Day One (July 22/23)
– Flights: SAN (5:30AM), SFO (11AM~), KIX
– Toured SFO air traffic control tower (ATCT) before my flight to KIX
– Was able to sleep through the majority of my flight thankfully, which is always an effort I make to ensure jet lag doesn’t kill my momentum early.
– Arrived at KIX at roughly 2pm, customs and immigration was quick thanks to the QR codes being pre-filled.
– Boarded the Kansaikuko Line to Tennoji St., then hit Tennoji Park, Isshin-ji, Shitenno-ji, and Shinsekai
– Boarded the Midosuji line at Dobutsuen-Mae St. up to Hommachi St. to check into my hotel, APA Midosuji-Hommachi Eki. Great little room for one person, but was all
I needed. Dropped off my big backpack, and went back out with just my small backpack (camera gear, etc)
– Walked by Namba Jinja, the Ghibli Store, picked up a cheese tart and some kind of cake I had seen hyped up online, then kept walking down to Dotonburi. Explored a small bit, but it was very crowded and I wasn’t really hungry for anything I saw/was starting to tire out.
– Boarded a train at Namba St. back to my hotel for the rest of the evening. Picked up a few onigiri and some water at the 7/11 at the base of the hotel before calling it.
**Step count:** 15,000~
Day Two (July 24)
– Slept fairly well, but woke up around 4AM. No jet lag, so got myself ready and jumped on the first train down to Namba Yasaka Jinja – one of my bucket list stops for this trip. I was the only one there for almost an hour, so I got to really soak it in and take photos at my leisure. Around 6:30, I made my way back, via Namba St., to the Starbucks near my hotel before relaxing for an hour or so.
– I was going to skip Osaka Castle in favor of going to see Itami Airport’s ATCT, but felt it would set me back too much to try to hit both. Settled on Osaka Castle, so went down and boarded at Hommachi along the Chuo Line after checking out of my hotel. Keep in mind, I’ve got both backpacks now.
– Exited at Tanimachi 4-chome St. and walked to the castle. I was so glad I didn’t skip it as it was a sight to see. Really awesome and worthwhile. I had pre-purchased a ticket into the castle on Klook, so I showed them my voucher at the gate and was able to go up to view Osaka from the top. There was only a small line forming at this time.
– As I left the castle, the lines were growing and it was definitely a wise decision to pre-purchase the ticket. My opinion would be to find another way to view the Osaka cityscape and enjoy the castle from the ground, as that’s where the beauty is more than inside which didn’t really have an appeal for me (mostly museum displays, etc).
– The heat and humidity was brutal at this point, so I sat down and recuperated for a bit while deciding my next move. Itami Airport just seemed too far to try to go back to at this point as it would set me back more than an hour or two.
– Began making my way to Temmabashi St. to board the train to Kyoto, before realizing I had accidentally backtracked to Tanimachi 4-chome. Got on a one-stop train up to Temmabashi via the Tanimachi line, before hopping onto the Keihan Main line bound for Kyoto.
– Got off at Ryukokudai-mae-fukakusa St. to check out Fushimi Inari. By now it was about noon, so crowds were dense and my feet were hurting something fierce. I explored the first few paths of gates before deciding it was enough and working my way out.
– I hadn’t really eaten since the night before, and I saw Dragon Burger across the train tracks/river near Fushimi Inari. Decided to give it a try and it was fantastic. Great burger, fries, and iced tea. The employees were wonderful as well.
– A bit of fuel back in me, I decided to walk the river up to my hotel (2km) – first mistake. The humidity and sun were at their heights and it was brutal. After almost two days of walking already by this point, I was beat.
– I realized too late I had forgotten my umbrella at home, so I had to stop and grab one. I had been going through water fast and decided I needed something with some fueling in it. I got the Kirin Salty Lychee and found a shady river spot to drink it at. It was so good! I felt a bit better and continued on, now with fuel and an umbrella to stay out of the harsh sun.
– Finally reached my hotel, where they thankfully let me check in early. Hotel the M’s Kyoto. Another great solo traveler room. A bit more spacious than the first, but I just needed a spot to lay my gear and clothes out.
– I showered and relaxed, utterly beat from the day. Went back out after to grab supplies for my two-night stay in Kyoto. Ate a small meal of onigiri and some hot items from Lawson.
**Step count:** 20,000~
Day Three (July 25)
– Got up early again with the intention of knocking out Arishiyama before the crowds arrived. First train out of Kyoto St., arriving to Saga-Arishiyama St. quickly via the San-In line. Explored Tenryu-ji, then made my way into the bamboo groves. I was one of only a few people there this early, so I got prime time with my camera and no crowds. Exited the grove on the other side and walked past Ogura Pond.
– A lot of sights were closed this early, except Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple. So I made my way up to it (2km) to view the statues. This was a favorite-but-not expected part of the trip. I had no idea how quaint and charming the village would feel as I made my way along the streets. It was really awesome. Many of the older residents smiled and talked to me as I passed, which was surprising as I’m used to not really being paid attention to while walking. Very friendly people out near the bamboo groves.
– Had to make my way back after this, and decided to head to the monkey park (3km). The crowds by now were growing, which made me glad I had already done my bamboo forest time. I stopped at the entrance to grab a rice dumpling thing with some sort of soy glaze – it was fantastic.
– Once I had crossed the bridge near the monkey park, my feet were yelling at me, so I sat by the river bank and rested. It was a really nice wind down and the clouds kept it a bit less hot. I decided I would go see the monkeys, but as I turned the corner near the entrance, the crowds were insane. I decided I was okay not seeing them and opted instead to take the scenic train ride along the Katsura River (Sagano Scenic Railway). It was about ¥1800 round trip, as I considered doing the boat trip back down the river – however my camera gear could get wet so I didn’t want to risk it. I also could have taken the San-In line closer to where the scenic train ends, but I wasn’t really thinking when I grabbed the round trip. After I realized, I decided it was okay because I could soak in the sights.
– After arriving back, I considered getting some food over by Arishiyama – a pizza place that looked good on Google – but instead decided I’d just head back to the hotel as I was pretty beat by then. I hopped back on the San-In line to Kyoto St.
– I walked down to Aeon Mall and got McDonalds to try some of their unique items. I liked both things I got (Teriyaki Chicken Filet and Teriyaki McBurger), but tried a tea (Sokenbicha) that was absolutely not for me. If I go again, I want to try the Melon Fanta, as well as the Qoo White Grape.
– Got back to the hotel to shower and do some laundry. Rested during the height of the heat.
– Had CoCo Ichibanya for dinner, something I’ve had back in the US – really similar to what you can order there. Really good!
– Wish I had learned or could at least use the little Japanese I know, but I get too nervous and forget to speak it.
**Step count:** 22,000~
Day Four (July 26)
– Last day in Kyoto, so I got up early again and hiked it over to Tofukuji St. to take the Keihan Main line up to Gion-Shijo St. to explore the Higashiyama Ward areas and shrines.
– I explored around Yasaka-jinja, Daiunin, Ryozen Kannon, Hokan-ji, and the Nineizaka area – including Starbucks there.
– It was so early that I ended up waiting around 30 min for Starbucks to open. I tried the espresso affogado (good), YUZU citrus and tea (good except the pulpy bits), a matcha scone (good), and the earl gray donut (good, but too much). I really liked the theming and overall feel of the Starbucks, but they could do with a few low ceiling warnings. I donked my head pretty good not realizing how low the ceiling was going up the first flight of stairs.
– I had to check out of my hotel by 11am, and at this point it was around 9:30, so I faced a fear (of the unknown) and attempted to take a standard bus line (the 202) back to my hotel instead of backtracking by foot to the Keihan Main. It worked out well and was a new and pleasant ride. I definitely won’t be as afraid of these next time.
– I hung out in my hotel for an hour or so before it was checkout time, then made my way to Kyoto St. to catch the Shinkansen (my first time riding it) to Tokyo – the process is kind of confusing when you select your itinerary at the kiosk then they tell you to go back for an additional (in my case double) charge. I’m sure there’s a reason, but it’s confusing. I luckily made it with a minute to spare and hopped on. I didn’t reserve a seat, and ended up scoring a window seat facing Mt. Fuji along the route.
– The ride was great and super enjoyable to sightsee and see so many different parts of Japan in such a short time. I got off at Shinagawa St., then connected on the Yamanote line to my hotel – getting off at Hamamatsucho St.
– Checked into the hotel (Hotel Rilassare) and rested for about thirty minutes before heading back out to Tokyo Disneyland. I wasn’t able to get a weekday evening pass because of a card issue Tokyo Disney has with Visa cards, so I paid full price. I got to the park around 3pm.
– Got to ride Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Western River Railroad, Pinnochio’s Daring Journey, and Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast. Pretty good day for a quick Disney trip, minus the humidity and heat being so harsh.
• Got back to the hotel and had some conbini food for dinner – too exhausted to go venture out for a meal.
**Step count:** 22,000~
Day Five (July 27)
– Today started lazy, since my feet were killing me. I got up later in the morning, relaxed until about 10:30, then decided to head out. I took a normal street bus (again!) from my hotel near Tokyo Tower to Shibuya and spent some of my morning filming around the crossing.
– I checked out a few stores and ended up buying a few things at the Nintendo store. I also snuck into Don Quixote to get some unique KitKats to take home to family and friends.
– Following that, I tried Iyoshi Cola which was something on my to-do list. It was really good and unique cola made locally and it was refreshing after a few hours of sun.
– I began looking for food but ended up not feeling great and went back to the hotel for a refresh and a break.
– I then made my way back to Shibuya via the Yamanote line at Hamamatsucho St. to meet a friend for a photoshoot. We had been planning to meet for a photoshoot for over two years but, obviously, COVID. It was great to film in the middle of Shibuya Scramble, another to-do list item checked off. We wandered around and chased the sun for a bit but got some great photos.
– Once we parted ways, I was finally up to eating (I hadn’t had much but a few snacks so far today). A few places I wanted to try were now closed, so I opted to go to PST Higashiazabu, a place near Tokyo Tower, whose pizza looked really good online – yes, I know. Pizza in Japan. It was fantastic though and the owner was really nice. I wanted a second pizza to try but thought that might feed into the fat American stereotype a bit too much and opted to leave with my pride.
– Walked past Tokyo Tower at night (another to-do), got some photos, and then got back to the hotel.
– Did some laundry around 9pm, and dozed off – luckily I set an alarm for the machine and it went off around 11pm and I had to groggily stumble my way through the hotel to get my clothes for the trip home.
– I thought today would be a slow step day, as it started with only about 3000 when I looked, but I ended up doing 15000~. It’s not a shock my feet hurt again.
**Step count:** 15,000~
Day Six (July 28)
– Dawn of the final day. Today’s another recuperative morning. Relaxing until a few hours before departure, then I’ll check out, go to one last photo spot I wanted to see, and then make my way, first, up to Tokyo St. to grab a boba tea from The Alley, and then make my way to Haneda for my departure.
– I ended up skipping the boba as it took me too far out of the way and I can always have it back home. Made my way via the Tokyo Monorail to Haneda, security and immigration was quick, so I browsed some shops and bought some souvenirs for friends and family.
– I had a complimentary club pass for the airline so I used it since I had about three hours til departure. I enjoyed some ramen and other amenities and enjoyed the view of the airplanes taking off.
– Boarded my flight home and slept through almost seven hours of the nine hour flight, resetting my internal clock quickly. And with that… my solo trip to Japan was a great success I’d say.
**Step count:** 10,000~
Overall thoughts: This was a challenging, but fun trip. I probably went overboard most days on my foot travel but I had a great time and knew my visit was short. I opted to leave a day earlier than originally planned due to flight congestion. Overall I felt productive and hit a lot of highlights. I know I missed a lot in Kyoto but I do intend to focus my time there more next visit. I did a week in Tokyo in 2019 which is why I didn’t do much there this visit.
I did a lot of videography this trip as a challenge to myself, as well as my first big solo trip internationally. Some things I would want to do better next time are speak the language more and find time to do a trip to a few more iconic/infamous spots I’ve wanted to see like Futaba (Fukushima), Hashima Island, and Hiroshima/Nagasaki.
I have about 180 Google Maps tags I have used for both my trips, as well as sent to friends for their travels, if anyone would be interested in seeing that. I’ve considered making a small guide for it, as functionally both trips we got to see and do a ton – though I was much more efficient with my time this visit.
Thanks so much for reading and feel free to ask any questions or give thoughts!