On this put up, I needed to share with you our fast-paced 7-day itinerary for Japan in November once we visited Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Miyajima, Osaka, Nagoya and even Inuyama. I perceive that this itinerary may not be for everybody as a result of it’s fairly tiring and requires plenty of travelling between cities, however when you solely have a couple of trip days and also you wish to see as a lot as doable in Japan in 7 days, I hope you’ll discover this put up helpful.
We went to Japan in November for the Momiji season – to see the well-known purple colored timber in stunning parks, nevertheless, the itinerary isn’t dependant on the season and you need to use it throughout any time of the yr.
So, our fast-paced 7-day itinerary for Japan appeared like this:
2.5 days in Tokyo -> 1 day in Hakone -> 1 day in Kyoto -> 1 day in Osaka + Miyajima -> 1 day in Nagoya + Inuyama
So as to transfer between cities, we used the Japan Rail Go. We purchased it from the Japan Specialist (UK). In the event you’re within the USA you will get your Japan Rail go voucher right here.
Let me let you know a bit extra about our one-week itinerary for Japan & why we picked all these locations I discussed above.
1 week in Japan: tremendous quick itinerary (CAUTION! intense journey required):
Journey days: Friday night to subsequent Sunday night (Saturday in Seoul)
Days 1-Three of our 7-day journey to Japan: Tokyo
We flew to Japan from London by way of Seoul with Asiana Airways and stayed in Seoul for 1 day to see a little bit of South Korea (you probably have an possibility of flying by Seoul and a while to spend there, I might completely recommend you select this feature). I actually favored Seoul – it’s a contemporary and pleasant metropolis with plenty of historical past and completely superb purchasing and I wrote a put up concerning the layover in Seoul – you possibly can learn it HERE – oops, it’s not revealed but, however the hyperlink might be right here very quickly).
Attending to Tokyo metropolis centre from the airport
As a result of layover in Seoul and time distinction, we solely arrived in Tokyo on Sunday night. Getting from Tokyo airport to <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="As a result of layover in Seoul and time distinction, we solely arrived in Tokyo on Sunday night. Getting from Tokyo airport to Park Resort Tokyo (which we booked for Three nights) took us about Three hours. Within the Tokyo Narita airport, we exchanged our Japan rail go voucher for the precise rail go (the alternate workplace is situated simply subsequent to the Airport specific tracks) – it took us about 25 min due to the queue, which later obtained longer and the specific took about 1 hour to the Tokyo station (add to that 35 min ready for the prepare – it departs each hour). From Tokyo station, we took a JR line to the Shimbashi station and walked to the lodge (Park Resort Tokyo (which we booked for Three nights) took us about Three hours. Within the Tokyo Narita airport, we exchanged our Japan rail go voucher for the precise rail go (the alternate workplace is situated simply subsequent to the Airport specific tracks) – it took us about 25 min due to the queue, which later obtained longer and the specific took about 1 hour to the Tokyo station (add to that 35 min ready for the prepare – it departs each hour). From Tokyo station, we took a JR line to the Shimbashi station and walked to the lodge (< 20 min in whole).
The place we stayed in Tokyo: Park Resort Tokyo
I beloved the situation of the Park Resort Tokyo within the Shiodome Media tower and it had essentially the most stunning view of the Tokyo Tower (particularly nice through the sundown or dawn). It’s situated simply 17 min strolling to Ginza and 30 min strolling to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. We picked one of many artist rooms and obtained the most well-liked one (Mount Fuji) due to our Expedia Gold standing (for that you have to ebook greater than 15 nights a yr will Expedia, throughout £50 or $50). Nevertheless, you possibly can request the room you want upfront.
Issues we did in Tokyo:
In Tokyo, we tried to cowl essentially the most touristic and photogenic spots. I already wrote an article about essentially the most Instagrammable locations / photograph places in Tokyo, make certain to check out it when you’re taking pictures severely or simply wish to know the trendiest places.
One the primary night time, we merely had a dinner in Shimbashi and walked across the space for the little bit of time. There’s not a lot to do in Shimbashi apart from consuming and we have been too drained to stroll to Ginza.
On the second & third day in Tokyo, we tried to cowl among the primary highlights: the Hie Shrine in Akasaka (resembles the shrines in Kyoto, nevertheless, not as crowded), individuals watching on the Shibuya crossing, Asakusa, attending some arcades in Akihabara, Harajuku together with making an attempt rainbow cotton sweet, eating in a Michelin-starred restaurant Fushikino (conventional kaiseki meal), visiting Ginza, the well-known Piss Alley, making an attempt fluffy Japanese pancakes and extra. I’ll cowl the highlights of Tokyo in a separate put up to not litter this put up, because it’s already severely lengthy.
On the third day, we wakened very early to go to the Imperial palace gardens, had breakfast at our lodge and headed to Hakone.
In the event you’re enthusiastic about some excursions to soak up Tokyo, I might advocate testing the Robotic present @ Robotic restaurant, Akihabara Go-Kart tour, Tokyo tour by a neighborhood.
Day Four of our 7 days in Japan: Hakone & Gora
Easy methods to get to Gora / Hakone from Tokyo
Round 9:30 am we grabbed a prepare to the Tokyo station to catch our first Shinkansen prepare to Odawara. There are two methods you will get to Hakone / Gora: both from the Shinjuku station to Odawara with the Odakyu Line after which to Hakone or Gora by way of native Tozan trains or buses or from Tokyo station (or another station on the best way) to Odawara (make certain to take the Kodama prepare that stops at each cease) after which by way of the identical native Tozan prepare to Gora. There’s additionally a bus from Odawara on to Gora, and it prices round 1000 Yen to get there. In Shinjuku and Odawara you should purchase a Hakone Free Go. With the Hakone Free Go, you possibly can journey utilizing Hakone Tozan buses and use all of the ropeways, particular trams and even go on a cruise in Lake Ashi.
The Hakone free go prices round 4000 Yen per individual on the Odawara station and a bit costlier in Tokyo (5000 Yen) as a result of it features a prepare to Odawara from Tokyo Station. I used to be sceptical concerning the go, however then I realised that finishing a full circle in Hakone / Gora wishing Three hours is possible and determined to go for it.
We left our baggage on the Gora station (there’s a manned storage room) and went on the circle. We accomplished the total circle earlier than Four pm (a few trains, ropeways, the cruise in lake Ashi and a bus again to Gora Station) and obtained again to the Gora station, the place we had a decide up from our lodge.
An evening in a ryokan with a non-public room onsen
In Gora, we determined to deal with ourselves a bit and splurge on a lodge. We spent an evening in GORA HANAOUGI MADOKA NO MORI and it was among the finest experiences in our lives. From the second we stepped on the ground of the ryokan to the second once we left the lodge, we have been in a dream. We had the nicest welcome with a tea and a desert, superb room with a non-public onsen, a separate eating room downstairs with a 12-course meal together with an entire lobster, sea urchin and wagyu beef, superb public onsen and a large Japanese breakfast. Our room was additionally completely stunning and we have been supplied with pyjamas set and a set of kimonos to stroll across the onsen. The ryokan was correct luxurious and was value each penny spent on it. We left the ryokan at 8:30 am the following day and headed to Kyoto.
Day 5 of our 7-day itinerary for Japan: Kyoto
Your complete day 5 we spent in Kyoto. We managed to get to the town round 12 pm, purchased a Kyoto 1-day journey go (not value it as a result of there are many non-public transport corporations in Kyoto and it’s not legitimate on any of these) left our baggage at our lodge Grand Bach Kyoto. We actually favored the lodge as a result of it was fashionable, included a breakfast and was in a first-rate location simply 10 min stroll to Gion.
We solely had about 3.5-Four hours in Kyoto earlier than it might get darkish, so we needed to rush a bit. Our first cease was Gion, which was spectacular after which we went to 2 shrines: Tofikuji and Yasaka. Afterward, we went to the well-known Kiyomizu-Dera by the gorgous streets on the Previous Kyoto.
In the event you’re , what digicam do I take advantage of to take photographs, I’ve two: Sony A7 III with Samyang 35 mm prime lens (tremendous flat and tiny) and Sony A6000.
After that, we hopped on a bus and went to the well-known Fushimi Inari shrine and watched the sundown over Kyoto. We solely made it half-way up, because the shrine is gigantic and a part of it’s on the highest of the mountain.
If you wish to go on a tour in Kyoto to be taught extra concerning the historical past of the town, I might advocate you these excursions: Full-day UNESCO World Heritage Websites Tour of Kyoto, a Evening stroll by Gion and The Conventional Tea Ceremony.
We returned to Gion and had a tasty Shabu-Shabu meal (mainly similar as Chinese language Scorching Pot meal) there earlier than strolling round for some time and exploring the nightlife of Kyoto.
Day 6: Kyoto, Miyajima island and Osaka
The sixth day of our 7-day itinerary for Japan was probably the most tiring days of all the journey. We wakened at 6 am and by 7:45, we have been within the Arashiyama Bamboo forest. We have been hoping to search out it empty, however at the moment it was really already fairly crowded.
Afterward, we went to the well-known Unesco Heritage shrine close by – Tenryuji Temple and its backyard.
We returned to our lodge, grabbed our suitcases and hopped on a prepare to Osaka, the place we booked Mariott Courtyard on the Shin-Osaka station (excellent for commuting from/to Osaka). Japan has a large downside with lockers – out of 8000 lockers, there have been no obtainable on the Kyoto station and I suspected it might be the identical in Osaka. Fortunately, Osaka was simply 15 min away by a Shinkansen and our lodge was actually on the station, so we didn’t lose a lot time earlier than hopping on a Shinkansen to Hiroshima and altering to a neighborhood prepare to Miyajima-guchi to go to the well-known Miyajima island.
Miyajima – the island filled with deer
I used to be really helpful to go to Miyajima Island (or Itsukushima – it’s one other title of the island) by a pal who was amused by it. Getting there from Shin-Osaka station took round 2 hours 30 minutes, however it was value it. Regardless of the large crowds (Japan is kind of overcrowded), visiting Miyajima was a fantastic expertise. There may be plenty of avenue meals, glorious eating places and even a cookie manufacturing unit. Additionally, the island is stuffed with lovely deer, who can steal your meals (watch out, as feeding them isn’t allowed – they shouldn’t eat biscuits and fish muffins). The deer are cute although, so that you gained’t go away the island with out taking 500 pictures of the deer.
In Miyajima, you can even go to a few stunning shrines and even go on high of a mountain by way of a ropeway. You possibly can simply spend 2-Three hours on the island, however make certain to begin queueing for a ferry earlier than it will get darkish, because it will get very crowded.
1 day in Osaka: 7 days in Japan
We returned to Shin-Osaka round , and went to the primary station (Osaka) to see the well-known purchasing district – Osaka actually has an insane quantity of outlets. I fell for it.. apart from it was Black Friday, so I didn’t go away the shopping center with out the brand new lens for my digicam. I obtained the Sony FE 85mm 1.Eight lens and I couldn’t have been happier.
Afterward, we went to the Grand Entrance shopping center for some kaizen sushi (belt sushi) on the 13th ground – it was very straightforward to search out and have been amused by the standard of the fish, tuna, particularly.
Day 7: Osaka Citadel, Nagoya and Inuyama
The final day of our weeklong journey to Japan in November was essentially the most disappointing one, as we couldn’t do what we deliberate to do. We wakened early and went to the Osaka fortress – it was beautiful within the lights of the sunshine, however we didn’t go in, as we had quite a bit deliberate for Nagoya.
Once we obtained to Nagoya round 1 pm, there have been no obtainable lockers irrespective of what number of occasions we appeared and the bag storage was additionally full with a large queue of individuals simply ready for somebody to take out the bags.
The Oldest Citadel in Japan
As a result of enormous quantity of individuals on the streets, we simply couldn’t stroll round with our suitcases, so we went to the shopping center and had some lunch and headed to Inuyama round 3pm. Initially, we needed to discover Nagoya fortress, go to the Toyota museum and do some memento purchasing, however as an alternative we visited the Inuyama fortress, which is the oldest fortress in Japan. We obtained there simply earlier than the closing time (4:30 pm) and have been fortunate to see Inuyama within the rays of the declining solar. There weren’t many meals choices in Inuyama and every part was closed (aside from a pair good memento retailers), so we tried a neighborhood Izakaya (which I wholeheartedly don’t advocate) and went again to the Airbnb.
On the day Eight we flew again to London (there was an Categorical prepare from Inuyama on to Nagoya Chubu airport, so it was very handy to remain in Inuyama – preserve it in thoughts, if all of the accommodations in Nagoya are bought out or too costly).
Abstract of our 7-day fast-paced itinerary fo Japan: Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Miyajima, Osaka and Inuyama in a single journey
To summarise, I have to say that I used to be fairly pleased with our fast-paced itinerary for Japan (aside from the final day in Nagoya), nevertheless, I might in all probability spend much less time in Tokyo and add an additional day to Kyoto just because Kyoto is extremely stunning and far more spectacular than Tokyo.
Nevertheless, if you wish to go to some distinctive retailers or shops, Tokyo would in all probability be a greater possibility. On day 7, you can even go to both Kobe or Nara (each near Osaka), so you possibly can see much more of Japan. When you have baggage – don’t depend on the lockers, as you possibly can see from our instance, discovering one is sort of inconceivable!
Ought to you’ve gotten any questions on a 7-day journey to Japan, please don’t hesitate to ask!
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