The ULTIMATE Japan Travel Guide | 15-day route

Join me on an epic 15-day adventure through Japan, from Tokyo’s neon streets to Kyoto’s serene temples! 🌸🗾

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ever thought about visiting Japan but not sure where to start don’t worry I’ve got your back Embark yourself on an Epic Journey where ancient meets modern in the coolest ways let’s start our 15-day Journey before coming to Japan you should buy a JR pass online in order to follow our route there are three types of Jr pass for 7 14 or 21 days and it’s basically an unlimited multi-use Transportation ticket that includes all the different types of transport we will use during these days it looks expensive I know but if you buy the tickets individually it will cost more once you have paid for your Jr pass online you have 90 days to redeem it in Japan so buy it one or 2 months before coming to Japan okay so let’s start our trip once you arrive at the airport find the Jr office so you can redeem your Jr pass when you redeem it they will ask you on which day you want it to start as our travel route is for 15 days start your J our pass on the second day of the trip if you find a long waiting line don’t worry there are more offices at the main train stations to go from Narita Airport to the city center you have different options if you are traveling for less than 15 days and have already activated your Jr pass take the Narita Express because it’s included and in 50 minutes you will be in the center otherwise you can take the Skyliner for 2570 Yen which takes 40 minutes or the airport bus called tyo nrt which costs 1,300 Yen and takes around 70 minutes to Tokyo station if you have time once you arrive I recommend going to Akihabara the neighborhood famous for all the anime arcades maid cafes and an infinite number of places you can only see in Japan Lose Yourself on the streets enter some buildings and immerse yourself in the environment Akihabara becomes more interesting in the evening because all the neon lights bring more life to the streets and reveal the true Akihabara on the next day we will go to the asakusa neighborhood and start by visiting the senzo G Temple to get there I recommend using the subway any line that has a J in its name is included in the Jr pass I suggest going there as early as possible because it becomes very crowded as it is the most famous and oldest Temple in Tokyo it has no admission fee and you will enter through the impressive kaminarimon the gate built in 941 take your time to visit it and afterwards go to nakami Street which is next to the temple it is one of the oldest commercial streets in Japan afterwards get closer to the sum River by going to asakusa Street here you will see the famous Asahi beer hall which is one of Japan’s most famous beers the golden sculpture at topit called flam door is sometimes colloquially referred to as the golden turd following this we will take the subway to ueno park this park is the most famous and Beautiful One in Tokyo it is a typical Japanese park with many temples and museums go for a walk and Discover it by yourself after that visit a myoko street famous for its local street food and have lunch there next we will go to odiba Island it originally consisted of small man-made Islands used as forts in the Edo period but they were later joined to create a larger Island and a futuristic new city with extravagant buildings worth visiting to get there you have the option of going by boat from asakusa enjoying the views of Tokyo from the river I recommend staying until evening to enjoy the amazing sunset views afterwards if you want to experience the neon Knights you can return to Akihabara or have dinner in Shinjuku the next day we will start by going to Harajuku a district in Shibuya to begin our morning with a walk in yoyogi park inside yoyogi Park we will visit the Magi Shrine a must sea in Tokyo this Shinto Shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Magi and his wife was founded in 1920 after Emperor mag’s death take a leisurely walk in the park visit the Imperial Garden and then head to aita Street a very famous Commercial Street for locals even if you don’t plan to buy anything I still recommend strolling through it to experience a typical Japanese commercial street from there we will head to Shinjuku another neighborhood of Tokyo we’ll take the Tokyo Metro as it’s far from our current location the station where you will arrive is the busiest train station in the world holding a Guinness World Record for an average of 3.65 million people moving through it each day in Shinjuku you must visit the Tokyo Metropolitan government building Viewpoint it offers one of the best viewpoints to see Tokyo from above and it’s the only one with free entrance after that go to omo De yokoo a very beautiful and unique Street full of restaurants where you can enjoy a meal the Yakitori is the most famous dish to try there once you finish eating you can take a walk in Shinjuku I recommend visiting kabukicho the red light district of Tokyo during the day you won’t see anything inappropriate but it’s a curious place to visit also if you are an anime Enthusiast the famous stairs from the film your name are here in Shinjuku they are located next to the shuga shrine if you are not too tired take the subway to shabuya to spend the afternoon there shabuya is one of the most iconic neighborhoods in Tokyo and it is most famous for having the world’s busiest pedestrian Crossing where around 3,000 people cross at the same time it is a mustsee and if you want to have the best views I recommend going to the Starbucks that’s there on the first floor and you will see it perfectly close to the shabuya crossing there’s also a very interesting thing the statue of Hachiko the most famous dog in Japan this dog was from a Japanese professor and when he died Hachiko stayed 9 years waiting for his owner to come back in front of the shabuya station this story became so famous that there’s even a film about it after that take a walk in shabuya where you will experience a mix between the new skyscrapers and the old Japan finding even small temples among the skyscrapers once you feel tired find a place to eat dinner and then head back to sleep on the next day we will use our Jr pass for a day trip to Kamakura we will wake up early and take the Yokosuka train line it has several stops in Tokyo so take the nearest from your hotel the travel time is around 1 hour Kamakura was once the political center of the country but now it’s a tourist City packed with a lot of historical sites including temples shrines and ancient streets the City offers a spectacular change of scenery from Tokyo allowing you to leave the bustle of the big city behind and immerse yourself in the history and nature of its Temple and sanctuaries once you arrive at the station go for a walk on kamachi street it’s located next to the station and it’s a sheni a Japanese term used for typical Japanese shopping streets these streets are often pedestrian and covered offering a very local atmosphere at the end of this street we will find the tsurugaoka hachimangu sanctuary which is a must sea in Kamakura if you are visiting during the cherry blossom season in Spring be sure to walk along wakia oi Street where you will see many flowering sakura trees visit the sanctuary which is one of the oldest and most important from Kamakura it is dedicated to hachiman the God of War and the tutelary deity of the Samurai after you finish your visit we will head to the hazera temple it’s almost a 40-minute walk so I recommend taking public transport as we arrive you will see a lot of jizo statues small statu of monks some of them wearing wool hats jizo are Guardian deities of children and the deceased and the ones at this Temple are probably the most famous in Japan visit the temple and enjoy a relaxing walk around it afterward head to the Kamakura Great Buddha located next to the temple just an 8-minute walk away inside the kotoku in Temple you will find the Buddha probably the most famous attraction in Kamakura after finishing the visit we will go to lunch Kamakura is famous for shirasu which are very small fish usually served with rice and here is the best place to try it you can find it raw or boiled I’ve tried both and I definitely recommend it raw it has way more flavor another famous dish from Kamakura is kamaboko a fish cake similar to Seri but renowned in this region after lunch visit hokokuji Temple Fain for its bamboo forest surrounding it it’s spectacular and very Serene finally take a train back to Tokyo from Kamakura station and relax because the next day we have another day trip planned today we are going to niiko we will also use our Jr pass take the Jr to Hoku shinkansen from Tokyo or ueno Station to utom Station then transfer to the Jr NCO line it’s a 1H hour and 40-minute trip in niik we have three main attractions to see the futarasan shrine the Shinko bridge and the toshogu shrine all of them are located next to each other so it’s an easy visit from the station you can walk to the Shinko Bridge it’s a 20-minute walk and you will get a sense of Nico’s Ambiance alternatively you can always take a bus this bridge dates back to 1636 and is famous for being considered one of the top three most beautiful bridges in Japan after you take your pictures we will walk to the futarasan sanctuary a 10-minute walk that’s impressive you will be completely surrounded by Nature the sanctuary was built in the year 782 and closes at 400 p.m. it is dedicated to the three Kami or sacred mountains of Niko Mount Taro Mount neoo and mount NTI the complex is gigantic with many Gardens and impressive giant trees trees from inside the complex you can access the toshogu shrine and the path that connects both shrines is spectacular featuring dozens of large ancient trees and huge traditional Stone lamps when you’re tired of visiting take the train back to Tokyo the next day we will go to takayama and spend the night there to get from Tokyo to takayama we will use our Jr pass first take the tokaido Sano shinkansen bullet train to ngoya and then the Hada limited Express to takayama station the travel time will be around 4 and 1/2 hours the first train departs at 6:00 a.m. and I recommend waking up early because we will only have one day to visit takayama takayama is famous for its spectacular Old Town filled with houses from the Edo period whose architecture has barely changed to this day in addition the food in takayama is excellent making it get a perfect addition to your route through Japan the Old Town isn’t particularly large so I recommend exploring everything on foot the most important experience is walking through the streets as it will transport you back to the Ido era many of these houses have been transformed into art galleries museums or even coffee shops I suggest visiting either the kusakabe family house or the Yoshi Jima Family House in order to see how it was from the inside during your walk you can also visit the hia kokubunji temple or takayama Gia the former government office if you are interested in museums you will also find plenty related to Japanese history in terms of food takayama is famous for two things sake and wagu beef in my opinion you must try both there are plenty of sake sellers where you can find tastings of their sake the wagu from this region is called Heda similar to how the wagu from Kobe is called Kobe these two are the most famous types of wagu in Japan so be sure to try the heat of variety you can find it prepared in any form you can imagine as nigiri inside fritters or in Yakiniku for example from here you have two options either go to shirakawago the next day or use this extra day in Kyoto or Osaka shirakawago is just 1 hour away by bus from takayama making it a perfect day trip option this small rural Village is renowned for its gaso zukuri style houses distinguished by their traditional triangular thatched roofs and it’s designated as a UNESCO world heritage site however in my opinion it might be better to spend that day in Kyoto or Osaka But ultimately the choice is yours if you’re craving more nature on this trip then go for it in my case I would go directly to kazawa we will once again use our Jr pass taking a train to Toyama and then another one to kazawa the travel time will be around 2 hours try to secure a window seat on the first train because the view is breathtaking kazawa held significant historical importance in the past as it was home to one of the most prominent feudal families of the Tokugawa period the MAA clan in this city we will explore the gate neighborhood where they used to perform the samurai neighborhood and even have the opportunity to see a Ninja Temple when you arrive go to your hotel and check in after that let’s head to the omicho market it’s a good place to visit because it’s a local market that is frequented by locals I would also recommend eating there they offer Sushi Sashimi or oysters at affordable prices and very fresh kazawa is renowned for the quality of its Seafood making it an excellent destination for sushi after lunch we will visit the Ken Rin Garden considered one of the three great Gardens of Japan next to these Gardens is the kazawa castle so take some time to appreciate the castle from the outside you can also visit the interior but be aware that you will only see a new wooden structure after the restoration once you are done visiting go to the higashi chaia district which is one of the two gisha neighborhoods go for walk and experience it both during daylight and at night in the sunlight all the stores and tea shops are open and at Sunset you’ll witness how the atmosphere changes as the street lights begin to illuminate the area also make sure to visit the kazamachi chaia district the other gisha neighborhood both are located next to each other you just need to cross the river I recommend dining there as well next day start by going to the nagamachi samurai District and take a stroll through a well-preserved authentic samurai District you can even enter some of the original houses after that you can visit the mayor Yuji Temple which is renowned for its trap doors hidden rooms secret passageways and mazike stairwells these features have earned it the nickname Ninja Temple although the building has no connection to ninjas at all there is an entrance fee of 1,200 Yen alternatively you could visit the the kazawa yasu gold leaf Museum kazawa produces almost 100% of Japan’s Gold Leaf products here you can learn about the history and process of making it including a demonstration the entrance fee is 310 Yen once you finish all your visits take the Thunderbird limited Express train to Kyoto it’s included in the Jr pass and the trip will take around 2 hours and 15 minutes on the next day I recommend waking up very early because we will be visiting the Fushimi Inari Shrine which tends to get very crowded I suggest arriving there by 6:30 a.m. or 7 a.m. it is one of the most popular places to visit in kioto and it has more than 32,000 Tori Gates the sanctuary is dedicated to the Inari Spirit which was seen as the patron saint of business therefore every Tor gate in the shrine has been donated by Japanese businessmen merchants and Artisans would offer worship to anari in hopes of gaining wealth in their businesses which is why they donated numerous Tory Gates that now contribute to the panoramic view of the temple to go across the entire complex you will need 1 hour and a half from here we will go to the kiomi zuda temple the most visited temple in Kyoto it will take around 30 minutes to get there by public transport the this UNESCO world heritage site offers truly breathtaking vistas of the city and its surroundings the Temple’s main hall is supported by wooden pillars and constructed without the use of nails it extends over the hillside offering visitors a stunning Panorama of cherry and maple trees below the name kiyomizudera literally means pure water so one of the Temple’s most iconic features is the Otawa waterfall here visitors can drink drink from three separate streams using long handled cups each stream is said to bestow a different blessing longevity success in school or a fortunate love life but drinking from all three is considered greedy according to local tradition from there take a walk through the higashiyama neighborhood which begins at the end of the temple walking through higashiyama feels like stepping back in time with narrow cobblestone streets lined with traditional MAA houses quaint shops and tea houses this area is particularly famous for its preserved atmosphere offering visitors a glimpse into Japan’s past if you spot a good restaurant it’s a perfect time for lunch from here we’ll head to the yasaka Pagoda just a 10-minute walk away and explore the neighborhood next to it there’s the maruyama park which is worth a quick visit to conclude our day there are nearby places worth visiting the chion in Temple famous for the stairs featured in The Last Samurai film The okazaki Canal and the hyen jingu sanctuary the rest of the mustsee attractions in Kyoto are further away and require a significant amount of time therefore for the remainder of the day you can explore more streets in this area or buy some souvenirs the next day we will explore the kukak Nichi Road translated as the path of the silk Cascades this road connects three temples of great spiritual importance and I recommend arriving when the temples open at 900 a.m. to avoid overcrowding by tourists this road starts at the kinkaku G Temple known as the Temple of the golden Pavilion which is one of the most famous Zen Buddhist temples in Japan it is completely covered in Gold Leaf and surrounded by a lake after visiting kinkaku G we will proceed to the ran G Temple and finally we will complete the journey with a visit to the nin Temple once you finish exploring the road take the randen tram which will take you to arashiyama the nature and landscapes in arashiyama are extraordinary and the most breathtaking spot is the bamboo forest so we will Begin by heading there take a walk through this stunning forest and then proceed to the ten Ru G Temple afterward this Temple is a must visit for its Gardens and Landscapes especially during Autumn when you can witness the incredible change in the colors of the trees if you’re not tired I also recommend visiting the Saga torimoto traditional buildings preservation area here you’ll encounter traditional Japanese houses in an idyllic environment with almost no tourists the following day to take a break from Kyoto we’ll make a day trip to Nara the city famous for having ear everywhere to get there we’ll depart from Kyoto station and board the Jr Nara line towards Jr Nara station the journey will take around 45 minutes the main attraction in Nara is the Nara Deer Park a large park with over 1200 deer roaming freely you can buy some cookies to feed them as it’s one of the most typical activities to do there I recommend spending time walking in the park with the deers the deers are considered messengers of the gods according to Shintoism and for this reason they are protected when you’re tired of playing with the deers you can also visit the taji temple the kasuga TAA Shrine or take a walk around the commercial District of naramachi spend the whole day visiting Nara and come back to Kyoto in the afternoon to have a delightful dinner there for our final day in Koto we will be exploring the northern part of the city starting with the Philosopher’s walk this route got its name came from the Japanese philosopher and Professor Nishida kataro who used to meditate in this area on his way to Kyoto University it’s a picturesque path following a canal surrounded by numerous cherry trees it starts at the ginkakuji temple and is a 40-minute walk that leads to two temples the aond and nanzenji temples if you’re interested you can visit both of them but I strongly recommend visiting the eond temple because of the trees and nature surr in it once you’ve finished your meditation along the Philosopher’s walk take the subway from keeg station and head to the Niki Market in this market the quality of the food is supreme so I would suggest having lunch here I recommend trying the crab but everything is good after lunch the only thing left to visit is the famous gishan neighborhoods of Kyoto head to Pono alley just a 10-minute walk from the market it’s a narrow Street nothing more but it’s very charming and quick to visit from there cross the river and you’ll find yourself in miagao another of the gisha neighborhoods this one is very quiet and it’s common to see actual geishas and Mos walking around the streets finally go to gon which is the most famous one of the neighborhoods walk around and find hanamikoji street as is the most famous and beautiful one here our stay in Kyoto comes to an end the next day as we wake up we’ll take the Shing Consin bullet train included in our Jr pass and in just 15 minutes we be in Osaka in Osaka we will start by visiting the umaa sky building this building has 40 floors and offers a 360° view of Osaka that you must experience the building is very famous for its floating escalators which are inside suspended glass tubes connecting both to towers of the building to a platform where the observatory is located it’s an experience you must have and the entrance fee is500 Yen after this visit take the Osaka Loop line and go to Osaka Castle it’s a 20-minute trip this is the only Castle we will visit in Osaka but it’s the main one I don’t recommend visiting the inside but the gardens around it and the castle from the outside are worth seeing and even more so if you come during the blossom season from here head to the shinsekai neighborhood for lunch it’s a famous retrofuturistic area with one of Osaka’s most iconic Towers the sutin Kaku I recommend strolling through the streets as they offer a different vibe from what we’ve seen before there are plenty of restaurants here and their specialty is kushikatsu afterwards I recommend walking until you reach the doton bore neighborhood I highly recommend walking because you will pass through the Namba neighborhood to get there and that’s also a must sea this is the real Osaka here you will see a lot of people on the streets a lot of street food and many stores if you can find the shinsaibashi suji galleries as you walk I recommend taking a look inside during your walk you must try the takoyaki one of the most famous dishes from Osaka these are balls made of wheat flour-based batter cooked in a special molded pan and filled with diced octopus the balls are brushed with takoyaki sauce and mayonnaise then sprinkled with dried Bonito also when you arrive in Doon bori it’s a good idea to buy a ruro ojisan cheesecake the famous fluffy Japanese cheesecake once in Doon borei you will see a canal go to the ebis subashi bridge and you will see one of the most iconic things in Osaka the glyco sign zoo is a Japanese candy company whose sign has become the icon of Osaka discover all the streets and find a good isaka to try the famous okonomiyaki the main dish of Osaka an isaka is a typical Japanese bar that you must visit at least once during your trip okonomiyaki often called the Japanese Pizza is made with shredded cabbage egg and various toppings including meat or seafood and served with sauce and Mayo it’s much better than it sounds trust me for the last day of your visit I have two options for you either taking a Jr train to hakone a mountainous city known for its Hot Spring Resorts where you can relax and experience the Japanese onen or returning directly to Tokyo if you decide to return to Tokyo we’ve already visited all the mustsee attractions during the first few days so I would suggest visiting the team lab borderless Museum it offers an incredible immersive experience that you must try at least once in your life if you plan to visit make sure to buy your tickets in advance as they will likely sell out otherwise and here our 15-day Journey comes to an end I hope you enjoyed the video and if you have any doubts feel free to comment below see you in the next one