Newbie to Japan

Hello to all,
Iʻm a mature aged female and a complete newbie to Japan. I will be travelling solo for around 7-9 days (aim is for 9). I hope to book flights from Syd to Tokyo today or tomorrow (it was suggested I try landing at Haneda airport (?). I have decided to make Tokyo and Kyoto my destination points and soak in their magic in this short travel time.

While I am very keen to be part of the ʻfuturisticʻ part of Japan, I may be wrong but I believe that would be in Tokyo. My heart however, leans towards Japanʻs green natural beauty (Kyoto), spiritual tranquility, richness of culture, to see and feel the experience of change from old to new.

I have built my intention list, somewhat ambitious but I will tone it down; hopefully with some of this forum group suggestions:

I will be staying in the Ueno part of Tokyo (I think)
*Cherry Blossom (Tokyo ?)
*Meiji Jingu Shrine and Museum, Shinto Shrines (Tokyo)
*Institute of Nature Study (Tokyo)
*Vivid surreal interactive modern art exhibition
*Kintsugi – donʻt know where
*Ancient Tea Ceremony – donʻt know where
*Forest Therapy Bathing (Kyoto – Arashiyama, The Sagano Bamboo Forest)
*I believe the Tenryu-ji Temple is worth a visit and near the S. Bamboo Forest
*Kiyomizu-michi Temple (Otowa Waterfall). Is this manageable this is by foot (?)
*Geisha districts – Gion or Pontocho (Fushimi Inari)
*Fox Shrine
*Museum of Reversible Destiny
*Museus/Art Galleries (Iʻd like to see Yayoi Kusamaʻs work)
*The transition of change from old town to new
*A cooking class if I can squeeze it in

I also considered small tour groups - something I have never done before. The prices, I believe, are fairly high and I was able to find something that including Tokyo and Kyoto only.

I havenʻt travelled overseas since COVID and while those travels included India, Spain and Sth America, I want to gradually ease back into it and regain confidence. I will avoid uphill struggles and rough terrains; Iʻd rather ease into the gentleness of what the two cities offer (unless it is a WOW factor that will sorely be missed, if I miss it.

All comments, insights, suggestions are hugely welcomed. Past experiences lived and shared are very precious – thank you for reading this and helping me craft a return to overseas travel 😊

Hodophile 😊 (Greek background from Australia)

Hi Hodophile,

I still remember my first time visiting Japan, and I do agree that for first-timers, visiting Tokyo and Kyoto are ideal places to get an intro into this country. I myself choose these two during my first visit with my wife many years ago, and only now when we go back again - we explore other areas.

So as not to be too long-winded, these are what I think will be good places to visit or explore:

Tokyo:
- Haneda or Narita - to me doesn't really matter as both are very good International airports and have good connectivity to the city. But Haneda is nearer.
- I might be wrong, but I think Ueno is abit far off the tourist areas. But if you think its convenient to the places and things you want to see, than by all means go for it.
- Shibuya, Ginza, Harajuku - These 3 areas are relatively close to each other. They are areas for youth, shopping and entertainment. Meiji Shrine is also next to Harajuku.
- Asakusa - more old-town feel with Asakusa shrine and the Tokyo Tower.
- Tsukiji Market - you don't have to wake up for any tuna auctions if you don't want to. But its a nice place to explore and get good eats.

Kyoto
- definitely take a Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto. Part of the Japan experience sitting on a bullet train.
- Arashiyama and the bamboo forest is a definitely must in my opinion
- Gion and Pontocho are pretty close together. You could do Fushimi-inari Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera, Yasaka shrine, Gion and Pontocho in a day.
- Kyoto city-center is pretty modern and metropolitan. You'll find luxury retail brands and department stores as in Tokyo.

As a first-timer I have no shame in sticking to the tourist routes and sights. Logistics, planning and obtaining information is always easier. And I think overall will make it far more enjoyable for first-timers.

Avoid Kiyomizudera is you dont like hills. Everything else on your itinerary looks fine.

@Malt1168 – Many thanks for your valuable response and comments. I think a smaller dose of Tokyo for me would suffice as I am not interested in the busyness of night life, major retail shopping or an overkill of ʻfuturistic / animatedʻ experiences. Kyoto, I hope will have less of the above and have a more serene feel to it.

Ueno was suggested to me as a quieter/older part of Tokyo with a train station, and the fish markets and park. I have no idea re its convenience just seemed to tick some boxes 😊

A few more questions as they arise....

I arrive (have just booked my flights) in Tokyo (pm) 14th March and depart 22nd March (pm). How many days in each city - any suggestions?

I have read that there are different types of rail passes – what are your thoughts around type of pass on a stay like mine?

What about phone and internet use – elsewhere I have travelled I have bought a sim upon arrival ?

@ h (guest) - thank you for your comments.

If its worth it, Iʻll do it but otherwise Iʻll park it for now.
I just read an impressive introduction and that catch my interest.

Is there too much on that list or some not as majestic in person?

I haven't been to Japan often enough or explored it enough to be considered an expert. I'm sure there are others who can give their opinions.

But I can relate to you wanting a more 'serene' experience in Japan. And based on my own experience, I think Kyoto will definitely tick off your list.

If you decide to spend one or two nights more in Kyoto, you can consider some of the following:

- spend a night in a Ryokan with Hot Springs in Arashiyama. I loved Arashiyama and enjoyed the scenery, river, and the 'forest-bathing'. Yes it can be touristy and sometimes crowded - but I didn't mind. The evenings are quieter when the crowds go home and there's plenty of restaurants, cafes etc.

- I've never been before - but a friend recommended me to take a day-trip to Mount Hieizan if you are looking for beautiful mountain scenery, temples, serenity and spirituality. You can even try temple-lodging here if you want.

- you can also consider doing a daytrip to Nara.

- Kiyomizudera is hilly, but in my opinion was one of my favourite sites in Kyoto. I'd definitely recommend it if you can take the walking on hills.

I haven't been to Yoro Reversible Destiny Land yet, but last year I used the telework plan of Mitaka Reversible Destiny Housing.
This blog is in Japanese, so please use translation software to read it.
https://note.com/amikakio/n/n9cfa4cbe5269
Building tours have also resumed.
https://www.rdloftsmitaka.com/eng/
For information on Yoro Tenmei Reversal Land, please check here.
Perhaps it is physical strength because there are ups and downs.
https://www.yoro-park.com/en/
I saw Yayoi Kusama's art in Towada.
https://note.com/amikakio/n/nc7a566ac5319
https://towadaartcenter.com/
Naoshima's pumpkins are also famous.
https://naoshima.net/en/
A museum has opened in Shinjuku.
https://yayoikusamamuseum.jp/en/home/
*Vivid surreal interactive modern art exhibition�¨
Like teamLab?
https://planets.teamlab.art/tokyo/
Kintsugi
https://tsugu-tsugu.shop-kintsugi.com/pages/kintsugi-workshops-in-toky...
https://www.veltra.com/en/asia/japan/tokyo/a/116573
https://www.viator.com/tours/Tokyo/Kintsugi-Experience-in-Tokyo/d334-1...
https://mai-ko.com/tour/kintsugi-experience-kyoto/

The tea ceremony is usually performed in seiza style, but in the ryurei ceremony, you can sit on a chair.
A tea service will be held at the Chado Research Center Galleries.
https://www.urasenke.or.jp/texte/organ/konnichian/gallery/
This is also available in English.
https://ranhotei.com/tealesson/
seiza style
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seiza
You can also ask for an English guide for free.
Please contact the guide organization in advance.
https://www.japan.travel/en/plan/list-of-volunteer-guides/

Hi Malt1168,

Thank you Malt1168 - I�fm grateful for your time and effort to share.
We may not be experts but each have a lived experience of a holiday destination 🙂

I am seeking that �eserene and spiritual�f connection to nature, gentleness, kindness - the uniqueness of it all, good healthy food, walks, bike rides, navel gazing, breathing in all the mesmerising goodness...finished off with an amazing forest bath.

...and I would love a temple / monastery lodging - meditation to quieten the mind and body. I wonder if Shibashi or taichi, qigong is on the cards there (?)
I�fve already recrafted my trip. Must include Kintsugi somewhere.

I�fm going to revisit Kiyomizudera - I�fm feeling it will be doable.

Any accommodation, eatery suggestions?

Once again, many thanks
Hodophile

You are mentioning nature, serenity, spirituality a lot. While I do agree that for most first timers Kyoto and Tokyo is a good mix, I wonder if for you Kamakura 2 days , Kyoto a few days , Nara 2-3 days would be the better mix. Nara and Kamakura are full of temples. And you can get your fix of modern Japan either by a daytrip to Osaka (either from Kyoto or Nara) or a day trip to Tokyo from Kamakura. Most people do daytrip TO Kamakura but maybe for you the other way around works.

From Nara you can make great bike trips. Or hike the Yamanobe no michi (not a mountain bike, just a walk in the countryside).

In one if the last comments you mentioned cycling. If that�fs something you are specifically interested let me know. I am cycling a lot (in Japan) and can get you some suggestions.

Just spent a good week in Kyoto cycling out in the countryside / mountains every day:
http://bicycletraveljapan.blogspot.com/?m=1

Building on LikeBike's suggestion, you could perhaps stay in Yokohama, which is a very easy trip from Kamakura, and has some great 'city' experiences as well-Chinatown, the Minato Mirai, Bluff and Bayside districts, and some lovely suburban and more rural areas very nearby. It's certainly got historical interest and is much more approachable than giant Tokyo.

You can jump on the Shinkansen from Shin Yokohama to Kyoto. We always enjoy the Bach Hotel in Kyoto, just a couple of subway stops away from the station area, and not too far from Pontocho. It has a nice sento to soak away your travels.

We've been to Arashiyama a couple of times; the place that we have loved there is Okashi Sanso, a private villa with a huge and beautiful peaceful garden.

Whatever you end up doing, have a wonderful time in Japan!

Dear Hodophile,

on my trips to Japan, I like to stay in Asakusa.
It is a nice quiet area at night with a good binding to Haneda Airport.
From there, you have only 3 Stations (with Ginza Line, ca. 5 Min.) to Ueno Station.

In Asakusa, lies the Sensoji temple. A little bit crowded during daytime but really nice and in the evening, after its getting dark, there are beautiful lightning for wonderful pictures. :-)
Around there are many Restaurants and Shops.
The spectacular high "Skytree" are visible from there and you will find it easy to get to this area via train. (or in 20 Minutes walking)

In Ueno at Ueno Park, you may see cherry blossoms (but beware that this park are very crowded during this time because of that).

From Asakusa, you got to Shibuya via Ginza Line, or from Ueno Station with Yamanote Line too. With Yamanote Line you could get also to Harajuku Station and Meiji Shrine. (I like the "Meiji Shrine inner Garden" on the Way to the Shrine.)

I like to stay in Tokyo and do a daytrip to Kamakura, because it is easy to get there via train. (Google maps give you the perfect travelroutes). So it is perfect also for a newbie to Japan, to give you a lot of Temples and Shrines. From Kamakura Station via "Enoden Line" you could get to Hase Station.
In Hase lies the Kotoku-in (Big Buddha) and the Hase-Dera temple (with nice greenery around).
In Kamakura there are the Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gū Shrine (nice but this shrine have a lot of stairs to get to the main building.)
One Station before Kamakura Station are Kita-Kamakura Station, which has a few beautiful Temples too ("Engaku-ji", a Zen Temple and "Meigetsu-in" with a really nice Garden).

At my trips, I was perfectly fine with only WLAN at my hotel and in a few cafes during daytime. But if you need your phone permanently for traveling purposes during daytime, you may need a portable wifi or SIM Card. Unfortunately I can�Lt get you proper Infos for that, but I�Lm sure another reader will be happy to help you with this if you need it. :-)

I wish you a wonderful time in Japan and hope you will love the country as much as I do too! :-)

Greetings from Germany,
Vio

Good morning from Sydney and thank you

@haro1210 @LikeBike @ Who? @Vio

The links and suggestions are fabulous and I will sit and consider each to try and draft up a rough itinerary.

I usually cover much country ground in places I have travelled to and my stays have been much longer than this trip to Japan. I think keeping it simple meaning 2 possibly 3 cities/destinations would allow me time to take it all in and enjoy it in a stressfree, rushed way.

What I do and see is of much greater importance by way of this quality than jam packing thing into a short trip.

I have a few additional interests to add before I start to draft an itinerary of possibilities:
*Butoh Theatre - I read that the venue in Kyoto is no longer offering Butoh there. Or any other suggestions of theatre? Should this be a separate thread do you think?

*The Omihachiman Sagicho Fire Festival in mid March. If I spend a few days in Tokyo and then head to Kyoto, I think this will work from Kyoto?

*Onsen - outdoor only. Kyoto or nearby ? I came across a bloggers article mentioning Kurama Onsen.
If I can draw on enough courage I really want to put this on my list. My concerns and reluctance are scars, and how they may impact on those using this sacred space (adults and children) - not wanting it to be a negative for anyone else (sorry probably too much info). I wonder if this should be a separate thread?

*Ryokan stays in Kyoto ?
Accommodation in capsules is not something I wish to do. Hotels have fairly poor reviews. Hostels seem to be a good option for Japan (?)

*Tea Ceremony that is not a showcase performance for tourist but rather typically authentic. I was very privileged to be part of an intimate non touristy Tea Ceremony in HK many many years ago.

I have also read that carrying around 500 to 1000 yen is a good idea where c/cards are not accepted (?)

Thank you for reading this and for your time to respond :-)

@Hodophile Thanks for your reply.
In Kyoto theaters, Gear continues.
It's a silent play, so I think you'll enjoy it.
https://www.gear.ac/
Regarding tea.
Many people in Hong Kong can speak English, but most of them cannot speak English, probably because Japanese do not feel the need for it.
Therefore, there are few places where you can experience a tea ceremony in English.
There are some tours in English.
https://www.teaceremonyjuan.com/
http://concierge-salon.com/english/
https://mai-ko.com/
https://www.getyourguide.com/jing-du-l96826/jing-du-45fen-jian-cha-dao...
You may be able to experience it in English here as well.
https://tondaya.co.jp/tondayaenglish/
https://select-type.com/rsv/?id=Rei5_zXaGKI&c_id=230653
Tondaya is a spot introduced on the website of a tea ceremony magazine.
https://chanoyumap.jp/blog/tsukigamaschedule/
It's not a tea ceremony, but I sometimes drink Ippodo's tea, so I think it's good to visit the tea room here.
https://www.ippodo-tea.co.jp/pages/store-kyoto
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0525/9958/7002/files/kabokutearoom_k...
I feel that Teramachi-dori, where Ippodo is located, has many attractive shops.
(Especially on the north side of Kyoto City Hall)
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298564-d554673-Reviews-...
The handicraft market at Chionji Temple, held on the 15th of every month, is also recommended.
https://ja.kyoto.travel/event/single.php?event_id=5902
For Kyoto, please refer to this as well.
https://kyoto.travel/en/

*Cherry Blossom (Tokyo ?)

I arrive (have just booked my flights) in Tokyo (pm) 14th March and depart 22nd March (pm). How many days in each city - any suggestions?

I think your time frame is too early for cherry blossom. In Tokyo it will start to bloom on 22th Mar and reach full bloom on 30th Mar, according to a forcast site.

https://livejapan.com/en/article-a0001033/

There are some "early-blooming" cherries all around the country. This is one example in Kyoto.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZw-O1e9wDk

Hi!

I don't know what website you are looking at, but there are a lot of hotels in Kyoto and many of them do have good reviews. What website are you using to see bad reviews?

This is not to dunk on hostels. I am sure there are plenty with great reviews as well, but I think which you use has to do more with you the traveler and your budget than one being "better" than the other.

Kurama onsen closed during the pandemic and has not reopened.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3933.html

Tenzan no Yu is a day onsen not too far from Arashiyama and some of the hotels in Kyoto include sento for guests only. I know the Intergate does so, as does the Dormy and the Niwa.

There are places that offer day rental private spas, but Kyoto is not actually a big onsen destination. You'd need to go someplace that is more an onsen destination.

One of my favourite hidden spots within Tokyo is Nezu Shrine

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g14134303-d1373750-Rev...


Depending on the time of the year that you go (it's very popular in mid April with the Azalea festival). Nezu Shrine is a great hidden oasis within the fast paced and busy city that is Tokyo. I enjoy coming here during the morning, just to relax and take a stroll through the many torii gate and the shrine grounds.

You can also tie your visit to Nezu Shrine with a stroll through Yanaka Ginza.
Yanaka Ginza is an old shopping street that is greet for a bit of shopping and eating, and gives you a sense of 'Old Tokyo' during the Showa era.
And close by to Yanaka Ginza, you have Yanaka Cemetery.

https://jw-webmagazine.com/yanaka-ginza-tokyos-best-old-fashioned-shop...

This would be a good morning (going into early afternoon) spent and you can also spend the rest of the afternoon in Ueno. As getting to Ueno Park from the Yanaka area is very straightforward and quick.

@Hodophile

These tea ceremonies were featured in the Kyoto edition of Lonely Planet (published in 2015).
https://tea-kyoto.com/
I don't know if I will reopen here.
http://www.teaceremonyen.com/

While a real Onsen town would be nice, on Order just to experience it, I would suggest Sakura onsen in Tokyo.
Its tge nicest Onsen In Tokyo city:

https://www.sakura-2005.com/

Regarding scars, no problem at all. Onsen are being visited by all type of people and some have huge scars. An onsen is Not reserved for beautiful bodies only but Fir everyone to enjoy. The one thing many onsen prohibit are tattoos.