Japan is a bucket list destination for many people, myself included. So I decided this is the year that I had to go. For myself, its a long flight, taking up to 14 hours, but the journey is worth it. 

I managed to visit 7 different cities and provinces during my all too brief stay. Starting in Tokyo, I would visit Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima and Mayajima Island. Each breathtaking, and unique in their own ways, but feeling like a whole new destination. Each activity is under each city to help inspire you when designing your own trip. But if you want to just copy my itinerary you can do that here. 

Hakone is the place in Japan if you want to relax. This was my first place after leaving the big city of Tokyo. We arrived here by the Romancecar, a really affordable way to travel and lets you see the beauty of Japan, at a much slower place than the bullet train (Shinkansen). 

You can purchase a 2-day Hakone pass that not only covers your Romancecar seat, but all public transport in Hakone for 48 hours. It does not reserve you a seat on the train so you can do that for an extra fee. I stayed at the Blisstea retreat, one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever been to, and my room had an outdoor Onsen Bath for me to enjoy privately. 

If I could redo this trip, I would add on one more day here and do a Mt Fuji tour. Although I saw it from the bullet train, I didn’t get that iconic shot I really wanted.

 

I think that was my favourite spot in my entire trip. I spent four days here, making it my longest stay. But Kyoto offered so much. Beautiful spots you can relax and have a coffee in, so many places you can walk to and explore. I got a taxi maybe twice in the entire stay here, opting to travel on foot where I could. 

Do a tea making ceremony, or sharpen your own Japanese cooking knife to learn about Japan’s hsitory and culture. Or join a chopstick making session to bring a personalised souvenir home. Kyoto offered some of my best meals and activities. 

This was a spur of the moment spot for me, but absolutely worth it. I originally intended to spend the day in Hiroshima, but saw that there was a ferry to an Island offering stunning views. Like Nara, Wild Deer roam here, but they are a lot calmer and will pester you less for food. 

A highlight is the Shrine in the water, which gave me one of my favourite photos from my trip. Timing is crucial to get the shot you want. Low tide lets you walk right up to the shrine and take a photo with it, but my personal favourite was high tide where it looks like it’s floating on the water. 

If you search Japan on Instagram, it won’t take you long before you come across a reel showing Nara Park. This park is famous for its Deer that will not only come to you for food, but will actually bow gracefully. I didn’t stay here, instead I stayed in Kyoto. But it’s incredibly easy to do on a day trip and you can fit in more sights too.

Osaka felt like the place to be for nightlife and indulgence. You can spend the day indulging in retail therapy, and as soon as the sun sets the neon lights switch on and tour boats go up and down Dotonbor. I stayed here for two nights, but only explored for one day, instead doing a day trip on the Shinkansen to Hiroshima and Mayajima Island.

My first stop and experience of Japan. I visited Tokyo twice during my trip, I would land and depart from here, with an extra day either side to explore. Tokyo is a city that embodies organised chaos. It’s packed, and can be overstimulating at first, but quickly you will learn how to adapt and love it. 

Tokyo, if anything, had too much to offer, and it was hard to decide what to do and where to go. From Teamlabs Planets and PokePark Kanto, to Shibuya Crossing and Gameboy Making Workshops.