3 Weeks In Japan - Our Top 20 Experiences
Our 3 weeks in Japan on a Map
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Our Top 20 Experiences in Japan
It is very hard to talk about Japan, as this is such a popular destination for Australians, so most of the people we know have been there. But anyway, this is our attempt. We decided to list the Top 20 most meaningful experience for us, big or small, but that somehow marked our trip.
We spent a total of 3 weeks in Japan just after the cherry blossom period, and travelled between Kagoshima (Southmost point of our trip) and Sapporo (North-most point of our trip), and below are our highlights:
Welcome to Japan!
1. Our first bowl of ramen in Osaka
We arrived late on a Monday night in Osaka and after our long Air Asia flight with very little food, needless to say we were very hungry. As it was around 11pm not a lot was still open, we were lucky to find a little ramen shop, just under our hotel, to be open. Whether it was actually the food or just our hunger, the ramen tasted incredible and was a great welcome to Japan.
Our welcoming meal in Japan. Great start!
2. Dotonbori, Osaka
This was our first taste of the Japan night life and it didn’t disappoint. Between the bright neon lights lining the canal and the long corridor of shops, restaurants and arcades inside, it was a sensory overload and pretty overwhelming - in a good way! We enjoyed simply walking around and looking at everything and everyone. A highlight was definitely watching the crazy pros on the dance machines in the arcade, dancing backwards and wearing masks, only in Japan!
Dotonbori, Osaka
3. Capsule-style dormitories in hostels
This is Alex speaking here (although I am sure this will become obvious); I have never been a huge fan of hostels, I like to have my privacy and being both a (semi) neurotic germaphobe as well as a light sleeper, dormitory style sleeping is literally what nightmares are made of. Having said that, I have been pleasantly surprised with our experience here in Japan. True to Japanese standards, all the hostels we’ve stayed at have been very clean with good toilet and kitchen facilities. On top of this, I really came to enjoy the capsule-style dorms, which we occupied in multiple cities. While still in a traditional dormitory layout, the bunk beds have either a curtain or pull-down shutter, giving you your own private cubby. The best hostel we stayed at was the Drop Inn, Osaka - I’d highly recommend it.
4. Learning how many foods can be minion-themed at Universal Studios, Osaka
This was a splurge item for us in Japan, we were keen to check out the theme park after being recommended by friends. It was enjoyable to not be tourists for the day and just focus on having fun. The minion obsession in Japan is also something I’ve found fascinating, with minion merchandise being sold in seemingly ever city.
Alex having a Minion cookie at the Minion land
5. Enjoying the peaceful beauty of Koyasan
Our night’s stay at Fukuchiin, a Ryokan in Koyasan was a Christmas present from Fernando to me and safe to say one of the most expensive places we will stay in our travels this year. It was well worth it though, from the traditional vegetarian meals we had for dinner and breakfast, to the private onsen, where we bathed amongst other hotel guests (men and women separated), it was a very special experience and one I would highly recommend. To add to the tranquility of the visit, we reall enjoyed walking through Okunoin, a Buddhist temple preceded by a long walk through a centuries old forest filled with tombstones.
Okunoin, Buddhist cemetery in Koyasan
Having some tea in our room, Fukuchiin
6. Making full use of our JR pass
Purely by mistake, Fernando ended up buying the Green Car option of the JR pass back in Australia, which meant we had access to reserved seat in the Green Cars of the trains, the equivalent of Business Class on the plane. We were living it up, with lots of leg room, reclining seats, reading light, etc. - while eating our meals from 7Eleven. Because of this error we changed our plans so that we could max out - deciding we’d go all the way up to Sapporo.
7-Eleven meals while travelling Green Car
One of the Shinkansen we travelled in. We called this one The Big Nose
7. Cycling in the rain in Kyoto
We were blessed with great weather for pretty much our entire time in Japan, albeit a day or two of rain, however one of those rainy days unfortunately fell on our only day in Kyoto. Because we were staying in an Airbnb with free bikes and we didn’t want to miss our on exploring the city, we decided to go out for a bike ride in the pouring rain. Although, looking back, this probably wasn’t the smartest idea as we had to carry our still-wet clothing the next day, enjoying the empty roads and dramatic views of the small alleys of Kyoto was a unique experience that became a highlight in its own way.
Riding in the rain
8. Walking around the bamboo forest and the surrounding neighbourhood
The bamboo forest in Kyoto is one of the most popular destinations, but it still managed to impress us. There's something about all those bamboo trees, how they line up and create a pretty cool effect that keeps you entertained.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kyoto
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kyoto
9. Finding Fernando’s family roots in Kagoshima
We wrote a separate post about this, and this was definitely a highlight of the trip. We managed to track down some valuable information and documents about Fernando's grandfather, who was born in Kagoshima in 1898. Not only that, but Kagoshima turned out to be a very beautiful town off the beaten track, a lot less touristy, yet still amazing. We had a lovely time there and would highly recommend.
Sakurajima Volcano blowing up ashes, Kagoshima
The sky of Kagoshima, with the ashes from the volcano
Fernando with Saigō Takamori, one of the most influential samurais and original from Kagoshima
10. Golden hour in Hiroshima
Hiroshima is widely known for the tragic atomic bomb that pretty much put World War 2 to an end. The city has this very deep, reflective and humbling atmosphere, and walking around the city during sunset just exacerbated this feeling. A truly special moment.
The Atomic Bomb Dome over sunset, Hiroshima
11. Cycling the Shimanami Kaido Expressway
The Shimanami Kaido Express is an architectural wonder. This 60 km long road connects Japan's main island, Honshu, to the island of Shikoku, through a series of bridges that passes over another 6 small islands.
The road was opened in 1999 so it's very new and functional. There is a bike lane that runs across the whole length of the road, which allows you to go from Onomichi to Imabari in one beautiful, long day of cycling.
Trying to look badass with our crappy bikes
12. Learning to go with the flow
Japan proved to be a lesson in itself, teaching us that life when travellling can be filled with many unexpected moments with highs and lows when you least expect them and that you need to drop the idea of “what could have been”.
The unexpected turns in weather taught us to never be too sure of tomorrow. Our plans in Kyoto were completely changed due to the pouring rain and we had to let go of the “what could have been” to enjoy the now and what we could work with, this was particularly hard as I was most looking forward to Kyoto and it is filled with so many beautiful outdoor sights.
When I fell off my bike on the Shimanami Kaido Expressway, 50kms in to a 70km ride, it definitely taught me a lesson in going with the flow: because of the minor injuries I sustained, we couldn’t continue with the temple hikes we had planned in Shikoku and instead decided to shift our plans to travel up north to Sapporo. Luckily, we had left our itinerary relatively open, which made this easy, but it was the mental side that was more difficult to overcome; I would continuously replay the moment of the accident, getting frustrated with myself and “what could have been”, it’s definitely a challenge to let go of what you had expected to happen, but nonetheless something you need to embrace when travelling.
We're all good here!
13. The automatic toilets
Being my (Fernando) first time in Japan, I loved all the features available to you in the toilet. Took me a while to understand and have the courage to operate it, but now I grew accustomed and would love to have one of those at home. Some of them include not only the usual water jet (both ways), but also fan and sounds to get your inner creativity flowing.
One of the Technological Wonders of modern day
14. Discovering ¥100 sushi train (Sushiro)
We discovered this chain of Sushi train in Japan called Sushiro that sells most of their plates for ¥100. All tables have a touch screen from which you can order and plays a ringtone when your food is approaching you on the belt. Food service with no human interaction. Gotta love Japan.
Happily orderning our next plate of sushi
15. Surprisingly authentic Indian/Nepali cuisine in Kanazawa
We came across this place on our hunt to find some vegetarian-friendly food and to fill our cravings for curry (it only took us just over a month to be ready to eat Indian food again). The food was fantastic, really authentic and took us back to our time in India. I certainly forgot for a moment that we were in Japan.
16. Finding tranquility amongst the crowds in Kanazawa’s Kenrokuen Garden
Kanazawa was one pleasant surprise on our trip. Not too touristy (mainly local tourists), this city happened to be on our JR route and we decided to spend a couple of nights there. Very cool town, with local breweries, shops and an amazing traditional Japanese garden, well worth the visit.
Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa
17. Stumbling across a ramen and wine festival in Sapporo
This had to be one of my favourite moments; we had the day free in Sapporo to just walk around and explore the city. We walked to Odori Park, a long 1.5km stretch, where events are always taking place. To our delight there happened to be both a ramen and a wine festival going on next to each other. Even though it was only 11 in the morning, Fernando was quick to remind me that we were on holiday with nowhere to be, so we enjoyred a few glasses on wine in the sun. Bliss!
Never too early for a glass of wine
18. Driving along the west coast of Hokkaido
We ended up in Hokkaido on a bit of a whim with only 2 days to spare, as such we decided to remain in Sapporo with the promise of coming back again soon with a few weeks to explore the huge northern island. Due to the remoteness of the area, we decided to rent a car (Toyota rentals, who we used on our Kagoshima adventure, are great as they offer 6 hour and 12 hour rentals at a reasonable price) for the day and explore the western coast. This was a particularly special day as it took us away from the crowds, a rarity in Japan, and we were able to enjoy the scenic drive that hugs the sea, passing small, empty seaside towns along the way.
The highway stretches along the coastline
Beautiful sky across the bridge
We were lucky to catch some final cherry blossoms still in bloom
19. Familiar faces in Tokyo
We set out on this year abroad with the intention of meeting as many friends as we can along the way. Needless to say we were stoked to see not one but three of our friends in Tokyo: Sae, an old high school friend of Alex's that she hasn't seen in over 10 years and Claudia and Igor, Fernando's friends from Brazil, who live in Melbourne. It is hard to explain the joy and comfort that comes with seeing familiar faces when you are in a foreign country and have been on the road for a while. Our time in Tokyo was made incredibly special thanks to these guys and they gave us new energy and excitement that we will carry on with us.
Selfie at the Sky Tree
Our final night in Japan - having build-your-own okonomiyaki with Claudia & Igor
20. The night life of Shinjuku, Tokyo
I'm so glad we left Tokyo at the end of our trip. After seeing a fair amount of Japan in just under 3 weeks, we got ourselves 5 days in Tokyo and really got to see the "real" Japan. Shinjuku is the epitome of the night life in Tokyo, in our opinion. All those glaring neon lights, arcade sounds, giant Godzillas on top of buildings and suspicious-looking dance parlous are simply everywhere and it's just amazing. Also worth mentioning the Golden Gai area, a maze of small lanes filled with tiny bars (where you can usually sit about 4-6 people at one time) and tourists looking for a drink.
Shinjuku, Tokyo
Playing arcade, Tokyo