Do you want to shorten your time and pack as many Japanese sights, sounds and flavors as possible? Seeing a lot, you’ll want to run to the ground, but as always, where there’s a will there is a way! Here’s how you can pack all the highlights of Japan in your weekly itinerary:
Tokyo Japan
First off: I can’t travel to Japan, and I can’t explore the quirky capital and one of my favourite cities. Tokyo! The city has plenty to offer if you’re looking for entertainment, from karaoke bars to robot restaurants and everything in between. The best way to see this city is through a 24-hour whirlwind.
Don’t miss it: Harajuku, Shibuya
Stay 1 night: Kraska Design Hotel
Osaka Japan
Jump into Shinkansen and you will arrive at Japan’s third largest city in just 2 hours and 30 minutes. This is my favorite big city in Japan, mainly due to its smaller nature compared to Tokyo. Osaka also has a much more friendly/communic atmosphere. Street food is out of this world if you like everything is fried!
One night stay: Yamatoya Hongten (Ryokan)
Kyoto Day
The next stop is Kyoto This can be reached in just an hour by regional train from Osaka (or just 15 minutes by bullets). Kyoto is my favorite destination in Japan thanks to its endless arrangement of sites and attractions. From temples to shrines to even ethereal bamboo groves, Kyoto is easy and beautiful. I recommend spending two nights in Kyoto and spending some time looking at everything. Public transport is limited to visiting some of Kyoto’s major attractions.
Stay: 2 nights Cross Hotel Kyoto
Koya Japan Mount
Head to Mt. Koya in mist from Kyoto to stay inside a Buddhist temple. You can get here by local train and cable car in about a few hours. The journey itself is a great insight into local life in Japan. The mountains are a place of religious places and create the perfect local homestay. The monks of Mount Koya are very welcoming and are delighted to share their culture.
Stay 1 night: jofukuin temple (Ryokan)
input Japan
My last stop on this Japanese whirlwind tour was to Shiga. Shiga was an unexpected highlight of my seven days in Japan. This morning I woke up and saw the sun rise at Shirahige Shrine, a must-see in Japan. The shrine was the perfect place to spend my last morning and surprisingly I had it all to myself.
1 night stay: Racine Home Harie (Ryokan)
