JAPAN

14 Days in JAPAN

We flew directly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Haneda Airport (HND) in Tokyo. The immigration and customs process at HND was smooth and efficient.

An English-speaking driver picked us up from the airport, ensuring a hassle-free transfer to our hotel.

Our accommodations were at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton, nestled in the heart of Midtown Tokyo. The hotel was incredible. The lobby, located on the 45th floor, offered breathtaking views of the city skyline. The spacious and well-appointed rooms and bathrooms provided a comfortable stay for our group. The hotel’s accommodating English-speaking customer service ensured a smooth transition throughout our stay. The prime location in Roppongi made it easy to access the train station, and the hotel is conveniently connected to the Roppongi Hills mall, which offers a wide variety of dining options.

Everyday (except free days) we had an English-speaking guide pick us up and tour us through the city.

Day 1: 

- Harajuku Takeshita Dori  is a popular destination for both locals and tourists, particularly young people, seeking the latest styles and kawaii culture. Lots to see and take in here. Visit Mi Pig Cafe. 

- Shibuya Crossing  Shibuya Crossing, famously known as the busiest intersection in the world, especially in Japan, is like a giant beating heart. With every pulsing light change, it sends people in all directions, creating a chaotic yet harmonious flow of traffic.

Day 2:

- Kaminari Gate 

- Sake tasting at WASAKE

- Samurai Ninja Museum at Asakusa 

- Asakusa Sumo Club Annex This is a hilarious and entertaining sumo show. You can also catch a real sumo wrestling match, but check the schedule to see if one is scheduled during your visit.

Day 3:

- Tsukiji Outer Market https://www.tsukiji.or.jp/english/).

This vibrant area is a blend of wholesale and retail shops, as well as a traditional Japanese fish market. Come hungry and with ample time to explore.

- Shibuya Sky is Located at the highest point in Shibuya, this offers great restaurants on the lower level and beautiful stores to browse. However, only visit on a sunny day as the view is obstructed by rain.

- TeamLab Planets Toyosu This interactive experience is a must-do. Make sure to purchase the ticket that includes the “Water” experience and wear pants that you can pull up over your knees as your legs will get wet.

Day 4: Free day at leisure. 

We shopped in Ginza, where we found Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and much more.

Day 5: Our travel agent arranged for our luggage to be transferred to Kyoto. This is a crucial step as you cannot take large luggage on the train. We each had a small carry-on and backpack for the next 48 hours.

We took the Romance Car Limited express train to Hakone, where our guide picked us up. We checked into our hotel and promptly set off to explore.

We stayed at Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu

I booked us open-air baths in each of our rooms.

Hakone is renowned for its Japanese hot springs called “onsen.” It’s important to note that there is a strict etiquette expected while using the baths. Here’s a link that provides guidance on what to expect so you’re not caught off guard. 

Hakone, Japan, offers a variety of activities for visitors

In Hakone we explored 

- Lake Ashi by a short cruise

- Komagatake Ropeway where we ascended to the Komagatake mountain for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and saw Mt. Fugi from afar 

We spent the rest of our time exploring the hotel, using the public baths, and admiring the beautiful grounds.

Day 6

We were picked up by a private vehicle with an English-speaking guide and taken to the Odawara station. From there, we boarded the Shinkansen, Japan’s bullet train, and traveled to Kyoto. The Shinkansen is an incredible experience, with comfortable seats and fast travel times.

Upon arrival in Kyoto, we were picked up by an English-speaking guide and checked into our hotel. 

We stayed at the Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto a luxurious hotel located in the heart of the city. After we checked in we stated exploring.

-Arashiyama is a very walkable area of town, so we explored it on foot. We visited the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, a stunning natural attraction with towering bamboo stalks. We also popped in and out of shops and sampled some delicious street food.

Day 7
-Sushi-making experience at Cocottix, where we learned to make sushi from Chef Tsuneo Yoshihara. It was a fun and educational experience, and we ended up with some delicious sushi to enjoy.

-Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum in the Town of Fushimi. This museum showcases the history and culture of sake, and it’s a great place to learn about the art of sake-making.

-Fushimi Inari Taisha, a sacred shrine dedicated to the god Inari. It’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in Japan, and it’s a must-visit for anyone who’s traveling to Kyoto. The shrine is surrounded by thousands of torii gates, creating a breathtaking walkway that winds through the forest.

Day 8

 -Kiyomizu Temple, The temple is set in lush green mountains, and the view of Kyoto from the World Heritage Site Kiyomizu-dera is absolutely breathtaking. 

-Sanju Sangendo A temple built by the famous warlord Taira no Kiyomori in 1164, the temple is famous for its 1,001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of compassion.  

Maiko Ozashiki Experience on Hanamikoji Street in Gion. This was an incredible, authentic experience. Take time to wander this historic and charming area  known for its well-preserved wooden merchant houses and teahouses. 

Day 9

-Nara Deer Park The kids loved feeding the hundreds of freely roaming deer in the park. The deer are considered sacred and friendly. They will bow to get a biscuit. Biscuits are sold throughout the park. 

-Todaiji Temple A World Heritage site, this iconic temple stands as a symbol of the Nara Period and is one of the largest wooden structures in the world. Its massive Daibutsu-den (Great Buddha Hall) houses an awe-inspiring bronze Great Buddha, a masterpiece of ancient craftsmanship. 

-Kasuga Taisha Shrine 

Day 10 
-Free Day We spent all day at the Nishiki Market, aka Kyoto’s Kitchen. 400 years of history, culinary culture, shopping, art, and more.  Make sure you have a lot of time and come hungry. 

Good shopping, exploring all throughout Kyoto.

Our bags were picked up and transferred to our next hotel. 

DAY 11
We took the Shinkansen “Bullet Train” to Hiroshima. 

Once we arrived at the Hiroshima Station, our English-speaking side picked us up.  We rode the ferry to Miyajima Island, where we explored the small island town and the Itsukushima Shrine. 

-Itsukushima Shrine The 6th century, this shrine is one of Japan's finest and is famous for its beautiful Shinden-zukuri style structure.  During high tide, the 0-Torri gate and shrine “float” in the water. 

We then headed into Hiroshima. This was a very powerful experience our kids had a lot of questions and we were all emotional after going through the museum 

-Atomic Bomb Dome

- Peace Memorial Park 

- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum 

The Atomic Bomb Dome is a symbol of the disastrous atomic bombing during WWII, the first atomic bombs used in human history. 

We took the Shinkansen “Bullet Train” to Osaka. 

Checked into the St. Regis which is in the heart of beautiful Midosuji, the Champs-Élysées of Osaka. The hotel is located in the city's premium shopping district and is easy to access by train station. Great insight dining. The hotel’s iconic 12th-floor terrace has sweeping vistas of the Osaka skyline, great for a cocktail. 

We ate dinner at the hotel. 

DAY 12
-Osaka Castle 

- Dotonbori is the symbolic business and shopping district of Minami, Osaka, lined with giant three-dimensional signs.   “Dotonbori” comes from “Doton Yasui,” the name of a man who devoted his wealth to have this river excavated in 1612.

DAY 13

-Kuromon Market (we went 2 days in a row) Kuromon Market, located in Osaka’s Nipponbashi area, is a paradise for fresh produce, meats, seafood, fish, and street food enthusiasts. Stretching for almost 600 meters along Sakaisujidori Street, this bustling shopping arcade houses a diverse array of local shops, restaurants, and retailers.

-Midosuji is a broad, central avenue running north and south through Osaka’s Minami District. All the high-end stores, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior, etc., run parallel to the outdoor street market. 

DAY 14

Goodbye JAPAN. You were good to us, we will miss you! 

NOTES
Dining: I did not book a bunch of night dinner reservations because we were out all day during it, and I didn’t know what time we were getting home. We ate all day long because there are so many food options. 

Shopping: Between the open-air markets, department stores, and luxury stores, the shopping is fabulous.

Best Department Stores: Parco, Daimara, Takashimaya

Transportation:

Icoca Cards (IC) are a must for trains, buses, and trolleys. You can also use these cards to purchase items from vending machines, food stands, 7-11, duty-free at the airport, and more. 

90% of the time, we rode public transportation. The train system is easy to navigate. 

The main train stations have a lot of great food and shopping. 

Etiquette:
Everything is very safe, structured, organized, and clean. There are no trash cans anywhere; if you have trash, you are expected to carry and throw it away at home. Everyone is quiet and speaks respectfully.  No cell phone use, no loud music, no honking. No one talks on the trains. 

Tipping is not part of Japanese culture and can be awkward. 

Yen; some places do not take credit cards.

Must Haves: See My Packing List
Comfortable Sneakers
Rain jacket
Lightweight bag/backpack 
Lightweight Carryon 

Extra:
I bought each of the kids a journal, Japanese markers, origami paper, mini scissors, and a glue pen to document the trip. They loved doing this each night when we got home after a long day.