Japan First-Timer Itinerary: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Fuji

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@Jay and Karolina

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47 places in Japan: Yasaka Jinja, Sannenzaka, Hachikō Memorial Statue, and 44 more. Every place is verified on Google Maps, featured in a YouTube post by Jay and Karolina.

Yasaka Jinja

Place of worship

4.4

Yasaka Shrine, once known as Gion Shrine, is a historic shrine in Kyoto famous for its beautiful rows of lanterns that glow exquisitely when lit at night. It's an atmospheric place to visit, especially in the evening when the crowds thin out and the shrine feels more tranquil and intimate.

Sannenzaka

Landmark

4.3

Sannenzaka is a charming historic street in Kyoto, lined with traditional wooden houses, small shops, and snack stalls. It's an iconic and highly popular tourist attraction, often very crowded by mid-morning, so an early visit is essential for a more serene experience.

Hachikō Memorial Statue

Sculpture

4.3

The Hachiko Statue in Shibuya is a beloved landmark and popular meeting spot outside Shibuya Station, commemorating the loyal Akita dog. It's a quick stop for many visitors before heading into the bustling Shibuya Crossing.

Shibuya Scramble Crossing

Landmark

4.5

Shibuya Crossing is an iconic and bustling pedestrian scramble in Tokyo, famous for its massive crowds and vibrant atmosphere, especially at night. It's a must-visit for first-time visitors to experience the energetic pulse of Tokyo.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Government office

4.4

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building offers one of the best free observation decks in Tokyo, providing panoramic views of the sprawling city. It's a worthwhile short stop to appreciate the sheer scale of Tokyo from a high vantage point, especially during daylight hours.

Sensō-ji

Place of worship

4.5

Sensoji is Tokyo's oldest and most important temple, located in Asakusa. It's a must-visit for its rich history, vibrant atmosphere, and iconic Kaminarimon Gate. The temple grounds, including the Nakamise Street leading up to it, offer a very traditional and meaningful experience, especially when dressed in a kimono.

Meiji Jingu

Place of worship

4.6

Meiji Jingu is a peaceful Shinto shrine nestled in a forested area in Shibuya, Tokyo. It offers a relaxing start to the day with its serene atmosphere, contrasting with the city's busy areas. Visitors can write wishes on wooden plaques to leave at the shrine.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Garden

4.6

Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo's most beautiful and spacious green spaces, offering a calm and peaceful escape from the busy city streets. It features stunning gardens with various seasonal plants, making it an ideal spot for a relaxing stroll, especially during autumn when the foliage is vibrant.

Nishiki Market

Market

4.2

Nishiki Market is a vibrant food market in Kyoto, offering an authentic culinary experience with numerous stalls selling fresh produce, local delicacies, and traditional Japanese snacks. It's a must-visit for food lovers, though it can get very crowded due to its narrow streets.

Takeshita Street

Place

Takeshita Street is one of Harajuku's busiest and brightest shopping streets, renowned for its energetic atmosphere, unique fashion boutiques, and fun street food. It's a vibrant hub where visitors can explore youth culture and try trendy Japanese snacks like crepes and long potato sticks.

Chureito Pagoda

Historical landmark

4.7

Chureito Pagoda is one of the most iconic Mount Fuji viewpoints, offering stunning views of the pagoda with Mount Fuji in the background. The climb up to the pagoda involves 398 steps, which can be quite challenging, but the reward of beautiful sunset views makes the effort worthwhile.

Narita International Airport

International airport

4.2

Narita International Airport is one of Tokyo's main international airports, serving a large number of long-haul international flights. Travelers landing here can easily access Tokyo via the Narita Express train or the Airport Limousine bus, which offers direct service to major hotels.

Osaka Castle

Historical place

4.4

Osaka Castle is one of Japan's most famous landmarks, featuring a grand, restored castle set within extensive grounds, including a park and moat. The highlight is walking around the grounds and seeing the castle from the outside, which functions as a museum on the inside.

Dotonbori

Place

Dotonbori is the most iconic area in Osaka, famous for its vibrant nightlife, illuminated neon signs, and incredible food culture. As evening sets in, the neon signs light up, and the streets fill with people, creating a lively atmosphere around the Dotonbori Canal.

Shin Sekai "New World"

Place

4.1

Shinsekai is an old-school Osaka neighborhood known for its retro, slightly gritty vibe, reminiscent of post-war Osaka. It's a vibrant area with neon lights, eclectic shops, and a lively atmosphere, offering a unique glimpse into Osaka's past.

Universal Studios Japan

Amusement center

4.5

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is one of the most popular theme parks in the world, offering a full day of entertainment and thrilling attractions, including Super Nintendo World and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It's a must-visit for theme park enthusiasts, promising an exciting and memorable experience.

Abeno Harukas

Place

4.2

Abeno Harukas is one of the tallest buildings in Japan, offering a breathtaking observation deck with incredible panoramic views over Osaka. It's particularly stunning around sunset, allowing visitors to witness the city bathed in warm hues.

Tsūtenkaku

Observation deck

4.0

Tsutenkaku Tower is a prominent landmark in Osaka's Shinsekai district, offering panoramic views of the city. Its retro-futuristic design and illuminated spire make it a distinctive feature of the neighborhood, especially at night.

Namba Yasaka Shrine

Place of worship

4.4

Namba Yasaka Shrine in Osaka is famous for its giant lion head stage, a unique and striking architectural feature. This shrine offers a distinct cultural experience, unlike anything else you'll see in Japan.

Tokyo Station

Transit station

4.3

Tokyo Station is a major railway station in Tokyo, serving as a key hub for various train lines, including the Narita Express. It's an ideal point of arrival or departure for travelers staying in areas like Ginza, offering easy access to different parts of the city.

Amerika-Mura

Place

3.8

America Mura, or American Village, in Osaka is a trendy district known for its youth culture, street fashion, vintage shops, record stores, and vibrant murals. It offers a creative and alternative side of Osaka, with a completely different vibe from the city's traditional areas.

Ichiran Shibuya

Ramen restaurant

4.4

Ichiran Ramen is a popular ramen restaurant chain known for its unique dining experience in individual booths, allowing diners to focus entirely on their customizable ramen. It's praised for its delicious and affordable tonkotsu ramen, making it a popular choice for a first meal in Japan.

Asakusa Gyukatsu

Japanese restaurant

4.7

Gyukatsu restaurants, like Asakusa Gyukatsu, are popular dining spots in Tokyo, specializing in breaded and fried beef cutlets served rare. Diners cook the beef themselves on a small hot stone at their table, providing a fun and interactive Japanese dining experience.

Marion Crêpes Takeshita Street

Dessert shop

4.0

Marion Crepes is a classic Harajuku creperie, famous for its sweet and savory crepes, considered a right of passage for first-time visitors to the area. It offers a wide variety of crepes with fresh ingredients, perfect for enjoying a fun street food experience.

Shibuya Sky

Observation deck

4.6

Shibuya Sky is a popular observation deck in Shibuya, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Tokyo. Sunset and nighttime slots are highly sought after, often selling out up to two weeks in advance, as visitors can witness the city transform from day to night.

Omoide Yokocho

Place

Omoide Yokocho, also known as Memory Lane or Piss Alley, is a narrow network of lantern-lit alleyways in Shinjuku, packed with tiny eateries serving yakitori and other local delicacies. It offers a unique and traditional Tokyo dining experience, where people are squeezed in shoulder-to-shoulder, chatting, drinking, and eating after work.

Kyoto Station

Transit station

4.3

Kyoto Station is a major transportation hub in Kyoto, serving as the arrival and departure point for many travelers. It's a modern and bustling station, with various train lines connecting to different parts of the city and beyond.

Glico Sign Dotonbori

Place

4.4

The Glico Man Sign is a famous and iconic landmark in Dotonbori, Osaka, featuring a running man that has become a symbol of the city. It's a classic photo spot for almost every visitor to Osaka, embodying the energetic and vibrant spirit of Dotonbori.

Kushikatsu Daruma - Shinsekai Main Shop

Restaurant

4.1

Ganso Kushikatsu Daruma is an iconic restaurant in Osaka's Shinsekai district, famous for its kushikatsu, which are deep-fried skewers of various ingredients. It's a must-try for a proper Osaka food experience, offering a casual and lively atmosphere to enjoy this local delicacy.

Okonomiyaki Chitose

Japanese restaurant

4.7

Okonomiyaki Chitose is an acclaimed restaurant in Osaka renowned for its okonomiyaki, a savory pancake that is a signature dish of the city. Served fresh off the griddle, it's a must-try for its comforting taste and local, no-frills atmosphere.

Gion Duck Rice

Restaurant

4.4

Gion Duck Rice is a modern Kyoto-style restaurant specializing in duck rice dishes, prepared with simple ingredients and exquisite presentation. The dishes are served in stages, allowing diners to add different spices and finish with a light dashi broth, highlighting the Japanese focus on seasonality and detail in food.

Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway

Place

The Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway offers elevated views over Lake Kawaguchiko, and on clear days, incredible views of Mount Fuji. It's a popular attraction, but expect queues both going up and coming back down, especially on busy days.

Shirakawa Canal

Landmark

4.7

Shirakawa Lane is a picturesque historic street in Kyoto, known for its tranquil canal, traditional houses, and slower pace. Visiting during the day is ideal to enjoy the serene views and experience a calmer atmosphere compared to the city's busier areas.

Kani Doraku Dotonbori Main Branch

Restaurant

4.2

Kani Doraku is a well-known crab restaurant in Dotonbori, Osaka, easily recognizable by its giant crab signboard moving above the entrance. It specializes in various crab dishes, offering a unique dining experience in the bustling heart of Osaka.

Starbucks Coffee - Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya

Coffee shop

4.4

This Starbucks Coffee location is uniquely housed within a traditional machiya (townhouse) in Kyoto, offering a distinctive cultural experience. It features tatami mat seating, allowing visitors to enjoy their coffee in a setting that blends modern convenience with traditional Japanese aesthetics.

curry & tempura koisus

Japanese curry restaurant

4.7

Curry & Tempura Koisusu is a Japanese curry restaurant in Kyoto known for its unique presentation of spice curry, served in a sushi bucket with two types of curry and five types of pickles. They also offer light and crispy tempura, including unique items like domestic wagyu beef and seasonal vegetables, providing a refined culinary experience.

Hoppy Street

Place

Hoppy Street (Hoppi-dori) in Asakusa is a lively and traditional area filled with small izakayas and casual restaurants. It's a great choice for experiencing a local side of Tokyo, offering a vibrant atmosphere where people enjoy food, drinks like highballs, and socialize late into the evening.

Benitsuru Pancake

Restaurant

4.1

Benitsuru is a highly popular breakfast spot in Asakusa, famous for its incredibly fluffy Japanese pancakes. Due to high demand, queuing from around 6 AM is often necessary to secure a reservation, highlighting its status as a must-try culinary experience.

THE BLOSSOM KYOTO

Hotel

4.5

The Blossom Kyoto is a hotel offering comfortable and modern accommodations in Kyoto. The video shows a check-in experience with a complimentary matcha parfait, highlighting a welcoming touch. Its interior is designed with a blend of traditional Japanese aesthetics and contemporary comfort.

Don Quijote Dotonbori

Discount store

3.7

Don Quijote is a popular discount store chain in Japan, renowned for its overwhelming array of snacks, souvenirs, cosmetics, gadgets, and various other goods. Its lively and colorful atmosphere makes it a fun place to explore and stock up on unique Japanese items and gifts.

Japanese Tea Shop & Cafe Premium & Health MARUZEN Tea Roastery Asakusa Matcha | Ice Cream | Gelato

Cafe

4.9

Maruzen Tea Roastery in Asakusa is a newer tea shop and cafe specializing in high-quality matcha. It's known for its excellent Uji matcha drinks, including iced matcha lattes with ice cream and mochi, providing an authentic and enjoyable matcha experience in a relaxed setting.

Fujikyuko Line

Place

The Fujikyu Railway offers local train services, connecting areas like Kawaguchiko to Fujiyoshida and other towns. These local trains provide a scenic route for travelers, especially when heading to spots like Chureito Pagoda for sunset views.

Kuidaore Tarō

Cultural landmark

4.2

Kuidaore Taro is a mechanical clown figure and popular landmark in Dotonbori, Osaka, known for his drumming and cheerful demeanor. He is a symbol of Osaka's vibrant food culture and a fun photo opportunity for visitors.

Teramachi

Place

Teramachi Shopping Street is a covered arcade connected to Nishiki Market in Kyoto, offering a diverse shopping experience. It's a great place to pick up souvenirs, gifts, or simply browse through a variety of shops, combining traditional goods with modern products.

mipig cafe Harajuku Takeshita Street

Place

4.9

Mipig cafe is a popular micro pig cafe located on Takeshita Street in Harajuku. These cafes are a unique attraction in Tokyo, offering visitors the chance to interact with adorable micro pigs. Booking in advance is recommended due to its popularity.

Fujiyama cookie

Pastry shop

4.2

Fujiyama Cookie is a charming shop offering freshly baked, Mount Fuji-shaped cookies, making for a delightful local treat or easy souvenir. These light and not-too-sweet cookies are a perfect snack to enjoy while exploring the Mount Fuji area.

Naruto Taiyaki Honpo (Yoyogi Station)

Confectionery store

4.3

Naruto Taiyaki Honpo is a popular shop specializing in taiyaki, a fish-shaped cake that is crispy on the outside and filled on the inside. It's a classic Japanese sweet treat, with options like premium custard or red bean filling, perfect for a warm and comforting snack.

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