Hey everyone, below is my trip to Japan. Basically, I have been wanting to go to Japan my whole life, so I’m super excited!
Going to be travelling around the main cities (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto) that everyone goes to and then off to Kyushu and some more remote parts. My list is heavily influenced by Abroad in Japan, this sub and random YouTubers.
I’m splitting this into two posts (one where I will be travelling with my friend, then solo)
Some things to note:
* Pretty laid-back schedule (room to change/not go to things if we are too lazy)
* Kind of a foodie but I personally rather pay for something that is amazing and cheap than super expensive and tastes like 10% better
* Travelling with a friend (halfway through the trip then solo)
* Travelling with a 35L Cotopaxi bag (and an empty suitcase that my friend will take back)
* \~N3 level of Japanese (only input so far D:)
* I can apply for IDP (international drivers permit from Canada)
* Probably will get some form of the JRP but maybe not for the first 2 weeks
* Maybe getting the 2 or 3 weeks pass near the start of my solo trip around Kyushu but haven’t inputted my routes into the JRP calculator yet
* In the detailed bullet points, plan on doing things chronologically (from top to down)
* We love hiking and are willing to wake up as early as possible to experience no crowds/nice views
Things I am most excited about (in the first part)!!!
* Food
* Nintendo World
* Team Labs
* Sumo
* Kyoto temple from Sekiro (Kiyomizuera)
* Matcha
* More matcha
* More food
## Tokyo (May 18 – May 22)
**May 18** (stay in Shinjuku)
* Land in 2:30
* Checkin & chill around Shinjuku
* Yokocho
* Red light district
* Fukuras
* Scramble Square + Stream
* Parco
**May 19**
* Odaiba (morning/afternoon)
* team labs @12pm
* (?) Toyosu Fish Market
* Decks Odaiba
* (?) Ebisu (egg sandwhichs)
* Shibuya
* Center Gai
* Koen Dori
* Spain Slope
* Japanese Time Square
**May 20** (Move to Hotel in Asakusa)
* Akihabara
* Imperial Palace
* Koto
**May 21**
* Asakusa
* Senjo Matsuri
* Checkout that shrine
* (???) checkout stuff around the festival
* Ueno
* Ueno-koen park
* Random restaurants (Dandelion Chocolate)
* Ameya Yokocho
**May 22**
* Ryugoku and sumo
* finish by like 4? and head to Osaka
* Chanko Nabe
## Osaka (May 22 – May 26)
**May 22**
* Arrive from Tokyo, check into the hotel late
* Kita Area
**May 23**
* Universal Studio
* Nintendo world
* (?) Yoshinoya
**May 24**
* Northern Osaka Prefecture
* Osaka Castle Area
* Minami Area (for clubbing + eating)
* (Noticed there is an like 80s nights in some clubs on Wednesdays)
**May 25**
* Southern Osaka
* Tennoji Area
* Back to Minami for Karaoke
**May 26**
* Kita Area
* Central Osaka
* Shin-Osaka Area and leave for Kyoto
## Kyoto (May 26 – May 30)
Planning to wake up very early for the popular normie Instagram spots
**May 26**
* Get to Kyoto by like 4pm
* Pontocho
* Kawayuka dinner reservation?
* Nishiki Market (closes at 6)
**May 27**
* Wake up at like 5:30am
* Kiyomizuera
* Higashiyama
* Lunch
* Sanjusangendo
* Optional (if we have time/not burnt out)
* Shogunzunka Mound
* Gion
* Yasaka Shrine
**May 28**
* Wake up at 6am
* Fushimi Inari
* Optional (if we have time/not burnt out)
* Tofukiji Temple
* Sanjusangendo
* Toji temple
* Fushimi Sake District
**May 29**
* Wake up at 5am
* Bamboo grove
* Daikakuji
* Arashiyama and tram station
* Iwatayama
* (?) Saga-toriimoto
**May 30**
* Wake up **early** and head to Fujikawaguchiko
## Fuji-Kawaguchiko (May 30 – May 31)
So we aren’t going from Tokyo -> Kawaguchiko because I want to surprise my friend with a booking at Konansou and I couldn’t find a room in early May.
I realize this will be kind of annoying to get to Kyoto, but my friend is leaving May 31st and I don’t want him to be spending all-day transporting on his last day…
**May 30**
* Arrive in morning
* Leave bags at Konansou
* Wind caves
* Aokigahara trail
* Check-in Konansou and chill as friends last night in Japan
**May 31**
* start of solo trip, (start heading to Nara)
