I Ranked 19 Japan Golden Route Spots: What’s Actually Worth It?

Everyone tells you to follow the famous “Golden Route” (Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka…), but are all of these legendary tourist spots actually worth your precious vacation time?

In this video, as a Tokyo local, I’m putting 19 of Japan’s most famous destinations onto a definitive Tier List—from S-Tier down to F-Tier.

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🔗 IMPORTANT LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:
• Odakyu Romancecar Global Booking (Hakone Express): https://odakyu-global.com/
• Kyoto Live “Comfort Level” Crowding Predictor: https://ja.kyoto.travel/comfort

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⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 – Intro: My Honest Ranking Criteria
0:36 – TOKYO: Senso-ji Temple
1:21 – TOKYO: Shibuya Scramble Crossing
2:04 – TOKYO: Meiji Jingu Shrine
2:54 – TOKYO: Takeshita Street (Harajuku)
3:27 – TOKYO: Akihabara Electric Town
3:54 – TOKYO: teamLab Digital Art
4:26 – TOKYO: Shinjuku Golden Gai
4:53 – FUJI & HAKONE: Lake Kawaguchiko
5:22 – FUJI & HAKONE: Hakone Resort Area
6:22 – KYOTO: Fushimi Inari Shrine
6:53 – KYOTO: Kiyomizu-dera Temple
7:17 – KYOTO: Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion)
7:39 – KYOTO: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
8:26 – NARA: Nara Park Deers
8:52 – OSAKA: Dotonbori Street Food
9:28 – OSAKA: Osaka Castle
9:45 – OSAKA: Universal Studios Japan (USJ)
10:12 – Nagano
11:12 – Kanazawa
11:46 – Outro: How to Build Your Dream Itinerary

*🚨 Important 2027/2028 Update: Please note that the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa will be temporarily closed for a major renovation from May 6, 2027, through March 2028. Plan accordingly!

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#JapanTravel #JapanItinerary #TokyoGuide #Kyoto #Osaka #TravelTierList #JapanTips