10 January Days in Japan

Kick off your stay in Japan by starting where you are probably flying into, Tokyo. Base your stay on the JR Yamanote Line, like Shinagawa or Shibuya. Begin the morning of day one with a private guide who will teach you key phrases, Japanese culture, and how to get around on the trains. Our guide met us at our hotel, walked us through our first time in the train station, and brought us to Meiji Jingu shrine. They taught us how to perform the cleansing rituals for entering shrines and the way to write or say a prayer. We were so glad we had this local insight!

We also explored Asakusa and the Imperial Palace Gardens. As foodies, one of the highlights of our time in Tokyo was the Tsukiji Outer Market food tour. Our guide led us along to many hidden gems, like where to taste and buy some green tea to take home, and a shop to customize our own chopsticks sets. A surprise was that the trendy “smashed shrimp” snack line was incredibly long, so they let us browse and shop while they waited in line for us and brought us our foods.

Other ticketed events we attended were the Grand Sumo Tournament and Team Labs: Borderless. Sumo was some of our favorite parts of our trip, getting to learn about the rituals behind each match, and cheer for our “side” from the stands. I am so glad we left ample time for the Borderless experience, as there is no beginning and end point, and we had the freedom to wander the multiple rooms of digital and light show pieces, which was actually very ethereal and relaxing!

After your city-touring in Tokyo, head into the countryside for some time to unwind in heated, mineral onsens and catch the best views of Mt. Fuji. My favorite part of our trip was our time at the Hotel Indigo in Hakone. Take the Romance Car from Shinjuku station in Tokyo, and the hotel will pick you up from the train station. Check in for use of your in-room onsen, change to kimono, and head to dinner featuring wood-fired grilled dishes including Wagu, crab, and local ingredients. The hotel’s onsen also has its own multi-gendered, bathing suit-required onsen, so your party can enjoy a soak together.

This was such a fun day tour perfect for all ages, to go at your own pace. Explore the Open Air Museum during daylight hours before you head on the Hakone Ropeway loop. Start by catching the Cable Car at Gora Station, which takes you to Owakudani, the peak of the mountain and source of the sulfur springs. I went a bit crazy in the gift shop, featuring kuro-tamago (black eggs). Then catch the gondola for the best views you can find of Mt. Fuji, which drops you off to catch the Pirate Ship across the lake. This is the farthest point in the loop, where you can explore the Hakone shrine and grab lunch. Take the same way back or head back on the bus. It’s all covered by your Hakone Free Pass QR code.

Time to speed things back up again with the bullet train, also known as the Shinkansen, from Odawara station to Kyoto. Make sure to get a seat on the right for excellent views of Mt Fuji (or Fuji-San, “Mr. Fuji” as the Japanese refer to him, out of respect, so he doesn’t destroy us with another explosion). Take a taxi from Kyoto station to your hotel. I recommend staying near Gion or Nishiki market, for a mostly walkable time in Kyoto. You will see lots of matcha in Kyoto, so end your first evening with a guided tea ceremony to learn about Uji matcha traditions. This is the place to get your matcha tea lattes, and ice cream, with our favorite treat being the Matcha Tiramisu “Set” (combo with tea) at MATCCHA House.

Narrow down which shrines you would like to visit, because you won’t be able to see them all! There is Yasaka Shrine in central Gion, surrounded by gardens and smaller shrines to continue exploring. You will spot many people in kimono here doing their own photoshoots.

The nearby Shorenin temple is smaller, with open, tatami mat areas to get some sun and reflect. My favorite temple was Ginkaku-ji, located near the Philosopher’s Path, and had the most beautifully arranged garden in my opinion, paired with raked sand zen gardens.

If you would like some beautiful photos, head to Kinkaku-ji Temple, the Golden Temple, though it is not open to walk through and is on the outskirts of Kyoto. Make sure you reserve one of your evenings before sunset for a stroll at Ninenzaka. Start at the top at Kiyomizu-dera temple and wind your way down the street. Make sure you have an appetite for the food you will find along the way! Eat here or make plans for dinner after sundown, because shops close early around 6 p.m.

Spend a half-day at his iconic shrine and the area around it, and it is worth the hype. If you are able, plan to hike to the top and the crowds should thin out. It winds around and you can go at your own pace. It won’t be too tiring because you will be stopping so frequently to take pictures! I recommend taking the different, looped way down, which will lead you through some smaller shrines and a bamboo forest, though it is definitely more steep and better for going DOWN than going up! Afterwards, a charming spot for lunch nearby is called Vermillion Cafe. Make sure to walk all the way to the back for an incredibly picturesque patio overlooking the pond.

Another full-day excursion if you have not had a chance to see monkeys yet would be the Arashiyama Monkey Park and Bamboo Forest, although because they can be crowded and touristy, I prefer the alternatives of the Nagano Snow Monkeys and the Fushimi Inari Shrine Bamboo Forest.