Hello all
my friend and I are travelling to Japan this spring for 17 days - starting and ending in Tokyo, and also staying in Kyoto, Osaka and Takayama (for one day). We plan to take a number of day trips from Kyoto and Osaka (to see Hiroshima/Miyajima, Mount Koya, Kinosaki).
I'm looking for ideas of must-see spots, restaurant and nightlife recommendations! Thanks in advance

Interested in this as well.
Roman

Stop at Gero Onsen and/or Shirakawago on the way to/from Takayama

You have to go to the Arashiyama Bamboo forest in Kyoto. I recommend going nice and early because it gets busy really quickly. I took a day trip to Nara from Osaka as well and I loved it (again, go early to beat the crowds). Osaka Castle is nice, although I didn't have time to go inside, the outside of it is cool to see. Make sure you save enough time for Kyoto. There is a lot to see there and most of the temples are not that close together. Have fun!

Here is a post I wrote about Kyoto. I would recommend all of these: http://www.travelswithdrea.com/.../the-best-of-kyoto.html...
TRAVELSWITHDREA.COM
The Best of Kyoto

Thank you so much! We have 5 nights in Kyoto booked
looking forward to exploring Kyoto and taking some day trips as well

Don't waste time going into Osaka castle, it is a reconstruction and is a pretty boring museum

Himeji is the castle you want to see and explore, it is a day trip from Osaka

Www.trekkingwithBecky.com
TREKKINGWITHBECKY.COM
Trekking with Becky - Tips, tidbits, and treasures about travel and living in Japan and Russia.

I've been to Japan twice, to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. There is definitely tons to do and a lot depends on what you're interested in. Look into getting a JR Pass for traveling, it's often worth it if you're traveling to at least a few different areas (especially by shinkansen). The Ghibli Museum is a treat if you're a fan, and tickets must be bought in advance and they sell out very quickly, so if you're interested, look into the dates now. Nara and Arashiyama are wonderful. There's a beautiful secluded temple in Nara that a lot of people don't know about so if you're interested, I can get walking directions for you. The Robot Restaurant in Tokyo is a wild, fun experience. Shin-Okubo in Tokyo (Koreatown) is great if you love Korean food and want to get a vibe of what South Korea is like! The Fushimi Inari Shrine is absolutely beautiful, but also very crowded. Great food can be found everywhere. Definitely try okonomiyaki in Osaka. I could go on forever... So if you want any other suggestions, feel free to message me.

Wow thanks so much! I may reach out to you
we are definitely thinking about getting a JR pass so we can fit in our travels city to city and day trips easily.

Alex definitely get the JR rail pass, it worked out that a 7day pass was the same pricing as a one way ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto.
Lots of flexibility with the JR pass, and you can travel around Tokyo on the circle line!

Hijacking this thread but... Can I ask for those walking directions?

Cindy awesome. We are thinking of getting the 14 day since our timelines are between 10 and 14 and one way tickets still seem more pricey.

Alex then definitely get the JR pass (14 day) but you can activate your pass at anytime from the date of exchange (up to 3 month).
We just got the ordinary 7 day.
Be weary if you are travelling during Apr 28- May 7; its national holiday, and tougher to get seats.
Otherwise the JR Pass is great, you can pre-book seats or just hop on any train.
http://www.japanrailpass.net/sphone/en/about_jrp.html#bm_002

Cindy thanks! Yea we would be activating it about 4 days into our 17 day trip (leaving Tokyo to Kyoto).

Keep us posted on your Japan travels!

will do! I may bring this thread back to life in the future for more questions!

Chris I'm just waiting on a response from my friend in Japan as my memory is a bit foggy!

Andrea N is there now!!

Trip to Nara. Sacred deers roam free near the big Buddha. They bow to you for snacks. Ever seen memoirs of a geisha? Go to see the red gates. Same as what she ran in during the film.

If you like hiking, do the Mt Misen hike on Miyajima. It takes about 1-2 hours depending on your speed, and you get a great view of the surrounding area at the top. Depending on how much time you have, you can take a gondola down or hike down using an alternate route.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone!!!

Following

arashiyama monkey park

Railway Museum in Kyoto is amazing!!

TOKYO
- Tokyo station (Ramen and character street): food/drink/shopping underground
*Tokyo Zen Center (Buddha Cafe)
*Karaoke at Smash hits (Hiro-O station-check schedule)
*Japanese Asahi Beer
Tsukiji
*Fish Market
*Tsukiji Hongwanji Buddhist temple
*Sushizanmai restaurant
Kiba neighbourhood (hostel)
*Kiba Hotel
*Allpress espresso (breakfast)
Ginza, Chuo area (high fashion Center)
*shopping
*Sukiyabashi Jiro sushi restaurant (one of the best)
*Kabukiza Theatre (daily shows-8pm)
ASAKUSA NEIGHBOURHOOD
- Nakamise Dori street
* Souvenir shops
- tendon restaurant (food/drinks)
* shrimp tempura
*Ninja Restaurant
*Senso Ji Temple
*Asakusa temple
Azabudai
*Tokyo Tower (Onarimon/akabanebashi station)
DENKIGAI (akihabara-electric town)
- akihabara metro station
* area that has shopping, cafes and underground clubs
*Home cafe (maid cafe-Trip advisor)
SHIN-OKUVO NEIGHBOURHOOD
- shin-okuvo metro station
- shin-okuvo (Korea town)
ODAIBA NEIGHBOURHOOD
- oedo onsen monogatari
*popular relaxation spot with unique hot springs + traditional Japanese food
*Odaiba Statue of Liberty
*Gundam Robot
ChiYoda
*Imperial Palace
EBISU NEIGHBOURHOOD
- shibuya-ku
YURAKUCHO NEIGHBOURHOOD
- yurakucho's yakitori stands (food and drinks on streets
*Godzilla statue
Ryogoku Neighbourhood
*Authentic food/drinks
*Ryogoku kokugikan (sumo)-May22
*Edo Tokyo museum (next to sumo)
Ueno/Ameyoko Neighbourhood (One of the Tokyo's leading downtown areas-post war 2).
*great bargain shopping
*Ueno Park (Blooms-not the season)
*Tokyo National Museum
Roppongi Neighbourhood (Nightlife)
*#1 Nightlife for tourists
*luxury shopping/restaurants
*Tsurutontan-popular dish.
*Roppongi Kingyo show (not touristy)
*Red Area club
*Jomon Roppongi restaurant (bbq)
Ichigaya neighbourhood
*fish centre-you can see people fishing.
Harajuku neighbourhood (shopping)
*take-shita Dori (most known fashion street-very busy)
Shibuya neighbourhood (Dundas square)
*Scramble crossing
*Shibuya 109 (shopping mall)
*Shibuya Center town-Japanese souvenirs vending machines
*Meiji Shrine (temple)
*yoyogi park
*d47 shokudo (#1 authentic)
*The Vibe Bar (sex bar)
*Uobei sushi (robotic sushi)
Daikanyama (one stop before Shibuya)
* Boutiques and fashioned restaurants.
Sumida-
*Tokyo SkyTree
*yakatabune cruisers (sumida river)
Shinjuku (narrow alleyway)
*Omoide Yokocho (narrow alleyway-food/drinks)
*Awaodori restaurant (they perform Awaodori famous dance while dining)
*Cat cafe Kyariko
*-shinjuku gyoen national garden (Shinjuky-gyoemmae or Shinjuky-Sanchome station-must)
*Kabukicho (red light district-nightlife-Love hotels
*Robot restaurant
*Incrian shinjuku central East (#11 out of 82,757)
Nakano Broadway (shopping)
*Mandarake (popular store)
Ikebukuro area
*Butler Cafe
*cat cafe
*Lumine Ikebukuro (famous cosmetics)
*Ikebukuro plaza
Nagatacho area (political)
*Nagatacho Kurosawa restaurant (movie theme)

3)Kyoto
*Toji Market (only on21st of the month)
*Monkey park Iwatayama #13
Temples
*Fushimi Inari-Taisha shrine-#1
*rokuon-Ji temple#2
*kiyomizu-ndera temple#3
*Sanjusangendo Hall #5
Neighbourhoods
1)Gion #14
2)Pontocho #29
3)Shinkyogoku (shopping st)
4)Arashiyama
Restaurants:
Chao chao sanjo kiyamachi(#6)-Pontocho neighbourhood
Arasha's kitchen (#1)
Wagashi (dessert food)
Chojiro-Shijo-Kiyamachi (grilled sushi) #12

2)Osaka
The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
JR Osaka St (full of arcades,sightseeing)
Osaka River Cruise – Aqualiner [Activity]
Osaka Castle (#3)
Osaka Shochikuza (theatre-Kabuki show)
Hanamarukan, Namba, Hozenji Store’s Ramen [Food & Drink]-restaurant
Minato-machi River Place
Nipponbashi Denden Town (electronic shopping)
yakiniku restaurant-(the famous Matsuzaka Beef)
Shitennoji Temple (one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan)
Senkouji Temple (sightseeing/entertainment)
Universal Studio
Maishima Waste Disposal Center (sightseeing-art)
Sumiyoshi Taisha (most popular shrine in Osaka)
Hanahaku Memorial Park Green Land [Sightseeing]
Japan Mint Factory
Rinku Premium Outlets
Asahi Beer Suita Factory
The Suntory Yamazaki Distillery
Dotonburi - Shinsaibashi - Minami (busy at anytime)
Kuchu Teien Observatory (#7-observatory)
*Takoyaki dish (Octopus balls)
*Ramen Dish (soup)
*Ebisu Bashi-Suji
Shinsekai (bustling)
*Kushikatsu Daruma (food)
*Amusement Park/area
Minami
Nakanoshima
*Nakanoshima Park [Sightseeing]
Okinawa
*Hirao Hondori Shopping Arcade (Sankusu Hirao) [Shopping]
Naniwa
*Sightseeing
*Tsutenkaku tower
*Spaworld
Kansai
*Kogaryu Honten’s Takoyaki [Food & Drink]
*America-mura (fashion area)
*Sankaku Park
Dotonbori (#1trip advisor)
*Namba Station
*[NightLife/Shopping]
*Dotonbori Konamon Museum [Sightseeing]
*Dotonbori River
*Underground
*Pablo Cheesecake
*Matsusakagyu Yakiniku restaurant (Shabu Shabu style)
*Yasaka Shrine
Kuromon
*Kuromon Market
Tennoji (bustling)
Tsuruhashi Station
*Yakiniku/Korean food (unique narrowed streets)
Tsuruhashi Station and Momodani Station
*Miyuki-dori (Korean Town)
Kita-ku
*Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Arcade [Shopping]
Umeda district (-our area-bustling st)
*HEP Five (shopping mall+red ferris)
*Umeda Sky Building (view from the floating garden)
*Don Quijote Umeda Store [24 H bargain Shopping]
*Okonomiyaki (food type)
Shinsaibashi (#5)
*One of the best shopping streets in Osaka.
*Daiso Shinsaibashi (everything is 100yen

Paula - have you seen this amazing thread yet? So exciting!

Enjoy!

Alex thanks for those huge lists!

Alex you are welcome. Now you have a great base

wow thanks so much Alex! this is ridiculously helpful! Can't wait to check out some of these places!!!

Paula enjoy

Japan is the best country!! Very special!

Great lists Alex! Ikebukuro and the Sunshine mall were so fun. And I've done Kiyomizu Temple twice at night and its gorgeous. We stayed in a hostel in Asakusa 2 minutes away from Sensoji and it was amazing walking back the hostel at midnight and seeing the temple completely deserted. And Don Quixote is definitely fun.

Thank you! Tokyo is insane! So much to experience and see there.

We spent a week in Tokyo last time we visited and we barely scratched the surface! One of my favourite things was walking through the craziness of Harajuku then crossing the street to enjoy the beautiful ancient nature of Yoyogi Park. I love the contrast between ancient and modern in Tokyo.

Janna Goulay-Pond I agree. Yoyogi park has a special energy there! Very charmy. Tokyo has its all. Great food, culture, activities, attractions, neighbourhood, etc. If you love people watching, Tokyo is a perfect city for it

If you guys want to follow my travelling experience on instagram, this is my account: alexxrr26

Takayama is a great experience. Took the train. Stayed in a ryokan on the water.

Great to hear! Do you remember the name of the ryokan?

Can I come hang out with you and your friends I am going too hahaha

Neetu Gill
Agata Monika