The wife an I are going to Japan in November , we land in Osaka then train to Kyoto then Tokyo. I was wondering if there are some must see places or hidden gems and we could see or do

Same advice I posted in another request for recommendations: Go on Netflix, open food/travel shows like Anthony Bourdain, Chefs Table and Mind of a Chef, then search the episodes for Japan.

On top of this, head to YouTube and watch as many episodes of Abroad in Japan.

I just went. Search japan in the group. There are some great tips in the post from April!

Just left Japan two days ago. One highlight that may be off the beaten track was to spend a night in a monastery at Mt Koya, then spend a day exploring the town. Basically everything in Kyoto is pretty great. Trains and metro are awesome and easy to use.

So much to see in Kyoto but one of my favourites and a little off the beaten track.

http://www.miho.or.jp/en/
MIHO.OR.JP
MIHO MUSEUM | I.M.Pei 設計の美術館。古代エジプト,ギリシャ・ローマ,アジア等世界の優品と日本美術の優品を展示

Nara to see the deer & Himeji Castle. Also definitely spend the night at a Buddhist temple in Mount Koya.

Check that the road to mount koya is repaired after the major floods earlier this year, it was closed for a long time, sadly we missed it in May.

http://benesse-artsite.jp/en/
BENESSE-ARTSITE.JP
Benesse Art Site Naoshima

https://borderless.teamlab.art
BORDERLESS.TEAMLAB.ART
MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM: teamLab Borderless | teamLab / チームラボ

I went to this and it was LIFE CHANGING!!!! Magical!!!!!!

Umeda Sky Building in Osaka...gives you 360 view of the city and water ways...we did traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto, go to Gion area, also in Kyoto (if you go at sunset, you might see a Geisha). Nice little hike up to Monkey Mountain/Park.

www.reddit.com/r/japantravel was invaluable in planning my trip!
REDDIT.COM
Japan Trips & Travel Tips • r/JapanTravel

This is a great resource that I frequent a lot. Be sure if you have a question you'd like to ask to search for it first then be specific. We'd love to help you out!

The robot cabaret In shinjku. Great. Easy to getnthere.

find an old fashioned yakatori bar.

also the red temple on Kyoto. Memorable!

You can do a day trip to Hiroshima & Miyajima on Shinkansen, I liked Kobe a lot + You can think of going to Japanese alpes (takayama)

I highly recommend this trip, even turning it into an overnight stay. You can forward your luggage from Osaka to Kyoto (see takkyubin services/ your hotel will do this for you) for about $20 and take an overnight bag.

how long are you going for? If you have the time definitely head south to Hiroshima, Miyajima, Himeji Castle, Kobe and Nara as Paweł suggests, we spent a week in that area and it was great. From Kyoto walk the Philosopher's Path, spend a half day in the bamboo groves of Arashiyama. Also do go north to Takayama/ Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go village, for the real feel of old Japan and the time of the samurai and historical 'road to Edo'. Spend a night in Kawaguchi-ko for Mt Fuji, take the cable car for views and lake boat ride. Amazing places, culture and food, but it all depends on how much time you have - that will help with recommendations.

MariCar go-kart driving in Tokyo was so much fun!! And bike riding around Kyoto was great!! Happy travels!!

Does anyone know how the weather is here in December to go for Christmas and New Years?

Osaka weather at Christmas is very similar to here. .

Michael Frew

Osaka is wonderful, just keep in mind they're a city that is liveliest at night and your clock is going to be really skewed. We woke up at 5 am in Osaka and nothing is open until around 11am, when things are going tho there's a ton of great shopping. There's a great Hawaiian breakfast restaurant in Osaka called Eggs 'n Things 心斎橋店 they opened around 8am I recall.
Osaka castle is beautiful and there are many castles you can visit throughout the country.
Japan has some of the most beautiful gardens you can walk around, some of them you have to pay to get in.
Mostly you just have to wander and take it in because there's so much to just stumble onto.

Seriously, THE wife? Yowsa!

Lol, I was thinking exactly the same thing!

Ninabanda

Arigato gozaimasu

Tokyo

Shibuya

Takeshitadori

Yakitori

Tonkotsu Ramen & Gyoza

If you enjoy classic rock and a drink or ten go to Area 6 bar in kyoto. The owner of the bar is awesome.

hey Joey where did you buy your ticket? and can you tell me the price if you don’t mind? I’m planning on going in the winter as well!

flighthub and there is different pricing depending on layovers anywhere from $609.00 to $1,200.00

Joey thanks!

Stop and have a beer in triangle park. It’s where you go to be seen, the characters and ppl are amazing.

Youtube is great for places to see and things to do. I have been to Japan 29 times. Type in ..25 thing to do in Tokyo, or Kyoto , or Osaka. You will have a great time. I always do.

Following

Nara for a day trip or two and arashiyama bamboo forest

If your planning to buy knives. Head down to kappabashi in tokyo.

If you're purchasing a JR pass, avoid starting it too early ie. regional passes may be sufficient for your Kansai area sightseeing & only start day 1 of your JR pass when you head to Tokyo. Likewise, for Tokyo (& the Kanto) area. Depends on your trip duration & where you're flying home from of course.

Day trip from Tokyo to Kamakura (giant Buddha) and Enoshima.

I agree, the big Buddha was awe inspiring. And walking through bamboo Forrest’s is pretty incredible.