6 Weeks in Japan – Travel Itinerary

2 comments

1. I wouldn’t recommend a bicycle ride through Kichijoji because many of the most popular and interesting places are in a covered arcade that does not allow bicycles. Also, I live near Shimokitazawa and *can* bicycle easily to the area but usually don’t because it’s almost impossible to find a place to park the bicycle unless you plan to visit only one place. Some buildings have guards that will move bicycles parked outside, and the Ward government periodically comes through with trucks and collects illegally parked bicycles.

   Riding *from* Shimokitazawa to Kichijoji, however, is quite nice as long as you have a good sense of direction and stay away from the busy main streets. For much of the way you can ride along a kind of tow path beside a small river.

   If you’re interested in traditional architecture I might suggest a visit to Nihon Minkaen, which is an open-air museum of folk houses from different regions of Japan. It’s about 45 minutes from Shibuya or Shinjuku Stations. It’s seldom crowded, and you’ll run in to many people sketching or doing watercolors there.

2. you might want to hit up the countryside if you have this much time, i highly recommend it as those were some of my friend and mine’s best part of going to japan

   here are some options:- Miyajima island in hiroshima (AMAZING oysters, view, people and fun most people on reddit who went here say this was their favourite part and it def was ours too just make sure you eat every oyster you can get ur hands on from oyster curry pan to fried oyster set meals) just 1 night is enough here

   – Gifu, i stayed in mino city at warabi house and omg ike-san the host just absolutely took care of us just check out his reviews its insane how wholesome this man is if he gives the option to cook for you take it. this place healed the trauma we went through in tokyo (biggest tip, backpack or at the very least bring nothing bigger than a carry-on thats in good condition) but the location of this house means you’re just there for the slow life although he does offer to take you skiing or SUP

   places i didnt get to go to but you should consider

   takayama

   yamagata or gunma for winter onsens

   hokkaido

   not sure if you need to do a whole week in osaka, if the weather is alright i might consider going to wakayama and doing a temple stay there. be careful of the long journey/trail not sure if its beginner friendly but a experienced hiker/tourist did go missing there this past year and has not yet been found

   learn some basic japanese if youre gonna stay that long maybe? just like asking how to go xyz and then understand left/right/straight/closed/train/bus/bus stop etc its the fastest way to get them to help you

   if youre ever stuck in a place and need food recs you can always ask chat gpt, ofc go explore and try new things but if theres no line at a restaurant in a city it usually means its a bad place

   oo DEF get the warm curry pan from 7/11 in the morning

   have fun and whenever you find a gem of a restaurant PLS share <333 excited for u!

   edit: have some cash on you!!!! the bus/train always takes cash only or your uploaded suica it will never take your debit/credit and you can never get away without paying the EXACT fare so always have enough for that. sometimes its cheaper to take the day pass or the osaka two day pass that covers attractions and transit