- Explore the Takashiyama and Tokyu hands department store.
- Visit the Shinjuku Gyoen National Park and/or the Yoyogi Park, near Meiji Jingu Shrine.
- Digital Art Museum - if nothing else, this is a reason to visit Japan.
Kyoto
- Take the Shinkansen (Hikari line) bullet train from Tokyo station to Kyoto station. The ride is approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes.
- Explore Kyoto station.
- Roayin-Ji Zen garden.
- Kinkakuji Golden temple.
- Walk through Nishiki Market and further, over the river into Gion district. There is a lantern festival that takes place near Gion district.
- Day trip to Fushimi Inari and Nara
- Feed the deer in Nara and see the Todaishi temple with a huge Buddha
- check out this site for more information on Nara
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.
- You can even take a card making class!
One place that was recommended for a visit was Yakushima. Since this particular trip did not allow time for it, perhaps this can be included on your own trip if you have more time. Check out this link on how to get there.
Where to Eat
Tokyo
- T's Tantan in Tokyo Station. This is a vegan ramen place, but was highly recommended even for non vegan/vegetarians.
- One intersection away from the Shibuya crossing (outside the Shibuya train station) is a scrumptious (as it was described) bakery called Boul'ange. You won't regret it.
- Afuri Ramen
- Hedgehog and Owl cafes in Akihabara
- Sukiyabashi Jiro - if your budget allows.