I have always been amazed by the Japanese culture, it’s shrines on top of a hill are so peaceful, the temples and zen gardens are breathtaking, not to mention the food is beyond delicious from matcha tea, ramen and tempura are mouth watering. The Japanese culture is very rich with disciplines, family values, super techie and their level of mannerism is so appealing heartwarming.

Here is my 5 days itinerary on how I spent my time in Tokyo and Kyoto that perhaps could be helpful with planning your visit as well!

Day 1: March 28, 2023 (Tokyo, Japan)

🔶 Flew from Taipei to Tokyo on March 28, 2023 from 2:40 AM to 7::00AM. Flight cost was $150 USD.

🔷 Landed in Narita Airport (I was on line for 2.5 hours waiting for custom clearance. Lol!)

🔶 Used the JR (Japanese Railroad pass); it’s a special pass (7 days) you can buy for just tourist. It cost $250 USD and it can also be used for the bullet train 🚄 to hop around different cities in Japan.

🔷Stayed three non consecutive nights at APA hotel in Tokyo, they are all over in Japan. I paid $35 USD per night. It worked for me cause I was traveling solo.

🔶Overjoyed by Cherry Blossoms 🌸 in the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.

Being able to walk under the Cherry Blossom 🌸 was dreamy in Japan.

I understand now why the Japanese pay so much attention to the cherry blossom season.

It’s a luxury beyond imagination.

🔷Experienced the tiniest Japanese Dive Bars located in Golden Gai district in Shinjuku Tokyo. So it’s this alley filled with loads of dive bars that can hold up to 6 or 7 people.

Lol! It’s crazy to think I was in Tokyo drinking adult beverages and reminiscing about collecting trolls in my childhood days in the 90s in NYC.

🔶Tips:

➡️These bars are cash only.

➡️Bring about 6000 Japanese Yen that’s equivalent to about $42 USD for 2 drinks. Recommend sticking to only the local beer if you are a budget traveler.

🔷 Nightlife in Tokyo consisted of lots of walking, sipping on traditional sake and eating like a local Japanese.

🔶Lessons learned from drinking sake:

➡️Don’t drink it like you are taking a tequila shot…instead sip…lol

➡️You should never serve yourself or you’ll get bad luck. 😂

🔷Stayed 2 nights in Apa Hotel. They are all over in Tokyo and are affordable.

Day 2: March 29, 2023 (Tokyo, Japan)

🔶Took a day trip to explore the town of Hakone. It’s a town located about 2 hours outside of Tokyo and I wanted some nature in my life 👇🏽

🔷Traveled on a ferry ⛴️ in Lake Ashi

🔶Climbed the hill to be blessed by the Shinto shrine ⛩️

🔷Fell in ❤️ with Mountain Kurotamago 🏔️

🔶Satisfied my sweet tooth by having a matcha 🍵 ice cream (they only accept cash)

🔷Mt. Fuji. It’s the highest mountain in ⛰️ Japan. Ghosh I was so excited 😆, but it let me down. 😂

🔶We didn’t get a good view of her cause she was covered with massive snow and loads of stubborn clouds. OMG! It was so cold too!

🔷However we ended up going to one of the local restaurant in the area and had an authentic Japanese meal, adult water and saw a live performance.

🔶Oh yeah I booked my tour with @viatortravel! It was $75 USD.

🔷Ended the evening at 📌Shibuya Scramble Square. It’s supposed to be the world’s busiest pedestrian walk.

🔶And you can get a good view of the square from Shibuya’s Mall as well as enjoy a delish Japanese meal at the food court.

Day 3: March 30, 2023 (Kyoto, Japan)

🔷OMG! Like I took the bullet train 🚄 from Tokyo to Kyoto, Japan.

🔶These trains are considered the fastest in the world.

🔷It speeds up to 200 miles per hour.

🔶The nose in the front of the train reduces the loud noises.

🔷The ride was about 2.5 hours and it was so darn dreamy!

🔶Recommend using the Tourist JR Pass to move around.

🔷Seriously the Japanese are so high tech. I felt as though I was living in Year 2050.

🔶Free Activity: Visiting the 📌 Fushimi Inari Shrine is a must. It sits on this enormous piece of land that leads you to this beautiful trail where you can hike to the summit.

I wanted to do a sunset hike, but I didn’t make it in time as it was too late and I was a tiny bit scurred of the many local cats! Lol!

The orange bars/gates you see are donation from companies and individuals desiring good luck from the Fushimi Inari Shrine.

🔷Stayed 2 nights at Citadines Karasuma-Gojo Kyoto hotel.

Day 4: March 31, 2023 (Kyoto, Japan)

🔷Started my day tour in 📌Arashiyama, Kyoto with my local Japanese tour guide Fuji.

🔶I’d actually traveled to Japan to practice Zen in the Tenryuji Shrine and Higashi Hongan-ji Temple.

🔷I’ve been putting the effort into understanding how I can empty out my mind daily.

🔶And my goal is to fully understand and appreciate the rhythm of my breathing and the triggers to certain thoughts 💭 in my busy mind.

🔷My tour also included a food tour in Arashiyama, Kyoto with my local Japanese tour guide Fuji. Booked my tour through @viatortravel and hung out with fellow travelers from America 🇺🇸!

🔶My tour guide Fuji educating us on all the yummy Japanese treat we were about to devour. She has pages in her plastic binder on everything she conveys to us. Must be a Japanese thing. I love it!

🔷Tasted some rich leek Japanese pancakes. It tasted so good, but I think there was bacon in it cause my throat was itching a bit. Thankfully I had taken a Benadryl.

🔶Hammered the most delicious fish cakes. It was buttery, fresh, juicy and oily as heck.

🔷First time having matcha 🍵 green tea. It’s a teaser! Must try in Kyoto!

🔶Ended the tour with a beautiful view of dreamy Kyoto and tasted Japanese rice cake with pearls in all flavor.

🔷In Japan, there is a term used to describe Geisha: “You sell your art, but you don’t sell yourself.”

🔶That time I took an evening walking tour to explore the 📌Geisha District in Gion. Here is where you can see the Geisha’s leaving their homes also called An okiya. They are on their way to meet their clients.

🔷What have I learned about a Geisha?

➡️Only about 1,000 of them still exists in Japan.

➡️They are highly respected in the Japanese culture. They usually from the village.

➡️They start off as young girls and are trained by older/retired Geisha’s.

➡️They are trained to play an instrument, perform the traditional Japanese dance, to become savvy with Japanese art and a witty conversationalist.

➡️They must master leading a tea ceremony. Now that’s a lot of work.

🔶Also explored the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. It’s a great way to engaged with nature. It’s this forest filled with bamboos. You can also get on the train and travel through the forest.

🔷I truly enjoyed the Kimono Forest; it’s the area by the train station of Arashiyama and here you can find tons of art installation. It’s nice way to embrace the Japanese culture.

🔶I totally enjoyed the Okochi Sanso Garden – former home of Japanese Actor Denjirō Ōkōchi. You need ticket to enter the garden. It’s an excellent place to see the scenery.

🔷I have to say there are lots of Indian restaurants in downtown Kyoto, but on Friday evenings they all seemed to host private events.

🔶Nevertheless I was able to grab some takeout from 📌Kerala restaurant. I had Aloo (potato) Gobi (cauliflower) drowning in curry sauce and mild spice that was served with lots of basmati rice.

🔷I’m posing with the restaurant’s chef named Bala. He is from Uttar Pradesh (UP), India 🇮🇳. I enjoyed my brief conversation with him especially cause based on my research I think my ancestors are from UP. I have kept in contact with him.

Day 5: April 1, 2023 (Tokyo, Japan)

🔷My last day in Tokyo was very chilled. I didn’t the time resting and enjoyed the food scenery in Roppongi. This neighborhood is definitely vibing with loads of Japanese local restaurants, pubs and tea/dessert spots.

🔶Well it went this way 👇🏽

🔷This was my first time trying ramen. I’d also had chicken dumplings, steamed white rice with sautéed chicken and a local beer.

🔶Ended my evening with a pot of Jasmin tea and desserts.

Thank you Japan! I felt so fortunate to walk the streets in Japan. My favorite city in Japan is Kyoto. I had a glorious experience in this country and I have met some wonderful Japanese humans. I feel so rich in experience.

Thank you for virtually exploring with me.

Thank you for your taking the time to read my blog.

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