We just booked a flight for early April to Japan (via) Haneda - around $800 round trip with ANA!
any tips on art/design/foodie places to try? Itinerary ideas for 2 wks? Also has anyone been to Kanazawa? (So far just Tokyo and Kyoto on the list) thanks

I went to Japan in Sept 2015 and loved it!!! I loved the Golden Temple in Kyoto! Just stunning! Also, sushi breakfast at the Tokyo fish market was worth the wait! I also went to a sumo tournament and it was amazing! Also, if baseball is on, it is definitely an experience......the atmosphere is more like a soccer game than baseball. Enjoy! Japan is definitely a bit place I would go back to in a heartbeat!

Thanks for the suggestions

I did a month and a half bike across japan, and if you wanted, you could do just kyoto and tokyo in two weeks. Did you want to do more than that?
As suggestions, I would say:
In Tokyo:
Miraikan (science and tech museum with ASIMO the adorable running robort)
Mori Art museum (A must see in roppongi hills, the fashion district - very modern art)
Tsukiji - the fish market (5am is fine if you dont want to see the auction, but I believe it's under renovations atm)
If you are a fan of cake, go to the hidemi sugino cake shop (mousse cakes)
Kabuki theatre - there is one in Tokyo I would highly
recommend
senso-ji - a tokyo shrine with fortunes and incense and a temple (with tons of typical food stalls around, like matcha and dango)
In Kyoto:
Arashiyama Monkey Park
Bamboo forest (also in arashiyama)
philosopher's walk (there is a pottery studio along the walk where you can make your own tea set, and they will mail you the product anywhere in the world!)
The silver pavilion (which is much better than the gold pavilion)
the orange shrine gates (fushimi inari shrine)
sanjusangendo - temple of a thousand arms (beautiful statues)

Thank you so much, these are great - so many options wish I could extend my trip! what's the name of the Kabuki theatre in Tokyo?

there's only one, to my knowledge: Address: Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, 中央区Ginza, 四丁目１２−１５

Cheers!

I would also recommend a day trip to osaka from kyoto, (or even a full day!) since you are so close - go to umeda building after dark to see it light up like the stars, and see the peace park and museum in osaka. Plus, there is a place called spa world where there is literally hot springs from around the world. It's 12.00 CAD for an evening, and you can go in a cedar sauna, a salt sauna, a hot spring themed like atlantis or the blue grotto, a mud bath, and spain themed one too. Very much recommend!

That spa sounds amazing!! Cheers.

Negar You've got some great info here that I can only add to. I worked at Expo 70 in Osaka and suggest you see Nara and Nagoya if you can add day trips. In Osaka make sure to try the local snack food, Takoyaki. It'll be cherry blossom season and a beautiful time of year. We're just back from 24 days in Japan and China and we'll be back sooner than later. You're going to love it. The Japanese are incredibly courteous and helpful. If you need directions, I ask a student. They all take English as a second language and want to give you a good impression of their country. You won't go hungry and don't hesitate to try everything. If you're interested in castles, Osaka has a fantastic one. Do some reading on customs and you'll be well received. Accept and present your business card with two hands is pretty basic. Manners are important. You're going to have a fabulous time.

thank you for the suggestions and tips, fingers crossed for some cherry blossom sightings!

Manveer S Samra

Make sure you go to Osaka!!!!!

Go to Hiroshima and Miyajima. Worth it even for an overnight (I did in a day from Osaka)

Did you enjoy Osaka? Is one night enough there? Thanks

Negar I did enjoy it. I did one big day of sightseeing and shopping and got a lot in - the food is good so if you love food you might want two days but I was happy with 1 night.

Negar it's also just another big city so if you are going to Tokyo you may not need a ton of time in Osaka. I'm glad I skipped a day to get to Hiroshima and miyajima and so some outdoorsy stuff. I'm also glad I spent three days in Kyoto - it was the city I loved the most there

Yeah that makes sense, maybe i'll cut a day and try to do Hiroshima instead, would be great to go to the art island below as well, hiking + art, right up my alley!

Negar how many days were you planning for Tokyo? I'm more of a hiking and art person and got kinda bored after 4 days in Tokyo to be honest

Definitely visit the art island of Naoshima!

That sounds magical.

Negar it really is. If you're an art lover, you may want to spend a night (possibly at Benesse House) as there's surrounding islands of art to visit. A day trip wouldn't do it justice.

Kanazawa is amazing. They have what's considered the best gardens in Japan, and the city itself is really awesome.

Wow so many amazing suggestions. It'll be tricky planning a 15 day itinerary that isn't rushed and takes all these great spots into consideration!
so excited. Cheers!

Lucky!! Looks like flights are around $2000 now

Really? Did you look on the ANA site itself w/ a Chicago connection? I couldn't believe it myself actually when I saw the price since it will be around peak blossom season.

Yep - around $2000!!! ahhh too bad

Also what's interesting is when I found it I went through filling everything out on the site twice & it crashed, got upset that I didn't get the tickets, it was late so I gave it a rest & then the next morning I got the etickets/receipt in my email! So you never know Lol

i have friends who are going next month, you might find deals for then or maybe even march.

Definitely check out Mount Fuji and the Robot Restaurant! https://www.yaytrip.com/destinations/tokyo
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