Anonymous wrote:See if any of the summer festivals are going on while they are there. Gion Matsuri in Kyoto or Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka. There's one in Nara where they burn symbols into the hillside but I forget the name. The street stalls are so much fun but be warned the crowds can be oppressive.

I always recommend Koyasan for an overnight temple stay if they want to get off the beaten path.

I love to hear the shout out for Koyasan! I did the Japan exchange and teaching program many years ago, and I lived in Wakayama Ken where it is based. We used to go there whenever somebody would come in from the US to visit. I also like the southern parts of Wakama like Minabe. Also, there is a huge whaling focused city in the south of Wakama called Taiji. It is one of the few places on earth that is still allowed to do whaling as a practice, because it has been part of their cultural heritage for centuries.

I much prefer the Kansai area of Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara to the Kanto region of Tokyo, but maybe because I think there’s more to do. Americans generally only know about or go to Tokyo.

Things to know about Tokyo -

I don't think I've ever been to a country that into animals before. Holy moly - they love all animals and there is an animal cafe for just about any small animal you can imagine LOL

Eating in Tokyo culturally differs in that esp with Ramen, eating is less a social thing and more a practical endeavor - you eat and leave. None of the 60 min meals you have here. You pay by vending machine, order from it, eat, leave

The Japanese have an amazing sense of humor. From fashion to cultural cosplay, they are a lot of fun. Their toys are amazing and they really enjoy being entertained. Culturally, you will get a kick out of what you will see. Except I did find the teenage girls fashions to be too funny/weird. A lot of the mini mini skirts and graphic horror movie Ts - you just can't take that back to the US and wear it in school LOL

Loved their snacks. Again, they are very creative and I brought home a ton of snacks to enjoy!

Everyone is super nice in Japan. There is a formality as well even with Uber drivers who will drive with gloves on. They are just amazingly gracious and formal. Be aware that it's a very different experience than going anywhere in the US where it's a lot more causal friendliness.

Asakusa was our fave area. It's a bit out of the crowded major areas but not so far you can't get to it as it's within City limits of Tokyo. But it's less an urban feel and the stuff there is really interesting. Still shrine/temples to visit and shopping to be had for sure. Culturally, a lot of cosplay, really cool animal cafes and amazing food as well. We just really enjoyed it and I am a 10000% city girl (this was so different than a traditional city experience in this neighborhood however).

I loved Nara-- the deer are hilarious and the town is interesting.

Osaka has the best aquarium I've seen in my life, and I go to every one I can find so I have high standards. I found the much-lauded street food scene there to be difficult to navigate. It's very crowded and can be hard to figure out what you're even standing in line for. I wish I'd gone with someone experienced.

Kyoto was just sublime. I could spend a whole vacation just in Kyoto and I think I'd leave feeling refreshed and enlightened. The people (outside the "historic" tourist core, where they can be pretty brusque) were so, so friendly, making everything feel more accessible to a foreigner. Like you know how sometimes you go into a restaurant or something and it seems like everything goes silent and everyone stares at you? Not in Kyoto. They act like they've been waiting for you and are delighted that you finally showed up. We experienced this over and over when venturing into little hole-in-the-wall restaurants.
There are little dabs of beauty everywhere you turn. And that's before you even start seeing the sights. The bamboo forests and torii gates are of course amazing. Go very early in the morning to avoid crowds.

See if any of the summer festivals are going on while they are there. Gion Matsuri in Kyoto or Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka. There's one in Nara where they burn symbols into the hillside but I forget the name. The street stalls are so much fun but be warned the crowds can be oppressive.

I always recommend Koyasan for an overnight temple stay if they want to get off the beaten path.

Anonymous wrote:I have always wanted to go to Hokkaido. Has anyone been there?

I'm going this summer! Wait, are you my DH? We're doing the lavender fields, onsen and exploring Sapporo

The classic first-time-ever to Japan trip is of course Tokyo-Osaka-Kyoto.

We did that and love it, but we also did a tour of the Japanese Alps region and loved it 100x more.

Start in Tokyo and make a loop to see areas like Takayama, Shirakawago, the Post Towns, Kamikochi, Hida Gifu, Matsumoto, Kanazawa. There are many small towns and scenic spots/parks to see. Driving is 1000% fine and easy. Don't be scared.

It was funny, because once we got back to Tokyo, we talked to a Japanese couple who owned the restaurant we were eating at. They looked very well off and chic, and they had asked is where we traveled. We told them about our loop in the Alps, and they smirked and said excellent beautiful choice. It's honestly areas where Japanese people would go to relax and sightsee rather than congested/crowded city after city.

I have always wanted to go to Hokkaido. Has anyone been there?

Anonymous wrote:It’s going to be rainy season so pack accordingly. Search this forum, at least three threads in the past 6 months asking for recommendations, tons of good advice in them

2nd this, wish we would have brought some kind of waterproof shoes for the really wet days.

Take a tour of Sake breweries. Drinking age in Japan is 20 so both can take part.

My favorites:

Gion geisha tour in Kyoto with Context Travel
Ramen tour in Tokyo through Airbnb experiences
Thousand hotel in Kyoto

It’s going to be rainy season so pack accordingly. Search this forum, at least three threads in the past 6 months asking for recommendations, tons of good advice in them

Visit Nikko after watching Shogun. It's the resting place of Tokugawa - the TV show offers up a fictionalized version of Tokugawa.

Try to go some places off the main tourist trail. For shopping, Kawasaki (which is a quick train ride from downtown Tokyo) has amazing malls.

Osaka, Kyoto and Nara are all near each other and worth going to. Kyoto has the best traditional Japanese things like tea ceremony and ikebana. Osaka at night with the food and the Dotonburi bridge is amazing

NARS was the capital of Japan from the 700-1600s and is worth a day trip. The giant buddha and the deer walking around the park are cool.

Jntro is a helpful organization. https://www.japan.travel/en/us/

DH and DD (20 yo) are taking a two week trip to Japan for the first two weeks in July. They both love to travel. We have a rough itinerary a friend gave us from their trip, but would love to hear suggestions for things to do and places to go that you loved when you went. Also, would you recommend Osaka? Our friend didn't have time to go since they only had 10 days. Thank you!