Day 1: Touching Down in Tokyo
The flight from LAX to Tokyo is a bit of a mind bender since you’re traveling west towards the International Date Line. It started great—everything was on time, our bags made it onto the plane, but—just to prove that everything you see on Instagram is not as it seems… I was actually really ill on the flight. I am 99.9% sure I had food poisoning.
So needless to say, I was relieved once we landed at Haneda (HND) until I realized we’d arrived during the evening rush hour. While the airport info counter suggested the bus and train would take the same amount of time, the traffic into Shinjuku was no joke! It took us nearly an hour and a half on the bus alone, plus the walk to our hotel.
Because I was feeling so under the weather, our first night was all about recovery. Our hotel recommended a nearby ramen spot —there is truly nothing like hot broth to heal a travel-weary soul. Whether it was because this was my first real meal or because my body desperately needed it, I genuinely think this was the best ramen of the entire trip. It’s called Ramen Mitaba in Shinjuku—try it!
We grabbed water and snacks from Lawson, showered, and crashed early to save our energy for the adventures ahead.
Pro Tip: Don’t over-plan your arrival day like I did. The trek from the airport to the city center is longer than you think! And think about where you stay because Tokyo is huge.
Day 2: Old Meets New | Asakusa to Shibuya
We started the morning at Sarabeth’s (yes, like the one in NYC and yes, this is typically against my travel rules as I usually avoid chains). But, as an IBS girlie sometimes you just need a “safe” western breakfast to fuel a day of walking. The eggs benny and pancakes were 10/10.
From there, we took the train to Asakusa to see:
- Senso-ji Temple: Iconic and bustling.
- Hatoya Matcha: Yes, I waited 30 minutes for the “Insta-famous” matcha, and yes, it was worth it.
- Skytree Views: We caught a stunning view of the Skytree while walking along the river.
- Shopping: Nakamise-dori stalls, the Sanrio store (a must for this Hello Kitty stan), and Kappabashi Kitchen Street.
- Snack Crawl: Hand rolls at Hand Roll Tokyo and fries from Frites Bruges.
Kappabashi was the place for ceramics and home goods. We found so many great pieces, but I didn’t want to overbuy on our first day. In hindsight—if you see something you love here, get it.
After weaving through Ueno Park, we regretted not stopping at the Tokyo National Museum. Instead, we headed toward the neon lights of Akihabara before ending the night at the iconic Shibuya Scramble. We even squeezed in stops at the retro-90s Disney Store and Nintendo Tokyo.
Day 3: Tokyo DisneySea
So you’re probably wondering: Is Tokyo DisneySea worth it? I’d say, maybe. Tokyo DisneySea is unique. Some areas like the new Fantasy Springs have incredible theming, while others feel more like early California Adventure and skew a bit more adult. Our main goals were buying merch and soaking in the atmosphere. We arrived at 10 a.m. and wrapped up around 6:30 p.m. since I still wasn’t feeling great. We missed the fireworks, which I slightly regret—but health is wealth amirite?
One big surprise: the crowd wasn’t just Western tourists. Japanese visitors were genuinely excited to be there, which made the energy feel special—unlike Disneyland Paris, which oddly didn’t seem to attract many Parisians. And it’s worth noting that all the rides are in full Japanese, I lowkey didn’t think of that beforehand!
Tickets are affordable, the park is easy to reach by train, and it makes for a fun day trip. We rode Peter Pan, Tangled, and Sindbad’s (go on it—it’s weird and wonderful). Several major rides were closed for refurbishment during our visit, including Journey to the Center of the Earth, which was a bummer.
- Fantasy Springs: We scored a Lightning Pass for the Tangled ride and waited for Peter Pan. Sadly, the Frozen line was 3 hours long, so we skipped it. IMO, the Tangled ride is way too short for such a great movie—basically just the lantern scene. If you’re choosing where to spend extra money, Frozen is probably the better value.
- Food: We tried the viral potato churro (more pizza stick than dessert) and the Gyoza bun.
- Regrets: I’m still thinking about the Alien Mochi I didn’t get, but listen to your gut—literally! If you aren’t feeling 100%, skip the heavy snacks.
- Merch: Japanese Disney merch is elite and much cheaper than in the U.S. Hoodies were around $35, though sizing was limited to M and L (oversized and comfy). H grabbed a cute Peter Pan Lost Boys hat.
Day 4: Meiji Shrine & Harajuku Vibes
We started slowly with a matcha latte from The Matcha Tokyo (oat milk! thank goodness!) inside NEWoMan SHINJUKU and a croissant from the spot next door before heading to Meiji Shrine.
It was a peaceful way to start the day, and we really lucked out with the weather. After the shrine, we explored the inner garden.
SIDE QUEST: This is where I found my first Eki Stamp. These free stamps—found at train stations and major attractions—are all over TikTok and Instagram for a reason. They’re such a fun souvenir. I wish I’d picked up my stamp book earlier (Muji sells them, and some Lawsons carry Muji items too). Since I didn’t have one yet, I stamped pamphlets 🤷🏻♀️.
We spent the afternoon in Harajuku, popping into Uniqlo and walking Takeshita Street, home to the famous themed animal cafés (yes, pig cafés). From there, we escaped to the quieter, chic streets of Omotesando, where we found a delightful French lunch spot. We finished with the greenest matcha soft serve and a matcha cookie from Chavaty Tea and Milk.
Next up was the Imperial Palace, which I’d honestly skip. Since it’s the emperor’s main residence, there isn’t much to see. We pivoted to Shiba Park, which I highly recommend—especially at sunset. It’s Tokyo’s version of the Eiffel Tower moment, with locals picnicking, walking dogs, and just living.
We snagged 6 p.m. tickets to teamLab Planets. It’s immersive, sometimes barefoot 🥴, and visually impressive, but the crowds made it feel more like an Instagram museum than an art experience. Dare I say…skip.
We finished the day with what is still one of my favorite meals of Japan. It was our first conveyor belt sushi, we ordered and it zoomed right to our seats! The sushi was so fresh and so CHEAP! Usually H doesn’t enjoy going out for sushi because it gets pricey before he’s full. But we had a wonderful full meal for about $20 bucks and a fun experience. It was fresh, a quiet spot from the chaos of Team Planets, and felt authentic. It’s called Tsukiji Gin Itcho Toyosu (and I’ve linked it to Google maps for you!)
Day 5: Mt. Fuji Magic in Kawaguchiko
The next morning we took the express train to Lake Kawaguchiko. While waiting for our train I found the cutest Sanrio Little Twin Star sweater. Train stations in Japan are basically malls. The ride over was like going through a book of postcards and as soon as we arrived Mt. Fuji was out to welcome us. We dropped our bags and freshened up at our hotel before exploring.
- Chureito Pagoda: We hailed a taxi for the sake of time to go up to Chureito Pagoda, Kawaguchi isn’t super walkable for some sites. The short climb up the steps is worth the view. And you can weave down from here to Hocho Street.
- Honcho Street: We walked down to see the famous “Fuji at the end of the street” view.
- Sweet Treats: We had a little dessert crawl that we kicked off with a fresh strawberry mochi right outside the pagoda, then shared a soft serve matcha from a cart along the path, and topped it off with warm matcha lattes from the cutest cart run by the sweetest older couple (this was my favorite matcha on the trip!) We also bought a tote from them, they were so grateful they gave us some stickers and coasters.
- Gachapon: Japan has fun toy coin machines known as gachapon’s with everything from key chains, to stamps, to mini snow globes. They’re so fun and creative to the region. So have coins at all times! The ones in this area were all Fuji themed.
For dinner we had Houtou noodles, a local specialty, at Hotojura Funari Kawaguchi Shop. This restaurant had a beautiful window framing Mt. Fuji. After a private onsen soak we knocked out for a full 10 hours of sleep on traditional tatami mats.
Day 6: Onsens & Oishi Park
Waking up to the view of the fall foliage surrounding Lake Kawaguchi and then seeing a clear Fuji view is a new core memory. I did a morning dip in the outdoor public onsen—it was empty and so peaceful. Also all the creams and face washes they have left my skin feeling silky smooth and hydrated after the crisp air. Kawaguchi was the perfect restful stop in between an otherwise nonstop trip!
We grabbed coffee up the road and said another good morning to Fuji before going to Oishi Park. We took a taxi again and then walked along the lake to see the stunning Maple Corridor before heading back for lunch at the Cuban sandwich truck we saw the day prior. As a Cuban, finding this in a small Japanese lake town felt kismet and the chef was from the same town as one of my grandmothers.
From there, we traveled to Kyoto via bus and bullet train. The bus from Kawaguchi to Mishima was much faster than we budgeted for.
We arrived to Kyoto around 6:30, dropped our bags, and went to explore around our area. Our hotel was really close to the main shopping road, so we hit Nintendo Kyoto, browsed Muji, and ended the night with shareable plates and grocery-store matcha ice cream in bed.
Day 7: Kyoto is Temple Heaven
I woke up knowing I wanted fluffy Japanese pancakes that led us to Sakura Cafe Hanon. Then it was temple tour time! We kicked it off at Yasaka Shrine, then over to the Hōkan-ji Temple (aka the Yasaka Pagoda), and wound up the road to the stunning Kiyomizu-dera. It glowed in the bright fall foliage.
We continued to Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)—crowded but striking—then Nijo Castle before closing. Pro tip: attractions may close earlier in fall due to shorter daylight hours. Also, Nijo Castle has layered stamps—don’t miss them!
For dinner, we Googled best burgers in Kyoto and landed on a Kobe burger from Wagyu to Worldwide. Sometimes you just need a really good burger, and when in Japan you have to try some Kobe beef.
Day 8: Nintendo, Uji & the Red Torii Gates
A big day for the gamers because we had a morning slot for the Nintendo Museum! The museum is relatively new, and tickets are distributed via a lottery system through your Nintendo account. Reservations open three months in advance and sell out almost immediately, so booking early is a must.
The building includes a cafe, a store, and two floors of interactive exhibits that walk you through the entire history of Nintendo—from consoles and characters to iconic games across generations. There’s also a large selection of exclusive merch. We definitely left with a haul, including some of the mystery items like enamel pins and keychains, which were especially fun to open.
The Nintendo Museum is in Uji, the matcha capital of the world. Byodoin Omotesando street is where most of the matcha themed cafes and shops were. The town was quaint, but matcha was oddly sold out. So it was a great spot for lunch and a treat, but it was a little too quiet so we went toward our next stop before the sun went down.
Next, we walked through the thousands of red gates at Fushimi Inari. Many visitors stop at the bottom, but hiking up reveals quieter paths and fox statues—messengers of Inari, the Shinto god of rice.
We wrapped the night at Nishiki Market with conveyor sushi spot at Daiki-suisan kaitenzushi Shinkyogoku. Then walked around in circles looking for a hot taiyaki with chocolate. Most places have custard or red beans. We finally found one and it was one of my favorite desserts of the trip! The coin was freshly made and the perfect way to end the night while looking for fun Gachapon machines too.
Day 9: Hidden Gems in Kyoto
Originally we had planned on going to the (allegedly crowded) Arashiyama bamboo forest. However, we were at that point in the trip where we were tired. We opted for rest and a slower day. We went back to the Sakura Cafe Hanon because the pancakes were so good and this time we got to sit overlooking the trees and stream, which was nice. Then we explored Shimokawaracho and the surrounding areas.
We spent some time at the Kodaiji temple that gave us the chance for a bamboo forest-like mini experience. We walked a bit through the Gion district again, stopping for lunch at what felt like a Japanese Shake Shack called Shogun Burger and then took advantage of the tax-free shopping (bring your passport!) for some more souvenirs and even some impromptu luxury goods. If shopping is on your list it’s worth doing some recon and research. While the second hand market is amazing in Japan I found it was cheaper to buy a new bag of the style I wanted. ICYWW I got the Louis Vuitton Neverfull bag, I was in a “treat yourself” mood. AND I estimate this bag was about $700 less than in the U.S. The math was mathing!
Day 10: One Last Stop in Osaka
We finished our trip with a whirlwind night in Osaka. Just a quick train from Kyoto, we dropped off our bags at our hotel before walking to Osaka Castle. I didn’t know until we got there that Osaka Castle actually have a full museum inside it. It covers the history of the castle and Japanese feudal era with artifacts like armor and weapons. Bonus: there’s multiple eki stamps here!
We tried some takoyaki outside of the castle in the park that it sits in. It’s a savory batter ball filled with octopus, topped with sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes. It was interesting, but maybe not my favorite. We wandered over to the Namba Yasaka Shrine (the lion head!) It reminded me of the Cave of Wonders in Aladdin—anyone else?
We spent the evening in the neon madness of Dotonbori, it was the perfect high-energy end to the trip. There we tried the Osaka specialty of Okonomiyaki. It’s a savory Japanese “pancake” or “pizza” made of batter, cabbage, meat, and egg cooked on a griddle. We loved it and highly recommend having Okonomiyaki, it was delicious and a fun experience since it’s served on a hot plate in front of you. I totally get why Osaka is known as the “Kitchen of Japan”.
Day 11: Osaka ➡️ Tokyo
After all the fried food, we found an avocado-heavy brunch spot near our hotel (because Californians). This Australian café was a great hidden gem.
We took the high-speed train back to Tokyo and stayed near the airport with a shuttle—highly recommend for peace of mind. After a flight cancellation and rebooking, I was grateful we’d planned this way.
For our final night, we returned to the animated Shibuya. H grabbed one last Nintendo shirt, and we waited two hours (!!) to try Ichiran Ramen. We saw a long line at the one in Osaka too, so we thought it must be good. While the individual dining booth is a unique experience, the ramen tasted like Top Ramen. I was disappointed to see after the fact, that they also have NYC locations. So I wouldn’t recommend following the crowd on this one. Nonetheless, we had one more hot taiyaki before saying goodnight to Japn.
Wabi-Sabi: Lessons from Japan
Wabi-sabi is the idea that there’s beauty in things being imperfect, unplanned, and constantly changing, which is exactly how this trip felt. Japan in November was a happy accident. It was really the only time we had to go in 2025 between work and other obligations. But I loved the autumn colors, the crisp air, and traveling during a quieter, more reflective time of year. After this trip—and Spain in the fall—I’m convinced spring and fall are my favorite seasons to travel.
More than anything, this trip reminded me to listen to my body and leave space for rest. Some of my favorite moments weren’t on a checklist: soaking in an empty onsen, watching locals picnic at sunset, eating simple, nourishing meals when I didn’t feel great. Japan rewarded slowing down just as much as it rewarded curiosity.
Next time, I’m prioritize Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, the Tokyo National Museum, and buying more from Kappabashi Street. But honestly, Japan feels like a place you don’t “finish”, it’s just the first trip. And I already can’t wait to go back!
Hotels We Stayed At
Tokyo: HOTEL AMANEK Shinjuku-Kabukicho
Lake Kawaguchi: Kasuitei Ohya
Kyoto: Kabin Taka
Osaka: Hotel Oriental Express Osaka Shinsaibashi
If you book through my hotel links above, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support this blog—thank you!
