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Sure plenty of have been. If one had a long weekend in Tokyo for work and then 4 days to kill after where would you recommend? Got a 3-4 days to explore, think I might check out Kyoto.
Would love to spend longer but can't make it work. Any tips welcome!
Might be some new Town fans around with our transfer business...
Good call, I’m there next year, so putting the TWTD travel section to use is a good idea! I’m looking at a multi location trip, traditional and city, bit of bullet train, so any info welcomed!
Was in Tokyo with the family, for six days, earlier in the month. Was our first time, so we ticked off a few of the more obvious things. DM me if you want. There could be some more locally-based on here who might be able to give better advice
Kyoto is well worth it, when doing the temples though best advice is to go at around 6am before the crowds start which are insane.
Don’t bother with Osaka.
My missus and I bought “The Monocle” guide books for both cities before hand but they also published some videos which were helpful too - particularly for Kyoto:
We did a few weeks travelling round with a JR pass about 12 years ago (where's that gone!?!)
We loved Nara and Kyoto, the older parts of those cities are stunning. Climbing up to the top of Kyoto station is a good workout and the Lego version of the station was cool to see.
My wife played hockey with a Japanese international from Osaka who kindly took us to the Kaiyukan Aquarium, that's an impressive place as it's big enough to have whale sharks in the main tank!
I wasn't sure what to make of Tokyo, plenty of interesting places but I sometimes feel the big cities are less different than the smaller places. While in Tokyo we decided to use our JR pass for one more day trip and ended up in Sendai, which was ok, we then took the local service out to Matsushima which was stunning.
I'd like to go back and do some snowboarding in Niseko.
My favourite place in Japan was Hiroshima. Not just because of the history but that's where I found the friendliest people and nearby is Miyajima.
Tokyo is great too. It's vast and diverse. The underground stations are often a place to spend time in with their cafes and shops. I recommend looking at a travel guide to see which areas appeal the most. I found it was easy to get round.
You could spend a week in Tokyo alone and not get bored. If you want places around Tokyo, then Kamakura is an easy train ride away. Combine that with Enoshima and that's a full day.
Kyoto is great, but will be busy. Some of the temples that are a bit away from the bigger ones are quieter and still worth seeing. Nara is well worth a visit, just mind the deer!
I work in and out of Japan and have done for the last four years. Unfortunately, Tokyo has mainly just been a transit hub for me as I've travelled around other parts of Japan, so my knowledge of Tokyo itself is a bit limited. I'd definitely recommend doing the main touristy things though: Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower and the deer at Nara Park, despite being popular with tourists, really are all worth seeing. There are also some hidden gems, the thrift/vintage stores around Shimokitazawa and Harajuku are really good if you're into fashion/ retro clothes/ 80's/90's vibe. If you fancy a more authentic dining, have a wander around Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku for some great little Izakayas.
Depending on when you're going, it should still be official Mount Fuji climbing season (I think it runs until early September but do check). I climbed it in 2023 (in an Ipswich Town shirt for the pics, obviously ) and it was one of the best things I've ever done. If you've got the time, it's definitely worth looking into.
Outside of Tokyo, Kawasaki is good fun and Yokohama is well worth a visit too. To be honest though, there's so much going on all over Japan that it's hard to tell someone exactly what they should and shouldn't do.
One thing I would say... be prepared to walk. You'll rack up 20k+ steps without even realising. Enjoy, it's certainly different, but an amazing country.
Oh one last thing that still blows my mind. There is a real lack/ shortage of bins despite it being spotlessly clean so be prepared to carry your rubbish round with you for hours until you find one.
I work in and out of Japan and have done for the last four years. Unfortunately, Tokyo has mainly just been a transit hub for me as I've travelled around other parts of Japan, so my knowledge of Tokyo itself is a bit limited. I'd definitely recommend doing the main touristy things though: Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower and the deer at Nara Park, despite being popular with tourists, really are all worth seeing. There are also some hidden gems, the thrift/vintage stores around Shimokitazawa and Harajuku are really good if you're into fashion/ retro clothes/ 80's/90's vibe. If you fancy a more authentic dining, have a wander around Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku for some great little Izakayas.
Depending on when you're going, it should still be official Mount Fuji climbing season (I think it runs until early September but do check). I climbed it in 2023 (in an Ipswich Town shirt for the pics, obviously ) and it was one of the best things I've ever done. If you've got the time, it's definitely worth looking into.
Outside of Tokyo, Kawasaki is good fun and Yokohama is well worth a visit too. To be honest though, there's so much going on all over Japan that it's hard to tell someone exactly what they should and shouldn't do.
One thing I would say... be prepared to walk. You'll rack up 20k+ steps without even realising. Enjoy, it's certainly different, but an amazing country.
Oh one last thing that still blows my mind. There is a real lack/ shortage of bins despite it being spotlessly clean so be prepared to carry your rubbish round with you for hours until you find one.
[Post edited 24 Jul 11:23]
Ha! The walking - forgot to even mention that.
I ate and drank until I couldn’t stand most days but still lost about 4kg while there on my last trip.
Hadn’t been to Tokyo for a while but we walked from Ginza to Aoyama most days as a way to just take in most of the city, as my partner hasn’t been before. Was hitting 30k steps most days.
I have to say, I’m a dyed in the wool Londoner for the most part, but I do think Tokyo is the best city in the world.
I ate and drank until I couldn’t stand most days but still lost about 4kg while there on my last trip.
Hadn’t been to Tokyo for a while but we walked from Ginza to Aoyama most days as a way to just take in most of the city, as my partner hasn’t been before. Was hitting 30k steps most days.
I have to say, I’m a dyed in the wool Londoner for the most part, but I do think Tokyo is the best city in the world.
Yeah, I absolutely believe it. I typically use my time in Japan as boot camp. I always come back feeling a million times better than I did when I arrive.
Japan in general is amazing, and the high trust culture is incredible. The fact you can leave you phone, wallet and phone on the table in a coffee shop while you go to the toilet is a lovely feeling.
With the Yen being relatively weak right now also, you really can do loads for not much.
Firstly have a great trip. Just been twice this year for my first trips. My kids both went on school exchanges and my wife took her first trip with her school last September and goes back this October with another group. I have had 20 years of school exchanges coming to NZ and decided I needed to go..... Went to Tokyo loved the city and trains easy to get around the underground and loved the main tourist spots but 24 hour busy and lots of walking think 25000 paces a day and hot very hot at Easter . Fast train to Kyoto was great and easy. Had a Dat trip out yo Nikko. Quiet and in the mountains and volcanos plus very very good temples and shrines. Do some research on Shinto thinking and Buddhism . Loved the onsen bathing traditions. Kyoto was very busy after 10. Go to places at 6 am to miss the busy bus tours Golden temple is good but a way on a train. Better one is at Uji a sjort train ride but very special. Smaller ones on the other bank of the river are better. Language is not needed although the basis are good and will get you respected. Be polite and relaxed like the Real Japanese are. Kyoto for an overnight works well with bookings for seats on a specific train Or you can stand for 3 hours. Hired a far on my second trip from the airport and drove for 3 weeks on my June trip. Missed the city's and drove to the Alps moving every couple of days towards Kyoto then back.up the coast via kamakura and Fuji-san Loved it proper food quiet and easy travel great return to Kyoto. Highlights in Tokyo Ueno park Shinjuku for the lights shibuya for the famous crossing and Nikko. Finally have a great trip, do you prep, pm any questions about stuff.
We did a few weeks travelling round with a JR pass about 12 years ago (where's that gone!?!)
We loved Nara and Kyoto, the older parts of those cities are stunning. Climbing up to the top of Kyoto station is a good workout and the Lego version of the station was cool to see.
My wife played hockey with a Japanese international from Osaka who kindly took us to the Kaiyukan Aquarium, that's an impressive place as it's big enough to have whale sharks in the main tank!
I wasn't sure what to make of Tokyo, plenty of interesting places but I sometimes feel the big cities are less different than the smaller places. While in Tokyo we decided to use our JR pass for one more day trip and ended up in Sendai, which was ok, we then took the local service out to Matsushima which was stunning.
I'd like to go back and do some snowboarding in Niseko.
I had a similar trip by the sounds of it. Definitely recommend Kyoto and Nara. Beautiful.
Firstly have a great trip. Just been twice this year for my first trips. My kids both went on school exchanges and my wife took her first trip with her school last September and goes back this October with another group. I have had 20 years of school exchanges coming to NZ and decided I needed to go..... Went to Tokyo loved the city and trains easy to get around the underground and loved the main tourist spots but 24 hour busy and lots of walking think 25000 paces a day and hot very hot at Easter . Fast train to Kyoto was great and easy. Had a Dat trip out yo Nikko. Quiet and in the mountains and volcanos plus very very good temples and shrines. Do some research on Shinto thinking and Buddhism . Loved the onsen bathing traditions. Kyoto was very busy after 10. Go to places at 6 am to miss the busy bus tours Golden temple is good but a way on a train. Better one is at Uji a sjort train ride but very special. Smaller ones on the other bank of the river are better. Language is not needed although the basis are good and will get you respected. Be polite and relaxed like the Real Japanese are. Kyoto for an overnight works well with bookings for seats on a specific train Or you can stand for 3 hours. Hired a far on my second trip from the airport and drove for 3 weeks on my June trip. Missed the city's and drove to the Alps moving every couple of days towards Kyoto then back.up the coast via kamakura and Fuji-san Loved it proper food quiet and easy travel great return to Kyoto. Highlights in Tokyo Ueno park Shinjuku for the lights shibuya for the famous crossing and Nikko. Finally have a great trip, do you prep, pm any questions about stuff.
This is an excellent post with great info.
I was really surprised by the person who has commented ‘don’t bother with Osaka’ - I’ve lived there and it’s like Tokyo’s fun uncle. The food and entertainment there is amazing - you’ll find Japanese with a sense of humour and up for a good night out. If you stay away from Dotonburi at peak hours, it’s a great city.
I’d highly recommend Yokohama in the small amount of time you have - it’s very walkable and much more laid back than Tokyo. Someone else recommended a day trip to Enoshima - on a clear day you can see Fuji from there.
I found Nara and Kyoto way too touristy and as others have said, you have to be up at 5am to see them properly. They are definitely worth checking out but madly busy.
A couple of other little quirks…just remember to be quiet on trains, don’t wear too much body spray (Japanese are super sensitive to strong scents) and you’ll be greeted with a hello even when you walk into a convenience store - you don’t have to reply, it’s not rude.
Another recommendation here for both Kyoto and Hiroshima. Hiroshima especially is an emotionally intense experience.
Osaka aquarium is amazing if you’re into aquariums. I can’t remember the rest of the city, so that says a lot.
A quieter place we really enjoyed was Koyasan (World Heritage Site based on its importance to Buddhism). We did the whole kabang there with a traditional logging stop over, meditation sessions, etc. It was pretty cool and a nice change of pace from the big cities.
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