Welcome to Japan, the land of the rising sun! Planning a trip to Japan, particularly deciding your itinerary, can be quite time-consuming. I spent so much time researching which places I had to visit. Japan had been on my travel bucketlist for so long that I wanted to maximize my time there as much as possible. Is this the same for you? Then you have arrived in the perfect place. In this blog, you will find the itinerary we followed during the 20 days in Japan.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT JAPAN
Japan is a very popular destination. Everybody has heard of Japanese hospitality or seen photos of their breathtaking sites and temples. Because of this, I will not describe the amazing things you can find in the country. Instead, here are some interesting and fun facts about Japan that you might not know about Japan.
- Did you know it is good manners to slurp your noodles? Yes, you’ve read this right. When eating ramen or any other noodle-based dish, it is a sign that you find the dish delicious!
- Japan is made of over 6000 islands. These portions of land were attached to the Asian continent but due to the frequent tectonic activity in the area, they separated from the continent.
- Life expectancy in Japan is one of the highest in the World.
- there is one vending machine for every 24 people in Japan. This makes it the highest density of vending machines in the World! And they don’t just sell drinks! It is possible to find some pretty uncommon things in vending machines.
20 DAYS IN JAPAN - ITINERARY
Before I share my Japan Itinerary, I would like to clarify a few things:
- This is the itinerary we did, based on our interests but there are so many options and possibilities when visiting Japan. However, I do believe that for a first trip to Japan, this itinerary gives you a very good overview of the country.
- We had an active JR pass for 14 days during our trip to Japan. This gave us a lot of flexibility with our planning.
- Lately, we are prioritizing slow and conscious travel. We prioritize enjoying the place over trying to visit as many places as possible. This is to say, that if you want, it is possible to add more activities every day. We just chose not to.
DAY 1 & 2: Fly To Tokyo
Route: Fly to Tokyo
Route: From Haneda Airport to Hotel in Ginza (Time: 37 minutes)
The first two days of the trip are all about getting to Tokyo. But don’t worry, it will not take 48 hours, this is just because of the time difference! Tokyo has two international airports, Haneda Airport and Narita Airport.
In our case, we landed at Haneda Airport at approximately 10 pm. So all we did, was go through customs and head directly to our hotel. It had been a really long flight and jet lag was killing us.
DAY 3: Visit Tokyo
On Day 3 it’s time to start visiting Tokyo! Tokyo is a huge city, so even if you use public transport, you will walk a lot. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes!
STOP 1: Chiyoda
The first neighborhood we visited was Chiyoda City. We did this because we wanted to exchange our JR Pass order and get some IC cards at Tokyo Station. If you don’t arrive too late, you can do this at the airport, on the same day you arrive in Japan but in our case, it was too late.
Once the administrative part was done, it was time to explore the city. The most important site in Chiyoda City is the Tokyo Imperial Palace, where the Japanese Emperor and his family live. The Palace and its grounds are not open to the general public (for safety reasons) but, it is possible to see it from the outside. In addition, the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace are really beautiful to see.
I have written a detailed blog about all the things you can do and places you can visit in Chiyoda. Make sure to check it out to find out all the information that you need.
STOP 2: Minato
The second stop of the day was Minato. Tokyo Tower, one of the most iconic sites in the city, is located in this neighborhood. Designed to resemble the Eiffel Tower in Paris, it is a symbol of Tokyo. It will be impossible not to take a thousand photos of it.
But Tokyo Tower is not the only place to visit here. In Minato, you can find two impressive building complexes that will be a dream for architecture lovers: Roppongi Hills and Azabudai Hills. Both offer observation decks from which you will get impressive views of Tokyo from above.
And if you are looking for some tradition, then why not visit Zojoji Temple? This temple provides a beautiful contrast between modernity and tradition and how they can combine and live in perfect harmony.
Interested in everything there is to do in Minato? Then you can check out the detailed blog post I wrote about it.
STOP 3: Shinjuku
To finish the day, we headed to Shinjuku looking to explore its most emblematic sites. Our favorite part of Shinjuku was, without a doubt, having dinner in one of the many izakayas at Omoide Yokocho. The yakitori or skewers we had there were absolutely delicious.
Another highlight of our visit to Shinjuku was going up to the observation deck at the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and seeing the city from above all lit up at night. It was the perfect way to end up our first day in Japan.
Want to know in more detail what is there to visit in Shinjuku? You can read all about it in my detailed blog about the Shinjuku Special Ward.
DAY 4: Visit Tokyo
Rise and shine! It is another day to continue exploring Tokyo.
STOP 1: Asakusa
The day began by visiting the most traditional neighborhood in Tokyo, Asakusa. Of course, our first stop within the neighborhood was the super famous Senso-ji Temple. Despite being a bit crowded, we admired the gate and its big bell or the 5-storied pagoda.
We also got to admire the views of the Tokyo Skytree, the highest communication tower in Tokyo.
To plan your visit to Asakusa, make sure to check out my blog about the Best Things to Do in Asakusa, Tokyo.
STOP 2: Ueno
After Asakusa, we headed to the famous Ueno Park and the multiple temples and shrines located there. Ueno Park was such a vibe. Not sure if it was the good weather, but the park was full of people relaxing in the park and chilling.
My favorite shrine in Ueno Park was Toshogu Shrine with its big Torii Gate and entrance full of stone lanterns.
STOP 3: Akihabara
To finish the day, we headed to Akihabara Electric Town, where we admired the multiple neon lights. We also checked out several arcade buildings and the endless electronic shops.
DAY 5: Day Trip To Hakone
Route: From Tokyo Station to Hakone (Time: 1 hour 25 minutes minutes)
On day 5, it was time to activate the JR Pass and venture outside Tokyo for the first time. Being such nature enthusiasts as we are, we chose to visit Hakone in the hopes of getting a glimpse at Mount Fuji and spending a nice day in nature.
STOP 1: Hakone Open Air Museum
Our first stop of the day was the Hakone Open Air Museum. This is a museum, where art blends with nature most beautifully. The museum contains sculptures and art displays from renowned artists like Miro and Picasso.
This was a beautiful experience and a must-visit when in Hakone. It might not be the first thing you might think of when visiting Hakone but it is so worth it!
STOP 2: Owakudani Volcanic Area
Once you’re done with the museum, it is time to hop on the Hakone Ropeway, which will bring you to Owakudani Volcanic Area. The ropeway will gain altitude, and once you pass the first mountain the whole valley will open in front of you with the yellow and blue colors, typical of a sulfurous area. If you want to get the best views, I would suggest that you sit on the left side of the ropeway facing the direction in which the ropeway is moving.
As soon as you step off the ropeway, in Owakudani, you will also feel the smell of rotten eggs. Don’t worry, you get used to it in a couple of minutes! Spend some time exploring the area and tasting the famous Owakudani black eggs! They say you gain 7 extra years of life for every egg you eat!
If the day is clear enough, you might get views of Mount Fuji from here too.
STOP 3: Lake Ashi
From Owakudani, hop on again on the Hakone Ropeway to get to Lake Ashi, where you will enjoy a cruise through the lake on a pirate boat! The cruise makes two stops, at Hakone-machi and Motohakone. If you get off at Hakone-machi, you can visit the old Hakone Checkpoint of the Tokaido route and walk along it until Motohakone. Alternatively, you can wait and leave the boat at Motohakone and visit Hakone Shrine instead!
At Motohakone, it is time to jump on a bus to Hakone Yumato Station and return to Tokyo.
If you want to get more detailed information about Hakone, you will find it on my blog “How to spend a day in Hakone“.
DAY 6: Day Trip To Nikko
Route: From Tokyo Station to Nikko (Time: 2 hours and 12 minutes)
It is time for a new day trip from Tokyo! We need to get our money’s worth out of the JR Pass. Since the time to reach Nikko is a bit longer than the previous day and since it is a very popular destination in Japan, try to get there as early as possible to beat the crowds.
STOP 1: Toshogu Shrine
As soon as we arrive in Nikko, head directly to Toshogu Shrine, one of the most impressive shrines you will visit in Japan. It is lavishly decorated with colorful wooden carvings of animals. The most popular carving is the “see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil monkeys” but there are many more just as pretty. Everywhere you look, this temple is a treat to your eyes!
STOP 2: Taiyu-in and Rinno-ji Temples
During your visit to Nikko, you also have to visit Taiyu-in and Rinno-ji Temples, which are also part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nikko. These two temples are less popular than Toshogu Shrine, especially Taiyu-in but don’t let this stop you from visiting them! They are also fantastic.
In Taiyu-in, you will be able to admire beautifully decorated temple gates as well as the Mausoleum of Iemitsu Tokugawa, the third Tokugawa Shogun.
In Rinno-ji, you will be impressed by the 3 lacquered and massive statues of three deities: Amida (the Buddha of light), Senju-Kannon (“Kannon with a thousand arms”), and Bato-Kannon (Kannon with a horse head”).
STOP 3: Kanmangafuchi Abyss
A visit to Nikko isn’t complete without a walk along the Kanmangafuchi Abyss. This is a small gorge with many Jizo statues along it. There is a total of 71 statues. However, there is a myth that says that you can never count the same number of Jizo Statues twice as they like to appear and disappear. For this reason, they are also known as Bake Jizo which translates into English as “Ghost Jizo”.
There are many more places to visit and things to do in Nikko than this. If you want to know more about it, you can read it in my blog “A Day Trip To Nikko“.
DAY 7: Day Trip To Kamakura
Route: From Tokyo Station to Kamakura (Time: 55 minutes)
Let’s go on a last day trip from Tokyo before we leave the capital. I know we still have not finished visiting many famous sites in the city. Don’t worry, we will return to Tokyo at the end of the trip.
STOP 1: Kotoku-in Temple
We begin our trip to Kamakura by visiting its most famous site, the Kamakura Daibutsu (Big Buddha). It is located inside Kotoku-in Temple and it is impressively big! You can also go inside the Buddha statue, but there is nothing to see in there.
STOP 2: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu is the biggest and most important shrine in Kamakura. It is dedicated to Hachiman, the patron of the samurais. This shrine will surprise you with its lively ambiance. It is full of locals who visit to worship and pray.
STOP 3: The Zen Temples of Kamakura
To finish the day, visit the 5 Zen Temples of Kamakura. These are Kencho-ji, Engaku-ji, Jufuku-ji, Jochi-ji and Jomyo-ji Temple. They are located on a forested mountain on the outskirts of Kamakura and are an oasis of peace. Even if you don’t have time to visit them all, make sure to include at least one of them in your itinerary. You will not regret it!
Looking for more ideas of things to do in Kamakura? Make sure to check out my blog about The best things to do in Kamakura.
DAY 8: Takayama
Route: From Tokyo Station to Takayama (Time: 4 hours and 14 minutes)
Hotel: Hodakaso Yamano Iori Ryokan
Today, we finally leave our Tokyo base and start exploring other areas of Japan. Our first destination will be Takayama, within the Gifu region, also known as the Japanese Alps.
STOP 1: Travel between Tokyo and Takayama
The distance between Takayama and Tokyo is quite big, so we spent the morning traveling to Takayama. However, this was not lost time. The Shinkansen to Toyama was quite relaxing and once we arrived and took our connecting train to Takayama, the scenery completely won us over. In the Japanese Alps, the Momiji was at its peak and it was so beautiful to see the yellow and red trees everywhere.
STOP 2: Takayama Old Town
Takayama’s old town is called in Japanese Sanmachi Suji, and it is one of the best-preserved areas in Japan with wooden houses dating from the Edo period. Walking through its streets, particularly in the early morning or the late afternoon, when there are fewer tourists, feels like you have stepped back in time.
Within Sanmachi Suji, you can visit some of the old traditional houses, learn about Sake making, discover the local traditions, and much more!
If you want to have more information about everything there is in Takayama, you can find about it in my blog about The Best Things to Do in Takayama.
STOP 3: Hagashiyama Walking Route
Since we spent the morning sitting on trains, we decided to do a short walking route. Hagashiyama is a short 4km promenade that connects a total of 12 temples and shrines in Takayama.
We did this promenade in the late afternoon, or early evening when the sun was starting to set and we were almost alone there. It was so peaceful and quiet. It was definitely one of the highlights of our visit to Takayama.
STOP 4: Hida Beef for Dinner
We couldn’t visit Takayama and not try one of the region’s specialties, Hida Beef. We visited a yakiniku restaurant, where you have a grill in your table and you can cook the meat yourself. Not only was it delicious, it was also quite fun!
DAY 9: Shirakawa-Go
Route: From Takayama to Shirakawa-Go (Time: 57 minutes)
Hotel: Hodakaso Yamano Iori Ryokan
On Day 9 of our trip, we decided to go on a day trip to the traditional village of Shirakawa-Go. Instead of the famous Japanese railway, we hopped on a bus.
STOP 1: Shiroyama Observation Deck
The first thing we did in Shirakawa, was go on a short walk (approximately 20 minutes) to the Shiroyama observation deck. The deck is located where the Ogimachi castle used to stand.
From this deck, we got beautiful panoramic views of the village with the Japanese Alps as a backdrop.
STOP 2: Shirakawa-Go
After admiring the panoramic views of the village, it was time to start exploring. Shirakawa-go has managed to maintain the spirit of a traditional Japanese mountain village. This is mostly thanks to the Gassho-Zukuri Farmhouses with their thick thatched roofs. Most of the farmhouses are private and you can’t enter them. However, there are a few that act as a museum and can be visited inside.
We spent the following hours exploring the village, its houses, temples, and shrines. Despite it being a small village there are quite a few sites to see. As usual, I have listed everything you can do in Shirakawa-go in a dedicated blog post.
STOP 3: Takayama
After lunch, we returned to Takayama and spent our afternoon and evening enjoying the beautiful Ryokan and its onsen where we were staying. After so many days of traveling and visiting so many places, we need a slower day to regain our energy for the second half of the trip.
DAY 10: Hiroshima
Route: From Takayama to Miyajima Island (Time: 6 hours and 5 minutes)
Hotel: Sakuraya Miyajima
After the “relaxed day” we had yesterday, on Day 10 it was time to start moving again and discovering new parts of Japan.
The first half of the day was spent traveling. To reach Hiroshima, we had to take a train to Nagoya, and in Nagoya, we hopped on a Shinkansen to Hiroshima. It was a long ride but we bought some snacks in a Combini store and relaxed while we enjoyed the scenery outside the train windows.
STOP 1: Hiroshima Castle
After leaving our suitcase safe in a locker at the train station, we headed to Hiroshima Castle. This was the first Japanese-style castle we were going to visit in Japan so we were quite excited about it.
In most Japanese castles, there is not much to see inside, but the views from the castle tower are quite nice. We spent some time, exploring the castle’s grounds, taking some photos, and admiring the views as much as possible since the weather was not the best.
STOP 2: Okonimimura
By the time we were done exploring the castle, it was already dinner time so we visited Okonomimura, or “Okonomiyaki heaven”. Okonomimura is a building with 4 floors full of Okonomiyaki restaurants. We walked around the building and sat down at the one that we found most attractive. Let me just say, it was absolutely delicious! We had a few other okonomiyaki during our stay in Japan but this was simply the best.
After dinner, we hopped on another train and a short ferry ride to Miyajima, where we were going to sleep for the next 2 nights.
DAY 11: Miyajima
Hotel: Sakuraya Miyajima
Day 11, was a full day of visiting without traveling to another city and it was my absolute favorite day of our stay in Japan. However, even though we didn’t travel, it doesn’t mean it was slow. Despite being a small island, there are many things to do and see in Miyajima.
STOP 1: Floating Torii Gate
One of the main reasons why we chose to spend the night in Miyajima instead of Hirsohima was so that we could wake up early and enjoy the gate almost alone. I’m not going to lie, it was tough when the alarm went off, but it was worth it. We managed to enjoy this beautiful gate almost alone.
STOP 2: Itsukushima Shrine
Our second stop of the day was the beautiful Itsukushima Shrine. The famous floating torii gate belongs to this shrine. Itsukushima was built over water because the island was thought to be sacred and only monks could access it. By building the shrine over the water, people wanting to worship could reach the shrine by boat without having to step on the island.
The best moment to visit the shrine is during the high tide. At this moment, both the building and the Torii gate give the impression of floating on the water.
STOP 3: Mount Misen
Mount Misen is the highest peak on Miyajima island and from here we got breathtaking views of the Seto Sea, the islands surrounding it, and Hiroshima. It was my favorite part of the day.
To reach the summit of Mount Misen, you can either hike or use the Miyajima Ropeway.
Want to know what other things you can do on Miyajima Island? You can all about it in my dedicated Miyajima Travel Guide.
DAY 12: Hiroshima and Travel to Kyoto
Route: From Miyajima Island to Kyoto (Time: 2 hours and 40 minutes)
Hotel: ALA Hotel Kyoto
On Day 12 it was time to get on the move again. But before we left Hiroshima, we had to visit the most important site in the city linked to one of the saddest events in human history.
STOP 1: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
The visit to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was heartbreaking and difficult to do. This park was built in the exact location where the A-bomb was dropped to remember this event and so that we can learn and prevent this from ever happening again.
Throughout the park, you can find different monuments that commemorate the victims of this tragedy:
- A-bomb Dome
- Children’s Peace Memorial
- Peace Flame
- The Memorial Cenotaph
- The Peace Memorial Museum
It took us the whole morning to visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum and once we were done, it was time to hop on a shinkansen to Kyoto.
Originally, we had planned to stop at Himeji on our way back to Kyoto, but it felt a bit rushed. Since we had the JR Pass with unlimited train rides for 14 days, we decided to skip it and rearrange our itinerary a little to visit Himeji without having to rush.
DAY 13: Day Trip to Nara and Osaka
Route: From Kyoto to Nara and Osaka and return (Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes)
Hotel: ALA Hotel Kyoto
Rise and shine! On Day 13, we decided to go on a day trip to Nara and Osaka, which are both really close to Kyoto. Our initial idea was to do a separate day trip to each destination. However, since I wanted to see Himeji and Osaka was not so high on our list, we combined these places in one day and used the extra day to go to Himeji. This is the advantage of having the JR Pass, you have the flexibility to adapt your trip as needed!
STOP 1: Nara Park
The first place we visited in Nara was, of course, Nara Park. Who hasn’t heard of the famous Nara Deer that roam freely on the streets? Even though it was a rainy day, we loved our visit to Nara Park.
The deer were super cute and came close to you hoping to get some biscuits. All you had to do was to stay calm and not get scared. Otherwise, they will follow you around until they get all your cookies. I will just give you a quick tip: make sure to keep the biscuits out of their sight if you don’t want to be surrounded by them.
STOP 2: Todaiji Temple
Our second stop in Nara was Todaiji Temple, Nara’s most famous temple. It is mostly famous for having a big Buddha (Daibutsu) which is 15 meters tall inside the main building. Don’t be fooled by the photo below, it is quite massive. In fact, the Big Buddha in Nara is bigger than the one in Kamakura and weighs twice as much. This is because the one in Nara is massive, contrary to the one in Kamakura.
STOP 3: Osaka Castle
After lunch, it was time to head to Osaka where we wanted to visit its beautiful and characteristic green roof. The inner part of the castle was a bit of a disappointment as there was not much to see in there but we got to experience a beautiful sunset from its tower.
STOP 4: Dotonbori
Once the sun had set, we headed to Dotonbori Street, where we were impressed by the huge neon signs and many restaurants serving the local specialties such as Okonomiyaki Osaka style and Takoyaki. It is definitely the place to be in Osaka if you want to enjoy some nice food and experience the Japanese nightlife.
While you’re there, don’t forget to pose in front of the famous Glico Man sign!
Want to know what else we did during our day trip to Nara and Osaka? You can read all about it here.
DAY 14: Visit Kyoto
Hotel: ALA Hotel Kyoto
It is a new day and it’s time to start exploring Kyoto! On our first full day exploring Kyoto, we focused on the West and North areas
STOP 1: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Our first stop of the day and, very early, we visited the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Going there early was the right thing to do. We were not alone there but it was still ok. By 8:00 it was already crowded and practically impossible to enjoy it.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is not really a forest. It is more of a 500-meter promenade with many Bamboo trees on the sides. It is still quite pretty to see if it is not too crowded.
STOP 2: Arashiyama District
The Bamboo Forest is the most famous site in Arashiyama but is not the only thing to visit. There are many other must-visit places to discover so once the “forest” got too crowded for our taste, we spent the rest of the morning visiting them.
Our favorite spots in Arashiyama were:
- Tenryu-ji Temple
- Katsura River
- Arashiyama Monkey Park
STOP 3: Kinkakuji Temple
After lunch, we headed north and visited Kinkaju-ji Temple or the “Golden Pavilion”. The temple gets this name because the first and second floors of the main building are covered with gold leaf.
The visit to this temple was one of the highlights of the day. There were a lot of people there, but the Golden Temple reflection on the water was very dreamy.
DAY 15: Visit Kyoto
Hotel: ALA Hotel Kyoto
On our second full day visiting Kyoto, we decided to explore the more traditional part of the city.
STOP 1: Fushimi Inari Shrine
We began our day by visiting the iconic Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that make several trails up and down Mount Inari. We spent the morning hiking through the torii gate trails and exploring the shrine. Most people only do the first part and stop at the Yotsutsuji intersection, where you can get nice views of Kyoto. However, if you have the time and energy, I recommend you do the complete trail. You’ll find fewer crowds after it.
STOP 2: Gion and Pontocho
After Fushimi Inari, we hopped on the metro. We headed to the traditional neighborhoods of Gion and Pontocho, where we spent the afternoon exploring its cute little streets full of tea houses and traditional Geisha houses (Machiya in Japanese).
We even got lucky and got to see a Geisha in one of the streets. It is uncommon to see them during the day since they usually rest before the evening. I couldn’t help myself and took a quick photo.
STOP 3: Kiyomizudera Temple
From Gion, we slowly walked uphill towards Kiyomizudera Temple, where you can get really nice views of Kyoto. Kiyomizudera is famous for its wooden main hall terrace built over pillars. The autumn colors were popping and it was a beautiful scene to contemplate.
Looking for a more detailed description of our itinerary in Kyoto? You can read all about it here.
DAY 16: Day Trip to Himeji and Kobe
Route: From Kyoto to Himeji and Kobe and return (Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes)
Hotel: ALA Hotel Kyoto
On Day 16 it was time for a new day trip using our JR Pass. We wanted to visit Himeji and decided to combine it with a quick visit to Kobe.
STOP 1: Himeji
We spent the morning visiting the city of Himeji and its two most famous sites: Himeji Castle and Koko-en Gardens.
Himeji Castle is one of the 12 remaining original feudal castles in Japan. There are many castles in Japan, but most of them are reconstructions such as the one in Osaka or the one in Hiroshima. However, the one in Himeji is the original one which allows you to understand how Japanese castles were built in the feudal period.
Next to the castle, you will find the beautiful Japanese-style Koko-en Gardens. These gardens are divided into 9 different sub-gardens which show the different garden styles that were common during the Edo period.
STOP 2: Kobe
After spending a beautiful morning in Himeji, we took another Shinkansen train and headed to Kobe. Our main intention for stopping in Kobe was to taste the famous Kobe Beef. And let me tell you, it lived up to the hype. It is one of the most tender and delicious beef I’ve ever tasted. It melts in your mouth!
In addition, we also visited Nunobiki Herb Gardens which was a very pleasant and unexpected visit. To reach these gardens, you have to take a gondola ride (hiking is also possible) and at the top, you are rewarded with great views of the Kobe skyline.
If you want to read in more detail everything we did during our day trip to Himeji and Kobe, make sure to read the full blog post I have written about.
DAY 17: Visit Kyoto
Hotel: ALA Hotel Kyoto
The trip is slowly getting to its end, but we still have quite a few places to visit. On Day 17, we visited the north east part of Kyoto.
STOP 1: Ginkaku-ji Temple
We began our day by visiting Ginkaku-ji Temple, also known as the “Silver Pavilion”. This temple got its name since it was intended for its main hall to have its wall covered in silver. However, even though this plan was never done, the temple kept its name.
Visiting this temple was a very relaxing and zen experience. The temple was not very crowded since it was slightly raining that morning. It was so peaceful to walk along the temple’s beautiful gardens admiring the contrast of the buildings with the green from the plants and red leaves of the trees.
STOP 2: Philosopher's Path
We spent the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon, walking along the Philosopher’s Path and exploring the many temples and shrines next to it.
By the time we visited the Philoshopher’s Path, most of the trees had already lost their leaves which made it a bit less impressive. However, it still had quite a lot of charm walking along the small canal. But for us, the best part of visiting the Philoshoper’s Path was exploring the many temples you can find along the way.
STOP 3: Nijo Castle
Our last stop of the day was Nijo Castle. The castle was built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun, and after the shogunate fell, it became the imperial palace. In 1994, the castle was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The visit to the castle was very interesting, particularly inside the Ninomaru Palace where we learned about the shogunate way of living.
DAY 18: Travel and Visit Tokyo
Route: From Kyoto to Tokyo (Time: 2 hours and 12 minutes)
Hotel: The Celestine Tokyo Shiba
On Day 18, it was time to leave Kyoto and return to Japan’s capital. It was also the last active day of our JR Pass, so we needed to get back to Japan’s capital.
We decided to take it slow during the morning and not wake up super early so the morning was gone with the travel to Tokyo.
STOP 1: Shibuya
After checking in at our hotel, we spent the rest of the day, exploring Shibuya. Of course, one of the first things we did there was crossing (several times) the most famous crossing in the world, Shibuya Scramble Crossing.
However, the highlight of the day was Shibuya Sky. This rooftop observation deck is one of the most popular in Tokyo and I can easily understand why. The views from up there are quite impressive. We went up a bit before sunset and stayed up there to watch the city light up.
Do you want to know everything there is to do in Shibuya? I have written a blog post with “The Best Things to Do in Shibuya, Tokyo“.
DAY 19: Visit Tokyo
Hotel: Airplane (Our flight was leaving at 00:05, so we didn’t need a hotel for our last day in Japan)
On our last day in Japan, we explored a few remaining areas of Tokyo that we wanted to visit before leaving Japan.
STOP 1: Meiji Shrine and Harajuku
We spent the morning visiting the area of Harajuku, Yoyogi Park, and Meiji Shrine.
Yoyogi Park is one of the biggest parks in Tokyo and is very popular among its citizens. It is quite common to see people running and practicing other kinds of sports during the weekend or just going for a nice relaxing walk. Meiji Shrine, located inside Yoyogi Park is one of Tokyo’s largest shrines and it is often common to find a traditional Shinto wedding there while you visit the shrine.
Harajuku, on the other hand, is not peaceful at all. It is so popular that visiting its famous Takeshita Street can feel a bit overwhelming, particularly during the weekend. Nevertheless, it is quite an experience to walk among the locals while you explore the shops there.
STOP 2: Odaiba
We finished our trip to Tokyo, and Japan, by visiting the artificial island of Odaiba. This island, together with other small islands, was originally built as a fortress to protect Tokyo from sea attacks. In 1980, the islands were joined together with massive landfills, and the recreational island of Odaiba was created.
From Odaiba, you can get beautiful views of the Tokyo skyline and is one of the best places in the city to watch the sunset. It was the perfect way to end our trip to Japan.
DAY 20: Fly Home
Day 20 was all about flying back home. Since our flight left almost at midnight, we spent most of our first flight sleeping. This helped to make the long flights pass by quite fast.
THINGS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE GOING
Looking back, I am quite happy with the itinerary we followed and, I believe it is the perfect itinerary for a first visit to Japan. However, there are a few things I wish I had known before going.
- The cities and the most famous sites will be really crowded. I already knew this one but I was not expecting this many people. Waking up early in Japan to visit the most touristy places does make a difference. I also struggled a bit with how many people there was in the train stations.
- Get ready to wait in line to eat at restaurants. Many restaurants in Japan do not accept reservations. They work on a first-come, first-served basis. It is quite common to arrive at the restaurant, write your name on a paper, and wait in line until it is your turn.
- Even if you use public transport, most days you’ll probably end up walking a lot. Bring comfortable shoes!
- Don’t bring that many toiletries. Most hotels will give you for free everything you’ll need.
MAP WITH ALL LOCATIONS
On the following map, you will find all the places we visited every day. To help you organize it, each day represents a different color.
JAPAN ITINERARY INFOGRAPHIC
No time to read the complete blog? No problem! Here is an infographic with our itinerary of 20 Days in Japan.
And that’s it for my Japan Itinerary Blog. I hope you liked it and found it useful. Let me know what you think in the comments!
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OTHER ARTICLES ABOUT JAPAN
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