You’re thinking about going to Japan? That is a great idea.
I had pseudo-planned a trip there two years ago, almost bought tickets last year, and finally made it for the first time in 2016. Once I realized I was actually going, I was suddenly overwhelmed. Partially by the language barrier and committing cultural faux-paus, but also by the sheer amount I hoped to do (the whole “I traveled across the world and I should really do a bit of prep” feeling).
I’m writing this post to put your mind at ease before you go, to pass along the wisdom I gathered and to let you know it’s even more awesome than you’re imagining.
Before You Go
High level recommendations for Japan
In advance:
1. Get a debit card with zero ATM fees (and thus zero international fees). Why? Japan is heavily cash-only. Also, when you’re back in the states you’ll gladly hit ‘yes’ to whatever ATM fee is proffered as you’ll know you’re invincible (I use the Charles Schwab Inv. Checking one, but there are options).
2. Get something to hold your passport/tickets and your change (likely two different cases). Why? Cash-only purchases leads to quite a bit of change. The JR pass goes in your passport, as will other rail tickets, admissions proofs, etc. Don’t be a tourist pulled over to the side shuffling through a billfold trying to find the pass you need.
3. If summer and you’re fair-skinned, surely bring a hat. Why? It’s sunny. And bucket hats are trendy.
4. If you’re planning to take more than one bullet train (shinkansen) get the JR Pass. Why? I did the one week pass for $250; I went from Kyoto to Okayama to Uno, back to Osaka, then to Hiroshima and Himeji, then to Kyoto and back to Tokyo. That would have cost nearly $700 as individual tickets. I rest my case.
Once you arrive, get a SIM card in the airport. Why? Because google maps works wonders for getting around. I was rarely lost and, as a comparative cost of a data-only SIM for $50 for 3GB, it was an incredibly good investment. Also, if you’re using Airbnb (like I did) it was quite convenient to be able to message my host prior to linking and after I landed. This, of course, goes hand-in-hand with some kind of remote charging device.
My Japan Map
For Japan, I built a map because I wanted to be able to go to an area and quickly see everything I was interested in. It also helped me plan and optimize my day. The majority of what is listed is in Tokyo:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1EdUm6i5HdngAPozZdwKj7kun-iU&usp=sharing
Naoshima
Go to Naoshima!
You can stay cheaply in Port Uno via Airbnb for a night or two, but I highly recommend at least one night in one of the art hotel properties (best if split with a friend- expensive otherwise- but I did it solo and it was still worth it, totally). Room/hotel descriptions here and availability calendar here. Book ASAP! And once you know your dates there, also book ‘James Turrell night sky” special viewing at Chichu Museumon the island (Friday and Saturday viewings only) → booking schedule here. I got to Port uno on a Friday evening, did full Saturday on Naoshima and half of Sunday on Teshima, then spent the night in the Benesse Museum Hotel back on Naoshima. The whole experience was so magical with incredible meditating places all over the island.
Some photos from Naoshima
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGcZ3o6k6vB/?taken-by=misterrayco
Kyoto
Sadly, I only had 48 hours in Kyoto and wish I had much longer.
The Inari shrine — go very early in the morning — like 7am. It’s massive, immersed in nature, and gets super packed after 9am (picture dozens of school field trips rolling up); showing up early will be seriously tranquil — before 9am | after 9am.
THEN as you exit Inari, go to Vermillion (espresso, cafe); there is a super friendly Australian guy who has been in Kyoto for years and gave me awesome advice (he is also a matcha expert and starting a matcha business)!
I had AMAZING ice cream here– give yourself at least 30 minutes.
Lastly, my favorite ramen and favorite thing Iate in all of japan (besides expensive omakase sushi) was in Kyoto. It’s here — they close at 3, so get there before 230. i generally eat very little meat but made the exception for this and it was a highlight of the trip, for sure.
Something I didn’t do but wish I had- rent a bike!