Three weeks in Japan!
Japan
My brother and I spent three weeks in Japan and had the best time! We are already planning on going back. It’s an amazing country to travel to, even solo! It’s safe, structured, and very beautiful!
We started our trip in Osaka, where we saw Osaka Castle and Dotonbori, explored Tsutenkaku and Namba, and went to Katsuo-ji Temple. The temple was one of my favorites! There are thousands of Daruma dolls spread across the whole area, and it’s a very beautiful place overall. We also went to Universal Studios, which I recommend if you are into amusement parks.
Our next stop was Hiroshima for one night. For me, it was my least favorite destination, but it was very interesting to learn more about the atomic bomb. On day two, we went to Miyajima, which is also at the top of our recommended list!
We then spent six nights in Kyoto, where we had a more relaxed first day. Our feet were hurting by then, so we needed the rest. We also went to Nara, where you can find the bowing deer, and to Uji, which is famous for its matcha. The Fushimi Inari Shrine is also a must!
Fujikawaguchiko was our next stop, which we explored by car. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see Mount Fuji in its full glory. Only the top of the mountain.
And then Tokyo, our final stop. We mostly spent our time shopping and exploring the different neighborhoods. My brother had a dream of driving a Japanese supercar, which we also did.
Overall, we ate a lot of good food. Our favorite was the ramen at Ichiran, which we sometimes waited in line for for 45 minutes. We tried some local specialties such as Wagyu beef, mochi, matcha, onigiri, fluffy pancakes… Our stomachs were never empty.
Some tips I would keep in mind:
When you leave for Japan, make sure you don’t bring too much. It’s true when they say you should travel with an empty suitcase (or even two), because you will see many things you want to buy. Clothes, souvenirs, gifts for friends and family, and, if you are lucky, you might even catch a giant Hello Kitty in the arcade, which you will need space for as well (speaking from experience).
You can easily transfer your luggage to your next hotel or even to the airport. If, like us, you shopped too much and can’t carry all your luggage, I would definitely recommend doing so. When we stayed in Fujikawaguchiko for only two nights, we used our carry-on luggage and sent the big ones to our next hotel.
If you go to Kyoto and only stay there for a few nights and are worried you won’t see everything, I would skip the bamboo forest and the monkey park. They are nice, but a little underwhelming. But do spend enough time in Kyoto if you can, because it has so much to offer!
Sometimes it’s worth getting up early to beat the crowds! We woke up at five for the Fushimi Inari Shrine (orange gates), and there was almost no one there.
Rent a car if you stay around Fuji! It was so much fun to just drive around and explore the area. Do keep in mind that they drive on the left, but you get used to it pretty fast.
Learn a few basic words and phrases. We noticed that they really appreciate it when you make an effort.
If I were you, I would definitely put Japan on your travel list! It has so much to offer, and it’s really easy to get around.
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