Japan
About My Trip to Japan
Nine days in Japan flew by in a whirlwind of sights, flavors, and history! My adventure took me from the towering skyscrapers of Tokyo to the serene temples of Kyoto. I zipped around with the Japan Rail Pass, making stops in Hiroshima, Yokohama, and the beautiful Miyajima Island. Every corner offered something delicious to devour – Japanese food is incredible, and I can’t recommend it enough!
Some of my lasting memories include gazing out from the Tokyo Skytree, exploring the ancient Sensoji Temple, getting lost in the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, wandering through the thousands of red torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, and paying my respects at the Hiroshima A-Bomb Dome. It was a trip filled with cultural experiences, historical insights, and unforgettable flavors
Japan Pages by Map
Japan Map
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General Pages About Japan
I spent nine days in Japan, and it was an amazing trip! I visited Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Yokohama, and Miyajima Island. I used the Japan Rail Pass to get around, which was a great way to see the country.
I ate so much delicious food throughout my trip. I can’t recommend the food in Japan enough!
Some of the highlights of my trip included the Tokyo Skytree, Sensoji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, and the A-Bomb Dome in Hiroshima.
I learned that getting around Japan is easy with a JR Pass! It lets you travel throughout Japan by train, and even covers reserved seats on most Shinkansen bullet trains. Just remember that it doesn’t cover all trains and lines, so be sure to check before you go. I also recommend buying the JR Pass before you arrive in Japan, to save money.
I flew from Taipei to Tokyo on Eva Air A330-300. I considered discount airlines but found Eva Air to be comparable in price after fees.
Checking in at Taipei Taoyuan Airport was routine. I checked in at an electronic kiosk and then brought my bag to be x-rayed for customs. Following check in, I went through security and waited to receive my exit stamp.
By the time I finished eating, my zone had already started boarding. I boarded the plane and found my seat 42 G. The airplane interior was very clean. The flight took off on time and meal service began within 30 minutes. I chose the pork curry over the fish option. The meal was served with salad, a warm roll, fruit, rice, and vegetables. It was the best airplane meal I had ever had. After eating, I used the Eva Air internet to work on my website. The wifi was fast for airplane wifi and cost $19 for 3 hours.
The flight landed at Tokyo Narita Airport after 2 hours and 58 minutes. Clearing customs was easy and the customs agent was friendly. I activated my JR Rail Pass and took the Narita Express to Tokyo Station. The ride was 40 minutes and I had first-class accommodations in the Green Car.
- Kobe beef – I had this amazing Kobe beef in Hiroshima at Hitori Yakiniku, and again in Osaka. It was melt-in-your-mouth delicious!
- Teriyaki chicken – I got this at a mall food court near the central train station in Hiroshima. It was a great option for a quick and affordable meal.
- McDonalds – I tried a McDonalds cheeseburger, fries, and pork burger combo in Tokyo. It was interesting to see how McDonalds tasted in Japan compared to the US.
- Wagyu roast beef sandwich – I had this at a local restaurant in Hakone. It was a delicious and decadent treat!
Overall, I found that most meal portions in Japan were smaller than those in the United States. Prices ranged from $8-$15 for food court meals and $30-$50 for fancier restaurant meals.
Tokyo
I stayed at the Mitsui Garden Hotel Otemachi in Tokyo on my recent trip. I chose this hotel because it was close to Tokyo Station, which made it really easy to get around the city. The room was a little on the small side, but it was comfortable and had everything I needed.
Thankfully, the air conditioning worked well, which was a lifesaver in the hot summer weather. The hotel also had a laundry room with a machine that washed and dried my clothes for only 500 yen (which is about $5). Overall, I thought the Mitsui Garden Hotel Otemachi was a great value for the price, especially considering its convenient location.
I got there by train and the first thing I saw was the Tokyo Big Sight, a giant convention center. There was also this neat building called the Telecom Center.
Then I went to Venus Fort, a huge shopping mall with a fake sky that changes colors! It sounds crazy, but it was actually really cool. I grabbed some lunch at the food court before heading to Fuji TV Studios, which is this unique building by the water. There was even a festival going on nearby!
Finally, I walked back to the train station along the Rainbow Bridge. It was a great way to end the day!
I visited the Tokyo Skytree, which is the second tallest structure in the world. It was difficult to get good photos because the observation deck was crowded and the windows were dirty. The highlight of my experience was the glass floor on the 350th floor, which allowed me to look down 350 meters towards the ground. I would recommend visiting the Skytree during the day for better views. Tickets to the observation deck can be purchased online or at the ticket office located on the 5th floor of the mall connected to the Skytree.
I visited Sensoji Temple, a famous Buddhist temple in Tokyo, but I was disappointed because I went at night. The temple and all the shops around it were closed. It looked like a cool place to visit during the day, though, because there was a big bazaar with lots of shops. If you ever go to Tokyo, I recommend visiting Sensoji Temple during the day.
Kyoto
Arashiyama in Kyoto was an amazing place to explore! My traditional Japanese hotel room was perfectly situated for walking to all the sights, making it a truly immersive experience. One of my favorite adventures was visiting Iwatayama Monkey Park. While it took some effort to hike to the top of the mountain, seeing the Japanese Macaques up close was definitely worth it. These cheeky monkeys were surprisingly tame, and I even got to feed them some peanuts (gotta pay the monkey treat tax!).
The area also boasts a beautiful bamboo forest, a picturesque bridge, and even gondola rides. Overall, Arashiyama offered a delightful mix of nature, culture, and fun activities – all within easy reach of my cozy hotel room!
I visited Iwatayama Monkey Park in Kyoto. It was a bit of a hike to get to the top of the mountain, but it was worth it to see the Japanese Macaques up close. They were pretty tame, and I even got to feed them some peanuts (for a fee, of course). There was also a cool bamboo forest nearby, along with a bridge and gondola rides. It was a neat experience overall!
I visited the Kinkakuji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion, in Kyoto, Japan. It is a Zen temple famous for its gold leaf covered exterior. I learned that the temple was originally built in 1397 as a villa for a wealthy nobleman. After the nobleman died, his son converted the villa into a temple.
Unfortunately, the entire complex burned down in 1467 except for the Golden Pavilion. The current structure was rebuilt in 1955 and is believed to be slightly more modern-looking than the original.
I visited the Sanjūsangen-dō Temple in Kyoto, Japan. It was one of the most spectacular places I’ve ever seen. The temple is easily accessible by train from Kyoto Station. It took about 10 minutes to walk from the station to the temple. There is a 600 yen entrance fee.
The temple was built in 1164 and rebuilt in 1266 after a fire. The most amazing thing about the temple is the inside. There is an army of 1,001 armed Kannon statues guarding a central statue of an 11-foot tall seated Senju Kannon.
Unfortunately, no photos are allowed inside the temple, but I found some online that don’t quite capture the spectacle. Visitors must remove their shoes before entering the temple. There are cubbies to store your shoes.
I visited the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine in Kyoto, Japan. It was incredible walking through thousands of red torii gates! The path led up a mountain named Inari, and there were many places to turn around if I got tired. I even learned that foxes are seen as messengers at the shrine, and the main shrine building is called the go-Honden. Although the hike was difficult, it was definitely worth it!
Hiroshima
I visited the Hiroshima A-Bomb Dome and Peace Park. It was a very moving experience. The A-Bomb Dome is a memorial to the people who died in the atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima in 1945. It’s a stark reminder of the devastation caused by nuclear weapons. The Peace Park was built to promote peace and to remember the bombing. It’s a beautiful and serene place, with many memorials to the victims. I walked around the park and saw the Peace Bell, which anyone can ring. It’s a powerful symbol of hope for a peaceful future.
Miyajima Island, or Itsukushima Island as some call it, was a must-do on my trip to Hiroshima. I had to take a ferry to get there, but let me tell you, it was totally worth it! The main attraction is the Itsukushima Shrine, a Shinto shrine with a giant torii gate that seems to float right on the water. When the tide came in, it looked like magic – the water surrounded the shrine, making it seem like it was floating. It was an incredible sight, and I definitely recommend checking it out if you’re ever in Hiroshima!