Japan
- Elene Riordan
- Mar 30
- 9 min read
Updated: Apr 8
I had been dreaming about this trip for years and after a few hiccups, namely Covid-19, we finally were able to go to Japan and it was even better than expected.
BEFORE YOU GO TO JAPAN :
TRIP TO JAPAN:
Arriving at Narita Aiport
Asakusa - Tokyo’s Timeless Blend of Tradition & Charm
Marunouchi - Tokyo’s Stylish Gateway to Luxury & Heritage
Akihabara - Tokyo's Electric Oasis
Shibuya: Tokyo’s Iconic Crossing and Fashion Hub
Ginza - Tokyo's Glittering Heart of Luxury and Style
Shinjuku -Tokyo’s Neon Wonderland and Urban Playground
Koto - TeamLab Planets -Tokyo’s Futuristic Art at teamLab
Chūō Nihonbashi: Tokyo’s Exclusive Pokémon Store and Fan Haven
BEFORE YOU GO TO JAPAN
Pick your dates
I chose Autumn in October to be able to celebrate my birthday there. Basically, Japan is beautiful all year round! We were able to enjoy the warm weather without it being too sticky, and in some areas the autumn colours were beginning to show.
My next trip will be in spring for the famous cherry blossoms, although I get to enjoy them in my street in Brussels every year.
Then, the ultimate pleasure would be a ski trip to Japan.
Flights
The earlier, the better! You can get really good prices and even treat yourself to deals in Business Class.
I initially booked through ANA but had to cancel because of covid; they reimbursed without a hitch.
I always try to book an airline that is part of Miles & More, in this way I can earn points and use them to upgrade or even buy tickets to new destinations. So I travelled with Austrian Airlines from Vienna to Narita, and on the way back with ANA from Haneda to Frankfurt, both upgraded to business class by using my points!
I couldn't resist showing you the photo of the chef ;)
Japan Rail Pass
The best way to travel is by train with the Japan Rail Pass. This pass is only for foreign tourist visiting Japan from abroad for sight-seeing.
You have the choice or 3 different lengths of stay in either ordinary or green class:
7 days
14 days
21 days
The prices range from 315 to 875 € (Oct. 2023)
You are allowed to stay in Japan up to 90 days for "sight-seeing". If you apply for a "stay for sight-seeing" when you enter Japan, the customs will stamp your passport as "Temporary Visitor".
In order to use JAPAN RAIL PASS, your passport must bear this stamp or sticker.
Importantly, you can activate your JR pass at any time when you are there. We activated it after spending a few days in Tokyo when we were ready to use it.
Click here for the Ministry of Foreign affairs site with the list of countries and Regions for Visa Exemptions.
When ordering your Rail Pass, make sure to add a Pocket wifi. It is so useful as you will be needing it to check where you are going, and to translate menus in local eating spots!
Hotels
Figure out your itinerary, but allow it to be flexible!
Check on booking.com and book your hotels as early as possible with free cancelation option. The hotels we booked varied in price and style from Ryokans to sleeping in a museum on the island of Naoshima.
What is amazing in all the places we stayed at provide you with all the amenities you need. Some even have pijamas, how cool is that!
Tokyo
Cyashitsu Ryokan Asakusa
This hotel in Asakusa was perfect! we stayed in a beautiful Ryokan called Cyashitsu Ryoka Asakusa. The Ryokan offers the ideal and soft introduction to Japanese culture, you are welcomed by the staff who will take their time to make you feel at home.
You are invited to take off your shoes and put on their slippers before entering the Ryokan. The Ryokan has a lift and you are shown to your quarter, where you really feel immersed in their world. The rooms are small but perfect.
The really nice aspect of this Ryokan is that they have a private onsen on their roof, so it enables you to get accustomed to their traditions before going to a public onsen. Just don't forget to book the onsen in advance.
Their breakfast is just amazing, you get to take it in a private room and enjoy a typical Japanese breakfast.
Mimaru Tokyo Ginza East
At the end of our trip we headed back to Tokyo for a couple of nights and we went for the complete opposite of the Ryokan in Asakusa.
We stayed at the Mimaru Tokyo Ginza East because it has a Pokemon family room, I know my kids are grown-ups but Pokemon was a major part of their childhood.
You have to see it to believe it!
Kyoto
Rinn Gion Yasaka
We stayed 5 nights in the Rinn Gion Yasaka. This hotel is situated in Higashiyama close to the Yasaka Pagoda, Kenning-ji Temple, public transport and a 7 Eleven!
The queen room is spacious enough for 3 adults. It has all the amenities, a double bed and a futon. They also have washing machines/dryers on each floor, which is very handy when you are staying in Japan for a while.
This accommodation is part of the hotel group called Real Kyoto Japan hotel. They specialise in Kyoto. All of their hotels and accommodation are authentic and the service is spot on.
Osaka
Mimaru Osaka Shinsaibashi East
The Mimaru group is very popular in the main cities of Japan.
We only stayed one night in the Mimaru Osaka Shinsaibashi East. We booked a family room which was the perfect size for 3 adults. It is a quadruple room with a large double bed and a bunk bed. Like most of the Mimaru hotels, you have a seating/dining area, with a refrigerator, kitchenware, microwave and a kettle.
The location is excellent and the staff are very kind and helpful.
Koyasan
Shuko Fudoin
This is a unique and authentic experience staying in with the monks and sharing their lives in the temple.
We stayed there one night and we can all agree this was incredible from the amazing vegetarian dinner and breakfast, the attendance of the morning devotional service to the service and historical location.
The room is a traditional Japanese-style family room and can offer 5 beds/futons, which are set up for you in the evening while a dinner.
You also get to enjoy the tradional Onsen with a view on the garden.
Hiroshima
Iwaso
This is the accommodation we booked on Japanese Guest Houses instead of booking.com. This Ryokan is on the island of Miyajima, right opposite Hiroshima. You must take a ferry to get there.
This amazing Ryokan on this small island is a dream, you are transported back in time surrounded by nature and the birth of Wakamiya Onsen, a hot spring in Miyajima.
After soaking in the warm waters and maybe even spotting a few deers, you get to enjoy the most incredible meal with such fresh ingredients and the most incredible and gigantic oysters I have ever seen.
The room is authentic with tatamis set up for the night and a balcony with a view on the forest.
This is one of my favourite ryokan of the trip.
Naoshima
Benesse House Museum
This was a treat for my birthday, sleeping in a museum surrounded with most amazing art and you are lucky enough to be able to admire them after the museum has closed.
The family room was beautifully decorated with large windows and a balcony with a ocean view.
The staff did a wonderful job organising all the visit with a private guide.
Best apps to download
These are the best Apps to download before Japan, there are other options but all of these worked well for us.
Suica
This is a payment app for buses, trains, vending machines and convenience stores.
How to Add a Mobile Suica:
To add the sim card to your iPhone, go to the Wallet app and select “Add”. Select the “Transit Card” option. Choose Suica select “Continue”. Enter how much you want to charge your card, and then select “Add”. You can add money as you go along. Start with 5000Y and that should see you through most of your trip, unless, like my son, you develop an obsession with Japan's vending machines, in which case you might need a bit more.
Airalo
This is an eSIM travel and Internet app.
Go to App Store and download Airalo, you can add the code ELENE5547 and get US$3 off your first order This is an app I have now started to use for other travels (Colombia, USA and Switzerland). It's easy to install the e-sims and you can top them up any time.
This is a website that can be used for immigration procedures and for tax free purchases in Japan. It will save you some time upon arrival too.
Google Translate
This is also a very handy app for menus for example, you can scan a whole page and it will translate it for you. It even made communicating easier for us as as soon as you leave major cities it's unlikely you'll meet many people that speak English.
Google Map
A classic. This was especially handy for railway routes in Japan and getting around, as most street signs are in Japanese.
This is an app and a website that will help you organise your trip to Japan and store all the information you need for your trip. I had already started using it before my trip to Japan. I then paid for Wanderlog Pro, mostly for the offline access and the option to optimize your route. I haven't used all of their tools yet but on my next trip I will try the AI assistance. The annual cost is $49.99/year.
While this might not get you very far, it's still a useful tool to get the basics such as translating the menu at a restaurant using the camera tool.
Extras
Duolingo
I have been learning Japanese for almost a year on Duolingo but I still can't say much, so Google Translate is a must.
Movies and books
Also in anticipation, we came up with a list of movies and books to watch and read to get us in the mood:
Jiro Dreams of Sushi: A documentary on 85 year old sushi master Jiro Ono
Lost in Translation: A movie by Sofia Coppola with Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson
Memoirs of a Geisha: A book and movie about a young Japanese woman who became a geisha.
My Neighbor Totoro: An anime by Hayao Miyazaki about 2 girls that go on an adventure in the forest full of spirits.
Spirited Away: Another anime by Hayao Miyazaki about a girl that enters the world of gods and spirits.
Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories: A mini series about the encounters in the diner in Tokyo opened during the night.
Stupeur et tremblements (Fear and trembling) by Amélie Nothomb, a Belgian novelist who writes about her experience working in Japan
The Street of a Thousand Blossoms: book by Gail Tsukiyama, a moving story about the life of 2 brothers
Packing for Japan
First and foremost, make sure you have an extra suitcase and plenty of room for your purchases.
Pack a carry-on bag for the first night at the hotel, so you can use the luggage transport service Yamoto at the airport upon arrival.
The essentials: good walking shoes, comfortable clothes, and socks with no holes (you will be taking your shoes off for temples, ryokan and some restaurants...)
Travel adapter and portable charger. I bought the portable charger from Xtorm Power Bank 20W Fuel Series Power Bank 10.000.
Don't forget to take your Japan Rail Pass
Make sure you have your QRcode from the Visit Japan Web. It will save you some time upon arrival for immigration.
Trip to Japan
ARRIVING AT NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Once you have collected your luggages, head towards luggage courier services for shipping your big suitcases to your accommodation for the next day:
Yamato (the black cat on yellow background logo) is located in Narita Terminal 1 (Arrivals North & South Wings, 1F / Departures North & South Wing, 4F)
Get your pocket wifi at the rental counters in the arrivals hall; at Terminal 3, head to the second floor for these services.
ITINERARY FOR 15 DAYS IN JAPAN
This is the itinerary we chose for our first trip to Japan in October 2023.
3 nights in Tokyo
1 night Miyajima island (Hiroshima)
1 night in Naoshima
5 nights in Kyoto
1 night in Koyasan
1 night in Osaka
1 night in Tokyo
TO TAKE WITH YOU ON A DAY OUT
Your pocket wifi
An external battery for your phone
Some change in a small purse, there are places that do not accept cards
Your Goshuincho
Depending on the season and umbrella or a fan
Put on some very comfortable shoes that you can easily take on and off
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