Japan 2 week itinerary | advice and recommendations pls!

4 comments

1. Would it be impossible to fly back out of Osaka instead of returning via Tokyo? That was probably my biggest mistake for my trip. Flew into Haneda, stayed in Tokyo for 4 nights, Kyoto for 3 nights, Hakone for 2 nights, before returning via Haneda airport. What I should have done instead was Tokyo, then Hakone, then Kyoto, then flying out of Osaka. Especially since my return flight was from Haneda to Kansai (KIX) before returning to SFO. My flights were already booked before I realized it. Yes, I am a dumbass.

2. Overall looks like a solid plan! Some advice and suggestions:

   – **Day 6:** Do not underestimate Mt. Inari if your plan is to walk up and through the gates. It was way longer than my wife and I anticipated and in the hot summer weather it can get rough. Wear breathable clothes and bring water.

   – **Also Day 6** / **Kyoto generally**: if you drink alcohol, you owe it to yourself to go to Liquor Museum Gion. The proprietor, Akira-san, is so much fun and they have a lot of cool old / rare bottles. This slots nicely into day 6 for you if you’re going to be in Gion anyhow. And make sure to stop by Yasaka shrine with your camera. It’s beautiful at night.

   **- Day 8:** Please resist the temptation to feed the deer! The cookies they sell to give to the deer are not good for them and there’s already an overpopulation issue. Admire from a distance! And Todai-Ji

   – **Day 10**: Osaka castle looks cool on the exterior, but I would not necessarily recommend taking a tour. Line is long starting pretty early in the day and it’s not the most bang-for-your-buck museum IMO. Himeji castle is **really** cool though, definitely recommend walking around the interior there.

   – **Day 11**: When in Koyasan, definitely make time to see the Okunoin cemetery. You can’t take pictures after the third bridge, but there’s plenty to see throughout the rest of the cemetery. It is beautiful and old.

3. Hi there! As a fellow Canadian myself, remember to take note of the very hot, humid weather
   I myself had to postpone my trip since so many people here said it’s brutal there in terms of weather.
   Make sure to add spare clothes and drink plenty of water and buy a mosquito repellent

4. As a solo traveler, let me just introduce you to the wonders of solo bbq chain, Yakiniku Like. Some days I just crave meat and it’s a cheap way to hit the spot.

   Day 11 seems a bit tight if you’re combining Wakayama, Koyasan and a trip back to Tokyo. Do consider that trains in rural regions are far and few in between, and you might have to factor in extra waiting time for travel. (e.g. the bus from the train station is once per hour, the train to the next city runs three times a day, the last train back to the city might be at 3pm…). Download the official Japan Travel app and plan your schedules in advance.

   I think Wakayama City itself is plenty nice enough. In fact, I (probably unpopular opinion) found Kiimidera more charming than Kiyomizudera. There’s a small cafe onground that has a great view of the city.

   If you like photography, Gion at night is stunning. The river at golden hour is also beautiful.