Well, I fell into the hype, and it was probably a good decision this time around. Going to Japan was on my bucket list, not gonna lie, but I didn’t think I would go so soon. I kept procrastinating on this best trip in Japan since I had so much to see, I just couldn’t make myself leave something over others. It felt wrong to skip things, but deep down I knew it wouldn’t be physically possible to do it all at once.
And after a couple of months, I made my peace with it, I decided long before visiting the place that I would have to go back again, and maybe over and over again. No doubt the best trip in Japan is huge, but even a tiny street has so many Japan travel experiences, and I didn’t wanna leave anything behind.
But after convincing myself of coming back to Japan for another trip, I finally began prepping for this one. Japan, for many, is about the crowd, futuristic cafes with robots, Shibuya Crossing, anime, kawaii aesthetic, matcha, and everything that is going viral on Instagram.
The best trip in Japan is like a parallel universe; it is hyper-modern, yet some parts of it feel as if they are from an unknown. Along with chaos, I found quiet and calm in the countryside. Which is exactly what Japan truly is; it sits right between a futuristic city and an ancient one, like a glitch in the matrix.
As soon as I made up my mind that I was going to best trip in Japan, I didn’t wait another day.
I took a fairly long flight with All Nippon Airways from JFK to Narita International Airport, Tokyo. Yes, I landed in Tokyo, which is touristy but a hub that is well-connected to anywhere you would want to go in Japan. Next stop was my hotel in Shinjuku.
You have two travel options available at the airport: getting a cab or taking the train. I picked the train because that was so much more affordable, and I was in no rush of getting to my hotel. It honestly felt like going to your place after a long time. Coming to the best part, I booked my train tickets right at the airport.
I hopped on the Narita Express, or as locals call it, N’EX. It was a direct ride, a long one for sure, but definitely worth it. The train was pretty impressive. I had high hopes for the Japanese trains, and it did not disappoint. I will never forget the feeling of getting off at Shinjuku Station; it was massive. From there, it was a ten-minute walk to where I was staying- Hotel Gracery.Â
Day 1: Best Trip in Japan Begins
From here on, my days went by so fast; every day I had something to look forward to. I picked up the most recommended things to do in the best trip in Japan first – Shibuya Crossing, where you just let the people take over. The magnitude by which Japanese people move along with you is mind-blowing. Seeing them hustle will make you feel something.
I went to do the typical stuff, so Shibuya was followed by Harajuku streets, which I just explored aimlessly. I remember it didn’t really sit down for a proper meal; it was all about 7 – Eleven convenience store food. I mean, I had to try it since I had seen so many videos of it by now. Don’t play safe, just order whatever catches your eye or go with popular picks like ramen, iced coffee from a vending machine, and Tamago Sando.
Day 2: Slow Best Trip in Japan
I knew I had to take it slow; it could get overwhelming for me quite fast. I didn’t really want to just tick off things on my list; I wanted to situate myself, like it was every day. Day 2 wasn’t such a blast, just a slow one. I took my time, grabbed some lunch from the convenience store, and sat at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. It was huge, like everything else in Japan, yet it wasn’t making me feel small.
Day 3: Tokyo Metro Experience in Japan
Getting on the train felt like a challenge, changing stations, what if I got down at the wrong one, tickets and everything in between. I was mentally taking note of everything I had to do in order to take the train. But I was surprised to arrive at my destination safely without any hassle. I took the Tokyo metro to the Tsukiji Station, and there was just one transfer. Since I planned to take trains, even though it scared me at first, I took the IC card, which you can just reload, so you don’t have to worry about taking the tickets each time.
At Tsukiji, I saw a bunch of small food vendors putting up their stalls and grilling their food. I had Sushi breakfast at Sushi Dai, which is super popular.
Day 4: Kyoto Temples & Culture
It was time to step into a different world altogether, so I took the DAY 4 to Kyoto, where there were ancient Japanese temples, and people praying with utmost faith. I made sure to visit the Fushimi Inari Taisha.
Day 5: Hakone & Onsen Experience
I headed to Hakone next for a short retreat. Took a train yet again to explore the landscape change from buildings to open fields and mountains. From there, I took a cab to Gora Kadan. I went to a private Onsen, and trust me, it is the most unique Japan travel experience that you cannot miss. After all this, I was starving, and someone had suggested that I get a Japanese multi-course meal called Kaiseki. It had something of everything from picked vegetables, tofu, sashimi, some clear broth, rice with miso soup, and finally ended with a matcha pudding.
Day 6: Final Day of My Best Trip in Japan
This was my last day here, and after some local shopping, I headed back to the airport. This time in a cab.
Summing up
Honestly, for a Japan travel experience, you don’t need an extensive list, a map, or anything like that. Everything you see is wonderful and worth your time. It’s not always that we would like to do the tourist stuff. This trip was more about me living in Japan than me going to Japan.
I kept it simple and tried to understand how the best trip in Japan functions, so when I come next time, I will know what exactly to do and how to reach places. From train rides to shopping to Japanese street food. This trip might not feel like much, but for me it was pretty grounding.
