So you’ve decided to travel to Japan. Or maybe you’re still thinking about it and doing your research (good for you). I’d bet you’re sufficiently overwhelmed with the sheer size of Tokyo. I mean- where do you even begin? Well, that’s what they’re here for. This was her third time in Japan, so rest assured that there’s SOME level of experience behind these words (take that with a grain of salt). On the other hand, this was his first time in Japan, so if you’re looking for a relatable new experience – it’ll be here too.

Booking Flights & Housing

First things first- how did they even get there and where did they stay? They are big supporters of planning and booking as early as possible and ALWAYS keeping an eye out for the best deals. They were able to snag flights through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal on September 22, 2022, for their trip departing on December 24, 2022. The total cost and names of the airlines and hotels that they originally planned to fly with and stay at can be found in the table below.

Length of Flight/Stay	Name of Hotel/Airline	Length of Flight/Stay	Total Cost
PHL-LAX	Southwest	10 hr 35 min 1 layover	$356.77*
LAX-HND	American Airlines	12 hr 11 min	$857.60
Tokyo	Via Inn Shinjuku	1 night	$64.11
Kyoto	Hotel Grand Bach Select Kyoto	2 nights	$118.39
Osaka	APA Hotel Midosuji Hommachi Station Higashi	2 nights	$81.68
Tokyo	remm Roppongi	1 night	$95.61
NRT-CTS	Peach	1 hr 50 min	$189.96**
Sapporo	Daiwa Roynet Hotel Sapporo Susukino	3 nights	$179.16
CTS-NRT	Peach	1 hr 50 min	$247.44**
Tokyo	remm Roppongi	2 nights	$101.47
HND-LAX	American	9 hr 43 min	$923.54
LAX-PHL	Southwest	6 hr 50 min 1 layover	$201.58*

Grand Total for Flights & Housing : $3417.31

Grand Total for Flights & Housing (per person): $1708.66

The hotels that they stayed at (listed in the table above) were also booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal on September 29, 2022 (The really good travel card is this one…credit card article currently in work). It’s worth noting that these were booked just about 4 months before their trip. Keep that in mind if you’re wondering how they were able to get hotels and flights at such low rates. Another major budget saver was the Companion Pass from Southwest. Southwest is currently running a promotion to receive a free Companion Pass through February 2024 (Apply for the credit card).

Choosing Their Agenda

The home of sushi, anime, and ramen. A country with a culture so rich it expands across the ocean and fosters a cult-like following amongst their home country of the United States. It’s virtually impossible to see it all – even if you live there. So how did they decide where to go?

Since she had been to Japan before, she knew the spots that she 100% wanted to show him- Tokyo and Sapporo. However, the addition of Kyoto and Osaka were new and provided for a different experience overall. Let’s dive into those.

Kyoto

Kyoto has recently famed itself on Instagram and TikTok as the city to visit for a more “authentic” view into Japanese culture. Some major attractions in the city include the Inari Shrine and Nishiki Market. There are also a number of additional attractions a short distance outside of the city that are worth checking out: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Iwatayama Monkey Park, Nara Deer Park, and Nakatanidou Mochi Shop.

Their Kyoto Agenda

Even in Japan, Kyoto is especially well known for its beautiful temples and shrines. To no surprise, they knew this had to be one of the first stops. While you can’t really go wrong when picking a shrine to visit, they ultimately focused on Fushimi Inari shrine due to its impressive combination of beauty and history. Established over 1,300 years ago, this shrine is dedicated as the head shrine for the Shinto god of rice (Inari). Famous for its 10,000 tori gates winding up the mountain, you will want to make sure you’re there early to beat the crowds and enjoy it in tranquility.

After hiking up the Fushimi Inari shrine, they had built a strong appetite and headed directly to Nishiki Market in downtown Kyoto. This long, narrow market has been referred to as “Kyoto’s Kitchen”, which completely makes sense after visiting. It is packed to the brim with street vendors selling delicious snacks, as well as a few small shops with specialty items. Here, you’ll find ridiculously large pieces of fried chicken (see below if you don’t believe me), fresh seafood, Daifuku, and soy-glazed mochi. Bring an appetite and like most other markets in Japan, you will want some cash as well.

With full stomachs, they were once again ready for movement. A train ride brought them to the Arashiyama Monkey Park, where wild Japanese macaques roam freely for visitors to observe. They particularly liked this model because it was essentially the opposite of a zoo. You’re allowed to feed monkeys, but only from behind a metal screen inside the main building. You’ll find that time flies as you watch them yell, chase each other, and steal food. Additionally, this park is unique as it provides one of the best panoramic views of Kyoto.

To close out the day, they visited the Higashiyima Ward. While not one specific landmark or location, this quiet and picturesque neighborhood feels like you are set back in time. The narrow winding streets are full of wooden buildings and small shops which the internet tells me are highly reminiscent of what could be seen in feudal Japan. While they would recommend wandering around with no real objective, make sure to stop by the towering Yasaka pagoda if you’re tight on time.

Osaka

Their Osaka Agenda

On the first day, they headed out to Nara bright and early. While Nara has a lot to offer, most people come for the world-famous deer park. Here, you will find over a thousand deer roaming freely around the shrines and surrounding areas. But these aren’t just your run-of-the-mill deer. Most deer are skittish, the ones in Nara are exactly the opposite. They will approach you for food and even allow pets (so long as you’re respectful). The particularly smart ones near the shrines can even bow to solicit treats! Cheap deer crackers are sold by vendors so make sure to bring some cash and don’t forget to explore the shrines as well.

They got back from Nara in the afternoon and went directly to the Dotonbori region, which was quickly ramping up preparations for the bustling night crowds. Unlike the quieter and more locally-supported Nishiki market in Kyoto, Dotonburi is characterized by neon lights, crazy signage, and an abundance of night time entertainment options. They were taken back by how grand everything was and found that it somewhat resembled times square (without the honking cars). Here, they wandered for hours visiting fun shops and arcades and were even able to try some more unconventional street foods like spicy takoyaki. They finished off the night with revolving sushi, which you read more about in their Japanese food post.

The next day, they woke up early to visit the beautiful Arashiyama bamboo groves. If this rings a bell, it’s because it’s not too far from the monkey park they visited earlier! This area is absolutely stunning, with dense swaths of bamboo towering over the winding paths. Here, you will temporarily feel like you’re in another world. Once you reach the edge of the bamboo forest, crowds quickly disperse, but they would recommend that you keep walking. There are an abundance of paths and at the top of the main cobblestone path, you’ll find very few people taking advantage of the beautiful view.

After grabbing a big bowl of ramen in the train station, they headed over to Minoh falls. This 33-meter waterfall is accessible by a short hike, which was perfect to digest the food. Additionally, if you’re feeling like you need a break from the bustling city but don’t want to travel too far, this is a great option. The trail is paved and mostly full of locals trying to get some exercise. When they were trying to figure out the correct path, an exceptionally friendly local man came up to them and offered his help. Afterward, they walked the path with him, learning more about the area and his personal travels. It turns out that he’s a long-time local of the area and started learning English at the age of 70 so he could converse with tourists. Now at age 74, he walks the path every day and loves finding excuses to practice his craft. He encouraged them to spread the word about “The Niagara falls of Japan” and they hope that you catch him too if you visit! He confirmed that he wears a yellow backpack every day, and he even gave them candy before heading back down the path.

Once back in the city, they explored Dotonburi and the surrounding areas a little more before heading to a Wagyu steak dinner to close out the night.

Sapporo

Their Sapporo Agenda

Sapporo was drastically colder than mainland Japan, so make sure to bring underlayers if you’re traveling in the winter! After checking in to the hotel fairly late, they immediately wanted some steaming soup to help them warm up. Make sure to check out their food post to see what they stumbled across (spoiler alert, it’s probably the best bowl of ramen they’ve ever had)

The next morning, they hopped on a train to the fishing village of Otaru, which lies directly on the sea of Japan. Here they visited local fish markets, with the tightly packed Sankaku market being their favorite of the bunch! And don’t worry, they made sure to indulge in a big bowl of high-quality donburi while they were there. Unlike Sapporo where much of the roads were cleared, Otaru was like a winter wander land with its snow-covered streets and alleys. Additionally, they found that the famous Otaru canal was particularly beautiful during the winter season.

After eating a hot meal to defrost from the Otaru adventure, they ventured out to see the famous “ramen alley” in Sapporo. Afterward, they finished the night by visiting a Mega Don Quijote superstore for some snacks and grabbing a huge Hokkaido sweet potato from a local vendor.

They started the next day with another bowl of ramen and afterward headed to the Shiroi Koibito Park. Here, you can see the world-famous Shiroi Koibito chocolate made in real-time and learn more about the company’s fascinating history. Additionally, there is a small park and plenty of cute areas around the rest of the facility for photo opportunities. To give you a little run down, Shiroi Koibito was founded in 1976 and for most of that time, closely restricted sales to Hokkaido. Combined with their high-quality Hokkaido-sourced ingredients and geographically restricted sales, this is the perfect souvenir to bring back to friends and family at home.

Afterward, they traveled to the Sapporo beer factory but were sad to find that it was closed for the new year holiday. Despite this, they would love to revisit someday and predict that it would be worth the time based on its consistently high reviews.

Once back in the center of the city, they got in line for a famous Genghis Khan restaurant and waited patiently for a delicious meal of grilled mutton and sautéed vegetables. Later that night, they somehow still had an appetite and squeezed in an 11 PM meal of “Sapporo Black” ramen.

The third day was all about views. They made a quick stop at the Sapporo TV tower before heading to see the views from the tallest building in Hokkaido, the JR tower. After a hearty meal of omurice, they headed to see their second panoramic view of the city from Mount Moiwa. Here, you can catch a cable car to the top of the mountain where there is a restaurant, planetarium, and observation deck. They would recommend visiting around dusk, as you will able to see all of the lights slowly turning on in the city of close to 2 million people. Afterward, they caught a train to the airport for a late-night flight to Tokyo.

Tokyo

Their Tokyo Agenda

Tokyo, the most populated city on earth. They’re convinced that you could spend a lifetime here without running out of things to do. After a delicious meal of soufflé pancakes, they headed out on the town to make the most of their first full day. If you’re ever in Tokyo or Japan in general, you HAVE to check out their thrifting scene. In and around Shibuya specifically, there are dozens of shops with great selections for all price points. After thrifting and visiting a nine-story Uniqlo in the morning, they grabbed a quick lunch.

After lunch, then headed to an ethically run cat café called Temari no Ouchi. Here, you can observe over a dozen cats while treating yourself to a variety of snacks and drinks. Additionally, cat treats are available for purchase, with different versions depending on the cats’ diets. The main area was surprisingly warm and truly unique as it was modeled with fake tree trunks, stone ledges, and other hints of nature. To them, it almost felt like you were invading the home of a hobbit.

Given that it was their last day in Japan, they wanted to go out in style. They started by waking up super early to see the Tsukiji outer market. Here, you can find vendors selling nearly every type of raw and processed seafood imaginable directly to consumers. It is important to note that the outer market is different from the wholesale inner market, which was unfortunately closed in 2018 due to concerns about the safety of its aging buildings. Luckily, the inner market vendors were relocated to the new Toyosu Market, which focuses more on the bulk processing and sale of seafood caught the previous day. The operations here are on a much larger scale and while you need a license to be on the floor, you can still observe the early morning chaos as vendors and businesses compete to snag the best products before the rest of Tokyo is even out of bed. Most importantly, you can still see the world-famous tuna auctions if you get there at the right time in the morning.

After visiting the inner market, they went to their reservation at the teamLab Planets art exhibit. As the name implies, each of the highly creative exhibits transports you into what feels like different planets. It’s hard to put this experience into words, but be prepared to take your shoes off and experience some truly strange sensations. There are virtual koi ponds that you can wade through in the dark, rooms of live plants which are hanging and moving to create walking paths, and a room full of mirrors with incredible lights and sounds. They can sometimes be skeptical of things like this, but would happily visit again.

After stopping by to see the dying down Toyusu wholesale market, they made their way to the Tokyo skytree. Since it was finished 10 years ago, this structure has held the title of the tallest tower in the world. With a maximum height of 2,080 feet and an observation deck nearly 1,500 feet above the rest of Tokyo, the views were unparalleled and served as a great way to close out the trip.