Hey everyone, this will be my first time in Japan, as well as my first time travelling solo in another country.
1. Non-Japanese speaker, though I know a few common phrases to get by. Google Translate and Lens will be my saviors.
2. Aware of the earthquake/tsunami situation, may have to make last minute revisions.
2. Opted to use the Hokuriku Arch Pass for 7 days instead of the JR Pass in order to save money.
3. Starting in Osaka to maximize the value of the Arch Pass and seeing how I may be overwhelmed by starting in Tokyo.
4. Main ways of getting around will be the trains, walking and cycling.
5. I’ve purposely left blank spaces throughout the day in order to leave room for impulsive decisions and rest.
6. Exchanging $2000 CAD to Yen, but the budget will be closer to $4000 for spending.
7. I really only decided to go on this trip a couple weeks ago, because I recently lost a
child-hood friend and realized that life is short.
8. My itinerary is pretty fluid, there are things I would like to check out, but if time or energy doesn’t permit it, it will not be the end of the world for me as I know I will return to Japan again.
9. Purchasing an E-Sim from Airalo
10. Aware of the earthquake/tsunami situation, may have to make last minute revisions.
Day 1-3 Osaka, Kobe Staying at APA Hotel Namba-Shinsaibashi Nishi
Day 1: Land, IC Card, Horikuru Arch Pass, Check-In, and explore Dotonburi.
Day 2: Osaka Castle, America-mura, Shinsekai Market, TeamLab Botanical Garden, Umeda Sky Building (If the skies are clear) and Tobita Shinchi.
Day 3: Day trip to Kobe: Royal Mouriya, Mount Rokko, Nankin-Machi (Chinatown), Meriken Park.
Day 4-6 Kyoto Staying at Piece Hostel Sanjo (A bit out of my comfort zone, but thought it would be a good opportunity to meet other travellers.)
Day 4: Higashiyama Ward, Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka, and Pontocho
Day 5: Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu, Kinkaku-ji. (Planning on cycling for this route)
Day 6: Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji, Togetsukyo Bridge and Kitsune.
Day 7-8 Kanazawa Staying at Mitsui Garden Hotel
Day 7: Kenroku-en Garden, Museum of Contemporary Art, D.T. Suzuki Museum, and Nishi Chaya District.
Day 8: Highashi Chaya District, Naga-Machi District and Omocho Market.
Day 9-14, Tokyo, Saitama and Hakone. Have not booked accommodations yet, but I am planning on staying in Shinjuku.
Day 9: Akihabara, Ueno park, Gyukatsu Motomura, Senso-ji Temple, Wagyu Ichinoya Asakusa, Sumida River and Golden Gai.
Day 10: Shibuya Scramble, Shibuya Sky(If skies are clear), Harajuku, Omotesando, Omoide Yokocho and Kabukicho.
Day 11: Ginza, Uniqlo, Teamlab Borderless and Roppongi.
Day 12: Daytrip to Saitama for Sonic GMO.
Day 13: Daytrip to Hakone (if the weather is nice) Open Air museum, Lake Ashi
Day 14: Leaving this day free for spontaneous decisions.
Day 15: Be at Narita Airport for a 640pm flight. (Flying out of Narita because the return flight to Vancouver was significantly cheaper and shorter than flying out of Haneda that day for some reason)
I’m open to any revisions, tips or places to eat.
Will be using lockers and/or luggage forwarding when necessary.
Traveling light with one backpack and one carry-on. Planning on purchasing a larger size suitcase towards the end of my trip for all the things I will be purchasing.
Are any of the tourist spots worth visiting at night instead of the day? For example: Senso-ji Temple or Arashiyama.
Most importantly, shoutout to Chris Abroad, Japan-Guide and everybody that contributes to this sub, I could not have planned this trip without you guys.