Conveniently located between Tokyo and the Kyoto/Osaka area, Nagoya makes for a perfect stopover destination. Not only is it the capital of the Aichi prefecture, but its also the 4th largest city in Japan. If you’re looking for things to do or how to get there, check out this Nagoya Itinerary!
For those who love Japanese tradition and history, no trip to Japan would be complete without a stop in Himeji, the home of one of Japan’s most famous castles. Himeji Castle, also nicknamed the White Heron castle due to its color and shape, has not only been designated as a national treasure but is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Due to Himeji’s convenient location along the Sanyo Shinkansen (bullet train), it makes for a fantastic day trip from Osaka or Kyoto. Find out what it’s like to spend a day in Himeji and how to get there!
Hiroshima is one of those places that tends to get left off many Japan itineraries, especially if it’s a person’s first time to Japan. However, I personally made a point to visit Hiroshima, even if it was only for a day or two. It may not have some of the great shrines or culturally unique activities like Kyoto or Tokyo, but its rich in history. Find things to do, where to stay, how to get around, and more with this 1 – 2 day Hiroshima itinerary!
Out of all the places in Japan, Kyoto was the place I wanted to visit most during my time in Japan. I love traditional Japanese culture and am obsessed with shrines and temples, so naturally Kyoto would be the place for me. During the four months I spent in Japan, I ended up visiting Kyoto on a couple of different occasions (one of which happened to be during Golden Week – a string of holidays in Japan and also a very popular travel time). For your convenience, I’ve condensed my adventures down to one, easy-to-follow 4 day Kyoto itinerary!
Kimono were the traditional clothing worn by Japanese and are often still worn today for festivals or very formal events. Some of the older Japanese men and women still wear kimono on a daily basis. If you are looking to really delve into and experience Japanese culture, renting a kimono for the day is probably one of the best ways to do it. Find out what it’s like wearing a Kimono in Kyoto, how much it costs, where to rent one and more!
With it’s cool buildings (traditional and modern) and bountiful activities, it’s no surprise that Osaka makes it into many Japan itineraries, especially for first timers. Personally, I think the perfect amount of time to spend is 2 days in Osaka. It gives you enough time to check out all the city’s major attractions without feeling too rushed. Keep reading to find out what to put in your 2 day Osaka itinerary!
Heading to Tokyo soon? Trying to figure out what to do there? Tokyo has LOTS of things to see and do, so much so that it can often be hard trying to figure out how to see all the best parts of the city with a limited amount of time. If you’re trying to figure out how to spend your time there, check out this 5 and 7 day Tokyo itinerary as well as some possible day trips from Tokyo!
Ever soaked in a wine filled hot spring? How about a coffee hot spring? A green tea hot spring? You can do just that at Hakone Kowakien Yunessun Spa and Resort! When I first started researching things to do while studying abroad in Japan, I knew this was something I just had to try. Conveniently, it’s located in Hakone, so I found that it made for a great day trip from Tokyo with some friends!
The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) is a ticket offered to foreigners that allows you to ride the public transit systems owned and operated by the Japan Railway Company an unlimited number of times for a flat fee. There are different types of JR Passes available for purchase depending on the duration of your stay in Japan. But, is the JR Pass worth it? Is it cheaper than paying for tickets individually or finding an alternate form of transportation? Read the full article to find out!
Sendai isn’t quite as popular as other famous cities in Japan such as Tokyo and Kyoto, but that doesn’t mean it has nothing to offer! Not only is it the capital of the Miyagi prefecture, but it is also in the top 15 of Japan’s largest cities. It’s definitely a worthy addition to any Japan itinerary. Check out these top things to do in and around Sendai, Japan!
