I was recently asked for my recommendations for a one week trip to Japan. This sounded like the sort of challenge I could get my teeth into. After all, Japan is my favourite country and I've spent a great deal of time researching destinations that are worth visiting. Putting together my favourite bits to travel around in itinerary form should be no problem at all. So, this suggested itinerary is for first time travelers who will spend 7 days and 6 nights in Japan, arriving in Osaka’s Kansai International Airport and departing from Tokyo’s Narita International Airport.
Day 1 (Osaka)
After your arrival at Kansai International Airport, check in to your preferred hotel/guest house. Book a place near the city center particularly near a train station such as Umeda and Namba districts. This will give you better access to dining options and tourist attractions. Also, flying with Jetstar gives you half a day to explore Osaka. Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines fly in the afternoon from Manila and arrive in Osaka between 7-8 in the evening. If you snagged that super cheap airfare from Cebu Pacific, you already have a day wasted. But that’s okay, you can explore Osaka on day 2.
Start your Osaka adventure in the afternoon by visiting Osaka Castle, the castle that was built to be the center of the new and unified Japan. It was built by the order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi who played a significant role during the Warring State period and regarded as Japan's second "great unifier”. The castle can be accessed on a number of lines; the closest JR station is Osakajokoen Station on the JR Loop Line. Then, visit another attraction before you make your way to Namba Station. Osaka Aquarium, the Tenmangu Shrine and Umeda Sky Building are some of the places you can visit. Spend the rest of the afternoon/evening in Dotonbori-Shinsaibashi area, the best place to experience Osaka’s food culture. The best way to get here is to take the Midosuji Subway line and get off at either Namba station (subway) or Shinsaibashi station.
Day 2 (Osaka)
If you are planning to spend the entire day in Universal Studios Japan for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (WWOHP), then that’s perfectly fine. After all, I can’t think of any other places in Osaka that deserve a ‘must-see’ label (sorry that’s just me I guess). Even if you are not an amusement park fan, like me, a trip to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will surely bring out your inner wizard. SRSLY! Check out my blog post about TWWOHP right here.
To get to USJ, take the JR Yumaseki line from Nishikujo station to Universal City station. Please use Hyperdia.com to check specific train times and routes.
Day 3 (Kyoto)
Coming from Osaka, you can take JR, Hankyu Rail or Keihan Rail to get to Kyoto Station. Getting around the city is very easy because of its extensive bus network. Though Kyoto also has trains and subway network, I find navigating the city easier when I take a bus. Raku Bus, the city-run public bus in Kyoto, will cover most of your travel needs. Raku Bus No. 100 goes to eastern Kyoto particularly the Higashiyama and Okazaki areas. Raku Bus No. 101 goes its way up the middle of Kyoto to the northern parts of the city. Raku Bus No. 102 goes to the northern part of Kyoto.
- Raku Bus No. 100: From Kyoto Station the bus stops at Sanjusangendo Temple, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Yasaka-jinja Shrine, Heian-jingu Shrine, Eikan-do Temple, Nanzen-ji Temple terminating at Ginkaku-ji Temple before returning to Kyoto Station.
- Raku Bus No. 101: From Kyoto Station the bus stops at Nijo Castle, Nishijin Textile Center at Horikawa Imadegawa, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Kinkaku-ji Temple and Daitoku-ji Temple. It terminates at Kitaoji Bus Terminal and then returns to Kyoto Station. At Kitano Hakubaicho, the Raku 101 connects to the Keifuku Railway for Arashiyama.
- Raku Bus No. 102: From Ginkakuji-michi bus stop the Raku 102 stops at Kyoto Imperial Palace on Imadegawa Street, Nishijin Textile Center, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Kinkaku-ji Temple and Daitoku-ji Temple before returning to Ginkaku-ji.
Going back to our Day 3 itinerary… ^_^ Since you have two days in Kyoto, my suggested itinerary for day 3 is this: Ginkakuji Temple > Philosopher's Path > Nanzenji Temple > Yasaka Shrine > Higashiyama District > Kiyomizudera Temple
Day 4 (Kyoto)
On day 4, consider Fushimi Inari as your first destination. Fushimi Inari Shrine is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto God of Rice. The place is famous for its thousand vermilion torii gates along the trail that leads to the forest of the sacred Mount Inari. The best way to access Fushimi inari is by taking JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to JR Inari station (JPY 140). Travel approximately takes 5 minutes.
Then, make your way to your second destination, Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), which is among the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kyoto. It is a Zen temple with two floors completely covered in gold leaf. It was formerly a retirement villa for the family of Ashikaga Shogunate until 1408. Yes, this has been around for more than 600 years. The best way to access Kinkakuji is by going back to Kyoto Station following the same route then take Kyoto City Bus number 101 or 205. Travel approximately takes 40 minutes and admission is JPY 400.
Spend the rest of the afternoon in Arashiyama District. From Kinkakuji, hop on Bus no. 101 and get off at Kitano Hakubaicho Station. Take the Keifuku Electric Railway aka Randen and get off at Arashiyama Station (requires a transfer at Kitabiranotsuji station). You can also try this only-in-Kyoto experience, Maiko Transformation for women or Samurai Transformation for men. Check out my Maiko Transformation experience right here.
Day 5 (Tokyo)
Travel from Kyoto to Tokyo via Shinkansen (Bullet Train). Nozomi, the fastest Shinkansen costs JPY 14,110 one way from Kyoto Station to Tokyo Station and travel approximately takes 2 hours and 20 minutes. Hikari, which is slightly cheaper at JPY 13,800 one way, takes a little longer at 2 hours and 40 minutes. The slowest Shinkansen, Kodama costs JPY 13,500, reaches Tokyo in about 3 hours and 50 minutes.
Start your Tokyo adventure by having a Ramen lunch at Ichiran Ramen in Shinjuku. From Ichiran Ramen in Shinjuku, head to Meiji Jingu, a shrine dedicated to the Meiji Emperor and his Empress. Despited being situated in the busy area of Harajuku, all the hustle and bustle were cut off the moment you turn right and cross over the 40-foot giant torii gate. The walk through the forest to get to the shrine is very relaxing. Travel from Shinjuku Station of JR Yamanote Line to Harajuku Station approximately takes 5 minutes (JPY 140). End your day at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building back in Shinjuku where you can get a glimpse of Mount Fuji under favorable weather conditions. This is also a perfect place for sunset viewing where you can get a panoramic view of Tokyo and beyond.
Day 6 (Tokyo)
If your travel dates happen to be in Spring, specifically Cherry Blossom season, do not miss Hanami viewing in Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Chidorigafuchi or Sumida Park. I also recommend going on a half day trip to Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki. Check out my blog post right here. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.
To get to Hitachi Seaside Park, I’d highly recommend taking a train from Tokyo/Ueno. The journey takes about two hours and a single journey ticket costs JPY 4,000. Get off at Katsuta Station and catch the Ibaraki Kotsu Bus going to Hitachi Seaside Park (15 minutes). Admission fee is JPY 410 for adults, JPY 80 for children aged 7 - 14 years and free for children under 6 years. Check out their website for more information.
In the afternoon, check out some of Tokyo’s famous destinations like Akihabara, the center of Japan's otaku (diehard fan) culture. Don’t miss Harajuku, Shibuya and Omotesando. For dog lovers like me, pay a visit to Hachiko’s statue located in Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Exit. Another prominent landmark in Shibuya is the large intersection known as “The Scramble”.
Day 7 (Tokyo)
Today marks the end of your Japan adventure. If your flight is in the evening or late afternoon, explore the city for other attractions you might have missed. You can also spend a few hours shopping before your scheduled time of departure. If your hotel / guest house is anywhere near Shibuya or Shinjuku, you can try Donki (short for Don Quijote). It is one of Tokyo's cheapest supermarkets selling a huge variety of goods. Buy some Japanese snacks like Tokyo Banana, Japanese Rice Cake Mochi Daifuku and Kitkat Matcha (Gren Tea) flavor to take home for your friends and family.
After shopping, head to Narita International Airport and take Narita Express. The regular price costs JPY 3,190 and travel is approximately 90 minutes. A cheaper alternative is Keisei Limited Express which requires one train transfer. From Shinjuku, take JR Yamanote line to Nippori Station (20 minutes, 230 JPY) then transfer to Keisei Limited Express to Narita Airport (about 75 minutes, JPY 1030).
With this suggested itinerary, is a Japan Rail Pass worth it?
The Japan Rail Pass costs JPY 29,110 (roughly USD 281) for 7 days. If you are going round trip to Osaka/Kyoto-Tokyo OR Tokyo-Osaka/Kyoto within a week, then it is more than worth it. If you are going one way (arriving in Kansai and departing in Narita or vice versa), then the pass will not pay off.
So, this is the end of 7-day suggested itinerary in Japan. Remember, this is just a guide for planning and is in no way, shape or form, the only way to travel the country. There are several alternative routes of travel within the country and it will depend on your intended length of stay.
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