First day in Tokyo! After arriving at Narita International Airport, take the train to your accommodation. Spend the day exploring local neighborhoods, trying Japanese food, and get a feel for the city. Head to Shibuya's Scramble Crossing for an iconic photo before heading back to your accommodation for the night.
Start the day early with a visit to the Tsukiji Fish Market. Savor fresh sushi at one of the restaurants inside the market. Later head to Asakusa to visit the Senso-ji Temple and browse the souvenir shops of Nakamise Street. End the day with a view of Tokyo Skytree from Asakusa.
Visit the beautiful Meiji Shrine in the morning, a peaceful haven within the city. Then head to trendy Harajuku to see Takeshita Street, a quirky and colorful pedestrian street. If you're lucky, you might catch people in cosplay on the weekends. In the evening, visit Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku for a unique experience.
Take a day trip to Mount Fuji, Japan's most famous volcano. From Tokyo take the train to Fujisan Station, then take the bus to the Mount Fuji 5th Station. Hike or take a cable car to enjoy the spectacular views. If you visit in the summer, also consider swimming at nearby Lake Kawaguchiko. End the day with a soak in a local onsen (hot spring).
Visit Yokohama, a nearby port city. Walk around the beautiful harbor and visit attractions like the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse and the Cup Noodle Museum. For lunch visit the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum to try different flavors of Japanese ramen. In the evening, return to Tokyo and take a stroll through Tokyo Bay to see the Rainbow Bridge lit up.
Visit the electronics and anime mecca of Akihabara, also known as Electric Town, to see the bright lights and shops dedicated to games, manga, and more. Later visit Ueno Park to see the beautiful lotuses and the Tokyo National Museum. In the evening, experience a Robo Bar, a robot-themed bar in Shinjuku or explore the Kabukicho red-light district.
Take a day trip to Kamakura, a charming coastal town south of Tokyo. Visit the Great Buddha statue at Kotokuin Temple, and hike or ride the cable car to see the beautiful view from Kannon-yama peak. For lunch, visit Komachi-dori Street, a charming shopping street full of restaurants and souvenir shops. In the afternoon enjoy the beach at Yuigahama.
Visit Hakone, a hot spring resort in the mountains. Take the Hakone Tozan Train to see the beautiful views and stop at the Hakone Shrine. Take the pirate ship or cable car to enjoy the scenic view of Lake Ashi, with Mount Fuji as a backdrop. In the afternoon enjoy the Hakone Open-Air Museum or the Pola Museum of Art.
Take a trip to Sendai, the largest city in the Tohoku region. Visit the Zuihoden Mausoleum and the Aoba Castle ruins, then head to Matsushima Bay to see the beautiful pine tree-lined islands. For lunch, try the local specialty gyutan (beef tongue) at a restaurant in the bustling city center. Return to Tokyo in the evening.
Take a day trip to Nikko to see the UNESCO World Heritage Site Toshogu Shrine, the final resting place of the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Visit nearby shrines and temples like Futarasan Shrine and Rinnoji Temple integrated in the lush forest. For lunch try the local Nikko soba (buckwheat noodles) found in many restaurants around the town.
Travel to Kyoto, the cultural and spiritual center of Japan. Start your visit by seeing the stunning Fushimi Inari Shrine, a shrine dedicated to the god of rice and prosperity, surrounded by thousands of bright red torii gates. Head to Gion in the evening for a chance to spot geisha on their way to appointments.
Visit two of Kyoto's most famous temples: Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) and Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion). Appreciate the contrast of the shimmering gold and silver in these two peaceful locations. In the evening, head to Pontocho alley for dinner at one of the many traditional restaurants.
In the morning, visit the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest for some Instagram-worthy photos. Visit the Tenryuji Temple and Togetsukyo Bridge while in the district. In the afternoon, take a day trip to Nara to see the famous deer that roam the city and visit the Todaiji Temple, which houses the world's largest bronze Buddha.
Visit the Samurai Kembu Theater for a samurai experience where a professional instructor teaches you the art of a samurai dance or try your hand at wielding a katana sword. In the evening, return to Gion for a more authentic geisha experience at a tea ceremony or dinner at a teahouse.
Enjoy a leisurely morning before catching the train back to Tokyo or Narita International Airport for your departure flight.
Japan has a well-connected train and bus network that makes it easy to navigate. Consider purchasing a Japan Rail Pass if you plan to travel to several cities. Walking or renting a bike is also recommended if you want to save on transportation costs. Additionally, taxis and rideshare apps are readily available. The average cost of a taxi ride is ¥700-¥1,000 for the first 2km.
If you have more time, consider visiting other destinations like Hiroshima, Osaka, and Kobe. If you have less time, shorten your trip by visiting only Tokyo and Kyoto. Avoid peak travel periods like Golden Week (late April to early May) and Obon (mid-August) to save on costs and avoid crowds.
Narita International Airport (NRT) is located 60km east of Tokyo and is the main international gateway to Japan. Haneda Airport (HND) is also located near central Tokyo and is mainly used for domestic flights and some Asian routes. Kansai International Airport (KIX) serves the Osaka area and has many international flights. Both Narita and Haneda are accessible by train (JR Narita Express or Keisei Skyliner).
---Πρώτη μέρα στο Τόκιο! Μετά την άφιξή σας στο Διεθνές Αεροδρόμιο Narita, πάρτε το τρένο για τη διαμονή σας. Διασχίστε την πόλη εξερευνώντας τα τοπικά μέρη, δοκιμάζοντας ιαπωνική κουζίνα και γνωρίζοντας την πόλη. Κατευθυνθείτε στην Scramble Crossing στο Shibuya για μια εκπληκτική φωτογραφία πριν να επιστρέψετε στη διαμονή σας για το βράδυ.
Ξεκινήστε τη μέρα με μια επίσκεψη στην αγορά Ιχθυών Tsukiji. Δοκιμάστε φρέ