My boyfriend and I are taking a 10-day trip to Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, & Hiroshima in Mid-April. Are there any packing tips (must haves, can buy there things), map recommendations (Google vs. Apple maps), or really anything else that first timers need to know before going?
I can read and write hiragana and katakana and read some Kanji. He doesn’t know any Japanese.
TIA for your help!
3 comments
I haven’t been (going in October) but in terms of the maps, I’ve seen here in this sub quite a bit that google maps is a little better especially for public transit
Get either a Sim card or Wifi (buy before you arrive then pick up),
Get a IC card when you arrive. (you can use at any station, many vending machines, convivence store, and more.)
Assuming you go back to Tokyo, a 7 day jr pass would be good for you trip (assuming you leave and go back to Tokyo within the week of the pass)
As you are limited on days, I would research at least two things each in every city you want to do before hand then make a schedule around that.
Bring really good walking shoes.
I wish I’d gone longer. I went for 14 days, spent 8 in Tokyo and 5 in Kyoto. I wish I had more time in Kyoto. My second time, I went for 10 days and spent only one day in Kamakura. I wish I’d had at least 3.
Four cities in 10 days is *quick*. My .02 – go fewer places and go deeper where you do go. There’s just so much beauty to be found, and it’s so easy to miss some things hidden away if you’re in a hurry. Leave room in your itinerary for discovery.