Japan Itinerary: Fuji and Kimono, Sushi and Anime — All Inclusive!

The Maneki-neko beckoning cat figurine waved its paw, and now you have tickets to Japan!

Spoiler alert: it won’t be too economical, as the country itself is not budget-friendly. But it will be one of the best experiences of your life, which you will be reminded of by postcards from thrift stores, photos against the backdrop of Fuji, and socks from Uniqlo.

Now, for the checklist of things you absolutely must do if you’re flying to the Land of the Rising Sun.

What you absolutely need to do:

• cash out yen — Japanese people love cash;
• buy a Japan Rail Pass. Of course, it’s not cheap—about 30,000 yen for a seven-day pass. But you’ll be able to travel freely to any city by train;
• buy portable Wi-Fi to stay connected always and everywhere. For a week, you’ll need to pay about 50 USD for this.

If the price tag hasn’t scared you off yet (the visa to Japan is free, after all), let’s move on to the top places that are worth visiting and will pay off handsomely!

Welcome to Tokyo!

We started with an English phrase, but let us warn you right away: your English won’t be understood in most places, even if you speak like a native. So arm yourself with a translator on your phone to communicate with the Japanese.

We recommend starting your acquaintance with Tokyo in the Shibuya district — arguably one of the liveliest places where young people gather. If you want to see local fashion style, head to the Harajuku district — everyone there is always dressed very colorfully.

Then head to Ueno Park. There, we recommend visiting the National Museum of Western Art, designed by French architect Le Corbusier, and going to the zoo. Admission to the latter will cost 600 yen, but it’s worth it!

All in all, Tokyo is a wonderful place even for long walks through any of its cozy neighborhoods. And, of course, visit the observation decks in Shinjuku — from there you can see Fuji, Japan’s highest and most popular volcano.

Next stop — Osaka

Hop on a train in Tokyo, admiring the views from the window, and in two and a half hours you’ll be in Osaka. It’s worth coming here for the abundance of museums. Here’s where you definitely need to go: the National Museum of Art, the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living. These establishments exquisitely combine high-tech and tradition, which amazes all visitors.

Of course, a trip here would hardly be complete without a visit to the Kyoto Imperial Palace (Gosho), the Temple of Eastern Treasures, and the 103-meter Tsutenkaku Tower.

Osaka’s bonus is its proximity to Nara Park. Tourists come here to see deer in their natural habitat. The charm of the place is that these animals are very smart and cunning, and for a treat sold within the park, they will bow to you.

Insider tip about food in Japan: choose the most inconspicuous establishments, relying on local reviews — the food there will be very delicious and quite affordable. The most “hyped” places won’t please you with their prices, and you’re unlikely to find the authentic taste that Japanese people value so much there.

Kyoto

The city of Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, is located near Osaka. Therefore, it’s best to plan a trip here right away, preferably for at least a couple of days.

This trip will be a break from bustling Tokyo.

Kyoto is one of the best locations for those who want to experience the local religious spirit and simply feel serenity while strolling through natural attractions.

Let’s start with the temples that are definitely worth visiting — Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, the Buddhist Nanzenji. These structures deserve attention at least from an architectural and historical point of view.

Now a few words about gardens and parks — choose any and you won’t go wrong. Everywhere there’s greenery, flowering bushes, and stones. So many stones!

Naoshima Island

A small island near Okayama: ferries depart from Uno Port, 20 minutes and you’re there. The island is very small: 14 square kilometers in area, 2 kilometers wide. This location is a mecca for those who adore modern art.

Everywhere you look, there are museums where you can see works by Hockney, Basquiat, Warhol, and local contemporary artists. So if you want to dedicate a day to something sublime and beautiful — boldly put Naoshima on your must-visit list.

Hiroshima

The Memorial Park in Hiroshima is located in the area that was completely destroyed during the atomic bombing. Only one building survived, and it is protected by UNESCO.

There will certainly be a flood of emotions, and they are unlikely to be entirely positive, but this place holds a huge part of Japanese history. Yet, despite this, Hiroshima has still managed to preserve its natural beauty and some picturesque port cities.

We hope that any trip you take to Japan will open something new within you!