What you need to know before traveling to JAPAN + 5 days itinerary!

 Things you should do before traveling to Japan:

• Verify with your phone provider about an international data plan
• Make sure you have a traveler's medical insurance
• Download useful apps: Wanderlog, Google Maps, Google Translate
• Learn about cultural practices to show respect; such as taking your shoes off before entering temples or traditional restaurants
• Make sure your passport doesn't expire during your stay in Japan; one page required for entry stamp; no tourist visa required for U.S. citizens
• Check the temperatures for the dates you are planning to go (We went at the beginning of September and it was very hot - we used battery fans and umbrellas to cope with the heat)
  
  

Transportation - We bought the JR Rail Pass which is valid for shinkansen bullet trains, all major JR national trains and Narita Express trains. It is available to buy for 7, 14 or 21 days. I recommend to plan your itinerary first and then decide if its worth it for your trip. 

Currency- Japan uses the YEN and are very cash oriented. So I recommend to withdraw some cash from a bank's ATM at the airport. Remember to decline the ATM's currency conversion. Your bank will normally give you a better exchange rate. You can always check the current conversion versus the one the bank is offering you before deciding which one is more convenient. 

Day 1: OSAKA

Lodging - We stayed in Rihga Royal Hotel which is about a 10 minute walk to the closest train station but they also have a free shuttle. Ask for the schedule during check-in. An interesting fact about local hotels in Japan is that they charge extra for gym and pool use. Apparently is due to the fact the most Japanese do not use hotel pools or gyms and so they charge extra to cover the expenses of that amenity.

1. Osaka Castle - The garden requires an admission fee of 200 yen ($1.34 USD) - 300 yen during cherry blossom season - but it is totally worth it! The castle tower has an admission fee of 600 yen ($4.00 USD) but you can just enjoy it from the castle grounds if you're not interested in going inside. Note: they close from Dec 28 - Jan 4. 
   
   
2. Strawberry Mania - Love strawberries? Then this is your place! Enjoy everything strawberries including sweets, drinks and cookies. 
   
   

 

1. Dotonbori - this is a very famous entertainment area in Osaka. You'll feel you are in Times Square NY for a second with the huge ads and signs except a canal crosses right in the middle of the street and it's amazing! There are many restaurants to try and stores to shop at in the area.
   
   

 

1. Lunch - 551 Horai - this is a famous foodchain in Osaka that serves Butaman (pork buns), Gyoza (pan-fried dumplings) and more.
   
   

 

1. Rikuro's - Japanese cheesecakes are a must try! Do not expect it to taste like the American cheesecakes; it is more like a Japanese soufflé pancake.
   
   
2. Namba Yasaka Shrine - famous for its lion-shaped stage; the huge lion’s mouth is believed to swallow evil spirits and bring good luck.
   
   
3. Dinner - Kura Sushi Shinsekai - what can I say? It's sushi in Japan!
   
   

Things you should consider doing:

1. We bought tickets through Klook app for $62 per person.
2. Download the app Universal Studios Japan.
3. Add your tickets to the app.
4. Reserve your time-entry ticket to Nintendo World as soon as your tickets are scanned in the park entry (it won't let you reserve anything until after your tickets are scanned and you are inside the park. Trust me, I tried). We got to the park at 9:30am and the earliest tickets were for 3:30pm. 
5. I recommend trying to get to the park as early as possible to at least experience some fun things without much crowds.
6. Familiarize with the park map to figure out were the things you are interested on are at. 
7. Get on the single-ride lines if you want to save some time. Unfortunately, single ride lines are still long and not all rides offer this option. Instead, you could purchase an Express Pass and have peace of mind to enjoy the whole park.
8. Avoid visiting the park on weekends; Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are hectic.
   
   

 

• Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Try the Butterbeer!
• Minion Park - Try the Banana Popcorn!
• Jaws - Try the Cram Soda Roll cake! 
• Mario Cafe in Main Street - Try the pancake sandwiches; Mario's strawberry shortcake and Luigi's grape cheesecake
• At the exit, in Universal City Walk, we stopped at Sushiro, a conveyor belt sushi restaurant. It was delicious and reasonable priced. No waitress, you take a number and that's your table number, you order through a tablet and when you are done, you pay at the kiosk.
  
  

 

Day 3: KYOTO

Took a 30 minutes shinkansen train from Shin-Osaka to Kyoto at 8:00am. You can reserve your seats with anticipation or same day using your JR Rail Pass. 

1. Breakfast - Fiveran - Bakery with a variety of sweet and savory treats, and coffee!
   
   

1. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove - take a break from the rush in this peaceful natural forest of bamboo.
2. Hanamikoji Street - stone staircase and cobblestone streets with shops leading to Kiyomizudera Temple. 
3. Hokan-ji Temple - 5-story tall pagoda remaining structure of a 6th-century temple complex.
   
   

1. Kiyomizu-dera Temple - famous for its wooden stage that juts out from its main hall, 13 meters (42 ft) above the hillside.  Admission fee 400 yen ($2.69 USD)
   
   

Day 4: TOKYO

Took a 3 hour shinkansen train from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo at 7:00am. 

Lodging - We stayed in Sheraton Miyako Hotel Tokyo which provides a free shuttle service to the nearest train station. Ask for the schedule during check-in. 

1. Takeshita Street - perfect place to eat and shop! Perfect for the sweet tooth and colorful unique clothes.
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Meiji Shrine - Experience a ceremony, beautiful grounds and architecture.
   
   
    
   
   
3. Lunch - Udon Shin - try Udon! These noodles are thicker than ramen but great flavor.
4. Monkey Kart - want to experience driving on the left side of the street? Then this is your place to go! You must have an international driver's license.
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Senso-ji - oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo
6. Dinner - Cafe Oasis - variety of sweets, croissant sandwiches, hotdogs, rice, smoothies, salads, coffee and tea.
7. Tokyo Skytree - tallest building in Japan with incredible views from the observation deck. Book your ticket online for a cheaper price than same-day tickets. Admission fee is 1,800 yen ($12 USD) to the Tembo deck at 350m and 2,700 yen ($18 USD) to the Tembo gallery at 450 m.
   
   

Day 5: DISNEYLAND

Things you should consider doing:

1. We bought tickets through Klook app for $60 per person.
2. Download the app Tokyo Disney Resort. 
3. Add your tickets to the app.
4. I recommend trying to get to the park as early as possible to at least experience some fun things without much crowds.
5. Familiarize with the park map to figure out where are the things you are interested on. 
6. You can reserve a timed entry ticket for some rides through the app.
7. Avoid visiting the park on weekends; Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are hectic.