You always dreamed of going to Japan, but you can’t even imagine where to start travel planning? Our expert Trevel has already done everything for you: he made an interesting route, thought out a plan of movement between cities, and even picked up hotels. You only have to book everything. Let’s go!
Route:
Tokyo → Kiso Valley → Osaka → Kyoto
Days 1-5. Tokyo
Tokyo is a city of contrasts. Traditions and technologies are perfectly combined here. Buddhist temples and synth sanctuaries are adjacent to the quarters of neon signs and anime, and skyscrapers harmoniously surround the parks and gardens.
In Tokyo, we have selected for you two accommodation options, different in cost and class:
- The B Tokyo Shimbashi
- Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier
Imperial Palace
Start getting to know the city from the Imperial Palace. The residence of the imperial family itself is closed to visitors, but you can take a walk around the territory of the Eastern Garden surrounding the palace.
The imperial palace is located in the very center of the city, not far from the main railway station – Tokyo Station.
The operating mode of the garden: from 9:00 to 17:00, Monday and Friday – the weekend.
The entrance to the garden is free.
Hinza quarter and Kabuki-dza theater
After the Imperial Palace, go to the Ginza quarter – a trade and cultural center of the city, in which many elite shops and expensive restaurants are concentrated.
Ginza is located south of the palace, focus on the Ginza station.
In the same quarter is the famous Japanese Kabuki-dza theater. If you want to visit one of the ideas, order tickets in advance, as the theater is very popular.
Official site: Kabuki-ZA
Akihabara quarter
After the luxurious quarter of Ginza, you can go to the main anime-quarter of the city-Akihabara, with its neon signs, thematic shops, cafes and fast food restaurants.
To get here, you need to get to the Akihabara station.
Temple of Sensso-Ji
Go to the Asakus quarter. Here is the famous Buddhist temple of Senso-Ji. On the territory of the quarter there is one of the Tokyo Hanamati (Geish district). In general, the atmosphere of the old Tokyo has been preserved in this quarter.
The temple operating time: from 6:00 to 17:00. The territory around the temple is always open. Free admission.
Sybuya and Shinjuka quarters
Visit the Sybuya quarter – here is the most lively intersection in the world, a Hatiko monument and a large number of shopping centers, cafes and bars.
The central station of the quarter – Shibuya.
Sybuya smoothly flows into Shinjuke-the quarter of skyscrapers and shopping and entertainment centers.
The central station of the quarter – Shinjuku.
Both are more interesting to visit these places in the evening.
Maji Temple and Quarter Harajuu
Be sure to allocate time to visit the Meiji Temple – the largest Shinto sanctuary in Tokyo.
The temple is located next to the Harajuku station in the quarter of the same name (Harajuu) between Sibuya and Shinjuke and is open from dawn to sunset. Free admission.
Harajuuu is another quarter with many shops and cafes. The main street of the district is pedestrian Takeshita Street.
Park Sinjuke Goen
You can take a walk from the Maji Temple to the beautiful park Sinjuke Goen – its territory is divided into English, French and Japanese gardens.
Park operating time: from 9:00 to 16:30.
Entrance ticket costs 500 jpy
Tokyo Skytree observation deck
One of the main places mandatory in Tokyo is the Tokyo Skytree television tower. This is the second in height building in the world. There are two viewing platforms at an altitude of 350 and 450 meters in the tower, from which magnificent views of the city open.
Opening hours: from 8:00 to 22:00 (entrance until 21:00).
Ticket cost: from 1,000 jpy
Official website: Tokyo Skytree
Address: 1 Chome-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo (Oshiage station).
We also suggest you visit Tokyo’s surroundings:
Kamakura
A remarkable place that can be visited for one day: the ancient city of Kamakura with many Buddhist temples, a huge bronze statue “Big Buddha” and Bamboo Forest.
It is most convenient to get here by train (from Tokyo Station to Kamakura Station). The road will take an hour. Japan Rail Pass is valid for the trip.
The area of five lakes and Mount Fuji
Another interesting place in the vicinity of Tokyo is the area of five lakes Fuji.
Mount Fuji (Fujiyama) is a sacred place for the Japanese and one of the main attractions of the country. This active, but slightly active stratovolkan is the highest point of Japan.
The area of five lakes is located on the northern slope of the mountain. From here opens a magnificent view of Fuji, and the place itself looks very picturesque.
You can get here by train (from Tokyo Station to OTSUKI, and then Kawaguchiko) or by bus (from Shibuya station to Kawaguchiko Station). The road will take 2-2.5 hours.
Day 5. Kiso Valley. Moving to Osaka
In the early morning of the fifth day, go to Tokyo Station. We offer to go to the authentic village of Magoma.
To get there, you need to take the train to the Okatsugawa with a transplant in the city of Nagoy. You can see tickets here. Arriving in Odatsugava, get on the bus and go to the village of Magome.
All the way from Tokyo to Magoma will take about 3 hours. We advise you to travel from Tokyo by train, setting off at 06:30.
Magoma
Magoma is one of the towns of the Kiso Valley, which retained the atmosphere of ancient Japan and ancient traditions. The main street here is the pedestrian alley of Magome-Juku. There are Japanese houses along it, in which there are shops with traditional goods and souvenirs, as well as restaurants and cafes with national dishes. The street lasts only 600 meters, and having passed it, you will get to the observation deck of Magoma, with which picturesque views of the mountains and forests open.
If you quickly inspect the village, go to the village of Tsumago – another pearl of Kiso Valley.
From Magoma to Tsumago, a pedestrian 8-kilometer track runs through the forest, lawns and village streets leads. You can overcome the path at a calm pace in 2-3 hours. You can go back both by the track and by bus, the last of which leaves at 16:42.
In the evening, go back to the Okatsugawa station – you will find a move to Osaka. Go by train, which leaves at 18:10 and goes through the city of Nagoya. Flights can be seen here. Your path will take about 2.5 hours.
Days 5–9. Osaka and Kyoto
The remaining days in Japan we offer to spend in Osaka and Kyoto, stopping at Osaka.
We have selected two options for you:
- Hotel WBF Artstay Namba
- Hotel Brighton City Osaka Kitahama
Castle in Osaka
One of the most striking and picturesque attractions of the city is the Osaki Castle and the park surrounding it.
The five -story building of the castle is trimmed with white stone and gilded elements. Inside, the expositions and artifacts dedicated to the stories of the castle are presented, 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 channels. Here you can take a walk among Japanese flora, remarkable monuments and temples.
To get to the park, go to Osaka Business Park or Morinomiya metro station.
Dotonborri Street
Behind the color and stormy rhythm of the country of the rising sun, go to Dotonborri Street. The best time for a walk is evening. Noisy establishments and restaurants with bright signs and sparkling neon advertising are concentrated here.
The street runs parallel to the Tomborory River, along which you can take a pleasant walk along the embankment (Tombori River Walk). Here you can try traditional dishes of the region.
Shinsekai district
To feel the spirit of the city, go to the Shinsekai area. It is headed by the tower of the Center, on the observation deck of which you can rise if desired.
Around the tower there are narrow streets with numerous Asian snacks, shops and authentic houses decorated with bright signs and lamps.
The area is located between Ebisuchō and Dobutsuen-May stations.
Nara Park
Nara Park is located outside Osaka. Here you are waiting for a large territory with museums, temples and deer. Graceful deer are walking around the lawns and among the trees, and you can approach them almost closely. Also, a botanical garden with flower beds is broken in the territory of the park.
To get to the park, take a train and go to the town of Nara. From the station (JR Nara Station East) to the entrance to the park (Todaiji Daibutsuden) runs a bus. The total travel time will take about 1 hour.
Official website: Nara Park
Kyoto
To get to Kyoto, take a train at Shin-Sosaka station. Travel time is 14 minutes.
Nidzo Castle
Nidzo Castle is an old wooden residence surrounded by gardens. The spirit of Japan is felt here: alleys surrounded by local flora, a garden of stones, ponds and traditional architecture.
The territory is open from 8:45 to 16:00. The entrance to the park is located near the Nijōjō-Mae station.
Ticket cost: 1000 JPY (the price includes a visit to the castle and the Nidzo Palace).
Official site: Nijo-Jo Castle
Gion
In the Gion area, ancient Japanese architecture has been perfectly preserved: go to Gion Corner. From here, many narrow streets with an authentic city landscape depart.
Here, on the corner of Gion, there is a theater in which performances with the participation of “geisha” are held. The ticket cost is 2500 JPY. Performances begin every day at 18:00 and 19:00.
Not far from here are Gion Shin and Gion Tatsumi bridges, on which you can stand and feel the atmosphere of antiquity and traditions.
The sanctuary of Fusimi Inari
Fusimi Inari is a synthist temple with an extensive territory on which there are many sanctuaries. It is especially interesting to walk along the paths that traditional arches are above. It is best to come here in the morning or in the evening, when visitors are significantly less, and you can wander around the sacred places in silence.
A walk from the Fushimi-Inari station will take about 10 minutes to the entrance to the temple.
Official site: Fushimi Inari Taisha
Bamboo Forest Sagano and the Garden of the Sanscho Glass
In Kyoto there is one of the iconic natural attractions of Japan – the forest of Sagano. Here you can walk along the paths surrounded by green stems of bamboo. In the evening, the paths are highlighted.
To get here, you need to get to the Arashiyama station. From it to the entrance to the park you need to go 300 meters.
Having gone through the park, you can go to the Sanscho Pokochi garden. Its territory is on a hill, from where you will open amazing views of the mountains. The garden is less popular among tourists than the Sagano Forest, so here you will have the opportunity to take a walk in the atmosphere of solitude.
The operating mode of the garden is from 9:00 to 17:00. The ticket will cost 1000 JPY.
Temple of Kinkaku-Ji
Finally go to the Kinkakaku-Ji Temple, standing on the shore of a picturesque mirror lake. The temple is known for the gilded facade and the magnificent panorama opening from its territory.
Opening hours: from 9:00 to 17:00 daily. The ticket cost is 400 JPY.
How to get: you can take a walk to the temple for 20 minutes from the Kitanohakubaicho station. An alternative way is bus No. 101 (departs from the station).
Day 9. Flight to Tokyo
To return to Tokyo to your return to Moscow, we offer to fly directly to the departure airport. Complete flight select on OneTwotrip.
Expert advice
- To plan movements in cities and between them, use the Rome2rio service.
- Use the offline cards Citywalks.me and Maps.me.
- In order not to get confused in a huge number of Tokyo metro stations, download the navigator application.
- If you plan to use railway transport often, it is profitable to purchase Japan Rail Pass – a travel pass for foreigners, which can be bought for 1, 2 or 3 weeks. You can read detailed information about the travel on the Japan-Huide website.
- In Japan, it is not customary to give tips. An attempt to give tips can be regarded as an insult.
To compare hotel prices, use the Onetwotrip travel planning service.
