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The original was posted on /r/japantravel by /u/Hfm2712 on 2024-10-29 23:36:40+00:00.

(Edits: Originally posted this on my PC and trying to format so it doesn’t cut off the first letters on Bold Font on mobile - rookie mistake 🤦🏻‍♂️)

Hi everyone! Me (M28) and my partner (F26) got back from our trip to Japan 3 weeks ago and wanted to leave a report in case it helps anyone else plan their trip.

Luggage🧳

• We each brought one Large Suitcase, one Cabin Suitcase, and one backpack.
• We didn’t plan on using luggage-forwarding; this was mainly due to the fact we were staying in the same hotel in Tokyo, and the hotel kept our large suitcases in storage for free!

Money ¥💴

• We brought the equivalent of £500/$650 in yen and put most expenses on our credit cards, withdrawing cash as and when needed.
• In hindsight, I would’ve exchanged less in Yen (I purchased it at a high point relative to the £ (180) but by the time our holiday came round it got to a lower point (around 195).
• We both have Monzo & Revolut cards which have lower transaction fees on withdrawal and the split costs function makes it easier when traveling in a group

Shinkansen Reservation🚄

• For the trains, I initially tried to use the SmartEx website (app at the time of writing is unavailable to users from UK & Europe), however, encountered some trouble when trying to register a credit card when signing up for an account.
• More recently, it seems they may have modified their card systems and I was able to register an account with my UK Mastercard recently.
• In the end, I decided to use a website called JapanExperience to book the Shinkansen tickets (similar price to Klook).
• After doing the math, for 6 tickets (Tokyo ➡️ Kyoto; Shin Osaka ➡️ Hiroshima, & Hiroshima ➡️ Tokyo) I paid about £40/$52 extra in booking/handling fees, but as it only amounted to less than 0.01% of our expenditures, I really didn’t mind it.
• (Edit 3 from comments: One of our Shinkansen reservations was accidentally booked in the more expensive Green Class so think we may have made some of those booking fees back 😂)
• I’d only recommend it if you can’t access SmartEx and/or are traveling during busy periods (New Year’s, Golden Week, etc.).

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo (20,600 Steps)

🏨Hotel: The B Ginza

• Close to several different subway lines, quite central location to the areas we wanted to explore, 30-ish minute travel time to get to Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa, Akihabara
• Room was pretty small and it was hard to maneuver two big suitcases in the room.
• Chose it for the proximity to the UniQlo Flagship Store and my partner loves to do a lot of window shopping
• We landed around 7:30am into Haneda, dropped off our bags at the hotel around 9:30am, and went to explore Odaiba (Diver City, Unicorn Gundam, Gundam Factory) until we were able to check-in.
• Once settled in, we showered and had a 2-3hr nap.
• Went out for dinner in Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku, and took a stroll around the Golden Gai before calling it an early night

Day 2: Ueno, Shinjuku & Shibuya (36,300 Steps)

• Woke up around 7am, took a stroll down to Tsukiji Fish Market which was a 10min walk from our hotel, before taking the Subway to Ueno.
• Stopped off at the Hard Rock Cafe to grab another shirt for my collection, before taking a stroll around Ueno Park and visiting the Tokyo National Museum.
• Made our way over to Shinjuku Gyoen after an early lunch and spent the early afternoon walking around the National Garden before making our way to Yoyogi Park and Meiji Jingu.
• We severely underestimated how humid it would be so made our way back to the hotel for a wardrobe change, stopping by the UniQlo Flagship Store and the Wako Building for a quick Shopping spree.
• Went out to Shibuya in the evening for another shopping spree in Pokémon Centre, Mega Don Quijote, Loft & Shibuya 109 before dinner.

Day 3: Asakusa, Skytree & Akihabara (24,200 Steps)

• Spent the early morning exploring Senso-ji and Nakamise-dori shops
• Quick bite for lunch at a Konbini before spending the afternoon doing Street Karting (before the pitchforks come out, I’ve posted a link to a comment detailing my overall thoughts and experience, hoping it’s a balanced take: )
• After the Karts, we walked over to Tokyo Skytree, unknowingly the time slot I booked was bang on sunset, so got some awesome views!
• Hopped over to Akihabara for an early dinner before exploring the area, the Mandrake Store and the GIGA (formerly SEGA) Center trying and failing to win at Claw Machines.

Day 4: Day trip to Mt. Fuji & Hakone Loop 🗻⛩️ (16,500 Steps)

• Booked with Japan Panoramic Tours
• 2hr30 bus ride from Ginza to Mt. Fuji 5th Station, before an early lunch, took the Cable Car to Mt. Owakudani, sampling some Black Egg, and back down for a River Cruise on Lake Ashi.
• The Tour Bus dropped us off at Odawara station.
• Overall, a really nice tour and great views of Fuji throughout the day except for on Fuji itself (fog rolled in as we approached 5th Station)
• Tour included Shinkansen unreserved tickets back to Tokyo, got off at Shinagawa and made our way to Harajuku for a stroll down Takeshita Street.
• Early dinner in Harajuku before back to the hotel

Day 5: Tokyo ➡️ Kyoto (22,400 Steps)

🏨Hotel: Urban Hotel Gojo Premium

• Close to various bus stops and 10min walk to Gojo Station
• Spacious room with a plentiful supply of toiletries and access to Spa which was very much needed after long walking days
• Probably would’ve chosen their sister hotel up the road in Shijo as slightly better location for transport connections
• Woke up early to get the 7:21am Nozomi down to Kyoto. Traveled with a Cabin Suitcase and Backpack each as the Tokyo hotel kept our larger Hold Bags for free.
• Dropped off our bags in the hotel and made our way to Jotoku-Ji Temple for a Tea Ceremony at 11am.
• Stroll around Nineizaka and lunchtime snack before making our way to Manryo Cooking Class, where we learned to make Dashi Broth, Tamagoyaki Omelette, Thick Udon Noodles and Sushi - by far one the most fun activities of the trip and highly recommend
• Back to the hotel to get refreshed before going out to Nintendo Kyoto, dinner near Pontocho, and strolling around the Kamo River & Gion.

Day 6: Ni-Jo, Kinkaku-Ji & Kyoto Gyoen (26,800 Steps)

• Bit of a lie-in, bus to Nijo Castle (booked the tickets ahead of time as well as the extra for the Honmaru-goten Palace which requires a separate ticket).
• From there got the bus to Kinkaku-Ji: I’ve got to say it was slightly underwhelming, maybe due to the rainy day and crowds blocking the path trying to take the perfect shot
• From there back towards the center, quick bite for lunch at a Konbini, stroll around Kyoto Gyoen and join the free tour at Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace.
• Guide was in Japanese but there were audio guides available and the gardens were absolutely gorgeous.
• Quick stopover at the Kyoto International Manga Museum before heading back to the hotel.
• Despite taking Umbrellas from the hotel lobby we were quite wet and miserable so opted to just have dinner at the Ramen place next door and the rest of the evening using the Onsen Spa which was well needed.

Day 7: Fushimi Inari ⛩️💍, Kimonos & Kiyomizu-Dera (31,200 Steps)

• Early wake-up at 5:45am, hotel breakfast buffet and got to Fushimi Inari for 7am.
• As mentioned many times before on this sub, it’s worth waking up early to beat the crowds (we bumped into about maybe 2 Dozen people on the way up).
• Close to the summit of Mt. Inari found a nice quiet spot to pop the question! 😁💍
• By the time we got back down to Inari station around 9am it was beginning to crowd up.
• A quick coffee stop in Inari before making our way to Yasaka Shrine and Chon-in Temple.
• Early lunch in Nishiki Market before renting a Kimono and making our way to Nineizaka and Kiyomizu-Dera Temple.
• Stroll through Gion before returning the Kimonos at 5pm.
• Overall, enjoyed the experience although they were quite tight and I found waddling like a penguin worked best 😅
• Dinner in Kawaramachi before making our way through the bars in Pontocho to celebrate the engagement 💍

Thoughts on Kyoto

• It definitely felt more overcrowded with the sheer number of tourists visiting the main spots
• For Shrines and Temples, it’s worth either waking up early to beat the rush or visit in the evening to get a different atmosphere
• Kyoto is quite spread out, what looks close on a map turns out to be a 30/40min bus ride and walk. Would definitely recommend trying to organise the itinerary by geographical location (I.e. don’t do Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove on the same day)
• Wish I had allocated more time to spend in Kyoto, but I guess that’s what a 2nd trip is for 😅

Day 8: Osaka (36,100 Steps)

🏨Hotel: Hotel Cordia Osaka

• Walking distance from Osaka Station & Umeda
• By far the most spacious room with a plentiful supply of toiletries

💳 Osaka Amazing Pass - 2 Day

• Bought the 2 Day Pass via Klook. In hindsight, I should’ve used the 1 Day ePass instead, although Amazing did pay itself off over the 2 days, having to use multiple QR codes for 2 people on one phone was a bit of a hassle, and the recent price increase becomes a bit harder to make it pay itself back, especially if you’re using one day at USJ.

• Early breakfast and check-out from Kyoto Hotel, Rapid Express train down to Osaka, drop off our bags at next hotel
• Walk over to Umeda Sky Building, and browse shops at Umeda Station.
• Metro to Osaka Castle b…

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