Hi all,
I'm planning a trip to Japan in December and looking for some advice on where to see/eat/do.
We are flying into Osaka and out of Tokyo over 7 days and likely visiting Kyoto and Nara.… See more

Just returned from Japan 2 days ago.
Forget Tokyo tower & the Tokyo Skytree. The best view is from the Tokyo Municipal Government building observatory and it's free!
Harajuku is fun on a Sunday if you want to see Cosplay or Lolitas but expect crowds. Harajuku is only one station away from Shibuya where the famous "Shibuya Scramble"* cross walk is. Depending on what time of day you go, there can be up to 2000 people crossing the street at the same time. You can go up into the second floor of Starbucks across the street to get an overhead view.
*Lost in Translation, F&F Tokyo Drift and Read my mind by the Killers were all filmed here to name a few

James Nakaji

CupNoodle Museum! Well worth the visit!
http://www.cupnoodles-museum.jp/english/index.html
CUPNOODLES-MUSEUM.JP
Overview of CUPNOODLES MUSEUM | !!! CUPNOODLES MUSEUM

https://www.cnet.com/.../who-wouldnt-want-to-visit-a.../
CNET.COM
Who wouldn't want to visit a Japanese owl cafe? Who?

If you find and cheap flight deals post old!

In osaka head to the tourist office and purchase a hanshin tourist pass starts at 10 cnd for Jr line can use for travel across kyoto arashiyama kobe and osaka

Gonna be there in January so I'd love to hear more recommendations

Yoo Steph! 7 days is a bit too little for all 4 places..gonna be super rushed.. (IMO) 7 days is not even enough for Tokyo and Kyoto alone..but if you have to do it this way what i'd do is make Tokyo and Kyoto your "home" bases. You can do day trips to Nara and Osaka from Kyoto (30 min train ride to nara/osaka from kyoto..just more convenient). Its a ~2.5-3 hour train ride from tokyo-kyoto. Way too many good places to eat to list here..but honestly theres no bad place to eat in Japan (never had a bad meal). You're most likely out of luck for onsens if you have a tatt..some don't even let you in even if its small and you cover it. www.japan-guide.com is a great resource that I used for the typical "tourist" and "best" districts to visit in the city. This is all at the top of my head rn..give me a shout thru fb if you want something super detailed but this is a general idea. Be prepared to hustle your butt off if you want to see everything
edit: nvm just read you're flying into osaka. this is fine..the timings are still relatively the same
JAPAN-GUIDE.COM
japan-guide.com - Japan Travel and Living Guide

I did the exact same thing as you plan, but in reverse. Myajima island was a highlight (wish I spent more than one night there). Your hotel might have an attached Onsen which could help get around the tattoo issue, but don't count on it. I second www.japan-guide.com
Hiroshima is worth a visit. I was less impressed with Osaka, but worth a visit. Tokyo is almost a trip on its own. Kyoto should have a good chunk of your time too.
JAPAN-GUIDE.COM
japan-guide.com - Japan Travel and Living Guide

Try an onsen. My preference is for big family type onsen as they have big very delicious buffet meals and many different type pools.

Thank you for all the helpful comments! Will be taking everything into considerations.
*edit*
This is our new official itinerary is now:
Day 1 - fly into Osaka (hang out in Osaka)
Day 2 - day trip to Kyoto (bamboo forest and shrine)
Day 3 - day trip to Kobe / take overnight bus to Tokyo
Day 4, 5, 6, 7 - Tokyo (maybe include a day trip to Yokohama?)
Day 8 - fly out in the morning
Thoughts?

Junior Huen

Given you only have 7 days. I would suggest staying in Kyoto (not far from Osaka). Skip Kobe. Split your time between Kyoto and Tokyo instead. Happy planning

Thanks for your tip, I did hear Kobe wasn't really worth the trip either. Might consider changing things around as you suggested.

Philip Karlsson This whole thread will be helpful for you (it was for me!)

Osaka is a big city but if you just want to see the center can be done in a day and also kobe and kyoto/arashiyama

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2362.html
JAPAN-GUIDE.COM
Seishun Juhachi Kippu (Seishun 18 Kippu)

Here's a good pass can be shared with others.

http://www.kansai360.net/m/en/ticket.html
KANSAI360.NET
The Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe Golden Route 360°

Thanks for your shares! All very helpful.

Sharlene good tips for your trip to Japan

Try to stay at a minshuku or a ryokan for a night (or better yet a week). Sometimes it includes home-cooked meals, and use of the household private onsen if you get a good one. We found one in Kyoto, but there are tons. The other thing: just go out on the street in the early evening and wander until you find a little hole in the wall drinking place. Go in and have what everyone is having. You cannot lose if you try this. Loads of fun, and you'll make new friends.

Good recommendation! We looked into it and changed our itinerary to base in Kyoto- stay at ryokan instead of Osaka. Will wander around lots! Thanks