EVERYTHING I did after weeks of research to maximize my two week first-timer Japan group trip to Osaka/Nara → Kyoto → Tokyo (Each location has its own itinerary) 🇯🇵 Every stop is listed in the exact order — so you can follow along step-by-step ♥
Sections
8
Prep Your Trip
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
DAY 5
Prep Your Trip
Before you even step on the plane, essentials that made my Japan trip so much smoother ◡̈
I've used this for multiple travels/trips • Perfect for long trips when you're out all day
Portable Battery Power Bank, Dual USB-C + USB port
If you're going during cold season (which we did, January) I used vacuum seal travel packs for puffers/jackets to increase space
Vacuum Travel Bags Combo — 6 Pack
Reused for multiple travels/trips • Opens from the back & SO spacious — I never used my purse in Japan, I would also place a tote bag inside so save for shopping/buys
molshine — Anti-Theft Travel Backpack
Digital tap metro card • Cannot travel in Japan without it!
Suica | Digital Metro Card
Review for extra notes + tips ♡
READ: My Extra Tips
DAY 1
My group of 6 first went to Osaka, then Kyoto ◡̈ Shinkansen Bullet Train (2 - 2.5 hours) → Sit in D & E seat for view of Mount Fuji, Wi-Fi available • Check into Airbnb & get going ◡̈
Washer/dryer & wi-fi • Separated rooms • Cozy & great for families (although my group didn't have children!)
Airbnb: Unit in Setagaya City · ★4.97 · 3 bedrooms/5 beds/1.5 baths
Vending machine ramen • $5/bowl • I got the shrimp wonton YUM
Oreryu Shio Ramen Tokyo
Busiest cross section in the world • 500 - 1,000 cross typically • 2,500 during peak times
Shibuya Crossing
Right at Shibuya Crossing • Reserve tickets prior • 14th floor of Shibuya Scramble Square • Can be windy/cold at night!
Shibuya Sky
Open 24 hours • 8 floors of souvenirs + shopping • Overstimulating fun chaos
MEGA Don Quijote
Cheap karaoke $8 per person • Karaoke bar featured in 'Lost in Translation' movie
Karaoke Kan Shibuya
DAY 2
Full day ◡̈ Quick & easy breakfast/coffee at Yoshinoya or 7-11 or local → Get exploring!
Reserve online prior • ~$18 for 30 mins • Opens at 10am • Another location walking distance nearby available • Other animal cafes nearby
mipig cafe Harajuku
Latte art ◡̈
Cafe Reissue
DELICIOUS steamed + fried dumplings • $2 / set of 6
Harajuku Gyozarou Dumpling
Check second photo for my researched store notes ◡̈
Kill Bill restaurant • Reservation available • Known for house-made soba noodles
Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu in Tokyo
Atom Tokyo is a prominent nightclub situated in the bustling district of Shibuya, Tokyo! Check website for tickets + dj schedule
ATOM Shibuya Nightclub
DAY 3
Full day ◡̈ Quick & easy breakfast/coffee at Yoshinoya or 7-11 or local → Get exploring!
READ: Admission $30 • Went on a Wednesday & walked right in at 11am • We payed $12 each on the DisneySea App for line reservations for 3 of the rides: Soaring, Journey to the Center of the Earth, & Tower of Terror. These lines all have wait t...
Tokyo DisneySea
Massive 60 ft tall robot • Life-size replica from the original Mobile Suit Gundam anime series • My friends were more excited to see this as I don't know the series, but honestly I thought it was still cool to see!
The Gundam Base Tokyo
This location has all you can drink alcohol for only 1000 yen ($6.67) each! PLUS: 16 min tipsy & safe walk home or cheap taxi back to Airbnb ◡̈
Oreryū Shio Ramen Shimokitazawa
DAY 4
Full day ◡̈ Quick & easy breakfast/coffee at Yoshinoya or 7-11 or local → Get exploring!
Emperor of Japan's Home est. 1868 • Closes gates at 5pm
Imperial Palace
Reservations are HARD to get • Book month in advance • Same-day cancels available • We didn't go despite trying multiple days a month in advance
Pokemon Cafe Tokyo Nihombashi
Digital Art Museum • Admission ~$18 • Beautiful & interactive
teamLab Borderless: Digital Art Museum
DAY 5
FREE TIME ◡̈ Rest/relaxation, last-minute shopping, food/activities, packing THEN we met back up for the following..
Huge Godzilla head • Don Quiote on this street as well!
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Very small intimate/crammed bars • Hard to fit groups larger than 3 • Tourist central & feel more sketch than other areas BUT fun to shortly walk through
Golden-Gai Alley Shinjuku
Yodobashi Akihabara Electronics Mega Store is popular & SNKRDNK we went to buy PSA 10 grade Pokemon cards
Akihabara Electric Town
Admission: girls $6.67 & men $26.67
WOMB Shibuya Nightclub
DAY 6
My groups last day in Japan ♥
READ: Sumo Wrestling • Buy tickets ahead of & deliver to Airbnb!! • Resale on Stubhub • We couldn't go because they didn't deliver tickets until after we were already in Japan
Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Arena
Café Capyba offers a unique experience where visitors can interact with capybaras in a clean and well-organized environment.
cafe capyba
Lights up at night • Small aquarium inside • Pricer drinks • Not a must-go to be inside if you do Shibuya Sky
Tokyo Skytree
Osaka, Nara, & Kyoto Japan!
My group did two weeks in Japan by going Osaka/Nara → Kyoto → Tokyo 🇯🇵 Each location has its own itinerary!
Click this link for FULL itinerary
CLICK LINK 🔗 Kyoto, Japan — Perfected First-Timer Itinerary
Click this link for FULL itinerary
CLICK LINK 🔗 Osaka & Nara, Japan — Perfected First-Timer Itinerary
