How to Spend 14 Days in Japan - A Japan Travel Itinerary

Introduction

This section introduces Japan as a travel destination and the purpose of the video.

• Japan is a diverse country with unique places to explore.

• The video aims to help viewers plan their trip to Japan by sharing the creator's two-week itinerary.

Itinerary Overview

This section provides an overview of the seven cities that will be visited during the two-week trip.

• Osaka: Known as the kitchen of Japan, famous for its food and nightlife.

• Koyasan: A secluded temple town where visitors can stay overnight at a Buddhist temple.

• Nara: Famous for Nara Park and its deer population.

• Kyoto: The ancient capital of Japan, rich in culture and traditions.

• Kanazawa: Renowned for its gold leaf production and one of the three great gardens in Japan.

• Takayama: A mountainous region where visitors can explore old town and relax at a Japanese onsen.

• Tokyo: The final stop on the trip, where visitors can see essential spots in the city.

Pre-Trip Information

This section provides important information that viewers should know before traveling to Japan.

• November is a great time to visit due to beautiful autumn foliage and mild weather conditions.

• Public transportation is the main way to get around, so travelers should obtain an IC card which is rechargeable travel cards that can be used to pay for fares and even buy goods in some stores.

• For more remote areas, specific local tickets may need to be purchased.

• If following this itinerary strictly, a JR Pass will not be needed since it's more affordable going with single-fare tickets.

• Google Maps is recommended for navigation while in Japan.

Planning Ahead

In this section, the speaker recommends checking out the website HyperDia for more detailed information and planning ahead.

Using HyperDia

• HyperDia is a website that provides detailed information for planning ahead in Japan.

Osaka - The Kitchen of Japan

In this section, the speaker introduces Osaka as the kitchen of Japan and a modern and lively place where people enjoy having a good time.

Exploring Osaka

• Osaka is known as the kitchen of Japan with many popular dishes originating from there.

• It's a modern and lively place where people enjoy having a good time.

• People in Osaka tend to speak louder, eat louder, and drink more.

• The Dotonbori area in downtown Osaka is a busy tourist spot with neon lights, shops, and plenty of food options.

Trying Local Food

• The speaker explores the Dotonbori area and picks up some treats along the way.

• They visit Ichiran Ramen for its tonkotsu ramen which Lisa approves of.

• Okonomiyaki at Okaru is one of their favorite places to eat in Osaka.

Namba Yasaka Shrine & Paying Respects

In this section, the speaker visits Namba Yasaka Shrine and explains how to pay respects at shrines in Japan.

Visiting Namba Yasaka Shrine

• The speaker spends the morning at Namba Yasaka Shrine, famous for its lion head stage.

• The speaker explains how to pay respects at shrines in Japan.

Osaka Castle

In this section, the speaker visits Osaka Castle and provides some historical context.

Exploring Osaka Castle

• The speaker visits Osaka Castle, one of Japan's most famous landmarks that played a major role in the unification of Japan during the 16th century.

Amerika-mura - Center of Japanese Youth Culture

In this section, the speaker explores Amerika-mura, known as the center of Japanese youth culture in Osaka.

Exploring Amerika-mura

• Amerika-mura is similar to Harajuku in Tokyo and is known for being the center of Japanese youth culture in Osaka.

• It's a great place to find trendsetting fashion in Osaka.

Umeda Sky Building & Don Quijote Ferris Wheel

In this section, the speaker visits Umeda Sky Building and takes a ride on Don Quijote's Ferris wheel.

Visiting Umeda Sky Building & Don Quijote

• The speaker visits Umeda Sky Building which has an observation deck providing a great view over the entire city of Osaka.

• They visit Don Quijote, a well-known discount chain in Japan with a unique Ferris wheel that provides a view over Dotonbori.

Conclusion

In this section, the speaker concludes their trip to Osaka and provides some additional things to do for those with more time.

Additional Things to Do

• The speaker suggests a few more things to do in Osaka for those with more time.

Exploring Koyasan and Nara

This transcript covers a trip to Koyasan, a secluded temple town in Wakayama, Japan. The trip includes a visit to Danjo Garan temple complex, Daimon Gate, Kongobu-ji temple, Okunoin Cemetery and Saizen-in temple lodging. The transcript also covers a visit to Nara city's park and Todai-ji temple.

Exploring Koyasan

Arrival at Koyasan

• Saizen-in is the chosen temple lodging for the stay.

• Rooms are traditional Japanese with shared bathroom facilities.

Danjo Garan Temple Complex

• One of the first complexes built by Kobo Daishi with around 20 temples and buildings including Konpo Daito, the great pagoda.

Daimon Gate

• Original entrance to Koyasan that now serves as the end destination for the old Choishi Michi pilgrimage trail.

Kongobu-Ji Temple

• Head temple of Shingon Buddhism in Koyasan with many halls and corridors including Banryutei, Japan's largest rock garden which resembles a pair of dragons emerging from a sea of clouds.

Okunoin Cemetery

• Japans largest cemetery stretching over 2 km with over 200,000 graves.

• Home to the Kobo Daishi Mausoleum where he is said to be in eternal meditation.

• No photos or videos allowed after crossing the bridge.

Experiencing Nara

Todai-Ji Temple

• Houses Buddha statue Nara Daibatsu which is the largest bronze statue in the world.

Nara Park

• Known for its park and the many deer that roam the surrounding area.

• Crackers can be purchased from local vendors around the park to feed the deer.

Departure from Nara

• End of trip.

Exploring Nara and Kyoto

In this section, we explore the city of Nara and Kyoto in Japan. We visit various temples, shrines, gardens, and markets.

Nara Park

• Crawling through the hole in the base of a tree is said to bring good health and luck.

• Kasuga-Taisha is a Shinto shrine known for its hundreds of bronze lanterns donated by worshippers throughout the years.

• Mount Wakakusa is a 342-meter tall hill located in the park that provides an excellent view over the city and Nara Park.

Mochi-Pounding Show

• A famous mochi-pounding show can be witnessed at a small mochi shop in Nara.

• The mochi was also excellent.

Kyoto

• Kyoto is an ancient capital of Japan with many important temples, shrines, palaces, and gardens.

• Arashiyama is an area known for its natural scenery.

• The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is a must-visit place in Arashiyama.

• Tenryu-Ji is one of the most important temples in Kyoto with one of the finest gardens in the entire city.

• Senko-Ji temple provides a great view as well as the chance to meet the local temple dog.

• The Iwatayama Monkey Park is home to over 100 Japanese snow monkeys.

• Kinkaku-Ji, currently a temple, was formerly used as a retirement villa for a shogun.

Nishiki Market

• Nishiki Market is a well-known food market in Kyoto with over 100 stalls and shops selling local dishes, seafood, and produce.

Ramen Sen no Kaze

• Ramen Sen no Kaze is one of the best places in Kyoto to have ramen.

• Expect long queues during dining hours.

Conclusion

In this section, we conclude our exploration of Nara and Kyoto in Japan.

Exploring Kyoto and Kanazawa

In this video, the host explores Kyoto and Kanazawa, two popular tourist destinations in Japan. The video covers various places to visit, including historic streets, temples, shrines, markets, and museums.

Exploring Gion

• Gion is a major tourist area in Kyoto.

• The best way to explore Gion is by walking through its many historic streets.

• Hanami-koji is a famous street in Gion known for its tea houses.

• It's also a great place to catch a glimpse of a working geisha.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

• The Fushimi Inari shrine is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice.

• It's famous for its thousands of torii gates.

• The shrine can get extremely crowded but the further you walk up, the lesser the crowds become.

Autumn Foliage Spots

• Temples are usually great places to watch autumn foliage in Kyoto.

• Nanzen-ji temple is famous for its large aqueduct and surrounding temple area.

• Eikan-do temple is another famous autumn foliage spot thanks to its pristine garden.

Pontocho Alley

• Pontocho alley is a small atmospheric dining area filled with restaurants and bars.

• It's famous for its dining area, and the host decided to grab their last meal here.

• They tried some very expensive beef which was definitely worth the price.

Kanazawa

• The host boarded the JR Thunderbird Limited Express to reach Kanazawa, which took around 2 hours.

• Kanazawa is often called "Little Kyoto" due to its well-maintained historic districts.

• The city is also renowned for its gold leaf production, being responsible for over 99% of Japan's output.

Omicho Market

• The Omicho market has a 300-year history dating back to the Edo period.

• It's a popular food market with over 170 stalls earning its title "The Kitchen of Kanazawa".

• Mori Mori Sushi is a well-known conveyor belt sushi restaurant residing in the market.

D.T Suzuki Museum

• The D.T Suzuki museum was opened to celebrate the life and work of Suzuki "Daisetz" Teitaro, a prominent Zen Buddhist.

• It's one of the big attractions in Kanazawa and caught the attention of the host.

Note that there are no conclusions or final thoughts in this video as it is purely informative about places to visit in Kyoto and Kanazawa.

Kanazawa and Takayama Travel Guide

This transcript is a travel guide for the cities of Kanazawa and Takayama in Japan. It covers various tourist attractions, including museums, shrines, gardens, tea houses, ramen shops, and iconic landmarks.

Exploring Kanazawa

• The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art is a large museum with many halls and exhibits.

• Sushi Ippei is a small cozy sushi shop run by an elderly couple.

• Higashi Chaya is one of three historic tea house districts in Kanazawa where geishas used to entertain the wealthy with traditional dancing, music, and drinking games.

• Ramen shop specialized in miso ramen that offers miso in three different flavors and colors.

Tourist Attractions in Kanazawa

• Oyama Shrine where visitors can witness wedding ceremonies being held at the shrine.

• Kanazawa Castle which was the seat of the powerful Maeda clan.

• Kenrouku-en garden known for its protective ropes tied around trees to provide support during winter season shifts.

Iconic Landmarks in Kanazawa

• Tsuzumi Gate which is an iconic red gate and unofficial symbol of Kanazawa where live street performances are often held.

Exploring Takayama

• Old town exploration where there was a daily morning market.

Tourist Attractions in Takayama

• Famous Hida beef and sake.

Conclusion

This travel guide provides a comprehensive overview of the tourist attractions in Kanazawa and Takayama, including museums, shrines, gardens, tea houses, ramen shops, and iconic landmarks. The guide is useful for anyone planning to visit these cities and wants to explore their rich cultural heritage.

Exploring Takayama and Tokyo

In this section, the speaker talks about their experiences exploring Takayama and Tokyo. They visit historic neighborhoods, try local sake, stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan with private onsen, and take a trip to Shinhotaka Ropeway. They end their trip in Tokyo where they stay at a unique capsule hotel.

Exploring Takayama

• Visited Sanmachi-suji, a historic neighborhood filled with traditional merchant houses and sake breweries.

• Tried the city's famous sake.

• Visited Hida folk village, an open-air museum that displays various mountain village houses found in Shirakawa-go.

Staying at a Traditional Ryokan

• Stayed at a ryokan in Okuhida onsen with traditional Japanese rooms.

• Had the option of having your own private onsen as well as access to rooftop onsen.

• Enjoyed a Japanese Kaiseki multi-course meal for dinner.

• Headed up to the rooftop onsen after dinner and had it pretty much all to themselves.

Trip to Shinhotaka Ropeway

• Decided to visit Shinhotaka Ropeway before heading to Tokyo.

• The ropeway ascends nearly 1000 meters offering panoramic views of Japan's Northern Alps.

Exploring Tokyo

• Arrived in Tokyo, a modern super city packed with sights and activities.

• Stayed at the Tokyo Zen Capsule hotel, which was inspired by traditional Japanese rooms and afforded more space than regular capsules.

Tokyo Travel Guide

This transcript is a travel guide to Tokyo, Japan. It covers popular tourist destinations such as the Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Shibuya Crossing, Akihabara and Teamlab Borderless.

Meiji Shrine

• The entrance to the shrine is marked by a large torii gate.

• The shrine is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife.

• It's one of the most popular shrines in Japan with over 3 million visitors annually.

Harajuku

• Takeshita street is the center of Harajuku with trendy shops, fashion boutiques and fast food stores for youths.

• Mipig Cafe offers an opportunity to spend time with micro pigs which are common in animal-centric cafes in Tokyo.

Shibuya Crossing

• Shibuya crossing is a popular scramble crossing where thousands of pedestrians cross during peak hours making it one of the busiest crosswalks in the world.

• Mag's Park building provides an excellent rooftop view of the crossing below.

Uobei Sushi

• Uobei Sushi is a budget-friendly sushi chain known for its conveyor-style system.

Akihabara

• Akihabara is Tokyo's famous electric town known for geek culture such as anime, manga, videogames and Maid cafes.

• There are many arcades and shopping opportunities available here that make it worth exploring.

Teamlab Borderless

• Teamlab Borderless is a digital art museum with several unique exhibits on display.

• The Borderless World exhibit features waterfall-inspired artwork while the Crystal World exhibit has thousands of colorful LED lights.

• The Forest of Lamps is the most popular display in the museum, but expect long queues.

• En Tea House displays digital artwork on your tea.

Omoide Yokocho

• Omoide Yokocho, also known as "Memory Lane," is one of many atmospheric alleyways in Tokyo worth exploring.

Exploring Tokyo's Best Attractions

In this section, the speaker provides recommendations for exploring Tokyo and lists some of the city's top attractions.

Recommendations for Exploring Tokyo

• Explore the many izakayas and try anything that might interest you.

• Check out some of the different things to do in Tokyo, including:

• The iconic Tokyo Tower

• The ancient Senso-ji temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo

• Kabukicho, the famous entertainment district found in Shinjuku

Budget Breakdown and Conclusion

• The total cost for two people during this two week trip was around $3100.

• The speaker concludes by expressing their love for Japan and hopes that things get better around the world soon so that everyone can travel again. They also encourage viewers to leave any questions or feedback in the comments below.