Question:

Christin

Travelling to Tokyo from Sept 5-15 and will probably spend a couple days in Kyoto/Osaka. Any suggestions on cheap places to stay/best way to get around/must sees? Jeff Pang

Humans say...

Sarah

I was in Japan last year (amazing country, loved it!), for places to stay we stayed at Kyoto Hana Hostel (http://kyoto.hanahostel.com/) and J-Hoppers Osaka (http://osaka.j-hoppers.com/). They were both really affordable, especially considering the high cost of everything in Japan, and best of all they were clean and quiet and safe.
In Kyoto we walked a lot and took buses (subway is sort of limited) and in Osaka we took the trains/subways everywhere. Public transit in Japan in amazing and super easy to navigate (there are English signs everywhere).
In Kyoto you will get sick of temples, there are so many to see. My favourite was Sanjusangendo and of course go see the Gion district.
In Osaka you can visit the Umeda Sky Building, Dotonbori area and the Osaka Aquarium was pretty cool (though a bit pricey and crowded). My favourite thing in Osaka was we went to a baseball game (Osaka Hanshin Tigers vs Nippon Ham Fighters). I'm not a huge baseball fan but the game was incredible; the energy was amazing, the food was good and it was a really awesome cultural experience. The fans are nuts!
If you have any questions feel free to message me

A.I. says...

<p>Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka Travel Guide

Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka Travel Guide

Dear Jeff Pang,

Congratulations on your upcoming trip to Japan! Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are incredible destinations with a rich culture, delicious cuisine, and fascinating history. Here are some suggestions to help you make the most of your journey:

Cheap Places to Stay

Tokyo: Consider staying in budget hotels or hostels in areas like Asakusa, Ueno, or Ikebukuro. These neighborhoods offer affordable accommodation and easy access to public transportation.
Kyoto: Guesthouses and budget hotels near Kyoto Station or in the Gion district can be good options. Staying in a traditional ryokan (Japanese inn) can also be a unique and reasonably priced experience.
Osaka: Look for budget hotels or capsule hotels in the Namba or Shin-Osaka areas, which are well-connected to the city's attractions.

Getting Around

The best way to get around in Japan is by using public transportation. Here are some recommendations:

Japan Rail Pass: If you plan to travel extensively between cities, consider purchasing a Japan Rail Pass, which offers unlimited travel on JR trains, including the famous shinkansen (bullet trains).
Subway/Train: Within each city, the subway and train systems are efficient, clean, and easy to navigate. Purchase IC cards like Suica (Tokyo) or ICOCA (Osaka/Kyoto) to save time and money.
Buses: Local buses can be handy for reaching some attractions or neighborhoods not well-served by trains or subways.

Must-See Attractions

Japan offers an incredible array of cultural, historical, and natural attractions. Here are some must-see highlights:

Tokyo

Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street in Asakusa
Imperial Palace and East Gardens
Meiji Shrine and Harajuku neighborhood
Tsukiji Fish Market (or its new location, Toyosu Market)
Shibuya Crossing and Shinjuku entertainment district

Kyoto

Fushimi Inari Shrine with its iconic torii gates
Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) and Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)
Nijo Castle and its famous "nightingale floors"
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and surrounding temples
Gion district for a glimpse of geisha culture

Osaka

Doton

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Curious about Must-See Attractions in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka?