Start your cultural immersion by visiting the world's largest fish market in Tokyo. See fresh seafood and learn about the market's history. Tsukiji Fish Market also has various food stalls where you can enjoy sushi, sashimi, and other seafood delicacies.
Visit one of Tokyo's most important shrines, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife. The shrine is located in a beautiful forest and offers a peaceful escape from the bustling city. You can also witness traditional Shinto wedding ceremonies on weekends and holidays.
Explore the largest and oldest museum in Japan, featuring over 110,000 objects of Japanese art and history. The museum has various exhibitions showcasing samurai swords, Buddhist statues, and ancient pottery. You can also attend a traditional Japanese tea ceremony on weekends and holidays.
Take a break from Tokyo and head to the ancient city of Kyoto. Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of Kyoto's most famous landmarks, known for its thousands of vermillion torii gates lining the mountain trails. The shrine is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice and prosperity.
Also known as the Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji is a Zen Buddhist temple covered in gold leaf. The temple is located in a beautiful garden and offers picturesque views of the surrounding pond and trees. You can also enjoy matcha tea and sweets at the nearby teahouse.
Explore Kyoto's traditional neighborhood known for its preserved geisha culture. Stroll along the historic streets while admiring the beautiful wooden architecture and spotting geishas and maikos in their elaborate kimono. You can also visit traditional tea houses, Japanese restaurants, and souvenir shops.
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site that was the residence of the Tokugawa shoguns during the Edo period. Nijo Castle is known for its beautiful palace with intricate paintings and carvings, as well as its beautiful gardens. You can also hear the famous nightingale floors that squeak to warn of intruders.
Take a stroll through Kyoto's famous bamboo forest, located in the western mountains. The towering bamboo trees create a peaceful and serene atmosphere. You can also visit Tenryu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site with beautiful gardens and ponds.
Visit one of Kyoto's most famous temples, located on a hill overlooking the city. Kiyomizu-dera is known for its wooden stage that offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. The temple also has beautiful gardens and several smaller shrines.
Learn how to make traditional Japanese dishes in a cooking class. The class includes a visit to the local market to choose fresh ingredients and a hands-on lesson with a local chef. You can also enjoy the dishes you make for lunch or dinner.
You can travel within Tokyo and Kyoto using public transportation such as trains and buses. A one-day subway pass in Tokyo costs 800 yen and a one-day bus pass in Kyoto costs 600 yen. A one-way bullet train ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto costs around 14,000 yen. Make sure to plan your routes ahead of time and check the train and bus schedules.
If you have more time, you can visit other cultural landmarks such as Tokyo Tower, Senso-ji Temple, and Nara Park. If you have less time, you can skip some of the destinations or combine them into one day. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothing as some locations require walking or climbing stairs.
Tokyo has two major airports: Haneda Airport (HND) and Narita International Airport (NRT). Haneda Airport is located closer to the city center and offers more domestic flights, while Narita International Airport is located farther from the city center but offers more international flights. Kyoto does not have its own airport, so you can either fly into Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka or Itami Airport (ITM) in Osaka and then take a train or bus to Kyoto. Kansai International Airport is located 77 miles from Kyoto and Itami Airport is located 32 miles from Kyoto.