Japan Travel : Suggested 2 Weeks Japan Travel Itinerary

May 23, 2017

Japan Travel : Suggested 2 Weeks Japan Travel Itinerary - Part 1

I would like to share our 14 days Japan Itinerary. Ed and I had planned this trip for about 4 months and we had been busy on researching where to go and foods to try. When we reach home after our day jobs we watched YouTube travelogues! Having knowledge of the places we will go makes the travel more interesting. 😁

Armed with our Ekiben (eki means railway, ben is the short word for bento meaning lunchbox) and JR Pass, we were able to travel to various regions. We spent 3 days in Osaka, 1 day in Nara, 2 days in Kyoto, 1 day in Hiroshima, 1 day in Fukuoka, 1 day in Fuji, 1 day in Aomori, and 3 days in Tokyo. You are right. It's tiring! But mostly fun and exciting! It also involves a lot of walking. 😀

I wrote this Itinerary in two parts because it would be a long post to squeeze everything altogether. Here is the Part 1 of our 14 Days Suggested Japan Travel Itinerary.

Day 1 - Arrival at Kansai International Airport and Exploring Dotonbori
We arrive at Kansai International Airport around 11 am and head to our AIRBNB accommodation at Osaka. It is a 1.5 hours train ride but it did not bore us since we are still on the high of being in Japan. 😀 We rest for a while and head to Dotonbori.

Colorful Shop Logos at Dotonbori

Shops at Dotonbori, Must try grilled scallop at Dotonbori

Day 2 - Universal Studios Japan
We went to USJ on Thursday because we read at Klook tips that it is not crowded during Thursdays. Indeed, it is true! Good recommendation. We bought our tickets at Klook because they offer different discounts. 😊 Our tickets cost S$192 for two persons but during that time Klook offers "out of office" discount so we only got out tickets for S$177. Good deal.

We spend half of the day at Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The receptionist did not give us a Timed Entry tickets so we can go in and out of the park without any hassle! Yey! We immediately queued at Harry Potter and Forbidden Journey Ride because it was the most popular ride inside WWHP. The rest of the afternoon was spent at the main theme park and after dawn, we go back again at WWHP to have a 2nd ride at HPFJ and watch the Dementors Attack Show at 8 pm.

Hogwarts Castle Day and Night, Hogwarts Express

Half Drank Butterbeer and my own wand! Wizard for a Day!

Day 3 - Osaka Castle, Ippudo Ramen and Umeda Sky Building
We started our day heading to Osaka Castle which is one of a must visit places in Osaka. After going at the museum inside the castle we went to Ippudo Ramen near Umeda to take our lunch. We savor ourselves flavorful big bowls of Ramen. We were able to finish our bowls because it was really yummy! Oishi! After our very satisfying lunch, we walked to Umeda Sky Building for some photos. I will warn you that it was a really long walk from Ippudo Ramen. I think I burned all the calories from the Ramen I ate for lunch. 😁 There is a Floating Observatory in Umeda Sky Building but we only stayed at the ground level. After taking some nice photos, we take train and head to Shinsekai.

Osaka Castle, some of the stuff inside and tourist trying Samurai costume

Ippudo Ramen, Umeda Sky Building, Shinsekai

Day 4 - Nara and Kuromon Ichiba
We started our Day 4 Itinerary at Nara. We head to Nakatanidou to watch Mochi pounding in front of their shop. They are known for their fast mochi pounding technique. It hasn't started yet so I first bought 2 pcs of mochi for me and Ed. It is soft and sticky but not too sweet. Yummy!

After Nakatanidou, we walked to Kofukuji Temple, Isui en Garden, and Todaiiji Temple. After Todaiiji Temple we head to Nara park to feed the deers but unfortunately, no deers are roaming around. We head to Kasuga Taisha Shrine and along the way, we found a couple of deers! We bought 2 packs of Senbei crackers for ¥150 each. The deers gathered around me and chase the crackers in my hand which only lasted for less than a minute. 😂 Who has the senbei crackers has the power!

Nakatanidou, Kofukuji Temple, Isui en Garden

Roaming Deer, Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine

After Nara, we went to Kuromon Ichiba which is known as Osaka's Kitchen. We tried different variety of foods like yakisoba, tuna sashimi, grilled jaw of tuna, wagyu beef, octopus with quail egg, and grilled scallop. And the food that captured our starving stomach is Tada! Grilled jaw of tuna! We even bought another two pcs for take away! Most shops at Kurumon Ichiba are open until 5pm only so make sure you arrive before 5pm.

Yakisoba, Grilled Jaw of Tuna, Tuna Sashimi

Baby Octopus with Quail Egg, Grilled Scallop, Wagyu Beef

Day 5 - Kyoto
We allotted 2 days to explore Kyoto. We started our Day 5 Itinerary at Fushimi Inari where you can see thousands of Torii gates. We walked through the gates and when we reached the area wherein there are not so many crowds, we take our souvenir shots and go down. If the walk through the gates made you hungry (which is what happened to us 😅), no worries, there are appetizing street foods that will save you right outside the main entrance of the Torii gates. We bought grilled buta (pig) in skewers and Takoyaki! Yum!

Fushimi Inari

After Fushimi Inari, we head to Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) and Philosopher's path which is along the way of Ginkakuji. After this, we take lunch and went to Kiyomizudera. Unfortunately, it was under construction so we did not have a very nice view of the temple. After Kiyomizudera, we walked through Sannen zaka and Ninnen zaka, Ishibei Koji street and Nene no michi which are all preserved Old Kyoto Street and head to Yazaka shrine. These places are located just outside Kiyomizudera. We end our day having dinner at Kyoto Katsugyu which is known for their Beef Katsu. I read good reviews about it but as I tasted my piece, it is not what I expected. For me, the taste is average and I still prefer the grilled version. It is my opinion only though. You may try it to verify my experience. 😉

Ginkakuji, Entrance of Kiyomizudera, Ladies in Kimono,
Kiyumizudera Temple under construction

Yazaka Shrine, Katsu Beef in Kyoto

Day 6 - Kyoto
Our Day 6 Itinerary is still in Kyoto and started at Ten Ryu Ji Temple. We bought tickets for Garden and Temple, but I would suggest buying only the Garden Ticket as you can see also the inner part of the temple from the garden. This will save you around ¥300. After this, we head to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest which is walking distance from Ten Ryu Ji Temple. Hmm.. What can I say about Arashiyama Bamboo Forest? I think the surreal experience can be felt in the inner part of the forest and I would suggest going early in the morning so you can spend some time all by yourself.

Tenryuji Temple and Garden, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

After Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, we head to Kinkakuji temple (Golden Temple). Indeed, it is a beautiful place and a must see iconic temple in Kyoto. After this, we take bus and head to Ryoan Ji which is a zen temple. There are less than 10 people inside so we were able to enjoy the beauty of the zen temple. Ryoan Ji trivia! Find the 15 rocks laid in the garden. 😊

Kinkakuji, Stairs going yo Ryoan Ji, Ryoan Ji Garden

Day 7 -Hiroshima
We started our Hiroshima Itinerary at Miyajima which is accessible by ferry. JR Pass covered the ferry so we did not pay anything. We visit Itsukushima shrine, Goju No To (Five-Storey Pagoda), Daisho-In and Momijidani Park.

Itsukushima Shrine, Goju No To, Daisho -In, Red Bridge at Momijidani Park

After Miyajima, we head to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. We went to A-Bomb Dome, Children's Peace Monument and Peace Memorial Museum. Visiting these places was an eye-opening experience on the effect of the nuclear bomb to people. It gave us chills to see the clothes worn by the victims and other stuff that were damaged by the bombing. On the good side, it amazes us that 70 years ago, this place looks like a grave yard, the bomb destroyed buildings and houses, but now Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was the only evidence of the bombing and the rest of the city were restored.