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eat-travel-live-repeat · 4 years

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Best of Japan in Just 7 Days

If you’re on the hunt for 7 day Japan itinerary, I have good news and I have better news. The good news? It is absolutely possible to get a taste of Japan in just a week.

The better news? When you follow the recommendations I’m about to set forth, you can focus less on the nuts and bolts of traveling, and more on experiencing Japan.

Whether it’s your first trip to Japan and you want to focus on destinations like Tokyo and Kyoto, or you’re coming back and want to zero-in on somewhere more obscure, you’ll definitely want to continue reading.

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The Reality of a Week in Japan

Let’s start with a dose of reality: A 7 day Japan itinerary isn’t enough to see everywhere in the country, or even close to it.

However, its DOABLE.

You’ll need to choose a limited range of destinations, and be as efficient as possible in the way you explore them, and how you travel between them. You won’t have a great deal of room for error.

Another thing that’s important to consider, particularly if you’re coming from Europe or North America, is the timing of your flights to Japan. Since you’re looking at a minimum of 12 hours in transit each way (plus a time change), you’ll need to devote at least 8-9 days of your life to enjoy 7 days on the ground in Japan.

Where to Go With a Week in Japan (if It’s Your First Time)

Tokyo

Not counting the day you land, I recommend you spend only your first two days in Japan in Tokyo. Spend one full day enjoying Tokyo’s tourist trail, from ancient Asakusa to futuristic Shibuya and everywhere in-between. On day two, you can either visit secondary attractions like eclectic Odaiba and hip Setagaya, or taking day trips to spots like Kamakura and Nikko.

PS – Tokyo is also one of the best places to visit during the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan !

Mt. Fuji

Continue your 7 day Japan itinerary by heading west toward Mt. Fuji. Note that I don’t (necessarily) mean climbing Fujisan, which requires at least part of two days. Rather, spend a night in either Kawaguchiko (in the Fuji Five Lakes region) or the hot springs town of Hakone, both of which offer phenomenal views of Japan’s tallest and most famous mountain.

Kyoto

After two days in the Tokyo area and one in the vicinity of Mt. Fuji, spend a day (preferably) two ticking off things to do in Kyoto. I recommend focusing on the temples of historical Higashiyama on day one, then visiting Sagano Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama and/or Fushimi Inari Shrine (which you can combined with a half-day trip to deer-filled Nara) on day two. Both, the Sagano Bamboo Grove and the Fushimi Inari Shrine are some of the most Instagrammable locations in Japan. Yes, they will be crowded, but if you are smart, you will manage to get a few Insta Worthy shots.

Sagano Bamboo Grove

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Osaka

If you decide to spend just one full day in Kyoto, you can add a one-day trip to underrated Osaka to you 7 day Japan itinerary. Whether you come here for the day (Kyoto is just 30 minutes by train each-way) or get a hotel, divide your time between ancient attractions like Osaka Castle and Shi-tenno-ji temple, and the neon lights and street food of modern Dotonbori pedestrian street.

Hiroshima

Is Hiroshima worth visiting? Yes, and not just for the reasons you imagine. After riding a Shinkansen bullet train from Kyoto or Osaka to Hiroshima, pay your respects at the Hiroshima Peace Park and A-Bomb Dome. Before sunset, ride a local train to Miyajimaguchi, where you can take a ferry to Miyajima island and its famous, “floating” Itsukushima Shrine.

The 7 Day Japan Travel Itinerary

Day 1 and 2 – Tokyo

Day 3 – Fuji Five Lakes Region

Day 4 and 5 – Kyoto – Higashiyama | Sagano Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama | Fushimi Inari Shrine

Day 6 – Osaka – Osaka Castle | Shi-tenno-ji temple | Dotonbori pedestrian street

Day 7 – Hiroshima | Miyajimaguchi | Miyajima island | Itsukushima Shrine.

A Week in Japan for Returning Travelers

If you’ve traveled to Japan in the past and want to spend another week there, you’ll likely want to jettison the tourist trail entirely. The most manageable option for doing this would be traveling off the main island of Honshu. This could involved visiting balmy Kyushu or Shikoku (Japan’s most spiritual island), skiing for a week in Hokkaido, or beaching it up in the Okinawa archipelago.

Return visitors can also devote their 7 day Japan itinerary to exploring a lesser-visited region. Tohoku north of Tokyo is a veritable winter wonderland, while a trip to San’in in Japan’s far west is like a trip back in time. Hokuriku, on the Sea of Japan coast, centers around Kanazawa, i.e. the “Kyoto of the North.”

Longer Trips to Japan

As a general rule, I do recommend spending at least two weeks in Japan—especially if this is your first time. For travelers who plan to stay along the tourist trail, this allows you to spend more time both in Tokyo and Kyoto, and prevents you from having to choose between Mt. Fuji, Osaka or any other number of destinations between Tokyo and Hiroshima.

More broadly I’d say the answer to how long to spend in Japan is “as long as possible,” even if you’re on a return trip and want to explore off the beaten path. While you can discover aforementioned Shikoku in just a week, for example, having two weeks (or longer) allows you to dig deeper into its nooks and crannies, and to attune yourself to its famously slow pace of life.

The Bottom Line

Whether you need a 7 day Japan itinerary for a first-time trip or to come back and dig deeper, you’re in the right place. On one hand, a week isn’t very long to explore a huge, diverse, rich country like Japan. On the other hand, if you’ve got a good plan and a commitment to execute it, you can cover more ground than you expect. Japan, after all, is as much about the experiences you have as it is the destinations you visit. You’re just as likely to find magic strolling down a random street as watching the sunset behind Fujisan.

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topfygad · 5 years

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10 Unmissable Osaka Day Trips – Aussie on the Road

Often spoken of in the same breath as Kyoto and Tokyo, Osaka is one of Japan’s most popular tourist destinations for a reason.

Not only is it home to one of Japan’s largest international airports, but it’s also home to a whole range of fascinating attractions ranging from ancient castles to hands-on experiences to theme parks to some of the best food in Japan. Don’t believe me? Just check out Adventures Around Asia’s post on the most unique things to do in Osaka.

Another huge selling point for Osaka is how connected it is to the rest of Japan. From this dynamic city, it is possible to take a number of fascinating day trips to nearby landmarks and cities.

Once you’ve finished exploring Osaka, why not take one (or more) of these fascinating Osaka day trips to extend your exploration?

Meoto-Iwa’s wedded rocks are one of Ise’s most popular Shinto sites.

#10 – Ise

The starting point for the breathtaking Kumano Kodo Iseji, Ise City is home to one of Japan’s most beloved Shinto shrines in the form of the Ise Grand Shrine.

While Mie Prefecture is part of the greater Kansai region, Ise lies a long way from Osaka. Even so, it is possible to get there in a shade under 2 hours on the JR train. Set out bright and early for your chance to experience the serenity of Ise Grand Shrine in the early hours of the day.

If you’re pressed for time, skip Geku and focus your attention on the beauty of Naiku. When you’re done there, wander along Okage Yokocho to sample delicious street food and do a little souvenir shopping in an old-town themed street.

There’s more to see in Ise than the Geku and Naiku Shrines, of course, with the wedded rocks at Meoto-Iwa being a popular spot for young lovers wanting a little extra luck for their romance.

Lastly, Ise is famous for its delicious cuisine. There are plenty of places to eat in Ise, but I’m especially partial to the delicious Ise udon, which has more noodles and less broth. It’s perfect for a carb-o-holic like me!

Getting There: You can reach Ise from Osaka 2 hours and 20 minutes on the slow JR train (1,700 Yen/$17 USD) or in just under two hours on the express JR train (3,030 Yen/$30 USD).

See: Ise Grand Shrine and Meoto-Iwa.

Extend Your Stay: If you’re keen to tackle the Iseji Kumano Kodo, Ise is the starting point for my two-week Kumano Kodo itinerary.

Naoshima’s most iconic image. Image courtesy of saltowitz

#9 – Naoshima

You might not know the name, but you’ve probably seen the eye-catching photo of that iconic sculpture sitting out on the pier.

Sometimes known as ‘art island’, Naoshima is an idyllic little beach island that has been overrun with stunning works of art. Thanks largely to the Benesse Corporation, Naoshima is fast becoming one of Japan’s most popular tourist attractions.

Naoshima is a bit of a journey from Osaka, as you’ll need to take the JR train to Okayama and then transit on local lines to the ferry. It’s just 45-minutes from Osaka to Okayama.

Once you’ve taken the ferry (for the princely sum of 290 Yen/$2.90 USD), you’ll be able to wander Naoshima at your leisure to soak in its many art installations and its immense natural beauty.

Getting There: Take the JR train from Shin-Osaka Station to Okayama Station and then follow these instructions. It’s around 6,000 yen ($60 USD) on the JR line, or 3,020 Yen ($30 USD) on the slower local trains.

See: Wander the many art installations on the island.

Extend Your Stay: Spend a day or two exploring Okayama.

Making your own Japanese sweets is one of many hands-on activities in Sakai City. Image courtesy of Adventures Around Asia.

#8 – Sakai City

So close to Osaka that you would be forgiven for thinking that they’re the same city, Sakai City is the place to go for hands-on activities. Less than a half-hour’s travel from Osaka, it’s the perfect place to get a little off the beaten path and try something new.

Adventures Around Asia has already designed a fantastic girls day in Sakai, but there are plenty of man-friendly activities as well.

In the course of a single day in Sakai City, I tried my hand at honing my own sashimi knife, dyed yukata fabric, learned how to make Japanese candy, attended a tea ceremony, and soared high over the city’s ancient burial mounds in a VR experience.

As a relatively new tourism market, you’re going to want to email the Sakai Tourism Board ([email protected]) ahead of time to get some assistance in planning things, but it’s well worth the day-trip.

Getting There: It takes roughly 30-minutes to get to Sakai from Osaka or Kansai International Airport.

See: Visit the Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko for a traditional tea ceremony, make Japanese sweets at Machiya Cafe Sacay, and visit the city’s ancient burial mounds.

Extend Your Stay: Splash out on a night at the Agora Sakai Regency and explore the city by bicycle.

Himeji Castle is especially gorgeous during cherry blossom season. Image courtesy of Reginald Pentinio

#7 – Himeji

While Osaka has an impressive castle of its own in the form of Osaka Castle, Himeji Castle is hands-down the most famous castle in all of Japan.

Japan’s best-preserved feudal castle, Himeji-Jo is sometimes known as White Heron Castle due to its striking all-white exterior and the graceful curve of its eaves. It’s one of Japan’s most beautiful architectural achievements.

Insider tip? You can snap your photos of Himeji Castle without having to pay for admission, although the tour of the interior is informative and you’re obviously helping contribute to the upkeep of the historic site.

At just ninety-minutes on the JR train from Osaka, it’s totally possible to experience both Osaka Castle and Himeji Castle in a single day too!

Getting There: It takes ninety-minutes to reach Himeji from Osaka.

See: Himeji Castle is the obvious attraction in Himeji.

Extend Your Stay: While there might not be enough in Himeji to hold your attention for multiple days, you could pay a visit to the nearby Kokoen Gardens for just 40 Yen more with a combined Himeji Castle/Kokoen ticket.

The deer of Nara are just one of many attractions in a gorgeous city. Image courtesy of conifer conifer

#6 – Nara

Famous for its friendly population of deer, Nara is a city with far more to offer than just an up close and personal interaction with hungry deer.

Many flock to the city to wander Nara Park and feed the bowing deer, but to me, the real attractions are the many temples and shrines in the city. Todaiji and Horyuji are doubtlessly impressive, but my heart belongs to Shintoism and Kasuga Taisha is every bit as stunning as the shrines that dot the Kumano Kodo.

The city is home to a number of other temples and shrines, but is also a great place to tour Japanese gardens. Yoshikien is especially gorgeous.

Getting There: It takes a shade under an hour to reach Nara from Osaka.

See: Wild deer in Nara Park, Todaiji and Horyuji Temples, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Yoshikien gardens.

Extend Your Stay Stick around for dinner at Sakura Burger, where you can try delicious Japan-US fusion burgers.

Kobe is a green, gorgeous city that warrants an extended visit.

#5 – Kobe

Famed for its succulent Kobe beef, I discovered that Kobe is far more than just a place to grab a meal. If you’ve read my One Day in Kobe post, you’ll see there is a wealth of things to do in the port city.

From scenic hikes and the stunning Kobe Herb Gardens to the modern vibe of Meriken Park and the nearby shopping precinct to going on a boozy sake distillery tour, there’s just so much about green, modern Kobe to love.

Getting There: It takes 15-30 minutes to reach Kobe from Osaka.

See: Try Kobe beef, visit the Kobe Herb Gardens, go on a sake distillery tour, and visit Meriken Park.

Extend Your Stay: You can see a full day itinerary for Kobe outlined in my One Day in Kobe post, but this could easily be extended out to two days with a full-day to relax and enjoy the Kobe Herb Gardens.

Universal Studios Japan is a blast! Image courtesy of Andrea Hale.

#4 – Universal Studios Japan

While it technically lies within Osaka, a day trip to Universal Studios Japan is an adventure unto itself. With multiple ‘worlds’ to explore, an attached shopping/dining precinct, and rides & shows galore, USJ is a fantastic day out for the entire family.

Our visit just so happened to coincide with Christmas festivities, which meant an abundance of Minion madness as part of the park’s ‘Yellow Christmas’, but we also managed to sneak in a little time at the fantastic Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Our day at the park only scratched the surface of what there is to do, as we weren’t able to find time to explore attractions such as the Evangelion VR ride, the terrifying Hollywood Dream roller coaster, or the Jurassic Park ride.

We did, however, ride the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey rides, both of which were a blast!

We also saw two fun parades and the famous The Gift of Angels nightly performance, which is truly gorgeous to behold.

Getting There: It takes around 30-minutes to reach Universal Studios Japan from Osaka city.

See: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, live shows and parades, themed rides, and delicious food.

Extend Your Stay: It’s a big park, so why not book a hotel in the attached City Walk so you can spread your exploration out over two days?

The ‘floating’ Torii of Miyajima are one of the most popular attractions near Hiroshima. image courtesy of Michael Day.

#3 – Hiroshima and Miyajima

Famous for all of the wrong reasons, Hiroshima will forever live in infamy as the site of the first use of an atomic bomb against a civilian population.

Rebuilding from the ruins of that war-ending event, Hiroshima now stands as a tribute to the destructive capacity of war and the healing that had to be done after that fateful day.

Visitors to Hiroshima can learn more about the bombing of Hiroshima by visiting sites such as the A-Bomb Dome, the Peace Memorial Park, and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, but there is more to dynamic Hiroshima than its dark past.

Gorgeous gardens such as Shukkeien, historic sites such as Fukuyama Castle, and the World Heritage-listed Itsukushima Shrine are worth the trip in their own right.

The latter is on nearby Miyajima, which might mean you’ll want to spend a night in the area so you’re not rushing to fit both Hiroshima and Miyajima into a single day.

Getting There: It takes 2.5 hours to get from Osaka to Hiroshima, with Miyajima another hour from Hiroshima.

See: Visit memorials to the Hiroshima bombing, tour Shukkien gardens, and pay a visit to Miyajima.

Extend Your Stay: If you want to explore at a more relaxed pace, consider booking a hotel in Hiroshima or Miyajima so you can take your time.

Koyasan is also home to Japan’s largest (and most haunting) graveyard. image courtesy of DocChewbacca

#2 – Koyasan

One of the holiest locations in all of Japan, Koyasan (Mount Koya) is the center of Shingon Buddhism and a hugely popular tourist attraction with those wanting to immerse themselves in traditional Japanese culture.

As you would expect from a holy site, Koyasan is awash with temples, pilgrimage trails, and opportunities to get in touch with a little inner peace.

For those with a little more time, Koyasan is a fantastic place to overnight at a temple or even launch your own exploration of a longer pilgrimage trail such as the Kumano Kodo.

Getting There: It takes just over ninety-minutes to reach Koyasan from Osaka.

See: Buddhist temples and pilgrimage trails.

Extend Your Stay: Spend a night in a traditional temple to really immerse yourself in Buddhism.

Kyoto might be Japans’s most photogenic cities. Image courtesy of Terence Lim

#1 – Kyoto

I would be loathe to say Kyoto is just a day trip city. There’s enough in gorgeous Kyoto to warrant a full week of its own, but if time is pressing and you’re based in Osaka, it’s certainly possible to get a taste of Kyoto in a day.

The city wears its history on its sleeve, and you’ll be surrounded by gorgeous temples and shrines at every turn. It’s also the home of Japan’s fading geisha culture, so geisha-watching is a pastime of its own.

For mine, the real highlights for a day in Kyoto would be Fushimi Inari shrine (best seen at dawn), the Arashiyama bamboo grove, golden Kinkaku-ji, and the chance to spot geisha in Gion.

You’ll be dealing with crowds every step of the way, however, so keep that in mind when planning your day in Kyoto!

Getting There: Kyoto is an hour from Osaka.

See: Kinkaku-Ji, Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari, and spot geisha.

Extend Your Stay: Kyoto deserves more than one day. Consider spending at least three days in Kyoto to really do it justice.

As you can see, Osaka is not only a fantastic place to visit, it’s also a fantastic place to base yourself while you take day trips to nearby cities such as Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and Himeji.

It really is the perfect combination: a hub for exploration and an attraction in its own right.

What are your favourite day trips from Osaka?

What about things to do in the city itself? How would you recommend a visitor spend their time in Osaka?

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foodtravelsleepstuff-blog · 7 years

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Tour Review #7

Name: Japan Express: Osaka to Tokyo

Company: G Adventures

Length: 9 Days, 1 Country (Japan)

Start Location: Osaka, Japan

End Location: Tokyo, Japan

Other Places: Kōyasan, Hiroshima-shi, Kyoto, Hakone

Price: £2199

Overall Rating: 7.5

Accommodation Rating: 9. All the accommodation was lovely in Japan (probably one of the reasons the tour was so expensive)! Rooms are traditionally quite small, but that didn’t really bother me as we weren’t in them much! Everywhere we stayed was comfortable, even in Kōyasan when we were sleeping on futons. My favourite hotel was the night before my birthday in Hakone. Our room had a natural hot springs bath, so I made sure I relaxed in it as it had been a pretty hectic week. The hotel also gave me chocolates for my birthday when we checked out! The hotel in Kyoto was pretty new, but the only had lifts (only the emergency exit had stairs which were alarmed) and therefore we had to wait up to 30 minutes in the mornings to actually get down to reception which was an absolute joke! Be warned, leave early haha!

Weather Rating: 6. The weather was pretty grim for most of the trip which was a shame. It rained quite a bit (especially in Hiroshima) but was grey and quite cold most of the time. Glad I had my jumper with me as I lived in it! It started to warm up once we had arrived in Tokyo and actually reached 26 degrees one day! I wasn’t too bothered by the weather as it didn’t spoil any of our activities, however I was definitely missing the sun after months of heat/sunshine before this tour. The only other downside is we didn’t get the greatest view of Mount Fuji which was a shame. We did see it, but it was very cloudy so my pictures weren’t great.

Inclusions Rating: 6. Considering the price of this tour (and when compared to other tours) I felt like this was overpriced for 9 days. However, Japan is expensive and there is nothing you can do about it! The best inclusion is the Japan rail pass. We needed it to get to all the places we travelled to but we also got to use it for 1 day after the tour, which saved me having to purchase any travel that day! We had 2 dinners (both of which I hated!) and 2 breakfasts included (1 of which I also hated! Thankfully the amazing all you can eat buffet breakfast happened to fall on my birthday)! The different activities that were included were some temples and the famous Oku-no-in cemetery in Kōyasan, Peace Park and and museum in Hiroshima, Miyajima Island visit, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine visit, entry to Nijo Castle and Gardens, Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion and Daisen-in Zen Rock Garden in Kyoto and Lake Ashino-ko boat ride in Hakone.

Activities / Free Time Rating: 8. Despite being an express tour, meaning lots to do in a short amount of time, we did have a fair amount of free time. We were informed about all the extra activities we could do and to be honest, I did as many as possible! Anytime we were on public transport, I used this time to sleep, to avoid missing extra activities! Our tour guide always gave good recommendations for things to do in the area and eating places, which was really helpful.

Group Rating: 8. I was super nervous meeting my group because I literally arrived at the end of the pre-tour meeting, meaning everyone had already introduced themselves and got to know each other. I had nothing to be nervous about as my group was amazing! Again, as this was a classic tour, there was a nice mixture of young, old-ish and a family. Everyone got on and there were no arguments at all. I mainly hung around with Kharla and Ashleigh from Australia as they were a similar age to me but everyone was lovely. The majority of the time, most people completed included/extra activities together, which I felt brought the group closer together. I have most people on Facebook still and keep in contact with quite a few people. Kharla has just moved over to the UK for 2 years so we meet up quite regularly!

Tour Leader Rating: 8. My tour leader was a star! My second female tour guide and I couldn’t fault everything she did for our group. Especially for me, when I left my purse in our first hotel with basically my whole life inside it (cards, money, driving license etc). She called the hotel who found it in my room and they packed it up and sent it to our hotel in Hiroshima (along with my case that was getting shipped there). She lent me some money to cover me for the next few days. She took us to lots of amazing food places and on my birthday I was surprised with a card, cake and balloons! It was interesting to hear all her knowledge about Japan!

Top 3 Memories:

1) Spending my birthday in Tokyo - lovely Japanese food and cocktails, a surprise birthday cake and partying the last night on tour away with a karaoke session!

2) Making friends with local Japanese people at the Hiroshima baseball game

3) Catching a glimpse of beautiful Mount Fuji.

Top 3 Tips:

1) Japan is an AMAZING country, but very expensive. I was on tour for 9 days and then had 4 extra days in Tokyo, but somehow still managed to blow £500 just on food, drinks, extra activities and souvenirs!

2) If you plan to book this trip, try to pack light. You use a LOT of public transport so there will be a large amount of lifting luggage.

3) Plan in advance how to get from the airport in Osaka to the starting hotel. I was planning to just “jump in an uber” when I arrived, only to find out it was going to cost me over £100! I then spent over an hour panicking as I couldn’t work out how to get anywhere due to lack of English. Almost 2 hours later, exhausted and hungry, I made it to the hotel (completely missing the pre-tour group meeting) oops!

I have a past blog post that has more details on this tour, otherwise feel free to head over to the G Adventures website for more information here.

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