My trip to Japan
A 7-day trip through Kantō, Kansai.
You arrive in Japan in early April, when cherry blossoms still linger and the air carries the promise of spring. Your first moments in Tokyo pull you immediately into the sensory rush of the city—the ancient quietude of Senso-ji Temple grounds a stark contrast to the organized chaos of Shibuya Crossing, where thousands of bodies move in perfect synchrony. That evening, you find yourself wrapped in steam rising from a bowl of classic tonkotsu ramen at Ichiran, the rich pork broth warming you from within as you process the sheer energy of arrival. By midweek, you've traveled west to Kyoto, where time moves differently. The thousands of vermillion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine tunnel you through centuries, each step taking you deeper into a landscape that feels suspended between worlds. Your private transportation carries you through the city's hidden corners and famous temples, allowing you to move at your own rhythm, absorbing the refined beauty that made Kyoto the cultural heart of Japan. At Kiji, you savor okonomiyaki, the layered pancake a perfect metaphor for the complexity unfolding around you. On your final day, you travel to Hiroshima, where the weight of history meets resilience. The Peace Memorial Park asks something of you—a moment of reflection amid your wanderings. The day tour to nearby Miyajima, accessed by bullet train, offers respite in natural beauty, and as evening settles, you sit down to unagi donburi at Umenoki, the tender eel glazed and glistening, a gentle farewell to a week that has transformed you. You leave Japan changed.
The itinerary
- Day 3: Tokyo (Kantō) — Senso-ji Temple; Shibuya Crossing; Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train; Shibuya Crossing
- Day 5: Kyoto (Kansai) — Fushimi Inari Shrine; Full Day Tour of Kyoto with Private Transportation; Philosopher's Path; THE SUMO HALL HIRAKUZA OSAKA Admission Ticket With Bento Option
- Day 7: Hiroshima (Kansai) — Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park; Hiroshima & Miyajima 1 Day Bus Tour with Bullet Train Tickets; Hiroshima Castle