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Dontonbori | Tagged Posts

2017
27
May
Looking for Japan Travel Tips? What are the Must-See Places in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka?

Question:

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Christin

Travelling to Japan this September for 2 weeks to visit some friends! Will definitely be in Tokyo and hoping to visit Kyoto + Osaka. Any suggestions for specific places to visit, things to do/see, or restaurants to try? Also any suggestions on travelling between cities (budget friendly would be awesome though experiencing the bullet train seems cool too).

Humans say...

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Ed

If you are in a budget, there's Sukiya and Saizeriya.

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Gabriel

Try airbnb for staying in Osaka, the people are friendly there. In Tokyo the hotels are REALLY expensive, but I have friends that did not like their AirBnBs, since it's a big city. An alternative to hotels would be sharing a hostel or even a big room with more friends.
Visiting Japan and not going to Kyoto, to me is like missing most of the cultural/historical aspect of it. Osaka feels like Toronto or New York, and Tokyo, although different than most, is more fun than authentic.
In Tokyo there is a multitude of things to see, but the highlight of my trip was a rickshaw ride in Asakusa, a total must... and for Osaka the castle and its park.

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Gabriel

Definitely visit Arashiyama in Kyoto, the Nijo Castle, and the Inari Shrine (at sunset or close to it, leave a bit of time for the lineup since this is the best hour).

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Christin

Thanks so much! I'm super stoked to go to Kyoto

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Gabriel

Christin I spent 5 days in Kyoto (3 in central Kyoto and 2 in Arashiyama, because it's a bit further away to the west, kinda like a village), 3 days in Tokyo and 2 in Osaka. Honestly, Kyoto is the true Japan for me.

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Christin

Yeah, I can imagine. I'm staying in Tokyo for 6 days, Kyoto for 3, Osaka for 2, then back to Tokyo for a couple days. I'm not planning on sleeping much in Kyoto to optimize the trip haha.

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Gabriel

Enjoy!!

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Janna

Here are some my favourite things I've done in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka:
Central Tokyo: Akihabara, Don Quixote (these are everywhere). Super Potato,Tokyo Station
Northern Tokyo: Asakusa (where we stayed) & Sensoji Temple, Ikebukuro (Sunshine Aquarium, Pokemon Centre)
Western Tokyo: Shibuya, Shin Okubo (Koreatown), Tokyu Hands Shinjuku, Robot Restaurant, 100 Yen Store (great for souvenirs), Yoyogi Park, Harajuku
Outlying Areas Tokyo: Ghibli Museum, Hakone Open Air Museum
Central Kyoto: Nijo Castle
Eastern Kyoto: Kiyomizudera, Gion, Philosopher’s Path
Southern Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Shrine
Northern Kyoto: Kinkakuji
Western Kyoto: Arashiyama
Day Trip from Kyoto: Nara
Osaka: Osaka Aquarium, Dontonbori, Osaka Castle, Round 1 (24hr bowling/karaoke/games)
As for restaurants... wherever you go, there will be delicious food. Just follow your nose. Grab some okonomiyaki in Dontonburi in Osaka. Tokyo and Kyoto both have tons of food, try some ramen or udon at a hole in the wall. Try yakiniku for sure and visit some izakayas for some late night drinks and grub.

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Christin

Thank you very much! Any chance you have suggestions or advice about ryokans in Kyoto?

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Janna

The 3 of us stayed at Uoiwa Ryokan. It was very classy and traditional (tatami and futons), and even had a public onsen inside. Not cheap, it was about $260 CAD a night.
We stayed in Khaosan Tokyo Origami Hostel in Asakusa while we were in Tokyo. Bunkbeds and shared bathrooms with the rest of the floor, but it was a wonderful little spot and the owners were great. We were a five minute walk from Sensoji, and it was stunning to walk past every night when the streets were empty. That one was about $185 per night.
We went with our friend who lives in Japan, she did all our booking on Hostels.com.

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Christin

Thanks so much

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Janna

As for travel, if you plan on hopping around between Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto a JR pass is probably worth the money. You cannot buy them in Japan, you need to order it before your trip. And definitely grab a suica/pasmo card for travelling around via subway, its just a card you load with money to speed things up and you won't need to dig around for coins all the time.

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Christin

Thanks so much
Yeah I've decided that I'll probably get a JR pass. Does that cover the Shinkansen as well as the regular subway? Or just the Shinkansen?

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Melissa

Just fyi, you can buy the JR Pass in Japan -- it's a little more expensive though, so it's better to buy it before you leave if you can.

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Jon

JR pass is reall only worth it if you are doing a round trip between Tokyo and Kyoto/Osaka, for one way it isn't. It works on all JR trains, but not the private trains. But in the case you need to use private trains they usually aren't too expensive.

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Christin

Ryo Somatani

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Teresa

Tokyo bike tour is a great way to see a lot of sights in one day in a reasonable way. Get a JR pass if you are there for at least a week ... can use the trains as much as you like, only available to foreigners. You can use it to travel between cities even and lets you use the Shinkansun without an extra fee.

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Christin

Thanks so much
Yeah I've decided that I'll probably get a JR pass. Does that cover the Shinkansen as well as the regular subway? Or just the Shinkansen?

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Lucas

If you are with three friends rent a car. It'll save you money on travel between those destinations. As for Things to Do, you haven't seen Tokyo until you've toured it MarioKart style.

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Lucas

http://maricar.com/en/shinagawa.html These guys were the best and very organized. Crazy fun.

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Christin

That's awesome haha thanks so much!

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Jon

Renting a car is quite damn expensive in Japan and the toll charges are high. The drive from Kyoto to Tokyo is also 6-7 hours instead of 3 on the bullet train

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Kelvin

I did the same trip solo this past fall with a tight budget. If you want to save on transportation and two nights of accomodation, consider the Willer night bus. Leaves from Shinjuku station and you just sleep the whole time and arrive in Osaka around 7am. 3 bus rides in a 1 month period for like $125. It's much cheaper than a JR pass if you are going to just Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto. As for accommodations, I highly reccomend the hostels in Osaka and Kyoto. Many are boutique, beautiful places to stay on sub $50 a night. Fuku hostel in Osaka and Lower East Nine in Kyoto are both awesome. In Tokyo, I'd reccomend experiencing a capsule hotel if you're not claustrophobic. Awesome experience and you get some sweet perks of you choose a more premium one. Honestly, I could talk about this trip forever, so message me if you have any other questions. I'd be happy to help!

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Christin

Yeah, I was thinking of trying out the capsule hotel in Haneda before catching my flight! Did you purchase pocket wifi or get a SIM card?

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Kelvin

I rented a pocket wifi. Search online for some companies. They shipped it to the airport and I picked it up at the post office there. Dropped it in the mailbox at the airport on the way home. Super easy! Just make sure it covers all regions.

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Christin

Thanks! Was the service good and how much did you pay?

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Kelvin

It was CDJapan and was about $30 a week. The service was pretty good. I used it primarily for maps and simple searches, not so much for calling or video.

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Mark

TSUKIJI fish market is a MUST! (If u like sushi) go really early the line up for food gets crazy fast.

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Ed

Take a day trip out to Kamakura when you are in Tokyo. Beautiful temples and walking in this former capital without the big city crowd.

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Christin

So awesome haha

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Shaleen

We did a similar trip last year (Tokyo-Kyoto-Hiroshima-Mt. Koya-Osaka) and the JR pass was a really good value. It's really hard to give any specific recommendations on restaurants because we just ate at whatever looked good where we were! The food in Japan is insanely good everywhere you go!

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Melissa

Hi Shaleen. I am also doing the same trip. Did the JR pass allow you to use the Shinkansen trains? I'm getting conflicting information on this! Would be very helpful! Thank you

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Shaleen

Yes you can! There are specific classes of train that you can't use, but you do get to ride the bullet train.

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Christin

Thanks so much! Did the JR pass cover the regular subway as well or just the Shinkansens?

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Shaleen

It includes the subway in Tokyo. We got a 7 day pass to use for the travel outside of Tokyo (the whole trip was two weeks) and used Pasmo cards in Tokyo as that was cheaper than getting the longer JR pass

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Christin

Ah perfect! I'll probably do the exact same

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Melissa

So helpful! Thanks for this information!

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Shaleen

No problem!

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Shaleen

If you can, try to see a baseball game - that was one of the highlights of our trip to Japan!

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So

The fushimi inari shrine is so worth it but I would DEFINITELY recommend getting there no later than 8:30 am. The time and light is best to take photos and you will not have to deal with massive slow moving crowds! Took us only about a half hour to get to the top. (Even at 9:30-10 the crowds start rolling in).

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Andrew Gunadie
If you aren't claustrophobic, capsule hotels are a super affordable option for short stays! They're also in prime locations. I'd also look into a JR Rail Pass if you're going to travel between different cities - you have to order in advance as I recall https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GVieEjSD6o

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Tam

Saved so much money by booking with Airbnb.
Sign up for airbnb and get $50 CAD off your first adventure. Here’s my invitation link: http://abnb.me/e/V0WrbpazmF

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Amanda

Check out an onsen for sure! It's the most relaxing experience

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View

Kanghee Lee
Kohji Nagata Sascha Darius

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Kia

Definitely get a pocket wifi - great for GPS navigation

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View

Stacey
One of my most treasured memories was in a very small village called Pazano. Farmers Market on Sat. and you MUST go see the crazy butcher!! No need for directions are you will hear his roaring hard rock music throughout the streets. Usually crowded but friendly staff greet you with a glass of wine and some delicious meats/cheese and bread and we were there at 10:00 am!! They also serve an awesome lunch or dinner if you reserve. You will not regret this amazing Italian experience!!

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Stacey

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowUserReviews-g635878...

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Ron

Shimokitazawa in Tokyo..hidden gem

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Jon

airbnb are great in the main cities, I've used dozens and rarely now use hotels. Stay around Namba/Shinsaibashi in Osaka, and usually I recommend Shinjuku or Shibuya station for Tokyo. Capsule hotels are an option but luggage storage can be an issue and many don't allow women. airbnb is generally going to be cheaper if you're traveling with at least one other person

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JoJo

Thanks for all the comments...


A.I. says...

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The Ultimate 2-Week Japan Itinerary: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka

Heading to Japan in September for a two-week adventure? Excellent choice! This beautiful country offers a mesmerizing blend of rich culture, stunning landscapes, and delectable cuisine. With your plans to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, you're in for an unforgettable experience. Here are some suggestions to make the most of your trip:

Tokyo

  • Sensoji Temple: Start your Tokyo exploration at this iconic Buddhist temple, with its massive paper lantern and bustling Nakamise shopping street.
  • Shibuya Crossing: Marvel at the famous "scramble crossing" in the heart of Tokyo's vibrant Shibuya district.
  • Tsukiji Fish Market: Rise early and immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of the world's largest fish market (or visit the newer Toyosu Market).
  • Harajuku: Explore the quirky fashion and pop culture hub, where you'll find everything from vintage shops to creative street food.
  • Restaurants: Indulge in Tokyo's diverse culinary scene, from Michelin-starred sushi at Sukiyabashi Jiro to the iconic Ichiran Ramen.

Kyoto

  • Fushimi Inari Shrine: Hike through the mesmerizing vermilion torii gates that wind up the mountain.
  • Arashiyama Bamboo Grove: Stroll through the ethereal bamboo forest, a true natural wonder.
  • Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion): Admire the shimmering golden temple surrounded by tranquil gardens.
  • Gion District: Catch a glimpse of geisha culture in this historic neighborhood and visit traditional teahouses.
  • Restaurants: Savor the exquisite Kaiseki multi-course cuisine or try the famous Kyoto-style vegetarian Buddhist cuisine (shojin ryori).

Osaka

  • Dotonbori: Explore the lively, neon-lit streets and try local specialties like takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes).
  • Osaka Castle: Admire the impressive feudal-era castle and stroll through its picturesque gardens.
  • Shitennoji Temple: Visit one of Japan's oldest Buddhist temples, dating back to 593 AD.
  • Universal Studios Japan: Unleash your inner child at this iconic theme park (if you're a Harry Potter fan, don't miss the Wizarding World of Harry Potter).
  • Restaurants: Indulge in Osaka's famous soul food, including kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) and takoyaki.

Getting Around

For budget-friendly travel between cities, consider taking the bus or the economical Hikari or Kodama shinkansen (bullet train) routes. However, if you want to experience the full thrill of Japan's high-speed rail, splurge on a ride on the iconic Nozomi shinkansen at least once during your trip.

No matter where you go or what you do, immerse yourself in Japan's rich culture, savor the delectable cuisine, and create memories that will last a lifetime!



   










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