You’ve always dreamed of going to Japan, but you have absolutely no idea where to start planning your trip? Our travel expert has already done everything for you: drawn up an interesting route, thought through a plan for traveling between cities, and even selected hotels . All you have to do is book everything. Let’s go!
Route:
Tokyo → Kiso Valley → Osaka → Kyoto
Days 1–5. Tokyo
Tokyo is a city of contrasts. Tradition and technology are perfectly combined here. Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines coexist with neighborhoods of neon signs and anime, and skyscrapers harmoniously surround parks and gardens.
In Tokyo we have selected two accommodation options for you, different in cost and class:
- the b tokyo shimbashi
- Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier
Imperial Palace
Photo : Guillermo Olaizola/Shutterstock.com
Start your exploration of the city from the Imperial Palace. The residence of the imperial family itself is closed to visitors, but you can stroll through the Eastern Garden surrounding the palace.
The Imperial Palace is located in the very center of the city, not far from the main train station – Tokyo Station.
Garden opening hours: from 9:00 to 17:00, Monday and Friday are days off.
Admission to the garden is free.
Ginza Quarter and Kabuki-za Theater
After the Imperial Palace, head to the Ginza quarter, the shopping and cultural center of the city, which is home to many luxury shops and expensive restaurants.
Ginza is located south of the palace, look for Ginza Station.
In the same quarter is the famous Japanese theater Kabuki-za. If you would like to attend one of the shows, please book your tickets in advance as the theater is very popular.
Official website: Kabuki-za
Akihabara Quarter
After the luxurious Ginza district, you can head to the main anime district of the city – Akihabara, with its neon signs, themed shops, cafes and fast food restaurants.
To get here you need to go to Akihabara Station.
Senso-ji Temple
Head to the Asakusa area. The famous Buddhist temple Senso-ji is located here. One of Tokyo’s hanamachi (geisha district) is located on the territory of the quarter. In general, this quarter retains the atmosphere of old Tokyo.
Temple opening hours: from 6:00 to 17:00. The area around the temple is always open. Admission is free.
Shibuya and Shinjuku Quarters
Visit Shibuya – here is the world’s busiest intersection, the Hachiko monument and a large number of shopping centers, cafes and bars.
Central station of the district – Shibuya.
Shibuya smoothly flows into Shinjuku, a district of skyscrapers and shopping and entertainment centers.
Central station of the district – Shinjuku.
Both of these places are more interesting to visit in the evening.
Meiji Shrine and Harajuku Quarter
Be sure to make time to visit the Meiji Shrine, the largest Shinto shrine in Tokyo.
The temple is located next to Harajuku Station in the district of the same name (Harajuku) between Shibuya and Shinjuku and is open from dawn to dusk. Admission is free.
Harajuku is another neighborhood with many shops and cafes. The main street of the area is the pedestrian Takeshita street.
Shinjuku Gyoen Park
From the Meiji Shrine you can walk to the beautiful Shinjuku Gyoen Park – its territory is divided into English, French and Japanese gardens.
Park opening hours: from 9:00 to 16:30.
Entrance ticket costs 500 JPY
Tokyo Skytree Observation Deck
Photo: lydiarei/Shutterstock.com
One of the must-see places in Tokyo is the Tokyo Skytree. This is the second tallest building in the world. The tower has two observation platforms at an altitude of 350 and 450 meters, from which magnificent views of the city open.
Opening hours: from 8:00 to 22:00 (entrance until 21:00).
Ticket price: from 1,000 JPY
Official website: Tokyo Skytree
Address: 1 Chome-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo (Oshiage Station).
We also suggest you visit the Tokyo area:
Kamakura
A remarkable place that can be visited in one day: the ancient city of Kamakura with many Buddhist temples, a huge bronze statue of the “Big Buddha” and a bamboo forest.
The most convenient way to get here is by train (from Tokyo Station to Kamakura Station). The journey will take an hour. The Japan Rail Pass is valid for the trip.
Five Lakes Area and Mount Fuji
Another interesting place in the vicinity of Tokyo is the Fuji Five Lakes area.
Mount Fuji (Fujiyama) is a sacred place for the Japanese and one of the main attractions of the country. This active but weakly active stratovolcano is the highest point in Japan.
The Five Lakes area is located on the northern slope of the mountain. From here you have a magnificent view of Fuji, and the place itself looks very picturesque.
You can get here by train (from Tokyo Station to Otsuki Station and then Kawaguchiko Station) or by bus (from Shibuya Station to Kawaguchiko Station). The journey will take 2–2.5 hours.
Day 5. Kiso Valley. Moving to Osaka
Early in the morning of the fifth day, go to Tokyo Station. We suggest going to the authentic village of Magome.
To get there, you need to take a train to Nakatsugawa with a transfer in Nagoya City. You can see tickets here. Once you arrive in Nakatsugawa, take the bus to Magome Village.
The entire journey from Tokyo to Magome will take about 3 hours. We recommend leaving Tokyo by train departing at 06:30.
Magome
Magome is one of the towns in the Kiso Valley that has preserved the atmosphere of ancient Japan and ancient traditions. The main street here is the Magome-juku pedestrian alley. Along it there are Japanese houses, which house shops with traditional goods and souvenirs, as well as restaurants and cafes with national dishes. The street stretches only 600 meters, and after passing it, you will get to the Magome observation deck, which offers picturesque views of the mountains and forests.
If you’ve had a quick look around the village, head to Tsumago Village, another gem of the Kiso Valley.
From Magome to Tsumago there is an 8-kilometer walking track that runs through forests, lawns and village streets. You can cover the route at a relaxed pace in 2–3 hours. You can return back either by track or by bus, the last of which leaves at 16:42.
In the evening, head back to Nakatsugawa Station for your transfer to Osaka. Take the 6:10 pm train through Nagoya City. Flights can be viewed here. Your journey will take about 2.5 hours.
Days 5–9. Osaka and Kyoto
We suggest spending the remaining days in Japan in Osaka and Kyoto, staying in Osaka.
We have selected two accommodation options for you:
- Hotel WBF ARTSTAY Namba
- Hotel Brighton City Osaka Kitahama
Osaka Castle
One of the most striking and picturesque sights of the city is Osaka Castle and the surrounding park.
The five-story castle building is decorated with white stone and gilded elements. Inside there are exhibitions and artifacts dedicated to the history of the castle, and from the veranda on the top floor you can admire magnificent views of the park and the city. The ticket will cost 600 JPY.
The castle is surrounded by a wonderful large park with alleys and canals. Here you can walk among Japanese flora, remarkable monuments and temples.
To get to the park, get off at Osaka Business Park or Morinomiya subway station.
Dotonbori Street
For the color and vibrant rhythm of the Land of the Rising Sun, head to Dotonbori Street. The best time for a walk is evening. There are noisy establishments and restaurants with bright signs and sparkling neon advertising here.
The street runs parallel to the Tombori River, along which you can take a pleasant walk along the embankment (Tombori River walk). Here you can also try traditional dishes of the region.
Shinsekai Area
To experience the spirit of the city, head to the Shinsekai area. It is headed by the Tsutenkaku Tower, the observation deck of which can be climbed if desired.
The tower is surrounded by narrow streets filled with Asian eateries, shops and authentic houses decorated with colorful signs and lamps.
The area is located between Ebisuchō and Dobutsuen-Mae stations.
Nara Park
Nara Park is located outside of Osaka. Here you will find a large area with museums, temples and deer. Graceful deer walk along the lawns and among the trees, and you can get close to them. There is also a Botanical Garden with flower beds in the park.
To get to the park, take the train to the town of Nara. There is a bus service from JR Nara Station East to the park entrance (Todaiji Daibutsuden). The total travel time will take about 1 hour.
Official website: Nara Park
Kyoto
To get to Kyoto, take the train from Shin-Osaka Station. Travel time – 14 minutes.
Nizo Castle
Nizo Castle is an ancient wooden residence surrounded by gardens. The spirit of Japan is felt here: alleys surrounded by local flora, rock gardens, ponds and traditional architecture.
The area is open from 8:45 to 16:00. The entrance to the park is located near Nijōjō-mae Station.
Ticket price: 1000 JPY (price includes visit to Nizo Castle and Palace).
Official website: Nijo-jo Castle
Gion
The Gion area has excellent preserved ancient Japanese architecture: head to Gion Corner. From here there are many narrow streets with an authentic cityscape.
Here, on the Gion Corner, there is a theater where performances with the participation of “geishas” are held. The ticket price is 2500 JPY. Performances start every day at 18:00 and 19:00.
Not far from here are the Gion Shin and Gion Tatsumi bridges, where you can stand and feel the atmosphere of antiquity and tradition.
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Fushimi Inari is a Shinto shrine with a vast area containing many shrines. It is especially interesting to walk along the paths above which there are traditional arches. It is best to come here in the morning or evening, when there are significantly fewer visitors, and you can wander around the sacred places in silence.
The walk from Fushimi-Inari Station to the temple entrance will take about 10 minutes.
Official website: Fushimi Inari Taisha
Sagano Bamboo Forest and Okochi Sanso Garden
Kyoto is home to one of Japan’s iconic natural attractions, the Sagano Forest. Here you can stroll along the paths surrounded by green bamboo stalks. In the evening the paths are illuminated.
To get here you need to go to Arashiyama Station. From there you need to walk 300 meters to the entrance to the park.
After passing through the park, you can go to Okochi Sanso’s garden. Its territory is located on a hill, from where you will have stunning views of the mountains. The garden is less popular with tourists than Sagano Forest, so here you will have the opportunity to walk in an atmosphere of solitude.
Garden opening hours from 9:00 to 17:00. The ticket will cost 1000 JPY.
Kinkaku-ji Temple
Finally, head to the Kinkaku-ji Temple, standing on the shore of a picturesque mirror lake. The temple is famous for its gilded facade and the magnificent panorama that opens from its territory.
Opening hours: from 9:00 to 17:00 daily. Ticket price – 400 JPY.
How to get there: You can walk to the temple for 20 minutes from Kitanohakubaicho Station. An alternative way is bus No. 101 (departs from the station).
Day 9. Flight to Tokyo
To return to Tokyo in time for your return to Moscow, we suggest flying directly to your departure airport. Find a convenient flight on OneTwoTrip.
Expert advice
- To plan your movements in and between cities, use the Rome2Rio service.
- Use offline maps Citywalks.me and Maps.me.
- To avoid getting confused in the huge number of Tokyo metro stations, download the navigator application.
- If If you plan to use rail transport frequently, it is beneficial to purchase a Japan Rail Pass – a travel pass for foreigners, which can be purchased for 1, 2 or 3 weeks. Detailed information about the pass can be found on the Japan-guide website.
- Tipping is not customary in Japan. Trying to tip may be considered an insult.
