Planning for a trip to Japan

Japan is one of Asia’s most fascinating destinations with its alluring mystique, tantalizing cuisine and eclectic culture. The thought of travelling to Japan to is super exciting, but travelling to Japan for some can also be overwhelming, as there is so much to see and do.

We are planning a trip that we hope will be filled with a spread of exceptional experiences. It is said that Japan feels completely different from any other place in the world and is promising a lifetime of memories.

But what to do? Visit some temples, see a sumo match or experience the culture with a tea ceremony? The choices are many.

We plan to visit two of Japan’s most exhilarating cities, Tokyo and Osaka, eat meticulously crafted food and experience the blend of modernity and tradition. In Osaka we will see why this city is dubbed the food capital of Japan, visit ancient temples and innovative skyscrapers.

We relish the chance to immerse ourselves in the hustle and bustle of Shibuya, Tokyo’s famous 5 way scramble crossing where up to 1,000 people can cross at the same time.

During our time there we will discover big cities filled with ancient temples and innovative skyscrapers. We will hopefully get to see the contrast of quiet country landscapes, dotted with perfectly manicured gardens seemingly untouched by the hand of mass tourism.

The country’s unique cuisine is painstakingly prepared with attention to detail with a simple yet effective presentation. We hope to visit at least one of the adorable theme cafes like Kawaii or Cinnamoroll.

We hope to hit some of the must sees as well as hidden spots. In Tokyo we will visit the Meiji Shrine, one of the largest, most important Shinto shrines hosting many festivals and ceremonies in Japan. This peaceful oasis is in the heart of Tokyo surrounded by a huge forest. The shrine is entered through a huge Torii (gate) made of cypress. We would be really pleased if we could see a Shinto wedding procession while there. At the shrine there are rows of sake barrels as the sake is used in Shinto rituals. There are also wine barrels from France as the Emperor is said to have enjoyed wine.

Our plan is to visit the Kinkakuji Temple better known as the Golden Pavilion, originally a retirement village for the Shogun. It later became a Buddhist Temple and today is one of Kyoto’s most famous temples. We hope to avoid the crowds and wander around the peaceful leafy gardens and be impressed by the shimmering pavilion.

In the far east of Kyoto we plan to visit the shrine known for its thousand tori gates, the Fushimi Inari Shrine. I imagine it will be incredible walking through the bright orange gates through the forest and into the mountains.

If we had 3 days to spend in Kyoto to see some of the amazing shrines and temples, this would be the perfect itinerary.

We believe our most unforgettable travel awaits. Renowned for modern skyscrapers and contrasts of old and new, modern and traditional, Japan beckons.

What are your top tips for planning a trip to Japan? Have you got any recommendations for things to do?

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* Some photos were sourced by Pixabay, others were taken by a friend