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re: Japan late March/early April 2027
Posted on 7/12/26 at 10:19 am to hashtag
Posted on 7/12/26 at 10:19 am to hashtag
We had multiple people and a laptop to connect. So pocket WiFi was better for us. eSIM works too in most situations. Wife phone wasn’t paid off and the unlocking process for eSIM was frustrating which also contributed to our decision.
1
Posted on 8/5/26 at 6:54 pm to hashtag
quote:I lived in southern Osaka prefecture for a year, two stops from Osaka-Abenobashi / Tennoji stations on the Kintetsu Minamiosaka limited express train. You can get to Kyoto via several different train routes going to the north, but I went south then north through Nara.
Anyone ever stayed in Osaka and taken a day trip to Kyoto instead of staying in Kyoto?
Kyoto is one of the places with overtourism. I'd try and avoid the busses and use the train and walk, depending on where you're going. Use Google Maps, plan your routes and transfers ahead of time, and charge up your SUICA (or ICOCA if you buy a card in the Kansai area). Weather should be beautiful that time of year, and walking through neighborhoods shows you more of real life in Japan.
Here's a plan to go to two or three of the big tourist places in Kyoto by going south through Nara and getting to see the countryside:
This post was edited on 8/5/26 at 6:55 pm
Posted on 8/5/26 at 6:55 pm to CrazyTigerFan
1) From Tennoji Station, take the JR Kansai Line to Nara Station (about 40 minutes, 510 yen). Pay attention near Oji Station... sometimes you have to change trains here!
2) At Nara Station, transfer to the JR Nara Line local train heading north to Inari Station (about 60 minutes, 680 yen). You could take the regional rapid train to Tofukuji and backtrack one station to Inari, but it doesn't really save time.
3) Walk from the station to Fushimi Inari Taisha and take the hike up to the temple through the thousands of torii gates. It's about 3 hours round trip, and it's free.
4) At Inari Station, head north on the JR Nara Line to Kyoto Station (5 minutes, 150 yen). Transfer to the subway Karasuma Line and head north to Kuramaguchi Station (11 minutes, 260 yen).
5) Walk west along Kurumaguchi Dori towards the Kinkaku Jinjya, the Golden Temple (about 40 minutes). Some of the views here are amazing, like being in a picture of Japan. There are places to eat along Nishioji Dori, right before you get to the temple. Or, pick up some food at the Lawson and backtrack on Kuramaguchi Dori and into the neighborhood and picnic under the cherry blossoms in Kamiya Park, with a view of one of the giant obon bonfire sites on the mountainside to the west. (Remeber to pick up all of your trash!)
6) Admission to the Golden Temple grounds is 500 yen. You can spend and hour or two here.
7) Walk back along Kuramaguchi Dori to Kuramaguchi Station and take the subway south to Kyoto Station. If you have time left, you can check out several different temples or shrines in the area. Sanjyusangendo Temple (with 1001 statues) is about a 20 minute walk to the east from the station and 600 yen admission. You could eat near here or back in Osaka.
8) From Kyoto Station, take the JR Osaka-Sanyo line to Osaka Station (about 28 minutes, 580 yen).
2) At Nara Station, transfer to the JR Nara Line local train heading north to Inari Station (about 60 minutes, 680 yen). You could take the regional rapid train to Tofukuji and backtrack one station to Inari, but it doesn't really save time.
3) Walk from the station to Fushimi Inari Taisha and take the hike up to the temple through the thousands of torii gates. It's about 3 hours round trip, and it's free.
4) At Inari Station, head north on the JR Nara Line to Kyoto Station (5 minutes, 150 yen). Transfer to the subway Karasuma Line and head north to Kuramaguchi Station (11 minutes, 260 yen).
5) Walk west along Kurumaguchi Dori towards the Kinkaku Jinjya, the Golden Temple (about 40 minutes). Some of the views here are amazing, like being in a picture of Japan. There are places to eat along Nishioji Dori, right before you get to the temple. Or, pick up some food at the Lawson and backtrack on Kuramaguchi Dori and into the neighborhood and picnic under the cherry blossoms in Kamiya Park, with a view of one of the giant obon bonfire sites on the mountainside to the west. (Remeber to pick up all of your trash!)
6) Admission to the Golden Temple grounds is 500 yen. You can spend and hour or two here.
7) Walk back along Kuramaguchi Dori to Kuramaguchi Station and take the subway south to Kyoto Station. If you have time left, you can check out several different temples or shrines in the area. Sanjyusangendo Temple (with 1001 statues) is about a 20 minute walk to the east from the station and 600 yen admission. You could eat near here or back in Osaka.
8) From Kyoto Station, take the JR Osaka-Sanyo line to Osaka Station (about 28 minutes, 580 yen).
This post was edited on 8/5/26 at 6:58 pm
Posted on 8/9/26 at 6:07 pm to CrazyTigerFan
I did two weeks earlier this year.
5 nights Tokyo with a day trip to Mount Fuji. It was mostly cloudy so couldn’t see much.
4 nights in Kyoto. Very busy but still great.
2 nights in Hiroshima with a side trip to Miyajima.
3 nights in Osaka with a day trip to Nara.
I used the Shinkansen to get around the country. And the metro/bus/taxi to get around each city.
Probably the most stress free trip I have ever had. No need to plan ahead or book trains. Just jump on when you are ready. Prices remain the same.
Nearly all the food I had was great and quite cheap. Alcohol was reasonably cheap too. The people were polite and friendly and nearly everywhere was clean. Osaka wasn’t spotless on some places but that is nitpicking.
I managed to get to two baseball games in Tokyo and Hiroshima. The ticket prices were good value.
I want to return and see places like Kanazawa and Fukuoka. Maybe next year.
5 nights Tokyo with a day trip to Mount Fuji. It was mostly cloudy so couldn’t see much.
4 nights in Kyoto. Very busy but still great.
2 nights in Hiroshima with a side trip to Miyajima.
3 nights in Osaka with a day trip to Nara.
I used the Shinkansen to get around the country. And the metro/bus/taxi to get around each city.
Probably the most stress free trip I have ever had. No need to plan ahead or book trains. Just jump on when you are ready. Prices remain the same.
Nearly all the food I had was great and quite cheap. Alcohol was reasonably cheap too. The people were polite and friendly and nearly everywhere was clean. Osaka wasn’t spotless on some places but that is nitpicking.
I managed to get to two baseball games in Tokyo and Hiroshima. The ticket prices were good value.
I want to return and see places like Kanazawa and Fukuoka. Maybe next year.
Posted on 8/10/26 at 10:43 pm to hashtag
Learn some Japanese. You don't need to be fluent and no one will expect you to be, but knowing some basics will make a difference. You can use something like duolingo or buy a Japanese survival book.
Get a tourist SUICA card for paying for trains and buses. Its rechargeable and you wont need to calculate fares. Only last for 2(?) weeks though I think. Can usual buy in the airport on arrival
For the shinkansen you need to buy tickets, download the app and you can buy in advance. If have a more relaxed schedule you can buy the unreserved seats and take your chances on availability. If you are on a tight schedule or traveling during peak hours pay a little more for reserved seats.
Domestic air travel is an option if you are traveling far within the country and is similar in price to riding the train. In some cases it is the more convenient option and faster. ANA and JAL are the main airlines, then Peach is cheaper (not recommended if you have a lot of luggage)
Get a tourist SUICA card for paying for trains and buses. Its rechargeable and you wont need to calculate fares. Only last for 2(?) weeks though I think. Can usual buy in the airport on arrival
For the shinkansen you need to buy tickets, download the app and you can buy in advance. If have a more relaxed schedule you can buy the unreserved seats and take your chances on availability. If you are on a tight schedule or traveling during peak hours pay a little more for reserved seats.
Domestic air travel is an option if you are traveling far within the country and is similar in price to riding the train. In some cases it is the more convenient option and faster. ANA and JAL are the main airlines, then Peach is cheaper (not recommended if you have a lot of luggage)
Posted on 8/17/26 at 5:32 am to kciDAtaE
Calling AT&T from the hotel of another country just to pay off your phone to unlock the eSIM is an experience. Trust me.
I encourage everyone to research that important part of the every trip. I am technologically retarded for a guy in his early 30’s.
I encourage everyone to research that important part of the every trip. I am technologically retarded for a guy in his early 30’s.
Posted on 8/17/26 at 5:06 pm to hashtag
quote:I think most people who have been would agree they could write a whole book of tips. The big picture would be to pick a few cities and focus on doing as much in them as possible. It'll feel less like a cruise, more fun, and more able to soak up the culture. I wouldn't do any less than 4 nights in any city you go. You're better off just going back another year and hitting different spots.
For those of you who've been, what are some tips?
When I was researching, the common thread was Japan is one of the most revisited places on earth. You can do a different Japan every time you go. Beach, skiing, urban, hiking, mountain relaxation.
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