Hi everyone,
I will be flying to Japan in early October, and I haven't planned any activities for this trip. I visited most of the must-do/tourist spots in my previous Japan trip, and I'm completely lost on what to do for this 2 weeks trip.
I plan to stay in the Tokyo area and Osaka area for this 2 weeks trip, and I have a list of restaurants I plan to visit but I couldn't figure out what to do before/after each meal. I know I might be limiting myself from seeing the true Japan if I only stay in Tokyo and Osaka, I don't think my Japanese is fluent enough to travel outside the metropolitan area. I don't know if this counts as a bad decision to revisit Tokyo and Osaka, and I have a plan to see real-life anime locations in the city.
Background:
- Japanese level N4
- I enjoy anime, food, culture, technology(Museums), and walking in the city
- Budget $3500 (excluding flight and accommodation)
Any fun/chill/lesser-known activities I could plan for my trip? Recommendations and advice are greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
by mdchicken
3 comments
I speak about a dozen words and phrases and it’s never stopped me. Some of my highlights from my last 2 trips were smaller towns and villages: Takayama, Hida-Furukawa, Koyasan, Unazukionsen, Jozankei. Accommodation is usually cheaper too in lesser visited places. From Osaka, Koyasan is a good overnight trip, great journey with trains and a cable car, and you can stay the night in a Buddhist temple (little bit pricey admittedly).
It would be helpful if you listed where you have been in your previous trip.
With N4 level, assuming basic kanji knowledge and somewhat able to converse in daily life situation, plus experience from previous trip, I think you will be able venture to rural areas, although I understand that it could be scary for solo traveler.
Any specific anime you like? If you like Hibike! Euphonium, there is ongoing collaboration campaign with Keihan Railway until beginning of next year. It’s worth doing as side activities if you decide to visit Uji. I wrote a trip report of the campaign [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/HibikeEuphonium/comments/1ek29kf/keihan_railway_x_hibike_euphonium_2024_campaign/).
I don’t even speak N5 and it hasn’t stopped me from stomping round the countryside and trying to speak Japanese.
I really loved Kii Hanto (Kumano Sanzan) and Sasayama and would have loved to visit Ise but ran out of time. I live Kyoto, so I tend to spend a few days in Kyoto on each trip. I’ve been dive times I think and still plenty I wish to see.
Also, have you considered Kyushu? Definitely not as touristy as the Golden Route. There is so much to see there.