I realize that many people will only be able to visit Japan maybe once in their life, but I'd love to see more Japan creators explore trips that don't take you all over Japan in one trip. Last year I spent two weeks in Kyoto/Osaka and the year before went to just Tokyo for a week. It's so nice not to have to worry about multiple hotels, shinkansens, luggage, etc. Planning to go back to just the Tokyo area in November for two weeks and I can't wait!
Good plan! My first few trips were just to Tokyo and there's so much to do, you won't get bored. When I see itineraries that are in a different city every day (like many organised tours of Japan), I always think how you must end up spending more time on the train than actually doing things.
@@cakeswithfaces exactly! plus there are so many day trips you can go on without checking out of your hotel or needing to bring more than a backpack or small bag with you
I would say that even if it’s your first time trip - if you can, go to Haneda rather than Narita - a lot easier arrival and leaving. And SkyTree was surprisingly good, off season it seems to be less busy and you can almost walk straight in.
So much quicker to get into the city! If Narita's the only affordable option, your consolation prize is the possibility of spotting the hanging trains in Chiba!
This. However, if you fly in to Narita, I recommend staying a day there. Naritasan is gorgeous and not overwhelmed with tourists and the high street is very compact.
Japan is divided into 47 prefectures, each with its own unique character. Every one of them offers amazing tourist destinations and a variety of delicious local foods that are definitely worth trying. A country like this is incredibly rare, and perhaps there's nowhere quite like Japan. 🗾The northern and southern regions feel like completely different countries, which is why you never get bored and always want to visit again and again.😌Personally, I prefer the Japanese countryside, where fewer tourists visit, rather than the big cities.Riding an ancient steam locomotive through fields where cherry blossoms and rapeseed flowers were in full bloom felt like a dream-it was such a surreal and breathtaking experience!🌸🚂🟡
@@cakeswithfaces It is "SL Mooka" in Tochigi prefecture. It's a very small public-private joint venture railway.🌸🚂🌼 h●m-wa-online.jp/k00094/ m●edia.jreast.co.jp/articles/641 Remove the ● in the URL. And please use Google to translate the page.
@@cakeswithfaces It is "SL Mooka" in Tochigi prefecture. It's a very small public-private joint venture railway.🌸🚂🌼I was going to share the URL of the site that mentions it, but it looks like I can't post links in the comment section.
@@cakeswithfaces Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka! Kind of following your Golden Route. Got your book next to me in fact. I'm trying to work out the logistics of a one night stay in Hakone and see if we can get a view of Mt. Fuji from there!
@@jonribeiro266 Fingers crossed for you! Fuji-san can be shy but you never know - last year we even got such a clear view from the plane when we arrived.
@@jonribeiro266 If you can, stay for 2 nights in Hakone or Kawaguchiko (which I prefer), to increase your chances of seeing Fuji. We did this last year, on one day we had perfect views of the mountain, it was fantastic. And one the other day, the weather was bad and it was like there is no mountain, you could not see it even for a second.
Hey Amy! Your videos and book was so helpful planning my Japan trip. Currently on the train to kinosaki onsen and I can’t wait! I can’t wait to plan a northern and southern Japan trip as well! Honestly I’d just love to move to Japan. I’m pretty tattoo’d and I can’t wait to enjoy my ryokan and onsen !
Great video! I'm looking forward to my next trip to Tokyo in November with my Dad, his first trip there since he was in the Navy in '69. I always love watching your videos to get ideas of what to do next in Japan!
Thanks Amy. Great video, brought back memories from places we've been in Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo. We spent one day in Kyoto, but it's far from enough. We will go back one day to see more of the city. Looking forward to our travel to Tokyo in November.
Thank you for the video the timing is great as I just booked my first Japan trip a few days ago. There are so many things I want to do but taking your advice not to over pack my itinerary.
Another FANTASTIC video - would love to see the Ikebukuro video you have in the pipeline as we will be staying there in 3 weeks time 😊 but thank you for another great video. X
@ I was walking in my Yukata, on the wooden slippers and with the basket in the evening in the village. It was truely magical! Are there other onsentowns like Kinosakionsen? If I ever come back to Japan I will go out of my way to visit Kinosakionsen again. Also what you said about the trainjourney. It wasn’t long at all. The limited express Kinosaki is very comfortable and the route is really scenic!
@@ElrosTar-Minyatur Absolutely! When I recommend Kinosaki to people, I always feel like they're put off by the train journey, but it's so enjoyable. I haven't been there, but I think Shibu Onsen has a similar set up with several public bath-houses you can visit. And recently I've been looking at Takaragawa Onsen - it isn't a whole village, but looks gorgeous how the baths are right next to a river - it's also mixed (you wear towels) and allows tattoos. 👍
Hey, Amy, just came back from my 4 weeks lasting trip to Japan and there were some things and views in this video I recognized 😍 Thanks to your excellent book the trip was so interesting and so much fun - and I was thrilled to watch this new video. It gave me some new ideas for my next Japan trip 😅 Hugs from Austria 🤗
@@cakeswithfaces one of my most favourites were TeamLab Borderless, the ride on the Hello Kitty Shinkansen, Harry Potter Studio Tour, walking in Harajuku and watching the stage performances from hundreds of youth groups in Yoyogi Park, dressed in numerous brightly coloured kimonos of all kinds! And of course Fanta Grape! And Melon pan! I loved it so much! 😍 Just started planning my next trip to Japan 😆
Amy your book has been a huge help planning my solo trip in early December. I'm keeping it very simple for the first one, Tokyo for most of it and a couple of days in Hiroshima. Next time I will go to Sendai I think. Thanks for all you do! Your videos make it seem very smooth lol.
We go end of October our first trip, we have your guide book it’s absolutely AWESOME!! We doing the golden route and hakone and so excited and a tad nervous as it’s going to be a trip of a lifetime but your advice is always so great!!!
Great video, thanks once again. We've been every so slightly tweaking our itinerary as we've been asking ourselves questions around whether we're doing things just because they're popular or if we will really value going there.
Hi Amy, thanks for posting this video, it has given me more of an idea what to expect as I will be travelling for my first visit to Japan on March 1st 2025 (forgot about the Tokyo Marathon so I guess i'm in for a busy day). I'll be taking the same flight - 11.50am from Heathrow, arriving at Haneda at 10.25am on Sunday 2nd. I've packed so much into my Itinerary I think i'll be shattered every night. Spending 16 nights split between Tokyo (Ueno) 5 nights, Osaka (Dotonbori) 6 nights and back to Tokyo (Kanda) for another 5 nights. Hope I have as much fun as you always seem to have, so thanks again, your videos are always very informative.
That's a similar time of year as well! Have an amazing time, I'm sure you'll love it. Just make sure you have comfy shoes for all the walking if you have a packed schedule!
Got my 4th trip booked for next year and this includes Nagoya for the first time (4 nights). That railway museum sounds like a must, and of course I'll need to set my alarm a month before at 1am to try to get Ghibli Park tickets ;)
When I brought my daughter (also named Amy) to Japan last year, we flew Premium Economy and I told her “Premium Economy” is nice but it is what you would expect regular economy to be, and the best way to appreciate Premium Economy is to first fly long-haul regular Economy. Then Premium Economy would seem fantastic. 🙂
I’ll wave at you in the diorama!! Managed to swing a 1 night stop off in Nagoya to visit the museum, mainly with the promise of Miso Katsu to Mrs Shoei (not your thing but delicious) but also cos it happens to coincide with my birthday and breaks up the trip between Izu and Osaka, only 10 weeks to go and counting!!! You’re right about one of the best tips to not underestimate the walking and not trying to cram too much in, also think not over stretching cos of FOMO allows you to enjoy places more at leisure and take it all in, instead of making the holiday one instagram must-do list thing 😊
Travelling outside of peak season is great advice. And for people wanting to see the cherry blossoms or autumn foliage, I suggest travelling to less visited areas. We did parts of Kyushu in the spring and were lucky to get the sakura at their best around Kitakyushu and Fukuoka. We were with first timers so we also did a couple days in Osaka and a few more in Tokyo, so that they could enjoy elements of the golden route. They had a really great time despite not going to some of the most famous spots like Kyoto or Mt Fuji. I'm curious about your experience in Kinosaki. You mentioned a day pass for people staying at a local ryokan, but I imagine most of those day-use baths are a no for tattooed folks? Since you have a tattoo as well, if you have any recommendations for tattoo-friendly spots in kinosaki (or elsewhere), I'd love to hear them!
So glad you enjoyed the sakura in Kyushu - I love it there! So many interesting places. The great thing about Kinosaki is that all 7 public bath-houses are tattoo-friendly. Many of the ryokan are too. It's quite a progressive onsen town! You can also buy a pass for the bath-houses if you're not staying there - it's only about 1500 yen.
@@cakeswithfaces That is incredible and I'm so happy to hear it!! It's nowhere near our next trip (Tohoku) but I have definitely added it to "the list".
@@cakeswithfaces There are many onsen towns in Tohoku, I'm certain I can find a great one (or two!) with kashikiri baths or an in-room bath. I'm not counting on being allowed to use any public bath, though I can always ask when I get there (the ryokan we went to in Yufuin told me I could use the outdoor public bath, as long as there was no one else there). Also, it looks like the Dai Rotenburo in Zao onsen is tattoo friendly.
I'm in Nagoya right now after arriving three days ago and I wasn't sure what to expect as we couldn't go to Ghibli Park as it was too far booked out ahead. I would say Nagoya Castle is the main tourist attraction and is well worth visiting even though the main tower is closed. Also went to the Nagoya City Science Museum which is enormous as well as the Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art.
Agree with the new places - this current japan trip is my 6th and I’ve included new places each time i go…and you definitely get your steps in so wear comfy shoes! I also recommend if you can, get a hotel with an onsen in it…i stayed at the dormy inn near kyoto station and that has an onsen on the top floor which was super convenient to relax those tight leg muscles!
We spent 4 weeks in August in Japan and, aside from the rather brutal heat, it was fabulous. Our first 10 days were spent in Kyushu with my wife’s family with day trips to Kagoshima, Aso and Beppu. I love Kyushu, it’s such a beautiful area. Other highlights for me were Odawara which is not far out of Tokyo and gives you easy access to Hakone, and a lovely house we stayed in called Neko Neko Inn which is just by Sangubashi station on the edge of Yoyogi Park. It’s a really quiet chill part of Tokyo and just a few minutes from Shinjuku station. We are already thinking about where to go on our next visit 😊
Japanese summer is no joke, well done for coping with that! That sounds fantastic - I love Kyushi too. There are so many interesting places there. I've seen Neko Neko Inn on Sharla's channel - it looks adorable!
Hi heading to Japan for first time March 30-April 10 and wondering if you think I need to book trains ahead of time? Will be traveling from Hiroshima to Osaka then Osaka to Kyoto and then from Kyoto to Tokyo. Thanks
Trains on those routes are very frequent, but if it was me, I'd book them in advance, because that's cherry blossom season, which is the most popular time of year to visit Japan, so there'll be lots of people travelling on the Golden Route between Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka.
Thank you for making videos about Japan. I will have to give some of these a try when I go back there! Also, I know why you haven’t fallen in love with Kyoto yet. …You’ve never hiked from Kurama to Kifune, have you? It’s like your mini adventure to Kobe. I hiked this path from one mountain town to the next. The entire way is man made steps in full shade and the views are amazing. 27 shrines along the walk. What’s best is I left from the center of Kyoto around 8am and was back by lunchtime.
Ahhh, on the trip in the video it was either Kurama/Kibune or Uji, and we went for Uji in the end. So that's one for next time! Good to know it's my sort of thing, thank you!
At airport after 13 fabulous days in Tokyo and Disney thx so much for your videos and your lovely book which I highly recommend and was our go to guide for our hols
@@cakeswithfaces we were lucky Disney was quiet we did 2 days in each and did all rides in fantastic springs both days. Stayed at Gracery Hotel which was nice and loved everything from temples and shrines to the parks and the food wish we could have toured Japan but now in Hong Kong
Hi Amy, thank you for the Hits and Misses video that is an excellent index/reference. Yes, research research research. If you want to savour Kobe beef, you have to be serious. You will notice the eye-catchy price in front of the restaurants, but virtually none of them mentions the volume until you check the menu in detail! I found a restaurant with a good reputation in Kyobashi, Osaka and went for a JPY10,000 (EUR63 approx.) 9-course menu. It featured 80g of prime Kobe beef (Any big eater will be laughing, I'm sure, as I was !!) but as a fine dining to experience something extraordinary, it rather magically filled me nice and well.
If he likes "cute" trains as well, you might consider taking this train th-cam.com/video/JLjmDwkK0Jw/w-d-xo.html from Ikoma (near Osaka) to an amusement park.
Personally, learning from my last experience, I would book my hotel for the night before I arrive: after a 13 hour flight we arrived at 7am and had to wait until 3pm (8 hours) before we could go to our rooms. That felt like the longest 8 hours ever!
That's a good idea if you have the budget. Early morning arrivals can be tough! I think some people go to a capsule hotel to shower. This time we landed early, took an internal flight to Fukuoka and it was a struggle, knowing we had to stay awake until the evening but feeling too tired to really want to do anything.
Depending on where you are, you could go into a love hotel for a few hours. They are meant for relaxing and having fun, so they are usually comfortable and well equipped. They're also easy to book last minute for just a few hours. We considered it last time as we landed in Osaka in the morning (but ended up not to since the airline left my suitcase in Paris and I had to go shopping instead....)
My husband really wanted to go in the spring, so next March we will be back in Japan. I'm actually a bit worried about being in Kyoto at the end of the month, but I really hope we see some lovely cherry blossoms, since that's kind of the point of traveling at that time. (hoping the weather will be good and the flowers are out!) He and I positively love Kyoto over Osaka though, I guess Osaka just isn't our vibe, but it can be fun for a short time though.
I'd recommend looking up off-the-beaten track cherry blossom spots in Kyoto, like the Keage Incline, and there are spots around the river that are more peaceful. Expect the famous places to be busy - and while most people say get up at the crack of dawn, some are a lot quieter in the evening too. Yasaka Shrine's really lovely after dark with the lanterns, and not many people there.
Thank you for posting. My wife and I are going in January, and the way you explained your trip was very helpful in terms of traveling as a couple. How often does he go with you when you visit Japan? This will be my fourth trip, her second.
We've always been together - a couple of times with friends as well. I think either of us would be too jealous if the other went to Japan without them!! 😂
2nd trip this October/November...using major centres to travel to more remote areas. I love the ancient shrines and temples with a little bit of samurai culture thrown in. Usually visit a few Jomon archeaological sites, or museums that carry a decent representation of that era. I'm older (66), so flashy anime stuff and city scapes just doesn't do it for me. No Tokyo this trip - Nagoya, Nakasendo (yay!), Takayama and the Gifu area, hiking the Central Alps, Matsumoto, Kanazawa ( return visit to enjoy Kaikaro again and spend time in my favourite ceramics shop/museum there - Shinbidou). Osaka (Namba) with many day trips planned...and my final destination...even though I know it will crush my soul...Hiroshima. I'm even spending time in Narita! Seems like a lot - it is - but I have that personality type that has to be doing 'something', down time leaves me restless and anxious.
That sounds like a great plan - I think you'll love it if you like history and culture! There are so many different sides to Japan, so it's important to do what interests you.
Thanks for your videos Amy, they're always informative, even for places that we have been to many times. My wife would like to know where you got your top from, please? Thank you!
Just ordered the calendar 📆 ❤ Thank you Amy for sharing this video. I'm hoping to visit Japan in November next year. I planned to go this year but unfortunately, my health is not great 🤒. Mind you, it's given me longer to learn some Japanese 😂🫶
Thank you so much! Sorry to hear that - but yes, think of all the new places that will be open by then, like the TeamLab Planets expansion, and I'm sure there'll be lots more!
As always Amy, your video is great, thanks a lot for that. In this first post, just my opinion on the Tokyo part of it: as yourself, I much prefer staying in Shinjuku and personally, I dont really like Shibuya. Shibuya Sky seems great, but is off limits for me, because of my extreme fear of high heights. Being on the platform would probably be okay, but the escalator going there just puts me into pure panic and fear. No way I could ever go on that thing. Besides that: I agree with your Tokyo itinerary. The only thing I would add, is walking around Yanaka, to see traditional old Tokyo, small temples and cemetaries.
I havent been to Nagoya yet, but I love trains, so thanks for sharing that place with me. It goes onto my very long list of places to visit in Japan ;-).
About Osaka: myself, I am not a big fan of Osaka, I just prefer Tokyo and Osaka seems like a "cheap copy" to Tokyo for myself. I love Kyoto, but I am glad that I went there 2 times, before overturism became even worse. I know that there are places where its probably still okay to visit in Kyoto. But as there is so much to see, experience, eat and enjoy in Japan, I dont have a wish to return to an amazingly busy Kyoto.
Thanks so much! The escalator at Shibuya Sky is quite hardcore if you don't like heights. Phil's not a big fan of them and felt uncomfortable there. That's why he did most of the filming there, to concentrate on something else, and he stayed away from the edge. Yanaka's such a lovely place to stroll around! It was the perfect place for our arrival day on a previous trip!
I'm pretty much doing the same cities this month but Hakone instead of Kinosaki. Really looking forward to Nagoya since I've never been there (unless you count the Shinkansen stopping at the station for 15 seconds, lol.) I'm also looking forward to seeing the tsukiji fish market. Another youtuber is has complained about tsukiji being a tourist trap and how people shouldn't go.... but he's did like half a dozen videos and live streams from there! So yeah it's easy to say don't go somewhere when you've been so many times the workers probably recognize you 😂 Edit: At 6:48 It looks like that man has an icon floating over his head like in a video game
Glad you'll be stopping in Nagoya - I was the same before I went!! I think you need to go to Tsujiki with the expectation that it's going to be rammed full of people, because it's so popular now. It's true that you can get similar food for lower prices elsewhere, but I still enjoyed exploring it, and knowing it's the original Tsujiki is something!
Kinosaki Onsen isn’t too far from Ine and Amanohashidate. I wonder if you’ve ever been there? I planned to go but in the end we didn’t really have time. I did however see it from the plane as we flew into Japan - I was so amazed I could identify a small town in Japan from a plane when I’d never even been to Japan before. (But it is unmistakable because of the spit of land in the sea).
I haven't been, but they'd be great options to combine with Kinosaki. They look beautiful! Well done spotting it from the plane, that's amazing! I was happy when I recognised the Izu Peninsula...! 😂
Visited Japan for the first time last December and had a great time, mostly due to great travel advice from your videos :) Kyoto was kind of a disappointment. It's as beautiful as you would expect but the city was so packed with people that I couldn't really enjoy it anymore after two days so that I started doing day trips with my JR pass. Places like Kobe, Uji, Takayama, Kanazawa and Kawagoe, while not some sort of secret, were super enjoyable because they weren't so overrun. Therefore my upcoming trip is either going to go to Kyushu or Tohoku for the same reason.
That sounds like a great plan. That's great that you visited so many places on day trips and made the most of your JR Pass! I really think the solution to over-crowding at these popular places in Japan is to make people more aware of where else there is to go, and all the other places that are just as beautiful/historic/interesting.
Hi Amy always love your videos ❤ We are doing some similar things in Tokyo. We are doing the golden route Saturday 26th to Wednesday November 6th. Arriving at Narita as couldnt get flight to Haneda unfortunately. Staying in Ueno 3 nights, 2nd day the Sunday vistiting Asakusa and Akihabara apparently good no cars. Maybe Tokyo Skytree that night or the next? Monday going to 9am session to Teamlab planets. Not early risers so that will be fun😅. Whats the best quickest train to get there from ueno? Tuesday off to Osaka for USJ Wednesday, Thursday Osaka Castle just outside, maybe uemeda sky? Then train to Kyoto. Staying near station. Friday Fushimi 8am then Nara? Saturday bamboo forest and Monkey Park, Sunday which is Culture day so busy head nack to Tokyo. Stay in Ikebukuro visit Sunshine citu, snime, Shinjuku Tokyo building at night. Tuesday Shibuya shopping, anime Shibuya sky sunset if we can then Wednesday leave for home. Wanting to visit Kiyomizu-dera, Gion and Higashiyama in Kyoto. But not sure where to fit it ? What times less crowded?
Sounds like a great plan! And you'll be there for Halloween! It's good to keep it flexible with the SkyTree, so you can go on a clear day. To get to TeamLab Planets, take the JR Yamanote Line to Yurakucho Station, then change to the metro to Toyosu Station. It might be busy around Tokyo Station before 9am so leave yourselves plenty of time. Higashiyama and Kiyomizudera are, in my experience, the most popular and crowded spots in Kyoto. They're always busy, so just be prepared for that. I've heard of people getting up *extremely* early. I haven't been there in the evening, but places are often quieter in the evening and can be really atmospheric, although the shops, etc will be shut. Yasaka Shrine's lovely after dark with the lanterns, and there was hardly anyone else there when we went after dinner. Gion hasn't been too crowded when I've been during the day. Maybe you could go there in the evening - it has a more magical atmosphere.
I'm hoping to visit Japan for a second time next year and want to go back to some familiar places and explore some more and even visit entirely new places that my friends and I didn't get to as well as places that weren't planned at all the first time around. An unplanned venture I fell into was that I quickly decided I'd get beautiful fridge magnets from every location we had visited and now the side of my fridge is covered and sooo many and I don't regret getting them all. I also have a goal on visiting every single Pokemon Center Japan has and get a 100 yen coin pressed at each location. I have 10 and there should be just 6 more to have every one. Looking to possibly go in May just after Golden week is over to hopefully have nice weather without being too cold anymore as well as not being quite as humid as it was when we went in late September. Cheers from the US!!
That's a great idea! And hunting for things always adds an extra bit of fun to your trip. May should be lovely weather. I always prefer the spring to the autumn because I think it feels fresher before rainy season, which is when the humidity starts.
I visited Japan twice so far and both times we visited Nara and it's our favourite (we even got engaged there) ^_^ We spent 2 days there each time, just to have enough time to both walk around the deer park and also walk around the city (because the city part is also nice, especially all old style little side streets), for me it's much much relaxing and more calm experience than Tokyo or Kyoto or Osaka, but still feels authentic most of the time and even ancient/very old in some parts (historic)
If you're an anime fan and only have time for one, I'd recommend Akihabara. It's the original, and has more atmosphere: anime music blaring from the shops, colourful buildings and a higher concentration of anime shops everywhere. There's a lot of good stuff in Ikebukuro, but Akihabara's still the original! I'd also recommend Nakano Broadway if you're shopping - it's not flashy but it's a treasure trove, especially for second hand goods if you're looking for older figures/merch, and the prices are slightly lower.
I honestly had a much better wagyu beef in Beppu than Kobe, and for less than half of the price. In Beppu, I went to a restaurant next to Umi Jigoku if I remember correctly. It was whimsical, they were even playing Spirited Away's soundtrack.
Amy, what do you recommand for mobie internet on our smartphone?I read many people advising for the pocket wifi, then I read the opposite that an e-sim card is better, very confusing to find a reliable informations 🙂
Seems to be down to personal preference which you prefer. For single travellers, e-sim is better, but for more than one person, you can share a pocket WiFi between you and connect any other devices eg iPads. You have to charge it and carry an extra device around, which some people don't like, but they usually have unlimited data, whereas e-sims have data limits. I tried out both earlier this year - here's my video: th-cam.com/video/imYMUyCMmQc/w-d-xo.html
Looks amazing for some must see hits. Do you think the Onsen town could be visited as a day trip if you left early in the morning and return later in the evening to Osaka?
Ooo, so much good stuff to think about for out trip in November. We've never done an 'authentic' karaoke. Any suggestion for somewhere friendly/tone deaf in Tokyo?😂 PS book is ❤❤⛩️🇯🇵🗼
Thanks so much! I was actually thinking about making a video about karaoke...! It's so much fun! Karaoke Kan and Big Echo are chains that have branches everywhere. Karaoke Kan sometimes has nicer rooms, but they both have a great, surprisingly large, selection of western songs.
@@cakeswithfaces Thanks. Would love to see a karaoke video on your channel. No judgement on being pitch perfect 😜. Practicing my greatest hits already 😁
Akiba or Nakano Broadway both are great. if you want it to be more centralized then Nakano it is. if you want to wander around with the newer items then its Akiba. both places can offer alot of diversion time. might need to look into Iikebukuro a it more on a trip next time.. though Nakano is open later in the day. i think 11am-noon open?? hoping to go again in 2026, not going to spend much time in Tokyo. going to spend most of the time in Saga prefecture chasing Zombieland Saga project manhole covers. got enough locations to visit for nest 2 visits to Japan... Osaka is still on the list of places, a bit more in fukuoka or Kitakyushu. had Gunma beef, didnt really take time to try Saga beef while i was there. will try to get Saga beef next time.
You must have loved Aru Aru City in Kitakyushu! I know the feeling of the never-ending Japan to-do list...! I always enjoy hanging out at Nakano Broadway, and there are so many good food options there too.
I'm going next week for my honeymoon ( 3 week trip!) and your videos have been so so helpful for planning! I'm a bit worried about the weather, it seems really hot and rainy at the moment! Do you know if IC cards can be used in both Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto? Different places I've looked say different things. Also - any jetlag tips would be much appreciated, we're flying from London and landing at 7am Tokyo time 😅
Congratulations - that'll be an amazing honeymoon trip! Japanese summer is no joke with the humidity, so take it easy and stay hydrated. If I went in summer, I'd go to the mountains where it's cooler, or Hokkaido! The major IC cards like Suica and Icoca can be used all around Japan, they're basically the same but with different names. Jetlag: Try and stay awake until the evening if you can, so you can adjust to the time-zone. Even if that's only 7 or 8pm! If you can sleep on the plane, that helps a lot. Do something chilled on your arrival day - have a wander round the area you're staying, or go to a park, get some food and take it easy. You can usually drop your suitcases at your hotel before check-in time (Japanese hotels never seem to let you check in early!).
@@cakeswithfaces thank you so much for the tips!! We booked thinking summer would be over by now but I guess not! We're staying in Akihabara first so I'm hoping the adrenaline will keep us awake haha
@@inemmaslibrary Haha that certainly will! If it's too much, take the Yamanote Line along to Nippori - Yanesen's a nice area for strolling that I enjoyed on an arrival day once: th-cam.com/video/D0H_FuiASYs/w-d-xo.html Or Ueno Park's only a couple of stops away too. I've been in the first two weeks of October and it was ok, so over the course of your trip it should start to cool off!
Hey is 3 weeks alright to visit japan or would i need more time to see alot of japan and how many days u reccommens in tokyo osaka and kyoto? Hope u can help
The trip I'm talking about in this video is a 2 week trip, which is enough to go to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. However, there's so much to do that if you have the budget for a longer trip, you won't get bored! On my first few trips I spent 10 days, then 2 weeks just in Tokyo!
@cakeswithfaces aww thank you..i was looking to go in january during the low season hopefully it aint that cold 🤣.i live in england aswell..🤣 love your content keep up the amazing work 👏 👌 🙌
@@umistry2 Thanks! I've been at the start of February and it was milder than England, but January may be a bit colder, and you'll definitely still need a winter coat! There was a day in Feb I could go without it though, which would never happen here! 😂
I am heading to Kinosaki in December and staying in the same place you did. They seemed to be one of the few solo traveller friendly ryokans there. If I get in early, can you get your onsen pass early or do you only get it at check in time?
It's so great how they seem like such a progressive ryokan, with how they're so accommodating with special diets as well. They're really friendly. :-) I got my pass at check-in so I'm not sure if you can get it earlier. But I dropped off my suitcases there as soon as I arrived in Kinosaki, so that would be an opportunity to ask. If it's not possible, you can pay to go in the bath-houses individually if you need to. I don't think they're too expensive (the pass for all of them is only 1500 yen).
It's Ama Chaya - just opposite the station: maps.app.goo.gl/pimnKPDr9JbCY2Gw6 There are lots of cute little cafes in Kinosaki! It's a gorgeous place - have a wonderful time!
Thank you so much for sharing the reality of walking around in Japan, saved me from ruining our first international trip! I also have a bad knee(thank you covid lockdown) and was hoping we could rent those LUUP electric scooters or bicycles there! Especially the Tsukiji market to Teamlabs which seems to be a straight line trail and doable on scooter/bicycle. Was wondering why you guys haven't tried it out since you have been there so many times! Also, I didn't imagine the food places would be so crazily crowded as you showed so thank you. We were planning to have konbini snacks, here and there for our trip next month, did you guys find konbini not sufficient or difficult to be vegetarian friendly that you still hunted for restaurants on the last day?
Luup is actually relatively new in Japan so I've not tried it! Much of Tokyo is pretty flat though, so it should be easy to get around. There are veggie options at the konbini so we do go there a lot! Mostly for breakfast or lunch, or for snacks, especially for the evening for the hotel. As an evening meal we'll usually have a restaurant meal, and as big fans of Japanese food we wanted something really good for the last day of the trip.
@@davidspillane4234 It depends when you're going. If it's a popular time of year or the holidays (eg cherry blossom season, Golden Week, New Year) I'd recommend booking things earlier. For some trains, you'll be fine booking the day of or the night before - some routes are very frequent. However, if you book in advance on SmartEX you can get a discount for booking early (30 days, then various other discounts up to 1 day before). Details in this video: th-cam.com/video/-kjYuh1KvN8/w-d-xo.html I'd also recommend booking shinkansen if you want the seat with extra space for luggage, as there are only a few per carriage. How far in advance depends on the route and when you're going. If you know exactly when you'll be travelling, you may as well book a month in advance and get the discount. Attractions you should book as soon as they go on sale: Ghibli Park and Ghibli Museum, popular theme cafes like the Kirby Cafe, Pokemon Cafe, etc, any themed/special tourist trains, any very popular restaurants. And you don't need to book as early, but keep an eye on ticket availability for Shibuya Sky (especially if you want to go at sunset, it always books up first), TeamLab, SkyTree. You can check availability by starting the booking process on their websites & it tells you how many tickets are left. I booked them while I was there (but during the off-season) so I could keep an eye on the weather forecast.
@@cakeswithfaces our route is Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Osaka, Kawagochiko, Tokyo. Would you recommend the JR pass or book individually and use an IC card for our travel in the cities?
Can you tell us after your first day the over tourism situation on the 19th september?Like if it is already jam packed with tourist or? Have a nice flight 🙂
hmmm,... Kinosaki during the time of your trip doesn't have really good fish and crab but it's really nice. You don't need to worry about this but, um, traditionally you need to worship at the hilltop temple before bathing. Yosano Akiko and other writers loved this place so it's really good. But still,... the waters at Kusatsu are much better ...
Love all your videos! But, I have two complaints about Japan travel videos in general: GRIPE #1: Every Japan travel video I’ve ever watched shows people eating food. It’s annoying! (dietary restrictions: no fish, seafood, tea, or alcohol) Surely, there is more to do in Japan than just eat!? GRIPE #2: Japan travel videos seem to be targeted to budget travelers. Where’s the information for older, more affluent travelers? We can’t walk 30,000 steps per day, but we have money. We don’t want to entertain ourselves -We pay others to entertain us. Considering those things, how would you plan three days in Tokyo and two days in Kyoto? Thoughts?
So glad you like my videos, thank you! I agree there is much more to do in Japan than eat, and it's annoying when food's on a list of things to do in a particular place. The quality of Japanese food is amazing, and trying the local cuisine is part of the enjoyment of travelling. It's one of the things we always look forward to! Aside from that, showing it in videos is a way to help people know what to expect - some people are nervous about what options there'll be, or if there'll be anything they like. If you're not into walking, there are tours and sightseeing taxis. In Kyoto, have a look at booking some cultural experiences like a tea ceremony, a geisha experience, or going to a theatre like Kabukiza in Ginza. I think you might like a ryokan stay - some are very luxurious. The best are in onsen towns outside the city, so that would be a night away as a side trip.
Amy. There's one problem: pickpockets. Both Kyoto and Tokyo are 'overcrowded'! Please protect your wallet and passport. And keep your eyes 👀 sharp-out! Anything can happen.
Luckily crime rates in Japan are very low compared to most countries, where it's much more of a problem. But you never know who's there, so it's sensible to keep on eye on your belongings (I come from London so it comes naturally!).
Omg pickpocket cases in Japan? This is something new, I get you should never let your guard down in a new place but was wondering if you have come across cases of actual pickpocketing there.
@@Lextasy.420 @4869shk I haven't had any problems with pickpocketing or heard of it at all in Japan. I've seen people drop their wallets and other people run after them to return them, and people who live there still leave their bags/laptops/purses on the table in cafes, etc, while they go to the bathroom. As someone from London, not sure if I'd do that myself, but it's a sign of how low the crime rates are. It'd be very easy to pickpocket from me when I'm preoccupied with filming, but nothing's ever happened.
I realize that many people will only be able to visit Japan maybe once in their life, but I'd love to see more Japan creators explore trips that don't take you all over Japan in one trip. Last year I spent two weeks in Kyoto/Osaka and the year before went to just Tokyo for a week. It's so nice not to have to worry about multiple hotels, shinkansens, luggage, etc. Planning to go back to just the Tokyo area in November for two weeks and I can't wait!
Good plan! My first few trips were just to Tokyo and there's so much to do, you won't get bored. When I see itineraries that are in a different city every day (like many organised tours of Japan), I always think how you must end up spending more time on the train than actually doing things.
@@cakeswithfaces exactly! plus there are so many day trips you can go on without checking out of your hotel or needing to bring more than a backpack or small bag with you
I would say that even if it’s your first time trip - if you can, go to Haneda rather than Narita - a lot easier arrival and leaving. And SkyTree was surprisingly good, off season it seems to be less busy and you can almost walk straight in.
So much quicker to get into the city! If Narita's the only affordable option, your consolation prize is the possibility of spotting the hanging trains in Chiba!
@@cakeswithfaces oh, we are coming through Narita. How can we see the hanging train?
This. However, if you fly in to Narita, I recommend staying a day there. Naritasan is gorgeous and not overwhelmed with tourists and the high street is very compact.
@@melissamarsh2219 you mean the hanging monorail? The famous one runs between Kamakura and enoshima. A day trip from Tokyo.
@@melissamarsh2219 Keep an eye out for it around Chiba Station. There are also great views of the SkyTree from a distance as you approach Tokyo.
Japan is divided into 47 prefectures, each with its own unique character. Every one of them offers amazing tourist destinations and a variety of delicious local foods that are definitely worth trying. A country like this is incredibly rare, and perhaps there's nowhere quite like Japan. 🗾The northern and southern regions feel like completely different countries, which is why you never get bored and always want to visit again and again.😌Personally, I prefer the Japanese countryside, where fewer tourists visit, rather than the big cities.Riding an ancient steam locomotive through fields where cherry blossoms and rapeseed flowers were in full bloom felt like a dream-it was such a surreal and breathtaking experience!🌸🚂🟡
That sounds like an amazing experience - where did you do that? :-)
@@cakeswithfaces It is "SL Mooka" in Tochigi prefecture. It's a very small public-private joint venture railway.🌸🚂🌼
h●m-wa-online.jp/k00094/
m●edia.jreast.co.jp/articles/641
Remove the ● in the URL. And please use Google to translate the page.
@@cakeswithfaces It is "SL Mooka" in Tochigi prefecture. It's a very small public-private joint venture railway.🌸🚂🌼I was going to share the URL of the site that mentions it, but it looks like I can't post links in the comment section.
Amy I am literally booking a trip to Japan this minute, your timing could not have been better
Ooh exciting! Where are you planning on going in Japan?
@@cakeswithfaces Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka! Kind of following your Golden Route. Got your book next to me in fact. I'm trying to work out the logistics of a one night stay in Hakone and see if we can get a view of Mt. Fuji from there!
@@jonribeiro266 Fingers crossed for you! Fuji-san can be shy but you never know - last year we even got such a clear view from the plane when we arrived.
@@jonribeiro266 If you can, stay for 2 nights in Hakone or Kawaguchiko (which I prefer), to increase your chances of seeing Fuji. We did this last year, on one day we had perfect views of the mountain, it was fantastic. And one the other day, the weather was bad and it was like there is no mountain, you could not see it even for a second.
I suggest Kanazawa for some historical buildings with less crowds than Kyoto. Even some historic tea districts with less lines.
Yes! A great option!
This is a great itinerary to start with as you can customize it to ones own interests.
Thanks! I'd always recommend doing what interests you, instead of the most popular attractions if they might not be your thing!
Hey Amy! Your videos and book was so helpful planning my Japan trip. Currently on the train to kinosaki onsen and I can’t wait! I can’t wait to plan a northern and southern Japan trip as well! Honestly I’d just love to move to Japan. I’m pretty tattoo’d and I can’t wait to enjoy my ryokan and onsen !
It's so great that Kinosaki allows tattoos! Have an amazing time!!
I love the pinball arcade in Nishishinsaibashi, so many old and new machines
Yes! Always a must-visit!
Great video! I'm looking forward to my next trip to Tokyo in November with my Dad, his first trip there since he was in the Navy in '69. I always love watching your videos to get ideas of what to do next in Japan!
It'll be so interesting seeing how it compares with his memories from back then!
Thanks Amy. Great video, brought back memories from places we've been in Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo. We spent one day in Kyoto, but it's far from enough. We will go back one day to see more of the city. Looking forward to our travel to Tokyo in November.
There's so much to see in Kyoto! I think that's why it remains so popular. I reckon I could even go back again and see all new places.
i just love your videos thank you
Aww thank you so much! I spend a long time on them, so that means a lot!
Thank you for the video the timing is great as I just booked my first Japan trip a few days ago. There are so many things I want to do but taking your advice not to over pack my itinerary.
How exciting! The Japan to-visit list is never-ending! :-)
Another FANTASTIC video - would love to see the Ikebukuro video you have in the pipeline as we will be staying there in 3 weeks time 😊 but thank you for another great video. X
Thanks! That's a great place to stay - have a wonderful trip!
Love this! Thank you❤🎉
Thanks, hope it helps!!
Kinosaki Onsen ❤️❤️❤️ I was there only 1 night 😢 but it was so magical!
Isn't it such a gorgeous place?! I don't know how any onsen town could be better! 😍
@ I was walking in my Yukata, on the wooden slippers and with the basket in the evening in the village. It was truely magical!
Are there other onsentowns like Kinosakionsen? If I ever come back to Japan I will go out of my way to visit Kinosakionsen again.
Also what you said about the trainjourney. It wasn’t long at all. The limited express Kinosaki is very comfortable and the route is really scenic!
@@ElrosTar-Minyatur Absolutely! When I recommend Kinosaki to people, I always feel like they're put off by the train journey, but it's so enjoyable. I haven't been there, but I think Shibu Onsen has a similar set up with several public bath-houses you can visit. And recently I've been looking at Takaragawa Onsen - it isn't a whole village, but looks gorgeous how the baths are right next to a river - it's also mixed (you wear towels) and allows tattoos. 👍
@@cakeswithfaces oeh thanks! I will look it up! 🙏🏾
Hey, Amy, just came back from my 4 weeks lasting trip to Japan and there were some things and views in this video I recognized 😍 Thanks to your excellent book the trip was so interesting and so much fun - and I was thrilled to watch this new video. It gave me some new ideas for my next Japan trip 😅 Hugs from Austria 🤗
Fantastic! So glad you enjoyed it - and there's always something for next time!! What were your favs in Japan?
@@cakeswithfaces one of my most favourites were TeamLab Borderless, the ride on the Hello Kitty Shinkansen, Harry Potter Studio Tour, walking in Harajuku and watching the stage performances from hundreds of youth groups in Yoyogi Park, dressed in numerous brightly coloured kimonos of all kinds! And of course Fanta Grape! And Melon pan! I loved it so much! 😍
Just started planning my next trip to Japan 😆
@@tds6519 You never know what you'll see in Yoyogi Park, there's always something going on there! That sounds like an amazing trip!
Love the new hair Amy!
Thanks! I always want to change it! 🌈
This video is full of information and extremely helpful.
Thanks so much, glad it helps!
Amy your book has been a huge help planning my solo trip in early December. I'm keeping it very simple for the first one, Tokyo for most of it and a couple of days in Hiroshima. Next time I will go to Sendai I think. Thanks for all you do! Your videos make it seem very smooth lol.
Sounds like a good plan! So glad my book's been helpful - I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time! ✨
We go end of October our first trip, we have your guide book it’s absolutely AWESOME!! We doing the golden route and hakone and so excited and a tad nervous as it’s going to be a trip of a lifetime but your advice is always so great!!!
Aww thank you so much! I felt just the same on my first trip - excited but also nervous (that's partly why I make my book and videos!).
Great video, thanks once again. We've been every so slightly tweaking our itinerary as we've been asking ourselves questions around whether we're doing things just because they're popular or if we will really value going there.
I'm a big fan of doing what interests you, rather than just the most popular things! I think that's the best way of really enjoying it.
Hi Amy, thanks for posting this video, it has given me more of an idea what to expect as I will be travelling for my first visit to Japan on March 1st 2025 (forgot about the Tokyo Marathon so I guess i'm in for a busy day). I'll be taking the same flight - 11.50am from Heathrow, arriving at Haneda at 10.25am on Sunday 2nd. I've packed so much into my Itinerary I think i'll be shattered every night. Spending 16 nights split between Tokyo (Ueno) 5 nights, Osaka (Dotonbori) 6 nights and back to Tokyo (Kanda) for another 5 nights. Hope I have as much fun as you always seem to have, so thanks again, your videos are always very informative.
That's a similar time of year as well! Have an amazing time, I'm sure you'll love it. Just make sure you have comfy shoes for all the walking if you have a packed schedule!
@@cakeswithfaces I'm sure I will have an amazing time. My walking shoes are now worn in and ready for the long treks. Thanks again.
Got my 4th trip booked for next year and this includes Nagoya for the first time (4 nights). That railway museum sounds like a must, and of course I'll need to set my alarm a month before at 1am to try to get Ghibli Park tickets ;)
Sounds like a good plan! You'll love the railway museum! Fingers crossed you get Ghibli tickets 🤞
When I brought my daughter (also named Amy) to Japan last year, we flew Premium Economy and I told her “Premium Economy” is nice but it is what you would expect regular economy to be, and the best way to appreciate Premium Economy is to first fly long-haul regular Economy. Then Premium Economy would seem fantastic. 🙂
I flew to Hong Kong with regular economy which didn't seem that bad but then flew premium and its ruined me now.
That's exactly what we said about it! 😂
Don't ever fly Business or First then. It's ruined us😂
@@zaneysvids8851 I'll try my best not to...! 😂😂
The excitement of another vid from Amy🙋🏻♀️, that’s loaded with wonderful info! Smashed the like button even before the vid started 😜
Aww thank you!! Hope you enjoyed it!
More fun and helpful Japan news appreciate again from you 🤝🤝🤝
Glad you enjoyed it!
I'm doing more or less this exact route in January! But going straight to Osaka form Haneda Airport. the joys of a morning departure and arrival!
Flight times don't always work out exactly what you'd want! But I've done immediate arrival / shinkansen straight away and it went ok! :-)
@@cakeswithfaces This will work as planned! My flight departure time got moved forward by an hour!
I’ll wave at you in the diorama!! Managed to swing a 1 night stop off in Nagoya to visit the museum, mainly with the promise of Miso Katsu to Mrs Shoei (not your thing but delicious) but also cos it happens to coincide with my birthday and breaks up the trip between Izu and Osaka, only 10 weeks to go and counting!!! You’re right about one of the best tips to not underestimate the walking and not trying to cram too much in, also think not over stretching cos of FOMO allows you to enjoy places more at leisure and take it all in, instead of making the holiday one instagram must-do list thing 😊
That sounds fantastic. Hopefully I can find a veggie version of miso katsu one day..! 🤞 Have a wonderful time, and say hello to Mini Amy & Phil!
Love your videos. So informative as always
Thank you! I just remember how many questions I had when I first went to Japan! :-)
Travelling outside of peak season is great advice. And for people wanting to see the cherry blossoms or autumn foliage, I suggest travelling to less visited areas. We did parts of Kyushu in the spring and were lucky to get the sakura at their best around Kitakyushu and Fukuoka. We were with first timers so we also did a couple days in Osaka and a few more in Tokyo, so that they could enjoy elements of the golden route. They had a really great time despite not going to some of the most famous spots like Kyoto or Mt Fuji.
I'm curious about your experience in Kinosaki. You mentioned a day pass for people staying at a local ryokan, but I imagine most of those day-use baths are a no for tattooed folks? Since you have a tattoo as well, if you have any recommendations for tattoo-friendly spots in kinosaki (or elsewhere), I'd love to hear them!
So glad you enjoyed the sakura in Kyushu - I love it there! So many interesting places.
The great thing about Kinosaki is that all 7 public bath-houses are tattoo-friendly. Many of the ryokan are too. It's quite a progressive onsen town! You can also buy a pass for the bath-houses if you're not staying there - it's only about 1500 yen.
@@cakeswithfaces That is incredible and I'm so happy to hear it!! It's nowhere near our next trip (Tohoku) but I have definitely added it to "the list".
@@WildCatMiyuu There are lists of tattoo-friendly onsen online, so hopefully you can find one in Tohoku! 🙂
@@cakeswithfaces There are many onsen towns in Tohoku, I'm certain I can find a great one (or two!) with kashikiri baths or an in-room bath. I'm not counting on being allowed to use any public bath, though I can always ask when I get there (the ryokan we went to in Yufuin told me I could use the outdoor public bath, as long as there was no one else there).
Also, it looks like the Dai Rotenburo in Zao onsen is tattoo friendly.
I'm in Nagoya right now after arriving three days ago and I wasn't sure what to expect as we couldn't go to Ghibli Park as it was too far booked out ahead. I would say Nagoya Castle is the main tourist attraction and is well worth visiting even though the main tower is closed. Also went to the Nagoya City Science Museum which is enormous as well as the Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art.
So glad you've enjoyed Nagoya! Getting tickets for the Ghibli Park is still so difficult!
Agree with the new places - this current japan trip is my 6th and I’ve included new places each time i go…and you definitely get your steps in so wear comfy shoes! I also recommend if you can, get a hotel with an onsen in it…i stayed at the dormy inn near kyoto station and that has an onsen on the top floor which was super convenient to relax those tight leg muscles!
That's a great tip - and it helps with the sore feet after a day of walking miles exploring Japan!
We spent 4 weeks in August in Japan and, aside from the rather brutal heat, it was fabulous. Our first 10 days were spent in Kyushu with my wife’s family with day trips to Kagoshima, Aso and Beppu. I love Kyushu, it’s such a beautiful area.
Other highlights for me were Odawara which is not far out of Tokyo and gives you easy access to Hakone, and a lovely house we stayed in called Neko Neko Inn which is just by Sangubashi station on the edge of Yoyogi Park. It’s a really quiet chill part of Tokyo and just a few minutes from Shinjuku station.
We are already thinking about where to go on our next visit 😊
Japanese summer is no joke, well done for coping with that! That sounds fantastic - I love Kyushi too. There are so many interesting places there. I've seen Neko Neko Inn on Sharla's channel - it looks adorable!
Just ordered your new calendar 😀
Thank you so much!! 🙏✨
Hi heading to Japan for first time March 30-April 10 and wondering if you think I need to book trains ahead of time? Will be traveling from Hiroshima to Osaka then Osaka to Kyoto and then from Kyoto to Tokyo. Thanks
Trains on those routes are very frequent, but if it was me, I'd book them in advance, because that's cherry blossom season, which is the most popular time of year to visit Japan, so there'll be lots of people travelling on the Golden Route between Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka.
Thank you for making videos about Japan. I will have to give some of these a try when I go back there!
Also, I know why you haven’t fallen in love with Kyoto yet. …You’ve never hiked from Kurama to Kifune, have you? It’s like your mini adventure to Kobe. I hiked this path from one mountain town to the next. The entire way is man made steps in full shade and the views are amazing. 27 shrines along the walk. What’s best is I left from the center of Kyoto around 8am and was back by lunchtime.
Ahhh, on the trip in the video it was either Kurama/Kibune or Uji, and we went for Uji in the end. So that's one for next time! Good to know it's my sort of thing, thank you!
At airport after 13 fabulous days in Tokyo and Disney thx so much for your videos and your lovely book which I highly recommend and was our go to guide for our hols
Aww that's so lovely to hear, thank you! What were your fav(s!) in Japan? And did you get into Fantasy Springs?
@@cakeswithfaces we were lucky Disney was quiet we did 2 days in each and did all rides in fantastic springs both days. Stayed at Gracery Hotel which was nice and loved everything from temples and shrines to the parks and the food wish we could have toured Japan but now in Hong Kong
I'm so glad you got to go to Rainbowholic! My hobonichi senpai hehe.
It was so good to meet them! The shop really is the cutest!
Hi Amy, thank you for the Hits and Misses video that is an excellent index/reference. Yes, research research research. If you want to savour Kobe beef, you have to be serious. You will notice the eye-catchy price in front of the restaurants, but virtually none of them mentions the volume until you check the menu in detail! I found a restaurant with a good reputation in Kyobashi, Osaka and went for a JPY10,000 (EUR63 approx.) 9-course menu. It featured 80g of prime Kobe beef (Any big eater will be laughing, I'm sure, as I was !!) but as a fine dining to experience something extraordinary, it rather magically filled me nice and well.
What was the name of that restaurant?
I guess it's one of those cases where it's about quality, not quantity!!
Going on my first trip with my son in a week! He loves trains too.
Exciting!! He'll love all the Japanese trains! 🚅
If he likes "cute" trains as well, you might consider taking this train th-cam.com/video/JLjmDwkK0Jw/w-d-xo.html from Ikoma (near Osaka) to an amusement park.
Personally, learning from my last experience, I would book my hotel for the night before I arrive: after a 13 hour flight we arrived at 7am and had to wait until 3pm (8 hours) before we could go to our rooms. That felt like the longest 8 hours ever!
That's a good idea if you have the budget. Early morning arrivals can be tough! I think some people go to a capsule hotel to shower. This time we landed early, took an internal flight to Fukuoka and it was a struggle, knowing we had to stay awake until the evening but feeling too tired to really want to do anything.
Depending on where you are, you could go into a love hotel for a few hours. They are meant for relaxing and having fun, so they are usually comfortable and well equipped. They're also easy to book last minute for just a few hours. We considered it last time as we landed in Osaka in the morning (but ended up not to since the airline left my suitcase in Paris and I had to go shopping instead....)
@@WildCatMiyuu That's a good idea! I'm always tempted as some of them have karaoke...!
My husband really wanted to go in the spring, so next March we will be back in Japan.
I'm actually a bit worried about being in Kyoto at the end of the month, but I really hope we see some lovely cherry blossoms, since that's kind of the point of traveling at that time.
(hoping the weather will be good and the flowers are out!)
He and I positively love Kyoto over Osaka though, I guess Osaka just isn't our vibe, but it can be fun for a short time though.
I'd recommend looking up off-the-beaten track cherry blossom spots in Kyoto, like the Keage Incline, and there are spots around the river that are more peaceful. Expect the famous places to be busy - and while most people say get up at the crack of dawn, some are a lot quieter in the evening too. Yasaka Shrine's really lovely after dark with the lanterns, and not many people there.
Thank you for posting. My wife and I are going in January, and the way you explained your trip was very helpful in terms of traveling as a couple. How often does he go with you when you visit Japan? This will be my fourth trip, her second.
We've always been together - a couple of times with friends as well. I think either of us would be too jealous if the other went to Japan without them!! 😂
2nd trip this October/November...using major centres to travel to more remote areas. I love the ancient shrines and temples with a little bit of samurai culture thrown in. Usually visit a few Jomon archeaological sites, or museums that carry a decent representation of that era. I'm older (66), so flashy anime stuff and city scapes just doesn't do it for me. No Tokyo this trip - Nagoya, Nakasendo (yay!), Takayama and the Gifu area, hiking the Central Alps, Matsumoto, Kanazawa ( return visit to enjoy Kaikaro again and spend time in my favourite ceramics shop/museum there - Shinbidou). Osaka (Namba) with many day trips planned...and my final destination...even though I know it will crush my soul...Hiroshima. I'm even spending time in Narita! Seems like a lot - it is - but I have that personality type that has to be doing 'something', down time leaves me restless and anxious.
That sounds like a great plan - I think you'll love it if you like history and culture! There are so many different sides to Japan, so it's important to do what interests you.
Thanks for your videos Amy, they're always informative, even for places that we have been to many times. My wife would like to know where you got your top from, please? Thank you!
Thanks so much! The lucky cat dress is my design. :-) You can get it here: cakeswithfaces.co.uk/product/lucky-cat-dress-blue/
Just ordered the calendar 📆 ❤ Thank you Amy for sharing this video. I'm hoping to visit Japan in November next year. I planned to go this year but unfortunately, my health is not great 🤒. Mind you, it's given me longer to learn some Japanese 😂🫶
Thank you so much! Sorry to hear that - but yes, think of all the new places that will be open by then, like the TeamLab Planets expansion, and I'm sure there'll be lots more!
As always Amy, your video is great, thanks a lot for that. In this first post, just my opinion on the Tokyo part of it: as yourself, I much prefer staying in Shinjuku and personally, I dont really like Shibuya. Shibuya Sky seems great, but is off limits for me, because of my extreme fear of high heights. Being on the platform would probably be okay, but the escalator going there just puts me into pure panic and fear. No way I could ever go on that thing.
Besides that: I agree with your Tokyo itinerary. The only thing I would add, is walking around Yanaka, to see traditional old Tokyo, small temples and cemetaries.
I havent been to Nagoya yet, but I love trains, so thanks for sharing that place with me. It goes onto my very long list of places to visit in Japan ;-).
About Osaka: myself, I am not a big fan of Osaka, I just prefer Tokyo and Osaka seems like a "cheap copy" to Tokyo for myself. I love Kyoto, but I am glad that I went there 2 times, before overturism became even worse. I know that there are places where its probably still okay to visit in Kyoto. But as there is so much to see, experience, eat and enjoy in Japan, I dont have a wish to return to an amazingly busy Kyoto.
I am sorry to hear about phils bad knee. My mum is als struggeling with bad knees, so I know what you are talking about.
Thanks so much! The escalator at Shibuya Sky is quite hardcore if you don't like heights. Phil's not a big fan of them and felt uncomfortable there. That's why he did most of the filming there, to concentrate on something else, and he stayed away from the edge.
Yanaka's such a lovely place to stroll around! It was the perfect place for our arrival day on a previous trip!
I'm pretty much doing the same cities this month but Hakone instead of Kinosaki. Really looking forward to Nagoya since I've never been there (unless you count the Shinkansen stopping at the station for 15 seconds, lol.) I'm also looking forward to seeing the tsukiji fish market. Another youtuber is has complained about tsukiji being a tourist trap and how people shouldn't go.... but he's did like half a dozen videos and live streams from there! So yeah it's easy to say don't go somewhere when you've been so many times the workers probably recognize you 😂
Edit: At 6:48 It looks like that man has an icon floating over his head like in a video game
Glad you'll be stopping in Nagoya - I was the same before I went!!
I think you need to go to Tsujiki with the expectation that it's going to be rammed full of people, because it's so popular now. It's true that you can get similar food for lower prices elsewhere, but I still enjoyed exploring it, and knowing it's the original Tsujiki is something!
Kinosaki Onsen isn’t too far from Ine and Amanohashidate. I wonder if you’ve ever been there? I planned to go but in the end we didn’t really have time. I did however see it from the plane as we flew into Japan - I was so amazed I could identify a small town in Japan from a plane when I’d never even been to Japan before. (But it is unmistakable because of the spit of land in the sea).
I haven't been, but they'd be great options to combine with Kinosaki. They look beautiful! Well done spotting it from the plane, that's amazing! I was happy when I recognised the Izu Peninsula...! 😂
Visited Japan for the first time last December and had a great time, mostly due to great travel advice from your videos :)
Kyoto was kind of a disappointment. It's as beautiful as you would expect but the city was so packed with people that I couldn't really enjoy it anymore after two days so that I started doing day trips with my JR pass.
Places like Kobe, Uji, Takayama, Kanazawa and Kawagoe, while not some sort of secret, were super enjoyable because they weren't so overrun.
Therefore my upcoming trip is either going to go to Kyushu or Tohoku for the same reason.
That sounds like a great plan. That's great that you visited so many places on day trips and made the most of your JR Pass! I really think the solution to over-crowding at these popular places in Japan is to make people more aware of where else there is to go, and all the other places that are just as beautiful/historic/interesting.
Hi Amy always love your videos ❤
We are doing some similar things in Tokyo.
We are doing the golden route Saturday 26th to Wednesday November 6th.
Arriving at Narita as couldnt get flight to Haneda unfortunately.
Staying in Ueno 3 nights, 2nd day the Sunday vistiting Asakusa and Akihabara apparently good no cars. Maybe Tokyo Skytree that night or the next?
Monday going to 9am session to Teamlab planets. Not early risers so that will be fun😅.
Whats the best quickest train to get there from ueno?
Tuesday off to Osaka for USJ Wednesday, Thursday Osaka Castle just outside, maybe uemeda sky? Then train to Kyoto. Staying near station. Friday Fushimi 8am then Nara? Saturday bamboo forest and Monkey Park, Sunday which is Culture day so busy head nack to Tokyo. Stay in Ikebukuro visit Sunshine citu, snime, Shinjuku Tokyo building at night. Tuesday Shibuya shopping, anime Shibuya sky sunset if we can then Wednesday leave for home.
Wanting to visit Kiyomizu-dera, Gion and Higashiyama in Kyoto. But not sure where to fit it ?
What times less crowded?
Sounds like a great plan! And you'll be there for Halloween! It's good to keep it flexible with the SkyTree, so you can go on a clear day.
To get to TeamLab Planets, take the JR Yamanote Line to Yurakucho Station, then change to the metro to Toyosu Station. It might be busy around Tokyo Station before 9am so leave yourselves plenty of time.
Higashiyama and Kiyomizudera are, in my experience, the most popular and crowded spots in Kyoto. They're always busy, so just be prepared for that. I've heard of people getting up *extremely* early. I haven't been there in the evening, but places are often quieter in the evening and can be really atmospheric, although the shops, etc will be shut. Yasaka Shrine's lovely after dark with the lanterns, and there was hardly anyone else there when we went after dinner. Gion hasn't been too crowded when I've been during the day. Maybe you could go there in the evening - it has a more magical atmosphere.
I'm hoping to visit Japan for a second time next year and want to go back to some familiar places and explore some more and even visit entirely new places that my friends and I didn't get to as well as places that weren't planned at all the first time around. An unplanned venture I fell into was that I quickly decided I'd get beautiful fridge magnets from every location we had visited and now the side of my fridge is covered and sooo many and I don't regret getting them all. I also have a goal on visiting every single Pokemon Center Japan has and get a 100 yen coin pressed at each location. I have 10 and there should be just 6 more to have every one. Looking to possibly go in May just after Golden week is over to hopefully have nice weather without being too cold anymore as well as not being quite as humid as it was when we went in late September.
Cheers from the US!!
That's a great idea! And hunting for things always adds an extra bit of fun to your trip. May should be lovely weather. I always prefer the spring to the autumn because I think it feels fresher before rainy season, which is when the humidity starts.
I visited Japan twice so far and both times we visited Nara and it's our favourite (we even got engaged there) ^_^ We spent 2 days there each time, just to have enough time to both walk around the deer park and also walk around the city (because the city part is also nice, especially all old style little side streets), for me it's much much relaxing and more calm experience than Tokyo or Kyoto or Osaka, but still feels authentic most of the time and even ancient/very old in some parts (historic)
Ah that's a lovely place to get engaged! I hope the deer said congratulations! 💖
@@cakeswithfaces thank you!! :) The deer couldn't give a fluff 🤣🤣
I would love to see a video featuring Ikebukuro spots! Also, if we only have time for Akihabara or Ikebukuro, which would you recommend?
If you're an anime fan and only have time for one, I'd recommend Akihabara. It's the original, and has more atmosphere: anime music blaring from the shops, colourful buildings and a higher concentration of anime shops everywhere. There's a lot of good stuff in Ikebukuro, but Akihabara's still the original! I'd also recommend Nakano Broadway if you're shopping - it's not flashy but it's a treasure trove, especially for second hand goods if you're looking for older figures/merch, and the prices are slightly lower.
I honestly had a much better wagyu beef in Beppu than Kobe, and for less than half of the price. In Beppu, I went to a restaurant next to Umi Jigoku if I remember correctly. It was whimsical, they were even playing Spirited Away's soundtrack.
That sounds great! I love Beppu! I think all the other types of wagu beef need more marketing & PR to become as famous as Kobe beef! 😂
Amy, what do you recommand for mobie internet on our smartphone?I read many people advising for the pocket wifi, then I read the opposite that an e-sim card is better, very confusing to find a reliable informations 🙂
Seems to be down to personal preference which you prefer. For single travellers, e-sim is better, but for more than one person, you can share a pocket WiFi between you and connect any other devices eg iPads. You have to charge it and carry an extra device around, which some people don't like, but they usually have unlimited data, whereas e-sims have data limits.
I tried out both earlier this year - here's my video: th-cam.com/video/imYMUyCMmQc/w-d-xo.html
@@cakeswithfaces I see,thanks
Looks amazing for some must see hits. Do you think the Onsen town could be visited as a day trip if you left early in the morning and return later in the evening to Osaka?
Yes, I know other people have done that! You can buy a day pass for the 7 bath-houses, it's not even that expensive.
Ooo, so much good stuff to think about for out trip in November. We've never done an 'authentic' karaoke. Any suggestion for somewhere friendly/tone deaf in Tokyo?😂 PS book is ❤❤⛩️🇯🇵🗼
Thanks so much! I was actually thinking about making a video about karaoke...! It's so much fun! Karaoke Kan and Big Echo are chains that have branches everywhere. Karaoke Kan sometimes has nicer rooms, but they both have a great, surprisingly large, selection of western songs.
@@cakeswithfaces Thanks. Would love to see a karaoke video on your channel. No judgement on being pitch perfect 😜. Practicing my greatest hits already 😁
@@bartango007 Haha, I accidentally watched a clip with the sound on and 😖😖😖
Akiba or Nakano Broadway both are great. if you want it to be more centralized then Nakano it is. if you want to wander around with the newer items then its Akiba. both places can offer alot of diversion time. might need to look into Iikebukuro a it more on a trip next time.. though Nakano is open later in the day. i think 11am-noon open?? hoping to go again in 2026, not going to spend much time in Tokyo. going to spend most of the time in Saga prefecture chasing Zombieland Saga project manhole covers. got enough locations to visit for nest 2 visits to Japan... Osaka is still on the list of places, a bit more in fukuoka or Kitakyushu. had Gunma beef, didnt really take time to try Saga beef while i was there. will try to get Saga beef next time.
You must have loved Aru Aru City in Kitakyushu! I know the feeling of the never-ending Japan to-do list...! I always enjoy hanging out at Nakano Broadway, and there are so many good food options there too.
I'm going next week for my honeymoon ( 3 week trip!) and your videos have been so so helpful for planning! I'm a bit worried about the weather, it seems really hot and rainy at the moment! Do you know if IC cards can be used in both Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto? Different places I've looked say different things. Also - any jetlag tips would be much appreciated, we're flying from London and landing at 7am Tokyo time 😅
Congratulations - that'll be an amazing honeymoon trip! Japanese summer is no joke with the humidity, so take it easy and stay hydrated. If I went in summer, I'd go to the mountains where it's cooler, or Hokkaido!
The major IC cards like Suica and Icoca can be used all around Japan, they're basically the same but with different names.
Jetlag: Try and stay awake until the evening if you can, so you can adjust to the time-zone. Even if that's only 7 or 8pm! If you can sleep on the plane, that helps a lot. Do something chilled on your arrival day - have a wander round the area you're staying, or go to a park, get some food and take it easy. You can usually drop your suitcases at your hotel before check-in time (Japanese hotels never seem to let you check in early!).
@@cakeswithfaces thank you so much for the tips!! We booked thinking summer would be over by now but I guess not! We're staying in Akihabara first so I'm hoping the adrenaline will keep us awake haha
@@inemmaslibrary Haha that certainly will! If it's too much, take the Yamanote Line along to Nippori - Yanesen's a nice area for strolling that I enjoyed on an arrival day once: th-cam.com/video/D0H_FuiASYs/w-d-xo.html Or Ueno Park's only a couple of stops away too.
I've been in the first two weeks of October and it was ok, so over the course of your trip it should start to cool off!
@@cakeswithfaces oh amazing thank you so much!
@@cakeswithfaces How is the weather in October?
Hey is 3 weeks alright to visit japan or would i need more time to see alot of japan and how many days u reccommens in tokyo osaka and kyoto? Hope u can help
The trip I'm talking about in this video is a 2 week trip, which is enough to go to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. However, there's so much to do that if you have the budget for a longer trip, you won't get bored! On my first few trips I spent 10 days, then 2 weeks just in Tokyo!
@cakeswithfaces aww thank you..i was looking to go in january during the low season hopefully it aint that cold 🤣.i live in england aswell..🤣 love your content keep up the amazing work 👏 👌 🙌
@@umistry2 Thanks! I've been at the start of February and it was milder than England, but January may be a bit colder, and you'll definitely still need a winter coat! There was a day in Feb I could go without it though, which would never happen here! 😂
I am heading to Kinosaki in December and staying in the same place you did. They seemed to be one of the few solo traveller friendly ryokans there. If I get in early, can you get your onsen pass early or do you only get it at check in time?
It's so great how they seem like such a progressive ryokan, with how they're so accommodating with special diets as well. They're really friendly. :-) I got my pass at check-in so I'm not sure if you can get it earlier. But I dropped off my suitcases there as soon as I arrived in Kinosaki, so that would be an opportunity to ask. If it's not possible, you can pay to go in the bath-houses individually if you need to. I don't think they're too expensive (the pass for all of them is only 1500 yen).
Im visiting Kinosaki next week, do you remember what that cafe with the toast set was called?
It's Ama Chaya - just opposite the station: maps.app.goo.gl/pimnKPDr9JbCY2Gw6
There are lots of cute little cafes in Kinosaki! It's a gorgeous place - have a wonderful time!
Thank you so much for sharing the reality of walking around in Japan, saved me from ruining our first international trip! I also have a bad knee(thank you covid lockdown) and was hoping we could rent those LUUP electric scooters or bicycles there! Especially the Tsukiji market to Teamlabs which seems to be a straight line trail and doable on scooter/bicycle. Was wondering why you guys haven't tried it out since you have been there so many times! Also, I didn't imagine the food places would be so crazily crowded as you showed so thank you. We were planning to have konbini snacks, here and there for our trip next month, did you guys find konbini not sufficient or difficult to be vegetarian friendly that you still hunted for restaurants on the last day?
Luup is actually relatively new in Japan so I've not tried it! Much of Tokyo is pretty flat though, so it should be easy to get around.
There are veggie options at the konbini so we do go there a lot! Mostly for breakfast or lunch, or for snacks, especially for the evening for the hotel. As an evening meal we'll usually have a restaurant meal, and as big fans of Japanese food we wanted something really good for the last day of the trip.
@@cakeswithfaces yup that makes sense!
Hi travelling to Japan in April. When you say you should book in advance, how far in advance? Day before, week before?
Do you mean for flights, hotels or attractions?
@ attractions and train travel
@@davidspillane4234 It depends when you're going. If it's a popular time of year or the holidays (eg cherry blossom season, Golden Week, New Year) I'd recommend booking things earlier.
For some trains, you'll be fine booking the day of or the night before - some routes are very frequent. However, if you book in advance on SmartEX you can get a discount for booking early (30 days, then various other discounts up to 1 day before). Details in this video: th-cam.com/video/-kjYuh1KvN8/w-d-xo.html
I'd also recommend booking shinkansen if you want the seat with extra space for luggage, as there are only a few per carriage. How far in advance depends on the route and when you're going. If you know exactly when you'll be travelling, you may as well book a month in advance and get the discount.
Attractions you should book as soon as they go on sale: Ghibli Park and Ghibli Museum, popular theme cafes like the Kirby Cafe, Pokemon Cafe, etc, any themed/special tourist trains, any very popular restaurants.
And you don't need to book as early, but keep an eye on ticket availability for Shibuya Sky (especially if you want to go at sunset, it always books up first), TeamLab, SkyTree. You can check availability by starting the booking process on their websites & it tells you how many tickets are left. I booked them while I was there (but during the off-season) so I could keep an eye on the weather forecast.
@ thank you. We are travelling late April to early may, cherry blossom season.
@@cakeswithfaces our route is Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Osaka, Kawagochiko, Tokyo. Would you recommend the JR pass or book individually and use an IC card for our travel in the cities?
I'm there in 4 days :)
Exciting!! Have an amazing time!!
Can you tell us after your first day the over tourism situation on the 19th september?Like if it is already jam packed with tourist or? Have a nice flight 🙂
@@Sam_Leo1 September isn't peak time to visit Japan, so it shouldn't be too bad. Also, how crowded it is depends a lot on where you go.
hmmm,... Kinosaki during the time of your trip doesn't have really good fish and crab but it's really nice. You don't need to worry about this but, um, traditionally you need to worship at the hilltop temple before bathing. Yosano Akiko and other writers loved this place so it's really good. But still,... the waters at Kusatsu are much better ...
Luckily, I went to Onsenji before bathing as it happens! It's interesting how that used to be how you got a pass for the bath houses.
Please do the best translator portable and apps for Japanese please soon TH-cam thanks
I always just use Google Translate! It's not perfect but a lot better than it used to be. If anyone else has any recs, drop them in the comments. :-)
Love all your videos! But, I have two complaints about Japan travel videos in general:
GRIPE #1: Every Japan travel video I’ve ever watched shows people eating food. It’s annoying! (dietary restrictions: no fish, seafood, tea, or alcohol) Surely, there is more to do in Japan than just eat!?
GRIPE #2: Japan travel videos seem to be targeted to budget travelers. Where’s the information for older, more affluent travelers? We can’t walk 30,000 steps per day, but we have money. We don’t want to entertain ourselves -We pay others to entertain us.
Considering those things, how would you plan three days in Tokyo and two days in Kyoto?
Thoughts?
So glad you like my videos, thank you!
I agree there is much more to do in Japan than eat, and it's annoying when food's on a list of things to do in a particular place. The quality of Japanese food is amazing, and trying the local cuisine is part of the enjoyment of travelling. It's one of the things we always look forward to! Aside from that, showing it in videos is a way to help people know what to expect - some people are nervous about what options there'll be, or if there'll be anything they like.
If you're not into walking, there are tours and sightseeing taxis. In Kyoto, have a look at booking some cultural experiences like a tea ceremony, a geisha experience, or going to a theatre like Kabukiza in Ginza. I think you might like a ryokan stay - some are very luxurious. The best are in onsen towns outside the city, so that would be a night away as a side trip.
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14 hrs on a plane is not my idea of fun, but i think i'd put up with it to travel to Japan.
It's the only way to get there!! 😅
My last flight to Japan went by in a flash. However, I also flew first class.
@@cakeswithfaces Fair point! 😅
@@flyffpsy That must have made it a lot more comfortable!!
@@cakeswithfaces Yes. Next year with ANA from London in First 🥳
Amy. There's one problem: pickpockets. Both Kyoto and Tokyo are 'overcrowded'! Please protect your wallet and passport. And keep your eyes 👀 sharp-out! Anything can happen.
Luckily crime rates in Japan are very low compared to most countries, where it's much more of a problem. But you never know who's there, so it's sensible to keep on eye on your belongings (I come from London so it comes naturally!).
Omg pickpocket cases in Japan? This is something new, I get you should never let your guard down in a new place but was wondering if you have come across cases of actual pickpocketing there.
Have you personally been pickpocketed or heard of this happening?
@@Lextasy.420 @4869shk I haven't had any problems with pickpocketing or heard of it at all in Japan. I've seen people drop their wallets and other people run after them to return them, and people who live there still leave their bags/laptops/purses on the table in cafes, etc, while they go to the bathroom. As someone from London, not sure if I'd do that myself, but it's a sign of how low the crime rates are. It'd be very easy to pickpocket from me when I'm preoccupied with filming, but nothing's ever happened.
@@4869shk No, I've never experienced or heard of any pickpocketing in Japan.
would love to see your video on ikebukuro! no need for it to be “new” i think a lot of us are interested in hearing whats going on in ikebukuro
Good, thank you! I was worried as I still hadn't finished editing all my older videos before I started on the newer ones! 😅