What is it that comes to your mind when you hear or read the word 'Japan'??
Samurai fights, World War bombings,
Cute Japanese Dolls, Pretty Japanese Girls,
Kimonos, Shrines,
High Rise buildings, Cosmopolitan lifestyle,
Automobiles, Electronic gadgets,
Fashion-Fare, Geishas,
Disneyland, Tokyo Tower,
Sushi, Sumo wrestling,
Snow clad landscapes, Mt. Fuji,
Cherry Blossom, Japanese Gardens,
Shinto Shrines, Buddhism,
blah, blah..
Depending on how you have known this country, through cinema or books or web or friends or food, you will have one or more of these words twinkling around the cloud of your thoughts.
Well, if you are planning to visit Japan and convert these thought bubbles into real, personal memories, here’s a little something that may help you in your planning.
BTW, before we begin, don't miss to bring an English-Japanese dictionary kinda book while visiting Japan.
If you have just a day or two for sight-seeing, there is a good itinerary on Wikipedia. Follow it blindly:-D
However, if you have a little longer time to spend, this post might actually help you!! You can Google the names and sites I have mentioned to know actual details of various places I have mentioned below :-)
Before we begin let me hand over a basic cost-of-living flier to all the readers. An Average meal cost in Tokyo can be 1000 JPY. Accommodations can be from 5000 JPY for Dormitories to 9000 JPY onwards for hotels.
In here, I have put together a day-to-day basis plan, for 7 days; However, Thanks to the options provided for day four, you can extend this up to 11 days [For those who don't know the Tokyo legends, I can be notorious when it comes to giving options: P].
Shuffle the days and tailor the trips as per your convenience J
Day One:
Call me Orthodox but let’s start the tour with visiting some temples and shrines.
There are many renowned temples, Shrines in and around Tokyo, but I would recommend two spots.
1. Take Tokyo Metro Tozai Line and get down at Monzen Nakacho. Here, after you come out of the exit, you have a Buddhist Temple on one hand and a Shinto Shrine on the other!!
Bingo!! We just checked two of those bubbly words as 'been there' :-)
2. Transfer to Ginza line/Asakusa line at visit Sensoji Temple in Asakusa. This is one of the popular attractions in Tokyo.
I recommend this for 2 reasons other than the fact that it’s an ancient temple.
a. All the lanes leading to this temple from the exit of Asakusa station are lined up with many shops selling a reasonably priced variety of souvenirs. I know it’s too early to buy any souvenirs, but you cannot just hold yourselves back here.
Anything from key chains and pens made with traditional designs to Japanese dolls, kimonos, swords, fans can be bought here and that’s what makes this place one of my personal shopping favorites.
b. If you are not budget-savvy, you can take rides of old-Asakusa town in carts pulled by traditionally dressed Japanese folks. This can also be a good experience.
In some places of India, such carts happen to be the cheapest modes of transportation. Well, don't carry such delusion with you to Japan :-)
The third benefit of this place - you can board a ferry/cruise boat for Odaiba at a walking distance from this temple.
Odaiba is the futuristic town in Tokyo and there are many kool places to visit here. I would specially recommend the Toyota Museum, Fuji Building and the replica of 'Statue of Liberty' as must see.
Enjoy the monorail from here till Shimbashi.
From Shimbashi, go to Ginza and stroll on the most expensive shopping lane of the world with all leading brands having their shops here.
At least an hour before sunset, reach to the Tokyo Tower.
This is tallest tower in world if we ignore antennae heights. Eiffel tower beats this one due to antennae height. Arrive here by 5.30 PM, enjoy the day view and stay on top till 8.30 PM to enjoy the night view of Tokyo.
Have dinner in Indian restaurant Nirvanam or Mexican restaurant Zest, close to the tower and head towards Roppongi.
Spend time enjoying night life of Tokyo here in various pubs, discs, bars till 5 AM next morning. If you have family and kids with you, skip this part and get back to your room for a good nights sleep: P
Day two:
Take first train [after a night out in Roppongi or after a tight sleep in your room] and get down at Tsukiji station.
5 minutes walk and you are in Japan's biggest fish market selling even whales and sharks ["they" say so :-)].
See the big auctions and morning rush in this market, which is closed in day-time and come out to enjoy cheap, very fresh and tasty Sushi.
I am assuming that you are checking those boxes of 'been there' by yourselves now.
Those who have spent their nights in Roppongi, go get some sleep.
Family folks can come over to Tokyo station and visit Imperial palace garden, Marunouchi and Shin-Marunouchi buildings, etc.
In the afternoon go to Akihabara - the electric town of Tokyo.
Enjoy and be amazed with streets filled up with all kinds of electric and electronic gazettes.
Before buying anything, remember to check the voltage range for the gazette.
In evening go to Tokyo Dome and enjoy some very good rides here. If you plan carefully, you can enjoy some baseball game, or sumo wrestling competition in this time. Tokyo Dome is a good place to visit without any of these plans as well :-)
Day three:
Wake up early and go to Tokyo station.
Take a bullet train to Minakami [Either Minakami or Gala-Uzawa in winters].
Minakami has Bungi jumping, river rafting and other adventure sports in summers and Minakami and Gala-Uzawa are nearest places for skiing, snowboarding in winters.
Spend this day the X-treme way!!
Day four:
This is the day when I get down to my real business - giving options :-)
Depending on your budget and time you have, you can take either of below options:
Option One: Take a one day trip to Fuji-Hakone. Odakyu Line runs from Shinjuku and a 1/2 day round-trip pass can be a good way to see Mt. Fuji and its surroundings.
Option Two: From Tokyo station, go to Yokohama. Enjoy the china town [biggest in Japan] here. Proceed to Kamakura and see the Daibutsu [big Buddha] statue. Then either go to the Kamakura beach or return to Yokohama and enjoy a variety of rides, a good view from top of Landmark Tower building [69th floor with world's second fastest elevator], sail in a cruiser, etc.
Option Three: From Tokyo station, take an overnight bus or early morning Shinkansen to Kyoto. Visit this historical capital of Japan, with many scenic shrines, temples and Kimono shops. There is also a Geisha town here.
Option Four: Instead of returning to Tokyo, stay over in Kyoto and continue to see Nara next day [One hour journey]. The Japanese gardens and Buddhist temples here are too good.
Take a bus/train to Osaka [One hour from Nara]. Visit various temples, shrines and the Umeda Sky Building.
Option Five: Instead of returning to Tokyo, enjoy Universal Studios in Osaka. There is enough recreation here to last for one day. In the evening return to Tokyo by Bus/Train.
Day five:
Go to Tokyo Disneyland.
I am assuming that this is not a weekend. Remember, weekdays will be less crowded and will let you enjoy more rides :-)
Take an over-night bus to Hiroshima [You can also take a Bullet Train, which your budget permits].
Day six:
Do some sight seeing in Hiroshima including the war monuments in the day and return by night bus [or bullet train].
Day seven:
It’s now time to rest after journey to Hiroshima and to pack for return journey.
A quick visit to Makuhari for cheap, factory branded goods [especially shoes and sports goods] can be accommodated in this day as well.
If you have read this post, you now have a lot of places to Google for and a variety of places to visit, depending on your taste and preferences.
Hope that this information proves useful to you!! Happy Holidays!!
