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The original was posted on /r/japantravel by /u/persimmonsareawesome on 2024-10-14 20:20:06+00:00.

Hi everyone! I (solo F) just got back from my trip and wanted to leave a report in case it helps anyone else plan their trip. A quick note: this is technically my second trip to Japan, but since my first was a study abroad semester, I’ve done most of the more “typical” things during my semester abroad (Ex. Shibuya Sky, Kiyomizu-dera, Osaka Castle). So that’s why they’re excluded from my itinerary.

Luggage: I brought one large suitcase, one duffle, and one backpack. The duffle was for overnight trips, which came in handy. Though I didn’t plan on using luggage-forwarding, I ended up using it once my big suitcase got too heavy.

$$$: I brought the equivalent of $1000 USD in yen. I used it pretty sparingly and put most of my expenses on my credit card. I have the Bilt card and highly recommend it: no transaction fees and I stayed at most of the hotels for free by redeeming them with Bilt points. Really helped keep my costs down.

Shinkansen Reservation: for all trains on the main island, I used the SmartEx app to reserve seats with oversized luggage space. Pretty easy to do and no charges for changing the time of the train on the day of if you suddenly realize you can’t make a train. I bought the All-Area Kyushu Rail 7-day pass, starting from the Hakata-Kumamoto trip. I did the math and it was much more worth it than buying each ticket separately. To reserve an over-sized luggage seat with the pass, just go to the JR Station Office and the staff there will help you do that.

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo

• I arrived pretty late (6pm) so I just had dinner with a friend before tuning in for the night
• Hotel: APA Hotel Ningyosho Eki Kita
  • Close to several different subway lines; 35-ish minute train ride to Disneyland
  • Room was pretty small and it was hard to maneuver my big suitcase in the room.
  • I chose it for its proximity to the Yurakucho BicCamera lol

Day 2: Tokyo Disneyland

• I downloaded the Tokyo Disney Resort App and used the Priority Pass & Standby Passes. I didn’t need to get the paid Disney Premier Access and went on all the rides I wanted Ex. Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, Beauty & the Beast, Big Thunder Mountain
• Highly recommend staying for the Electrical Parade Dreamlights show at night!
• Didn’t go to the new Fantasy Springs since that was in Disneysea
• Paid out of pocket

Day 3: Kyoto/Kibune

• Took the 6:42 AM Shinkansen to Kyoto Stn. Dropped off bags at hotel, and then took transport to Kibune. Ended up just taking the bus there and the train back.
• Activities:
  • Hirobun - read online that the wait time was long so I went here first to get a number
    • The nagashi somen was pretty worth it as an experience, I think. Definitely had better food during the trip but I do recommend trying this.
  • Hyoue Cafe - kawadoko-style cafe; can have desserts and lattes while dipping your feet into the river
  • Kifune Shrine - really pretty but pretty overcrowded. Hard to get nice pictures of the scenery without getting 10000 people in.
    • the mizu-mikuji was pretty cool (omikuji in water)
    • also got a goshuin here
  • I considered doing the hike to Kuramadera but I wasn’t dressed for hiking and the bugs were pretty intense
  • Went back to Kyoto around 4pm and spent a few hours shopping at Nishiki Market
    • if you love spicy food, highly recommend Ochanoko saisai!
• Hotel: Kyoto Universal Hotel Karasuma
  • It looked pretty close to Kyoto Station on Google maps, but in reality, it was a bit of a walk and not really accessible if you have a big luggage (it wasn’t a big deal for me)
  • Paid for with Bilt Points
  • Included a half-board (2 meals) and had an onsen!

Day 4: Amanohashidate

• I left my big suitcase at the Kyoto hotel and just took my duffle bag on the bus. I booked the bus ticket in advance on this website. The trip was from 7:20 am to 9:25 am.
• I rented a bike from this store. The area was pretty bikeable in my opinion.
• Attractions:
  • Amanohashidate View Land - took the monorail up (chair-lift was not working)
    • had pudding
    • tried and failed at the pottery toss
    • Bought a “ryu no onegaidama” for Naraiji Temple
    • Tried matanozoki (looking between your legs) - VERY cool experience
  • Chionji Temple - got goshuin and the fan omikuji
  • Biked across the sandbar
  • Had lunch at Hashidate Chaya (located on the sandbar)
  • Biked to Kasamatsu Park - went to Manai Shrine, Motoise Kono Jinja to get goshuin, and then took the chairlift up to another lookout
  • Hiked to Naraiji from the park (half an hour?)
  • I considered biking to Ine but it was getting a bit late and I had to return my bike back to the original shop to get my deposit back.
• Hotel: Auberge Amanohashidate
  • LOVED this spot! Paid out of pocket for the stay and dinner at the restaurant. But you get access to the big onsen at Amanohashidate Hotel next door. The bathrooms are shared but since each room has its own faucet, I didn’t find this to be inconvenient.

Day 5: Uji

• I took the earliest bus (booked through same link as above) back to Kyoto Station and because the hotel was again, kind of far, I left my duffle in a coin locker at the station and went directly to Uji
• Attractions:
  • Byodo-in Temple and Museum - pretty cool but looking back, I don’t think it’s necessary to wait around to go see the Phoenix Hall. It’s just one room and the tour is given in Japanese. You do get a brief brochure in your preferred language but it’s definitely not as thorough as what the guide is saying
  • Uji-Shrine and Ujigami-Jinja - these two are next to each other and if you love bunnies, they have lots of cute rabbit motifs
  • Walked along Uji River and to To-no-shima Island
  • Tsuen Tea House - had lunch here (cha soba), had ice cream, and bought souvenirs
  • Mimurotoji Temple - a bit of a walk from the other attractions (40min-1hr) but I thought it was nice
  • Walked through Byodo-in Omotesando Street and bought souvenirs

Day 6: Osaka/Katsuoji

• Left Kyoto early-ish, dropped off stuff at hotel, and headed to Katsuoji. Be mindful of the bus times. Katsuoji took half a day, and I spent the rest of the day in the Namba area.
• Attractions:
  • Katsuoji Temple - really cool experience seeing all the darumas and completing the 6 stamps postcard
  • Lunch at Cinnamoroll Cafe in Namba
  • Namba Yasaka Shrine
  • Had dinner in Dotonbori
  • went to Umeda Sky Building at night - the escalator was super cool
• Hotel: Sunny Stone Hotel
  • I really liked the location: it was 8 minutes by subway from Shin-Osaka Station, so it was easy to get there right after getting off the shinkansen. Highly recommend staying near Shin-Osaka Station rather than Osaka Station.
  • Paid for with Bilt Points
  • Breakfast included

Day 7: Universal Studios Japan

• Went mostly for the Demon Slayer attraction lol
• I got on pretty much every ride without waiting a long time since I was a solo rider. If you’re by yourself or don’t mind sitting with strangers, this is a faster option and you don’t need to buy a fast pass or anything.
• Kinopio Cafe - had lunch here. Reservations are pretty hard to get so try to get this as soon as possible.
• I got the time reservation for the Harry Potter and Nintendo areas
• Stayed for Halloween Nights - it was alright

Day 8: Himeji

• To be honest, there wasn’t much to do here other than the castle. I considered doing Engyoji Temple and Mount Shosha too but was too tired.
• Attractions:
  • Himeji Castle - they had a lot of English descriptions in the castle so it was quite interesting to learn about the castle and its inhabitants’ stories
  • Miyuki Shopping Street
  • Koko-en Garden + Soju-an Teahouse
• Hotel: Himeji Station Universal Hotel South Exit
  • included half-board and onsen
  • Paid with Bilt Points
• Overall: I’m glad I got to see Himeji Castle since it’s a national treasure, but I don’t think I’d return again.

Day 9: Okunoshima (rabbit island)

• Had some transportation mishaps getting here. My shinkansen was delayed by 40 minutes and threw off all the local transportation I had planned. The local train doesn’t run that often from Mihara Stn. (shinkansen) to Tadanoumi Port, where you catch the ferry to the island
• Remember to buy pellets at the cafe at Tadano-umi port! They don’t sell pellets on the island. But also hold off on buying souvenirs at the cafe since there are more/better ones at the Island hotel shop.
  • I bought 4 packs and ran out. The rabbits are especially hungry at dawn and twilight.
• The island is pretty small so I opted for walking rather than biking. Finished walking in half a day.
• The poison gas museum is just 2 rooms and everything is in Japanese so it wasn’t a big part of my trip
• Overall: coming to rabbit island has been a dream of mine since I was very young since I love bunnies and owned bunnies. I’m glad I came but I met some activists(?) on the island who exposed me to issues such as how none of the money generated from tourists goes towards the rabbits’ care (there were several rabbits who looked in need of vet care). The rabbit population is also noticeably smaller than Youtube videos from 10 years ago show.
• Hotel: Kyukamura Ohkunoshima
  • Included a breakfast and dinner buffet, and two onsens
  • Paid out of pocket
  • Honestly one of the friendliest accommodations I’ve …

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