It’s official! This girl is headed to Japan in November with two friends. To say that I’m excited would definitely be an understatement. I’ve always wanted to visit an Asian country, but it always seemed too far and too far out of my reach. Now, it’s actually happening, and I cannot stop smiling!
As we know, Japan is an entire country, and we won’t be able to cover the whole nation during our week long trip. We plan to hit three cities: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. These past few weeks, I’ve been doing so much research and have had so many tabs open in regards to Japan. We’re trying to create an itinerary to maximize our time, and we may need some help.
TOKYO:
We plan on spending most of our time in Tokyo, Japan. As I did some research, I came across some standard sights for us to see:
- Tokyo National Museum
- Shinjuku Guyen National Garden
- Imperial Palace
- Tokyo Tower
- Tokyo Skytree
- Shibuya Crossing
I’m also pretty excited to personally experience the food they have to offer. I’ve only heard great things about Japanese food, and I’ve also heard that Tokyo not only has good food, but some unique places for people to come and sample:
- Robot Restaurant
- Kawaii Monster Cafe
- Tsujiki Fish Market
- Golden Gai [for drinks]
One thing that really caught my attention was that they have ‘Mario Kart’ tours available. Now, if you’re like me, Mario Kart was a part of your childhood and may still even play a role in your life today. Can you even imagine being a part of a Mario Kart game in real-life? Well, from my understanding, that’s what MariCAR provides its guests! I’m too pumped for this! It’s like a dream come true!
KYOTO:
We also plan to visit the city of Kyoto. Once the capital of Japan, now it’s a popular city that boasts famous temples, shrines, and gardens. I’m also pretty excited to visit here, because I’ve heard of a geisha before, but I don’t know too much about them. Kyoto is well-known for their geisha presence, and I’m hoping to learn lots while visiting. We only have time to squeeze in a day trip to this city, so what we’re able to do will be very limited. I know we’re thinking of several things we want to do:
- Explore Gion
- Philosopher’s Walk
- Fushimi Inari-taisha
- Kinkaku-ji
but we’re also open to finding things to do, see, and experience that may be off the beaten path.
OSAKA:
The last city we plan to visit, also for a day trip, is Osaka. I haven’t done too much research on this city yet, as we are planning to visit my friend’s friend. Since she’s lived there for some time, I’m sure she’ll be able to show us the highlights of the city. I plan to do more research before we go on the trip, but for now, that’s where I am with Osaka.
I am beyond excited that we are actually going to Japan! It will be a long trip to get there, but I definitely think it will be worth it in the end. I know we’re going to have a blast with what ever we end choosing to do.
Have you been to Japan before? What was your trip like? Do you have any recommendations, advice, or tips for us before we go? Let me know in the comments!
Japan is on the top of my travel wish list. I am so excited for you. It would be such a wonderful experience.
❥ tanvii.com
Thank you Tanvi! I hope you’re able to go one day 🙂
Looks like a good plan. Share your experiences when you come back!
While you are there, enjoy yourself and don’t think too much about blogging!
Thank you! And I definitely plan on sharing my trip when I get back. I’ll try not think too much about blogging while I’m there 🙂
Kawaii Monster Cafe!! I watch so many Japan vlogs and everyone seems to love it! I want to visit so bad!
I hope we go! It looks like it would be a treat for sure!
Can I come? LOL. This looks like so much fun, and you have a perfect plan going. 🙂 Enjoy your trip.
Thank you! And yes, come along!!
this sounds amazing! have so much fun!
Thank you!!
Awesome! I’m in Nagoya right now, and I have a blog about travelling and living in Japan. Let me know if you have any specific questions. I hope you have a good time 🙂
Thanks so much Jennifer! I’ll definitely check your blog out, and let you know if I have any questions 🙂
Japan is in my top 5 places to visit! You are so lucky. Hope it’s as wonderful as planned 🙂
Thank you! I really am lucky to be able to go, and I’m so excited! I hope you’re able to visit one day as well!
Oh my gosh that is so exciting! Have an amazing time and take tons of pictures!
I’m SOOO excited! And I plan to take a lot of pictures 🙂
This is so exciting for you! I know a few people who have been to Japan and they’ve all said it’s amazing. I’d really love to go one day as well.
Same! I’ve heard great things of Japan, which makes me even more excited to go. I hope you’re able to go one day too!
Oh man, this sounds so much fun–especially the Mario kart thing!
I’m a die hard Mario Kart fan, so seriously that doing that tour would be a dream come true! That may be one of the top things that I’m excited for! No shame 🙂
Japan is definitely on our list to see one day. We cannot wait to see your blog posts about your time there.
I hope you’re able to go one day as well! I definitely plan on sharing my experiences and pictures when I get back 🙂
Oh mygosh! I am sooo excited for you! From one travel lover to another—3 hips and 3 hoorays!!
Thank you so much! I’m pretty pumped!
OMG! You’re gonna have so much fun in Japan! I loved going there last year and the food was exquisite!
Yay!! I’m so happy to hear that! I’m too excited!
My friend just came back from Japan! Such a cool and culturally rich country. I’m excited to see photos from your trip!
I’m beyond pumped to go! I’ve heard great things about the country!
So exciting! Japan seems like such a wonderful place to visit. I loooove Japanese food too so that would definitely be at the top of my priorities if I were to ever visit. Hope you have the time of your life! Seems like you plan on doing so…
Haha thank you Karina! I’m excited to sample authentic Japanese food as well!
How terribly exciting! Looks like an amazing trip. Definitely a place I’ve always wanted to visit.
I hope you’re able to visit one day!!
Ack! I’m so excited for you! Japan has been on my bucket list for awhile! Can’t wait to hear what you think!
Thank you Marcie! I’m BEYOND excited to go!!
That’s so exciting! My dad was born and raised in Japan, so we all went to visit when I was in high school. Luckily my grandma was with us and could still speak Japanese so we had no trouble getting around. We still have a few family members there, so hopefully I’ll make it back someday.
That’s so cool! None of us speak Japanese, so this should definitely be interesting to say the least. I hope you make it back there as well, and if you have any recommendations, don’t hesitate to let me know!
Oh my goodness I’m so jealous! You are going to have so much fun!
It’s still so surreal that I’m going!
That’s amazing! My husband REALLY wants to go to Japan and I’m a little on the fence – I’ll have to stay tuned to see if I should give in 😉
My vote is to go! But yes, stayed tuned and let me know what you guys decide!
We plan to take a 2 week vacation to Japan in 2018. It’s going to be so awesome!
That’s so exciting! Do you know which cities you plan to visit?
Congratulations. Enjoy your stay there. I hop i can visit soon too.
Thank you! I definitely plan to! And I hope so as well 🙂