Explore Japan! 13 Days Through Its Streets and Alleys: A Classic Itinerary with Fantastic Planning!
Japan, a neighboring country, has become a hot travel destination. Direct flights from major cities take just a few hours, making it quick and convenient. The language and culture include Chinese characters, so independent travel is quite easy, perfect for first-time travelers abroad. This Japan trip, counting the departure and return days at the start and end, actually spans 13 days. The route covers Osaka – Nara – Kyoto – Kawaguchiko – Tokyo, entering in Osaka and exiting from Tokyo, with no backtracking—spending time on fun, not on the road.
To explore Osaka city, I recommend buying the 'Osaka Amazing Pass' online in advance. It comes as a 1-day or 2-day pass. During the validity period, you get unlimited rides on all Osaka subways and buses, plus free entry to over 35 attractions, including Osaka Castle, Tsutenkaku, and several other popular spots. It's incredibly cost-effective and a truly generous pass—saving time, effort, and money. Highly recommended!!
Osaka Castle is one of Osaka's landmark attractions and a special historic site in Japan, an ancient castle brimming with Japanese history. Centered on the castle, the surrounding greenery and some canals form Osaka Castle Park, which is free to enter.
'Tenshu' refers to the highest point within a castle, historically used for lookout and command, also implying high status. 'Tenshukaku' naturally refers to the tallest building in the castle. Osaka Castle's Tenshukaku now houses an exhibition hall of ancient history and culture, and the top floor offers great views over Osaka city. Entry is 600 yen, free with the Amazing Pass.
One of Japan's oldest temple complexes, built under the direction of Prince Shotoku, the earliest Buddhist temple in Japan. The main garden is especially tranquil and rustic, a highlight. The temple is relatively off the beaten path with fewer tourists. The surrounding area is free; entrance to the central area is 300 yen, free with the Amazing Pass.
Osaka's tallest landmark, modeled after the Eiffel Tower. You can take an elevator to the observation deck; entry is 800 yen, free with the Amazing Pass. At the base of Tsutenkaku is a bustling shopping street.
Located at Osaka Port, this 100-meter-diameter Ferris wheel was once the world's largest. A full rotation takes 15 minutes, offering panoramic views of the port area. Admission is 800 yen, free with the Amazing Pass.
Take a sightseeing sailboat ride, also at Osaka Port, right next to the Ferris wheel. Modeled after the Santa Maria, the ship used by Columbus when discovering the New World, it departs from the Kaiyukan aquarium and cruises around Osaka Port for about 45 minutes. Daytime cruise 1,600 yen; twilight 2,100 yen. Free with the Amazing Pass, but you can choose either this or the Ferris wheel for free.
One of Osaka's tallest observation decks, at 173 meters, with a rare 360-degree open-air rooftop observatory. Admission 1,500 yen, free with the Amazing Pass if entering before 6 PM.
On the rooftop of the Hep Five shopping complex, this Ferris wheel takes 15 minutes to go around—a perfect way to leisurely enjoy the city night view. Admission 600 yen, free with the Amazing Pass.
I visited both Universal Studios and Disney on this trip, so naturally I couldn't help comparing them. Disney is more geared toward young children, with less thrilling rides, and because it's so famous, crowds are huge. Universal Studios, on the other hand, is the opposite: almost all its rides are super thrilling, better for adults, and lines are shorter. So if you have to choose one and want excitement with quick queues, I absolutely recommend Universal Studios!! It's divided into several themed areas: Harry Potter, Minions, Jurassic Park, San Francisco, New York, each with its own flavor. The park's highlight—roller coasters—come in many varieties.
Constant screams!! A super thrilling, ultra-multiplied coaster!!! Outdoors, incredibly fast and with spins, you feel like you're flying—utterly dizzying! It's the park's most thrilling No.1, a permanent must-do!!
Opened in January 2020, there's not much info online. After trying it, I can say it's outrageously cool and mind-blowing!! It's an indoor coaster, but unlike ordinary ones. The XR ride combines the latest VR technology with a coaster. Put on the VR goggles and you're completely immersed in the world of Attack on Titan!! Dodging giants!!
A must for Harry Potter fans!! Like Attack on Titan, it's an indoor coaster using panoramic screens, physical sets, and motion—soar with Harry Potter through the wizarding world!!
One of the park's few water rides. Not as thrilling as the previous ones, but very fun and suitable for kids. You board a boat with a guide and head out to sea, encountering Jaws along the way. Even though you know it's fake, the guide's dedicated acting and the detailed sets make it feel real and lively—a really enjoyable experience.
Besides these memorable rides, there are countless others that are awesome! Key point: lines move fast—you don't need Express Passes. You can do over a dozen rides in a day—absolutely amazing!! And before closing, there's a nighttime parade with the YMCA song playing; it's super fun and high-energy!!
Once in Osaka, how can you not go to Nara? Most people head to Nara for Nara Park and its deer. From Osaka, take the Kintetsu train to Kintetsu Nara Station—just about an hour one way. After exiting, walk toward the park, and soon you'll see a deer sashaying toward you like a catwalk model.
Nara Park is open all day and free. The deer roam freely; some even wander onto the road, but cars always yield. It's a beautiful scene of harmony between people and animals—relaxing, pleasant, with fresh air, perfect for an outdoor outing. The deer are tame and gentle, never aggressive. Their antlers are cut for safety, so no injuries. Along the paths, vendors sell deer crackers uniformly priced at 200 yen a pack. Buy some, and the deer will gather around you.
Very close to Nara Park, you'll stumble upon it. It's free to enter, worth a visit while you're there.
If, like us, you're just going for the deer, half a day in Nara is enough. We returned to Osaka at noon and headed to Kuromon Market, the city's most famous food hub. The market is spacious, clean, and tidy, with both raw and cooked foods. Great variety, fresh quality, made to order—you can easily fill up on snacks.
From Kuromon Market, you can walk to Nipponbashi, Osaka's anime district, akin to Tokyo's Akihabara. It's a mecca for otaku, close to the market—anime fans shouldn't miss it.
Heading north from Namba, the whole stretch is a covered pedestrian arcade (except the road itself), leading to Dotonbori.
Further north from Dotonbori is Shinsaibashi. Walking from Namba, the entire shopping arcade is long and bustling, especially at night with huge crowds. Whatever you want to buy or eat, you'll find it here.
Kyoto is one of Japan's most historic cities, deeply embodying its traditional culture. Just an hour by train from Osaka, it's a must-visit on the Kansai route.
Many don't know that about one-third of all shrines in Japan are Inari shrines, and Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine of them all. With a long history, it's one of Kyoto's iconic sights, open 24/7 for free. Its 'Senbon Torii' (thousands of torii gates) is the standout feature, perfect for taking beautiful kimono photos.
Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka are right next to Kiyomizu-dera, so you'll pass by on the way. Anyone visiting the temple will naturally stroll here. Now a charming commercial street brimming with Kyoto flavor, it still preserves old machiya townhouses with red lattice and mushiko-mado windows—very Japanese, part of a preservation district.
Kiyomizu-dera is one of Kyoto's oldest temples, one of its three great sights, and a World Heritage site, renowned worldwide. It's also a prime spot for cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall.
Located in Higashiyama Ward, this shrine is one of the oldest in Kansai. Situated at a three-way intersection facing a main road, it's in a busy, prime location.
Right near Yasaka Shrine, this is Japan's oldest geisha district, almost entirely lined with Edo-period buildings. It's one of the rare places where traditional geishas can still be seen.
After Kyoto, we took a night bus that evening directly from Kyoto to Kawaguchiko, leaving Kansai for the Kanto region. To get from Kansai to Kanto, you have three options: plane, Shinkansen, or bus. We chose the night bus—uncomfortable, sure, but you sleep and arrive, saving both money and time.
Kawaguchiko is the tourism hub of the Fuji Five Lakes, developed earliest with the best facilities. From here, you get a perfect view of Mt. Fuji—not too close, not too far—and can even see the 'Reverse Fuji' reflection. There's plenty to do around, with many offbeat spots; at least a day and a half is needed. From Osaka or Kyoto, there's a direct night bus to Kawaguchiko, taking about eight hours.
Since Japanese hotels don't allow check-in until 3 PM, we stowed our luggage in coin lockers at Kawaguchiko Station and bought train tickets to Shimoyoshida Station (toward Otsuki) to visit Arakurayama Sengen Park in Shimoyoshida. It's a few hundred meters' walk from the station to the mountain entrance. The park requires a hike up; they say there are over 400 steps, but there's also a winding slope—a longer route but easier, very wheelchair-friendly.
We took the same route back to Kawaguchiko to retrieve our luggage. If your hotel offers a shuttle, you can ask at the tourist information center to call them for free, then wait at bus stop 10. Most hot spring hotels in Kawaguchiko have both indoor and outdoor baths, where you can soak while gazing at Mt. Fuji—incredibly relaxing.
Every winter weekend over a month, Kawaguchiko holds fireworks at Oike Park. The best viewing spot is across the lake from the park. Arrive early and you'll see a line of photography enthusiasts with their gear all set up. The fireworks are set off one by one, starting at 8 PM for 20 minutes.
Kawaguchiko Tenjoyama Park
Next morning, soak in the hot spring again, then take the hotel's free shuttle back to Kawaguchiko Station. With a bit of time left, we hopped on the sightseeing bus to stop 9, 'Sightseeing Boat & Ropeway Entrance,' for Mt. Tenjo Park. You can hike or take the ropeway; round-trip 900 yen, one-way 500 yen. Combo tickets with the sightseeing boat are available. Buy tickets from the machine, ride the ropeway to the top, and enjoy a panoramic view of the town and Mt. Fuji.
We took a pre-booked bus from Kawaguchiko to Tokyo. It's about a two-hour ride, arriving in the afternoon. First, we dropped off luggage at the hotel, then visited the Skytree.
Also known as Tokyo Skytree, completed in 2012 at 634 meters, it surpassed Tokyo Tower to become the tallest structure in Tokyo. It's currently the second tallest tower in the world after Dubai's Burj Khalifa, functioning for observation and broadcasting. On clear days, you can even see Mt. Fuji.
Today's itinerary focuses on Tokyo's cultural and historical sites: Senso-ji Temple, Ueno Park, the University of Tokyo, Akihabara, and more.
Tokyo's oldest and most famous temple, packed with visitors—practically Japan's flagship temple, a must-see in Tokyo. Free entry. Highlights include Kaminarimon Gate, the five-story pagoda, and Nakamise-dori, a shopping street with over 90 shops selling souvenirs and snacks.
Right at the entrance stands a statue of the folk hero Saigo Takamori. The park is huge, beautifully green, free to enter. Inside are a zoo, art museum, museum, aquarium, etc. (all charge admission). During cherry blossom season, the paths are lined with stunning pink blooms.
Cross Ueno Park, and in a few steps you'll reach the University of Tokyo's Hongo Campus, Japan's top university. This is the only campus open to the public for free. The Western-style buildings convey tranquility, simplicity, and a deep sense of history. The atmosphere is scholarly and very quiet.
Originally just an electronics district, somehow it evolved into a world-class paradise for anime otaku. A must-visit for fans, it's crammed with figurine shops and maid cafés. Anime lovers could easily spend a full day and night here and still not have enough.
Reputedly Tokyo's most luxurious district, one of the world's three great shopping centers. You can find any luxury brand here. Ginza consists of eight blocks from 1-chome to 8-chome, with 4-chome being the most bustling.
Today is all about shopping, focusing on Tokyo's major commercial areas: Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku, etc.
A Jodo-shu Buddhist temple, located right next to Tokyo Tower. Here you can frame Zojo-ji and Tokyo Tower together—a blend of old-world charm and modern aspiration.
Tokyo's most iconic landmark, a broadcasting tower modeled after the Eiffel Tower. Once the city's tallest, now surpassed by Skytree, it remains the beloved symbol of Tokyo and Japan. Two observation decks at 150m and 250m, priced differently.
The 'world's busiest crossing' is in Shibuya—a scramble intersection where the most people cross at once worldwide. Green lights are short, but the crowds are enormous, especially on weekends and holidays. It's also a vibrant shopping hub.
The story of Hachiko always makes me want to cry—so touching and heartrending. That station where Hachiko waited for his professor day after day, year after year, is this very Shibuya Station. A bronze statue of Hachiko stands here to commemorate this tale of loyalty and love. People from all over the world take photos with Hachiko here; he'll never be alone again.
Omotesando, like Ginza, is lined with high-end brands, but it's less ostentatious and flashy—more of a chic, understated luxury.
The shrine with the most annual visitors in Japan, said to have very accurate fortune slips. Many important ceremonies are held here: baby naming, coming-of-age, graduation, traditional weddings, and more.
Harajuku, centered on Takeshita-dori, is a pedestrian street brimming with youth fashion brands and street culture. Since it caters to young people, prices are relatively low—you can find stylish, affordable clothing.
Shinjuku is the most famous commercial area in Japan—whether for food, shopping, or even nightlife entertainment, it's top-tier. No other place in Japan fits the description 'neon-lit and hedonistic' quite like Shinjuku.
Asia's largest red-light district, you know. Also Japan's most famous entertainment street, packed with all kinds of restaurants, bars, clubs—nightlife is vibrant, many places open all night until dawn.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building houses a free observation deck with great views of the city, especially at night.
Hayao Miyazaki's animated works are world-renowned for their fine artistry and unique storytelling. The positive spirit in each story subtly influences everyone who watches them.
Located in Mitaka City, this museum is themed around Studio Ghibli's works. Easy to reach from Tokyo by JR train. Tickets must be bought online in advance and exchanged at Lawson convenience stores. They sell out quickly—often a month ahead. Photography isn't allowed inside, only outside.
The anime 'Your Name' featured a scene here, so many people come to check in. There's no permanent exhibition; the themes rotate regularly, so ticket prices vary.
The headquarters of TV Asahi, in Roppongi. The first floor is free to visit, with exhibits on programs like Doraemon.
Spot the giant spider sculpture at the entrance—that's how you know you're there. The entire complex is bustling. On the 52nd floor, there's an excellent observation deck with views of Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba, and more.
The observation deck ticket includes entry to the Mori Art Museum, which you can check out. The exhibition themes change each time.
The anime I watched most as a child was Doraemon—a source of happy childhood memories. So many kids dreamed of flying through the sky with Doraemon using the Take-copter.
In Kawasaki City, the Fujiko·F·Fujio Museum could basically be called a Doraemon museum, as it's almost entirely Doraemon-themed. Tickets must be purchased online in advance and exchanged at Lawson. Photography is restricted inside; only a small part and outside areas allow it.
After the museum, we returned to Tokyo and planned the afternoon in Odaiba. Odaiba is a man-made island built from reclaimed land, bearing the mark of a new era. It has Odaiba Seaside Park, a Statue of Liberty replica, the Toyota Mega Web, the Gundam Museum, the Museum of Maritime Science, Miraikan (National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation), and other offbeat attractions. I highly recommend taking the Yurikamome driverless train to Odaiba. Board at Shimbashi Station and grab a front-row seat for a great view of the urban landscape, especially crossing Rainbow Bridge—it feels like going through a time tunnel.
One of Japan's famous TV stations, with free exhibitions inside showcasing their popular programs and achievements. The spherical observation deck on the 25th floor offers views of Tokyo Bay and Rainbow Bridge, but requires a separate fee.
The highlight of the Gundam Museum is the life-size Gundam statue in front of the mall—this time the Unicorn, incredibly huge and impressive up close. A must for Gundam fans!! At certain hours, there's a transformation show. The museum is on the mall's 7th floor, charges admission, and has a full range of Gundam merchandise.
Oedo Onsen Monogatari, themed like Edo-period Japan, is a leisure complex with hot springs, food, entertainment, massage, and accommodation. Change into a yukata and enjoy all-in-one fun, plus soaking in the baths—you can stay for hours, perfect for relaxation.
From Odaiba Seaside Park, you can enjoy views of Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Bay.
Tokyo DisneySea is divided into seven themed ports: Mediterranean Harbor, American Waterfront, Port Discovery, Lost River Delta, Arabian Coast, Mermaid Lagoon, Mysterious Island. Each has its own distinct theme. The park is huge and well-connected, making it easy to get to your desired attractions.
Note: some popular Disney attractions offer FP—Fast Passes. After grabbing one, you must wait two hours before getting another, whether you used it or not. They can only be obtained at dedicated machines near the attraction or via the app. Since queues are insanely long, FPs really speed things up.
I can't help but rant: even on a weekday, queues are dreadful. We only managed four or five rides all day; the rest was spent waiting. Literally three hours of queuing for three minutes of fun—no exaggeration! You might start queuing at noon and come out near dusk. If you must visit, prepare yourself mentally.
This nearly two-week trip covered almost all major and minor attractions across Kansai and Kanto. We experienced the neon-buzzing energy of a global metropolis, the serene tranquility at the foot of Mt. Fuji, the depth of traditional Japanese charm, and the profound cultural heritage. Cityscapes, natural scenery, history, and cultural spirit—all refreshingly new, making me marvel at the vastness of the world and the unique allure of every country and city.
Itinerary Contents
1. Day 1: Osaka Day Tour
2. Osaka Castle Park
3. Osaka Castle Tenshukaku
4. Shitennoji Temple
5. Tsutenkaku
6. Tempozan Ferris Wheel
7. Santa Maria Sightseeing Cruise
8. Umeda Sky Building
9. Hep Five Ferris Wheel
10. Day 2: Universal Studios Japan
11. The Flying Dinosaur
12. Attack on Titan XR
13. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
14. Jaws
15. Night Parade
16. Day 3: Half-Day Nara Trip
17. Nara Park
18. Kasuga Taisha
19. Kuromon Market
20. Nipponbashi
21. Dotonbori
22. Shinsaibashi
23. Day 4: Kyoto Day Tour
24. Fushimi Inari Taisha
25. Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka
26. Kiyomizu-dera
27. Yasaka Shrine
28. Hanamikoji Street
29. Night Bus
30. Day 5: Kawaguchiko
31. Arakurayama Sengen Park
32. Hot Spring Hotel
33. Kawaguchiko Fireworks Festival
34. Day 6: Tokyo
35. Heading to Tokyo
36. Tokyo Skytree
37. Day 7: Tokyo Culture
38. Senso-ji Temple
39. Ueno Park
40. University of Tokyo
41. Akihabara
42. Ginza
43. Day 8: Cool Tokyo
44. Zojo-ji Temple
45. Tokyo Tower
46. Shibuya
47. Hachiko Statue
48. Omotesando
49. Meiji Jingu
50. Harajuku
51. Shinjuku
52. Kabukicho
53. Tokyo Metropolitan Gov. Building Observatory
54. Day 9: Ghibli Museum Pilgrimage
55. Ghibli Museum, Mitaka
56. National Art Center, Tokyo
57. TV Asahi
58. Roppongi Hills
59. Mori Art Museum
60. Day 10: Goodbye Doraemon
61. Fujiko·F·Fujio Museum
62. Yurikamome
63. Fuji TV
64. Gundam Museum
65. Oedo Onsen Monogatari
66. Rainbow Bridge
67. Day 11: Tokyo DisneySea
68. Afterword
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