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How to Spend 14 Days in JAPAN πŸ‡―πŸ‡΅ Ultimate Travel Itinerary

Abroad in Japan・51 minutes read

The text details a 14-day journey around Japan, starting in Tokyo and exploring various cities like Kamakura, Yokohama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hakone, highlighting key attractions, activities, and food experiences. It emphasizes the affordability of visiting Japan currently, with recommendations on places to stay, sights to see, and traditional experiences to enjoy, culminating in the vibrant atmosphere of Shinjuku in Tokyo to conclude the trip.

Insights

  • Visiting Japan is currently more affordable due to the yen being the cheapest in over 30 years, making it an ideal time for travelers to explore the country efficiently.
  • Tokyo serves as an excellent starting point for a 14-day journey around Japan, with Shinjuku and Asakusa recommended as ideal places to stay for first-time visitors due to their unique atmospheres.
  • The trip includes diverse experiences from historic districts like Canaza's Oldtown and Nagamachi Samurai District to serene towns like Shidao, offering a comprehensive exploration of Japan's rich culture and heritage.

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Recent questions

  • What is the significance of visiting Japan?

    Visiting Japan offers a mix of excitement and confusion, requiring careful planning to explore various locations, from ancient streets to neon-lit cities. The current affordability due to the yen being the cheapest in over 30 years makes it an ideal time for travelers to experience the country.

  • How can I efficiently plan a trip to Japan?

    Skyscanner is recommended as a tool to find cheap flights to Tokyo, aiding in planning the trip efficiently and cost-effectively. Starting the journey in Tokyo and staying in areas like Shinjuku and Asakusa are ideal for first-time visitors due to their unique atmospheres.

  • What are some recommended activities in Tokyo?

    Spending the first three days in Tokyo allows for exploring the city and its surroundings. Day trips to places like Kamakura and Yokohama are recommended to experience a more relaxed atmosphere and different aspects of Japanese culture.

  • What are some must-try foods in Japan?

    Omur Market offers a wide variety of Japanese food, with unagi grilled eels being a must-try dish. Other options include local delicacies like Curry pan, Pimon, and lavish seafood bowls, providing a taste of authentic Japanese cuisine.

  • What are some historical and cultural sites to visit in Japan?

    Exploring historic districts like Canaza's Oldtown quarter and Nagamachi Samurai District offers a glimpse into Japan's rich history. Visiting shrines, temples, and traditional towns like Takayama and Higashiyama provides a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and heritage.

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Summary

00:00

"First-time Japan trip: planning, exploring, affordability"

  • The text discusses the excitement and confusion of visiting Japan for the first time, highlighting the need to plan where to go, what to do, and where to stay.
  • It introduces a 14-day journey around Japan to experience various locations, from ancient streets in Kotor to neon-lit Osaka, emphasizing the importance of exploring the country.
  • The text mentions the current affordability of visiting Japan due to the yen being the cheapest in over 30 years, making it an ideal time for travelers.
  • Skyscanner is recommended as a tool to find cheap flights to Tokyo, aiding in planning the trip efficiently and cost-effectively.
  • Tokyo is suggested as the starting point for the journey, with Shinjuku and Asakusa highlighted as ideal places to stay for first-time visitors due to their unique atmospheres.
  • The first three days of the itinerary are spent in Tokyo, with a list of activities to do in and around the city provided at the end of the video.
  • Day trips outside of Tokyo, like to Kamakura and Yokohama, are recommended to experience a more relaxed atmosphere and explore different aspects of Japanese culture.
  • Kamakura is described as a city with many shrines and temples, with highlights including the Kamakura Daibutsu statue and the serene HWCOI temple's bamboo forest.
  • The text mentions enjoying local food in Kamakura, such as the popular Curry pan, and suggests exploring the city by bike or spending time at Kamakura beach.
  • Yokohama is introduced as Japan's second-largest city, known for its trading history and futuristic Minatomirai district, with attractions like the Cup Noodle Museum and Chinatown recommended for visitors.

14:08

Japanese Food and Culture in Central Japan

  • Omur Market in Japan offers a wide variety of Japanese food, with vendors being friendly and popular among travelers.
  • Unagi grilled eels are a must-try at Omur Market, costing 4,800 Yen for a whole eel or 500 Yen for a skewer with unagi tar sauce made from sake, mirin, soy sauce, and sugar.
  • Omur Market also offers non-meat and fish options like freshly cut local Pimon and whole oranges shredded into orange juice, along with lavish seafood bowls.
  • Canaza's Oldtown quarter in the Higashi Chai district features historic entertainment districts, including tea houses with lattice designs called kimore, where geisha have entertained for over 200 years.
  • Canaza's Oldtown quarter also offers cafes with green tea matcha-infused confectionery and visually striking Gold Leaf ice cream, with gold leaves being 110,000 of a millimeter across.
  • Kazawa HCK Matchi store in Canaza offers meticulously handcrafted cups, chopsticks, Mani Neco figurines, and a 24 karat gold leaf face mask for 6,600 Yen or a trial set for 2,200 Yen.
  • Nagamachi Samurai District in Canaza offers a glimpse into historic streets lined with Earth walls, private gated entrances, and streams, providing a quiet contemplative evening stroll.
  • Oyama Shrine in Canaza is dedicated to Maier, the first Lord of the Maida Clan, featuring a distinctive gate with European aesthetics designed by a Dutch architect.
  • Shidao, a picturesque town between Takayama and Kazawa, is known for its thatched roof farmhouses and carefully tended fields, offering a unique way of life and stunning views.
  • Takayama in the Central Japan Alps is a mountain town with traditional architecture, gushing streams, and street foods featuring local hi wagy beef, offering a retro vibe and a visit to the Takayama Shakan Museum for a nostalgic experience.

28:11

Kyoto's Historic Sites and Cultural Treasures

  • Higashiyama in Kor is recommended as the best location to stay, offering easy access to historic quarters.
  • Machia townhouses in Higashiyama are declining, with nearly 800 lost yearly, but tourism is helping to preserve them.
  • Fushimi Inari Shrine in South Kyoto, dedicated to the Shinto God of rice, agriculture, and fertility, features 10,000 red Torii Gates.
  • The Gates at Fushimi Inari are donated by companies and individuals for good luck, with prices ranging from 400,000 to 1 million yen.
  • Tempura Endo in Higashiyama is renowned for its crispy, gold-battered dishes, with each item served individually.
  • Arashiyama, north of Kyoto, houses treasured temples and shrines, including the Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji Temple.
  • Mount Arashiyama offers panoramic views of Kyoto and a chance to encounter 120 snow monkeys at Arashiyama Monkey Park.
  • Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, is Kyoto's most extravagant structure, rebuilt after burning down twice, offering stunning views.
  • Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Higashiyama provides sweeping views over Kyoto, with a wooden stage rising 13m above the ground.
  • Nara, a smaller city, features Nara Park with friendly deer, and Todai-ji Temple, housing one of Japan's largest bronze Buddha statues.

43:14

"Discover Japan's History and Culture"

  • Osaka Castle, a visually striking castle with a museum inside and a surrounding moat, played a significant role in Japan's history from 1614 to 1615.
  • The defeat of the ruling Tokugawa Clan by Imperial forces in 1868 marked the end of the Tokugawa Dynasty's rule.
  • Shinsekai, a district in Osaka, offers a vibrant atmosphere with Western-inspired architecture and iconic dishes like kushikatsu.
  • Enjoy kushikatsu by skewering various ingredients like pork, beef, onions, potatoes, shrimp, and cheese, dipping them in tonkatsu sauce, and savoring the crunchy batter with a cold beer.
  • Choose between visiting Hiroshima and Mima or heading to Hakone, known for its hot springs and traditional ryokan experience.
  • Hakone, located near Tokyo, offers a serene escape with luscious peaks, Mount Fuji views, and traditional ryokan accommodations.
  • Experience a traditional kaiseki dinner at a ryokan, featuring fresh seasonal ingredients and beautifully presented dishes like Sukiyaki Hot Pot with marbled A5 wagyu beef.
  • Enjoy a private onsen bath at Hakone, where couples or families can relax in mineral-rich waters, followed by a visit to the volcanic landscape of Owakudani.
  • Explore the Hakone Ropeway for stunning views of Mount Fuji and the Great Boiling Valley, known for its sulfuric steam vents and captivating scenery.
  • Conclude the journey in Tokyo's Shinjuku district, known for its intense, futuristic atmosphere, vibrant nightlife, and unique experiences like Memory Lane and Golden Gai.

57:17

"Trip Videos and Fortune Lessons"

  • Locations explored on the trip have dedicated videos, like Oraka fuka and Asakasa District in Tokyo, listed in the description box for easy access.
  • A lesson learned from the trip is to persist in buying fortunes until achieving the desired outcome.
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