How to Spend 14 Days in JAPAN – A Travel Itinerary for First-Timers 🇯🇵

17 Comments

1. 

   @JayandKarolina 5 days ago

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2. 

   @runner2650 5 days ago

   1

3. 

   @flibblesan 5 days ago

   ooh, I'm early to another awesome Jay & Karolina video. And it's about one of my favourite countries! 🎉🎉

4. 

   @jimaline2 5 days ago

   Going in April for 14 nights, might have specific questions if that’s ok?

5. 

   @Kushal442 5 days ago

   Japan is amazing ❤❤😍 thank you for sharing your journey and experience 😊

6. 

   @GodAtum 5 days ago

   Sunday 19th May

   Flew on BA5 from Heathrow to Haneda. It started with a chauffeur pickup from my house and departure courtesy of Heathrow VIP in the Windsor Suite. I was there for about 90 minutes enjoying a light brunch. Then was swiftly lead through the private security room to my awaiting BMW which drove me across the upfront to gate C66.
   The purser met me on the jetbridge and escorted me to my seat 2K. Unfortunately due to a loose engine cowling we taxied halfway towards 09R and had to turn back for the engineers to check on stand. We were delayed for about 2 hours, but made up most of the time in-flight!
   The cabin crew this flight were phenomenal. Even though I have no status, my order was taken 1st (the cabin was full). The food was delicious although the fish could have done with a small jug of that sweet sauce!
   On landing the captain invited me up to the flightdeck for a few photos.

   Monday 20th May

   After arriving at Haneda, it only took about 10 minutes to get through immigration, baggage claim and customs.
   After dropping off my suitcase at Yamato luggage service, I headed to Haneda Airport Garden to get some lunch. My 1st meal in Japan was a delicious bowl of unagi (eel) at Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa.
   I then took the metro, which was very easy, to my hotel. I had already setup a Suica card on ht phone beforehand and topped it up using my Revolut Visa.
   Upon arriving at the Palace Hotel Tokyo, I was escorted up to the Club Lounge to complete check-in procedures. I was offered a welcome drink of fruit tea and a small sweet and hot towel. I was then shown to my room ( a Club King with Balcony).
   I rested in my room until dinner which I had at the hotel restaurant Wadakura. I opted for Japanese-style rolled omelet, Grilled sablefish with sweet miso and Matcha ice cream.
   When I arrived at my hotel, I discovered I left my headphones on my seat. Luckily a quick email later and lost property found it and posted it to my hotel.

   Tuesday 21st May

   14.6 miles walked
   After an early start and breakfast at the hotel Grand Kitchen, I had a private whole day walking tour.
   Managed to bash out a few big ticket items … fire ceremony at Fukagawa Buddist temple, Nazu Shrine, Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center and Menji Jingu Shriine. Senso-Ji Temple was crowded but bearable, no more then a busy shopping mall in London. Yukiko, the guide, was excellent and knowledgeable.
   Lunch: Sobagokoro
   Snack: Melonpan with matcha ice cream from Asakusa Kagetsudō
   Returned back to hotel to rest. My luggage had arrived and was delivered to my room.
   Dinner: Sapporo Uogashi 57 Sushi Tokyo Station

   Wednesday 22nd May

   15.9 miles walked
   Breakfast at the Club Lounge (on a sunny day I recommend taking it out on the terrace).
   Morning at Imperial Palace Gardens with audio tour.
   Then came back to my room for a rest and bought a few pastries from the hotel's bakery.
   Lunch at Yakiniku Like Jimbocho. Fun experience cooking your own meat but it ended up being a bit chewy.
   Came back to my room to freshen up.
   Shibuya Sky in the afteroon – definitely worth a visit but make sure you book well in advance. Took a little bit of time to find the entrance from Shibuya Station. Amazing views!
   Ramen Tour. Had the best ramen of my life and learnt a lot. Plus great to go into small ramen shops were I would be too scared too normally. Just myself and one other solo traveller.

   Thursday 23rd May

   9.9 miles walked
   As I had to get up at 5am I had breakfast of some of the pastries I bought in my room.
   Morning fish market & sushi class. Amazing experience at both Toyosu and Tsukiji fish markets normally off-limits to the public. Then went to the chef's restaurant where I learned to prepare the fish we just bought and turn it into sushi. The chef was very kind and knowledgeable. But even though this was meant to be a group tour, I was the only one who booked.
   Returned to my room for a rest.
   In the afternoon was the police museum tour and met some friends for dinner.
   Got back to my hotel and forwarded luggage to Osaka.

   Friday 24th May

   10.2 miles walked
   Up early at 4am. Checked Mt Fuji weather and it looked very promising. Breakfast of bakery snacks in my room.
   04:59 Tokyo station (Marunouchi North Exit) – 06:10 Takao station (JR Chuo Rapid)
   06:30 Takao station – 07:06 Otsuki station (JR Chuo Main)
   07:24 Otsuki station – 08:05 Shimoyoshida Station (Fujikyuko Line)
   Brilliant hike through Arakura Sengen Park up to Arakurayama Summit. Even though I was there very early, there were still a bunch of loud tourists. Not sure where they cam from as they didn't take the train.
   Lunch at a small mom and pop place.
   Afternoon tea at A Happy Pancake Ginza.
   Returned to hotel for rest and was lazy so dinner was room service (wagu burger).

   Saturday 25th May

   11.9 miles walked
   Breakfast in Club Lounge.
   National Tokyo Museum.
   Ate delicious pork tonkotsu in museum cafe.
   Walked up to Cafe Neko-e-mon but unfortunately it was closed!
   Walked to Tennōji Temple for a peaceful rest, then tried soy dango at Habutae Dango Main Shop. Wasn't a huge fan and pefer the sweeter colored dango (white, pink, green ones).
   Akahabara: Super Potato and Bic Camera (spent way too long in there!). It was hard to tell between girls wearing school uniform and actual schoolgirls!
   Dinner at Aman Hotel (amazing beef curry).

   Sunday 26th May

   9.4 miles walked
   Breakfast in Club Lounge.
   Travel to Osaka (10:00 – 12:30). First time on bullet train. Comfortable, quiet and spacious. Had some sort of chicken ekiben.
   Visited Osaka Castle. But had to wait about 30 mins at the metro station for a locker to become free. Quick visit to Osaka castle and skipped ticket queue by purchasing ticket online. Nice view from top but very very crowded with lots of pushing and shoving.
   Checked into the Conrad Osaka (King Exec Corner Room). Very impressive views. Luggage had already arrived.
   Foot treatment in hotel spa (amazing views of the city).
   Dinner in the hotel in C Grill.

7. 

   @jagatendon 5 days ago

   Thank you so much for your post✈🚄

8. 

   @MassEffect1988 5 days ago

   Ichiran ramen is UNREAL! 🤤🤤🤤 We went 3x in Japan whilst there for 2 weeks. Loved the country so much me and my fiancé are going back in early 2027 for our honeymoon 🇯🇵🙏 you're videos were so helpful before our first visit ☺️

9. 

   @markallenarcano9439 5 days ago

   Greetings from the Philippines 🙋 Happy New Year

10. 

    @Jaden_Trails 5 days ago

    I'm here early! I'll enjoy this. Haha

11. 

    @ruthg8799 5 days ago

    My first time itinerary (flew in and out of Osaka (KIX)
    Took Haruka Express to Kyoto
    Kyoto 4 nights
    Hiroshima 2 nights
    Tokyo 7 nights
    Osaka 5 nights
    Kyoto 3 nights.
    I was very lucky I had 21 days to play with. Will say Kanazawa is frequently overlooked for first trips – (it’s very similar to Kyoto) and really enjoyed it on my second trip to Japan it’s so accessible from Kyoto.
    My best advice is allow time for wandering and exploring outside of hitting up the landmarks. Keep your timing of your Mount Fuji your flexible (weather dependent) and take google reviews with a pinch of salt- many of them are purchased…!

12. 

    @neilpa 5 days ago

    This video is amazing! I can't imagine how long it took to do the editing…
    14 days in Japan seems ideal 👌

13. 

    @GodAtum 5 days ago

    Benitsuru is overhyped, dont go there. go to A Happy Pancake

14. 

    @GodAtum 5 days ago

    how come your luggage has no cracks in it? i always get soft shell as i dont trust baggage handlers

15. 

    @JelenaBrigida 5 days ago

    Hi. What is the name of the katsu place in Kyoto you went for dinner on day 8?

16. 

    @edwardmorales4603 5 days ago

    🤍🤍🤍

17. 

    @WasanthaThilakarathna43 5 days ago

    Can you do a usa series