I have been wanting to visit Japan for more than 10 years now. Finally have had the money and courage to go on a Solo trip there.
I know nothing of the Japanese language a few basic phrases for thank you, excuse me, please, bye, and some more but that’s it. I am trying to learn some but don’t know how much would be possible in the next month. With good internet and Google translate shouldn’t face many issues? (correct me if I am wrong here)
My plan is as follows:
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo, check-in, rest, and maybe see the Tokyo Tower and any nearby areas
Day 2: Travel to Lake Kawaguchiko, where I plan to stay for a couple of nights, for local sightseeing and Mount Fuji views
Day 4: Travel to Osaka, Spend the night in Osaka visit Shinsekai
Day 5: Explore Osaka. Osaka Castle, Namba Yasaka Shrine, watch the sunset from Abeno Harukas, evening and dinner at Dotonbori
Day 6: Travel to Kyoto early in the morning to visit Arishiyama and then Fushimi Inari Shrine.
PS: I can stay here in Kyoto for the night, even though I have a booking in Osaka I can double book and travel here with a light backpack.
Day 7(Kyoto): Imperial Palace, Kiyomizu Temple, and Nishiki market, and then return to Osaka late in the night
Day 7(Osaka): Could visit the Osaka Aquarium and Universal studios
Day 8: Flight to Okinawa, staying near the Aquarium only so would take quite some time to get there using a public bus so nothing planned here.
Day 9: Chill on the beach near my hotel, go kayaking if possible, visit the aquarium in the afternoon to evening catch the sunset spend the night walking around the town
Day 10: Go for one last swim in the ocean before catching my afternoon flight to Tokyo
Day 11: Explore more of Tokyo, Asakusa, and Shibuya, and watch the sunset from Shibuya Sky
Day 12: Visit Akihabara, team labs exhibit, roam around the Roppongi hills area, go for drinks or to some club for NYE
Day 13: Cover some spots that I missed or visit something that I really liked some shopping and dinner and drinks before the early morning flight back to Mumbai
Please let me know if this is doable. I plan to travel via public transport only.
Also planning on doing some reading on the Shrines and locations I visit so that I’m not clueless about their significance when I visit them.
9 comments
Google translate should be enough for where you are going. You may struggle a bit in Okinawa but should be fine for most parts
You don’t have to book a night in Kyoto as the cities are near each other. Unless you find the 40mkn train ride annoying then feel free to book a 2nd accommodation
Remember to hit Nishiki Market earlier as many stalls will close in the afternoon
Your Kyoto itinerary might be a bit light so you will have time to spare. You can add other stuff, go real slow or just wing it
Universal studios is generally a full day thing so you won’t be able to do that + aquarium
You don’t really need to do your homework on shrines imo. The places you’ve listed usually have an English translation description on a board somewhere or pamphlet. You could also use google lens on the Japanese ones if there isn’t a translation
Decent plan. You’re going to be exhausted
It all seems doable. IMO going to Okinawa for 2 days seems like a bit of a waste. More than enough things to do along the Golden Route for 13 days.
Not sure where you’re flying from but, if I were you, I would just train straight to Lake Kawaguchiko and spend two nights there. You already have to go to Tokyo Station, then you’ll just get the travel over with and have one more, no travel day.
Kyoto is pretty widespread. I might tell you to go spend two nights there at least. I would say reverse your ideas and stay in Kyoto, travel to Osaka for the things you want to do but it does seem like you have some big plans for there (like Universal).
Can’t comment on Okinawa, never been. But I am leaving Osaka tomorrow morning via flight and it’s over an hour away from the city. Just know it might be a pretty long travel to Okinawa even though the flight is short.
Google translate should be ok.
If you’re taking public transport, you might get lost a bit so allow time for that. Especially big stations can be hard to navigate.
A couple of nights in Kawaguchiko seems a bit too long. I would instead use it to visit Nara.
USJ and aquarium on the same day is gonna be very tight even if you have the express pass. Unless you don’t mind rushing USJ or don’t care for the rides.
Kyoto isn’t far from Osaka and there’s plenty of trains. So I would stay in Osaka and take the train to Kyoto.
I’ve heard the aquarium in Osaka is much better than the one in Okinawa. But I’ve never been to any so can’t verify.
Rent a car in Okinawa if possible. It’ll make your trip much smoother. And try the taco rice! Highly recommend Ruler’s Taco Rice.
Add Yokohama if time permits.
Don’t do Fushimi-Inari second. If you go after 8am you are gonna queue to climb a mountain. It’s WORLDS better at 6am. The tourists fucking ruin that experience.
Just did a solo trip while knowing no Japanese and only ever had the most minor of issues. Its not a problem at all.
Prioritize what you want to see the most and do those things early in the morning because touristy places will start to fill up by mid morning.
You might want to make your Fuji days flexible because there’s no guarantee the weather will cooperate. I had three separate days to try and see it and it was always hidden behind clouds.
I’d do Kyoto before Osaka, because it comes before the other on the Shinkansen if you’re coming from Tokyo. Speaking of which, the one thing to remember about the Shinkansen is that you have to go to the terminal every time to get a ticket. It isn’t like the rest of the trains and subways where you can use an IC card or iPhone to scan your way in.
A friend who speaks Japanese doesn’t recommend Google Translate. Personally I prefer Papago, especially if you plan on usng text to speech, as it sounds more natural.
Wear comfortable shoes! You’re gonna be doing a lot of walking. Enjoy your trip!