Hi everyone, I am planning a trip to Japan in April. I was wondering if anyone can recommend top must see places, eat, things to do, tips on transportation/accommodation, etc. Anything that would help plan a short visit of only 11 days. Thanks

Rieko Yuhara

Me too! And I'm going solo!!

Me too (I think!)

Me too!!

Same lol

Same! I started a thread on this and got great suggestions from everyone (look for the posts around 1st week of jan)

So much to see in Japan! I lived there for two years and didn't see everything. I would spend 2-3 days in Tokyo, 1 day somewhere around Mt. Fuji, 2 days in Kyoto, 1 day in Nara, 2 days in Hiroshima (with a visit to Miyajima), and then 2 days to allow for travel back to Tokyo and maybe a quick visit to Himeji somewhere in there. That should take up your 11 days.

These are excellent suggestions! I did all these places. Loved it.

Great advise from Amy. I worked at Expo 70 in Osaka and have been back several times. The latest was two weeks in November. Had a fabulous time.

Following as I too will be in Japan in April

Robot restaurant is amazing. Buy from japanican for a good deal ahead of your trip. Bullet train was great (you can get a deal from japanican also). I liked to stay in the business hotels as you got a small room with is own bathroom and usually a pretty good breakfast. Get to know the different areas before you go so it will be easier to understand locales whe you get there. If you want to go outside of Tokyo, I loved Kyoto. So many temples and shrines within a small area. The railway museum and aquarium were great also.

You will love Japan ..... try to say outside a city in the mountains ...ideally in a traditional Japanese inn, a ryokan

You will likely catch cherry blossom season - it is MAGICAL.
http://notwithoutmypassport.com/cherry-blossom-meaning.../

Buy a JR pass and you can't walk a block without hitting up a good restaurant. Start off in Tokyo and go to tsukiji market the first day when you have jet lag best sushi ever. Stay in business hotels like the other guy said it will save you lots of money. Get the Cibc multi currency card and exchange money here in the gta b4 you go. There is the place at yonge and steeles called Rosco
trading they have great rates

If you can, visit Hakone, just outside Tokyo. I missed it my last time, still kicking myself. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5200.html

Oh, and Tokyo gets expensive. This guide should help. https://tokyocheapo.com/

Just remember there is no tipping in Japan( restaurants) also many places like uniqlo will be duty free as long as you spend 5000 yen or more just have your passport handy

Sandy Cai

I recommend Kobe, and Okinawa is beautiful!

I'm going in May, following

Kyoto is a must visit if you want to see traditional Japan

I've done 2 wks before and about to do another 2 wks. You need to buy a JR Pass BEFORE you get to Japan, you can't buy one there. Depending where you stay, Hotels are expensive so I do airbnb. Most airbnbs offer you free pocket wifi so you don't need a data plan! This is a life saver. .Kyoto is older and more traditional. We stayed there for 3 days and that was more than enough, its kinda dead at night. This time I'm not even staying there, I'll just do day trips from Osaka.Tokyo is so big and there's so much to see there. You probably want more than 2 days there. PM me if you want to know anything else.

Japan is the biggest grab bag of everything awesome and weird at the same time.
Getting a JR pass is a good idea if you're going to end up doing some serious travel. If you're only ever going from Tokyo to Kyoto then it's not going to be worth the expense as inter city travel is really inexpensive. A pasmo card is what I would recommend as you can use it on every transit system on Honshu.
As far as recommendations Kyoto is the high part, followed up by miyajima. As much as I love Tokyo it's not someplace you can do Ina couple days, though if you're there head to Tokyo tower, and the Sky Tree. On a good clear day you can see my Fuji on a clear day!
If food is your thing head to Osaka, mmmm I love eating in Osaka and they always seem to have the best food culture in Japan, though mileage may vary.

.

If you only have 11 days, stick to Tokyo and the area around it. Otherwise, you will be running everywhere and seeing nothing but the inside of trains and buses..........

This is 100% true

I actually don't agree. As awesome as Tokyo is, the rural areas can be accessed super quickly and efficiently. It's the towns where you can get to experience the incredible nature- ocean, mountains cheap and abundant hot spas (onsen).

Dreamland, abandoned theme park in Nara (modeled after Disney Land California) was my absolute favourite spot in Japan!

Ohanami at ueno park!

Use your Jr pass to go to Hokkaido in specific Hakodate the view from the top is Michelin star rated.crab and uni (sea urchin) are the specialties of the region

Hira Gomes
Ramesh Rajeswaran

Hi Jennifer, Japan is hands down one of my favourite destinations! I made city guides for Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Sapporo, and Okinawa complete with must dos, eats, and transportation! For accommodations, you really can't go wrong with airbnb - feel free to message me for any questions you might have!
http://www.stoneandfern.com/checking-in/

I'd do 3 days Tokyo, 3 days Kyoto, from Kyoto a day trip to Nara so that's one extra day, two days in Hiroshima so you can visit miyajima. Any extra wiggle room I'd visit Mt.fuji or stay longer in either Kyoto or Tokyo.

Definitely get a tourist JR pass. It's such a good deal, they don't even let residents buy it. Allows you to zip across the country with Shinkansen (bullet train) in no time, and in comfort. Easier than flying. You have to get it in your home country though.

I would stick to around Tokyo-Yokohama but if you do want to go farther then the Shinkansen is the best way to travel.
hyperdia.com is the best sire for planning how to get around on Tokyo

Hyperdia is the best way to plan out a trip on the train! Totally forgot bout them

Japan is amazing! Definitely get a Suica card if you're staying in Tokyo, you can get everywhere in Tokyo easily by train or subway (cabs prices are hefty, avoid them!). There's something to do at pretty much every stop along the Yamanote Line. I'd recommend Asakusa (Senso-ji Temple), Shibuya Crossing, Yoyogi Park, Takeshita Street, Ueno Park, Akihabara (if you're into video games/anime). Just make sure you read the signs to exit at the correct side of the station for what you want to see.