# Hello,
Me and 2 other friends are from Singapore and will be going to Japan from 16 to 30 March. These would be collectively be everyone’s first time in Japan and we really need some tips and guides on attractions/areas that would be nice to visit during our visit there or for pure convenience’s sake.
Some stuff to say right off the bat:
* We are not getting the JR Rail Pass as we feel its not worth it
* We are not that wealthy so recommendations about middle-income activities/attractions are greatly appreciated
* Our Japanese is very limited.. only simple phrases here and there to get by
* Which city should be do an Onsen? (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka)
* We are not really familiar on the restaurants and food choices there. We only know of famous ones like Ichiran Ramen. So I will appreciate cool recommendations on food :>
* Any good places to watch the Sakura Blossoms? I know our visit period is too early for the season but we can hope 🙂
For a rough start, these are our **unfinished** itinerary for 2 weeks:
We will be arriving Narita Airport at 06AM on 16 March
*I would assume that airport security and reaching main city Tokyo will take around 3-4 hours?*
**TOKYO 16 – 21 Mar**
(Day 1) – 16 March:
We will first check in to our Airbnb roughly at 10-11AM. We found a place to stay right beside Shibuya Station so that its super convenient for us to move around Tokyo. Afterwards, we will go straight to Akihabara ***which I assume*** for a whole day there. Therefore, are there any stand out shops or restaurants that are accessible in Akihabara? :>
(Day 2) – 17 March:
I’m guessing of going to Taito city once again for its Ueno Park and the Senso-ji Temple. ***(or would it be better for us to move these up to our first day?)*** We still have not found anything to do around the area so I will appreciate some recommendations from you all!
(Day 3) – 18 March:
We are planning to go to Shinjuku Station and chill around that area for the day. Some places we have thought of going to are Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Nakano Broadway and the iconic red stairs from Your Name. ***(Any other great attractions in Shinjuku for first timers?)***
(Day 4) – 19 March
In the morning, we will go to Chuo City for the Tsukiji Market to try out local delicacies. At around 12 I presume, we will then head to Tokyo City at Minato City. If there is enough time, maybe we will go back to Shibuya to do some shopping and the Shibuya Crossing. ***(this day is not planned much and is tentative to recommendations from you guys!)***
(Day 5) – 20 March
We will head to Shimo-Kitazawa to enjoy the atmosphere there. Heard good things around that area and especially because of Bocchi the Rock! being a massive Chad. Thrift shops are common there and we think of getting some apparel.
(Day 6) – 21 March
**KYOTO 21 – 24 Mar**
This will be our last day in Tokyo and we will take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen to Kyoto! We will have the remainder of the afternoon for Kyoto so are there any suggestions or is walking around for scenery and food good for the remainder of the day? We are staying quite close to Downtown Kawaramachi where our closest station is Sanjo Station which is nearer to the East of Kyoto.
(Day 7) – 22 March
We will tackle shrines and attractions on the East of Kyoto first. Therefore, we will go to Kiyomizu-Dera, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace. ***Any good food to get along the way?***
(Day 8) – 23 March
We will now tackle places that are more North or West of us. So, places like Kinkaku-Ji, Toei Kyoto Studio Park and the Bamboo Arashimaya Forest are in our bucket list. ***Also, any good food to get along the way?***
(Day 9) – 24 March
**OSAKA 24 – 30 Mar**
This will be our last day in Kyoto and we will move to Osaka by normal train ***(I assume so?).*** We found a place to stay right by the Dotonbori Strip which I guess is bad cause it will get really noisy? Osaka is super unplanned for us so bear the simplicity :’)
* Osaka Castle
* Around the area?
(Day 10) – 25 March
* Day trip to Nara for Nara Park and spend whole day there.
(Day 11) – 26 March
* Universal Studios Japan for I assume the whole day there.
(Day 12) – 27 March
* Day trip to Himeji for the Himeji Castle. Assume whole day there.
(Day 13-14) 28 – 29 Mar
These last 2 days are open and we are quite clueless on what to day. So I will appreciate recommendations! :>
(Day 15) – 30 Mar
Final Day. Departing at 02PM from Kansai Airport. The hours from our house leading up to the Airport, I will assume that are spent on travelling and not that much to there. Probably some 7-11s at the Airport. At last, we will have to say goodbye to the Land of the Rising Sun.
**END OF TRIP**
*Closing Statement\**
The three of us are new to Japan and it will also be the first time the three of us are travelling together. We will not have another chance to do this again in another few years so we will want to make the best memories from this trip.
This will be my first big post on Reddit so forgive the bad formatting and phrasing Lol. That’s it and thanks everyone!
1 comment
Kyoto:
If you’re interested in Ramen – Ichiran is great but there are so many other delicious and interesting restaurants you should try.
In Kyoto Station on the 10th or 11th floor is Ramen Street. Very easy to reach from the outdoor escalators.
There is a variety of ramen shops from around the country. My personal favorite is Ramen Todai! Tokushima ramen is amazing.
You can also try:
UZU Kyoto – vegan ramen with a Team Lab installation. Their matcha ramen is absolutely delicious.
Musoshin in Gion – Black sesame pork ramen 👍
Or try Ramen Miyako also in Gion. Just to name a few places.
For Arashiyama:
I would probably start here first or earlier in the day. There are lots of amazing restaurants/shops/experiences in the neighborhood you just have to know where to look.
1. Kameyamaya- udon and soba next to the river with great view of the mountains
2. Cafe Ranzen – delicious and affordable breakfast next to Hankyu Arashiyama station
3. Cafe Cocorinco – chicken curry and handmade sandwiches are among the menu choices
4. Arashiyama Curry – great curry shop close to JR Saga Arashiyama St.
5. Upits Burger or Frankie Base. Two great but different burger restaurants
6. Saganoyu Resort – my favorite restaurant; has amazing drink menu (matcha or fruit-based lattes, etc) their pastas and yama cheese curry is fantastic.
Higashiyama (East Side):
I would probably start with Fushimi Inari early in the morning. From 9 am there are a lot of people then make my way up to Kiyomizudera.
Be aware Kiyomizudera is most likely an all day or half day affair. It’s not just a temple. There are also 2 famous streets Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka and a myriad of winding side streets filled with restaurants/cafes/galleries/shops. There is a lot to see and do.
Nijo Castle and the Imperial Palace are actually Central Kyoto. But walking distance from each other by 15 mins or so.