10 Days in Japan

Our first full day in Tokyo started bright and early with a walk from our hotel to Yoyogi Park. On the way, we stopped by 7/11 and grabbed a smoothie, along with a bunch of snacks to fuel the morning. As we walked, we passed several small shrines and wandered through a few since they were already open while Meiji Shrine was still quiet. Walking through Yoyogi Park, the cool air and colorful autumn leaves set the perfect tone for exploring. Once Meiji Jingu opened, we stepped into the peaceful forest path and spent some time at the shrine before continuing on.

Afterward, we headed toward Harajuku and grabbed a sweet treat at I’m Donut which was absolutely worth the stop. We arrived about 20 minutes before opening, right after finishing up at Yoyogi, and it was perfect timing. From there, we explored the area’s quirky shops and made a stop at Matcha Stand Maruni for a quick pick-me-up. We continued our walk down Cat Street toward Shibuya, but by then, the jet lag was catching up to us.

We decided to take the rest of the day easy and headed back to the hotel. After a quick search for the nearest katsudon spot, we found a delicious place close by and highly recommend doing the same wherever you're staying. The evening ended with a relaxing night back at our beautiful hotel, resting up for the next day.

We headed east to explore a more traditional side of Tokyo. The morning began around Sensoji Temple, where we wandered Nakamise Dori Street, sampling street foods like mitarashi dango, melon pan, croquettes, and even grilled eel. From there we explored the Tokyo History Museum and took a stroll through Ueno Park, enjoying the slower pace and scenic atmosphere. For lunch we went to the famous Ichiran Ramen, which completely lived up to the hype. We highly recommend adding the extra meat and egg for the full experience.

In the afternoon we made our way to Akihabara, immersing ourselves in its electric world of arcades, anime, and quirky collectibles. As the sun set we headed to Rikugien Garden for their seasonal illumination event. We had bought tickets online the day before which made entry smooth and easy. The garden at night was absolutely magical, with glowing lanterns and softly lit trees reflecting in the water. Afterward we made our way to Omoide Yokocho, a narrow street filled with tiny vendors and food stalls. We found one serving delicious yakitori, grilled meat skewers, paired with warm sake which is especially amazing in Japan. It was the perfect way to end the night.

This was the day we sent our luggage ahead to our next destination, giving us a bit more freedom for our final day in Tokyo and a smoother travel morning the next day. We started with a food-focused adventure at Tsukiji Fish Market, sampling everything from custard daifuku (highly recommend) and tamago to fatty tuna and uni bowls. After breakfast, we made our way to TeamLab Planets for our 9:30 AM entry. The exhibit was immersive and unforgettable, with interactive digital art that felt unlike anything we’d ever seen.

In the afternoon, we visited the Imperial Palace grounds and Wadakura Fountain Park, soaking in some calm and fresh air in the heart of the city. We grabbed lunch at an underground spot near where the subway let us out. The area was packed with local stalls and hidden restaurants, and it ended up being one of the best meals we had on the trip. For dinner, we wrapped up our Tokyo experience with a special omakase meal at Manten-sushi at 5:00 PM. After so much incredible food, we headed back to the hotel completely full and happy, ready to rest up for the next leg of the journey.

We kept the morning free to recharge or explore at our own pace. Shinjuku was the focus today, perfect for a relaxed mix of wandering, shopping, and spontaneous bites. We started and spent the whole morning at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. This was a big highlight of our trip, just walking around and enjoying the peaceful paths and massive trees. Afterward, we wandered through Shinjuku, grabbed a famous cheese coin snack, and made our way to Gyukatsu Motomura for their well-known katsudon. The line was long, but we were tired and decided to wait, and it was absolutely worth it. We had a highball with our meal which paired perfectly and was surprisingly good. In the evening, we dipped into the nightlife of Shinjuku with plans to explore Golden Gai. We weren’t really in the mood for anything too wild, so we ended the night trying the McDonald’s instead. While you're in the area, don’t forget to stop and see the big cat poster—it’s hard to miss and definitely adds to the fun vibe of the neighborhood.

We checked out of our Tokyo hotel by 11:00 AM and made our way to Tokyo Station for our 12:00 PM Nozomi 227 train to Kyoto. We ended up getting to the station ridiculously early, which we don’t recommend. Once you pass through the shinkansen gate area, you can’t go back, and the food options are pretty limited. It’s better to scope out what’s available first and maybe wait to go through until closer to departure. We grabbed breakfast from 7/11 and picked up bento boxes to eat on the train for lunch, which made the three-hour ride smooth and relaxing.

We arrived in Kyoto around 2:15 PM and headed to our hotel to settle in. After a bit of rest, we walked around and grabbed a snack at Chao Chao Sanjo, a gyoza spot that totally lived up to the hype. Crispy, flavorful, and just the right size to share. In the evening, we visited Tofuku-ji Temple to catch the late afternoon light and explore the peaceful grounds. As night fell, we strolled through Pontocho Alley, enjoying the narrow lantern-lit streets and traditional atmosphere before heading back for a quiet night in.

We started our day early in Arashiyama, heading straight to the Bamboo Grove before the crowds rolled in. This is a must. Getting there early made all the difference since it got crowded quickly. From the bamboo path, we continued directly into Okochi-Sanso Villa. There was an extra charge to enter, but it was completely worth it. The grounds were peaceful, much quieter than other tourist spots, and had beautiful walking trails with several scenic viewing platforms. If you're visiting in November, you absolutely can't miss it. The fall colors were breathtaking.

After the villa, we skipped Adashino and grabbed some street food instead of going to Arashiyama Yoshimura. We had tried karaage earlier that morning and honestly wished we had just filled up on that. It was crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor. Once we were recharged, we made our way up to the Arashiyama Monkey Park. Do not skip it. The hike is about twenty minutes and definitely a bit of a challenge, but the views from the top and the monkeys roaming freely made it one of our favorite experiences of the day.

Afterward, we headed back to the hotel to rest before going out for dinner. We were craving okonomiyaki and found a hidden spot tucked away on the fifth floor of a random building. It ended up being our favorite meal in Kyoto. It was super local, cozy, and unbelievably good. We highly recommend looking up a nearby okonomiyaki place and just going for it. Our hotel was cheap and convenient, with amazing breakfast.

We only spent the morning in Osaka, but it was still a fun little side trip. Our first stop was Osaka Castle, which was cool to see but felt more like a drive-by experience than a full visit. Afterward, we headed to Wagyu Idaten for lunch. If you plan to go, try to get there about thirty minutes before they open. They let you put your name down and give you a time estimate, which gives you the freedom to walk around the area while you wait. The meal was on the pricier side, but it was absolutely worth it. The raw wagyu was insanely good and one of the highlights of our entire trip.

While wandering afterward, we tried one of the famous jiggly cheesecakes and honestly didn’t like it. It tasted really eggy and lacked flavor, so we’d recommend skipping that. We also stopped by a small tea shop where we picked up some matcha and a cute cup to bring home. That was pretty much it for Osaka. We enjoyed our time but definitely preferred the vibe of Kyoto overall. Once we got back to the hotel, we rested for a bit before heading out for sushi at a local spot nearby. It was a calm and satisfying way to end the day.

This was our last and absolutely favorite day in Kyoto. We started the morning with a visit to Kiyomizu-dera, a stunning temple with sweeping views of the city and beautiful historic architecture. The atmosphere was peaceful and the walk up to it through the old streets made it feel even more special.

For lunch, we headed to Nishiki Market, which ended up being one of our top food experiences of the whole trip. There were endless options, and we tried as much as we could, especially the meats, which were all so flavorful. We only wish we had gone earlier in the trip so we could have gone back a second time.

In the afternoon, we had a tea ceremony and kimono experience at Kyoto Maikoya near Nishiki. It was such a fun and unique way to connect with Japanese culture. We got fully dressed up in traditional attire and participated in a guided ceremony that felt both elegant and meaningful.

Later in the day, we strolled along the Philosopher’s Walk and ended our time in Kyoto relaxing by the river, reflecting on the trip and how much we had fallen in love with the city.

Today we traveled from Kyoto to Hakone, and this is where we fully balled out. We wanted to get to our traditional ryokan, Hakone Ginyu, as early as possible to soak in every moment—and it was absolutely worth it. This is where we spent most of our money on the trip, and we have no regrets. Our room had two different private hot spring baths with mountain views, and from the moment we arrived, the whole experience felt luxurious and peaceful.

We were welcomed with a drink, then spent some time at the outdoor bar sipping sake and soaking in the atmosphere. Later, they served a 12-course kaiseki dinner in our room, and every dish was beautifully presented and delicious. It was definitely a lot of food, but the experience itself was unforgettable. They even surprised us with a little birthday celebration for my fiancé after I mentioned it when booking. If you’re celebrating a honeymoon or special occasion, let them know—they’ll go above and beyond.

This stay was all about slowing down, reflecting, and enjoying a romantic escape together. It was peaceful, personal, and hands-down one of the most meaningful parts of our trip.

Our final day in Japan was all about making our way back home. We checked out of Hakone Ginyu in the morning and caught the 12:14 PM Kodama 712 train from Odawara to Tokyo, arriving around 12:48 PM. The ride was smooth and comfortable, especially in the Green Car, which gave us a quiet and spacious final moment to take in the scenery one last time.

Once in Tokyo, we made our way to the airport for our 5:20 PM Delta flight back to LAX. It was bittersweet leaving after such an incredible trip, but we felt grateful, full (still), and so happy we made the most of every day.