A look back of Japan Trip in 2023

I must admit, Japan is an incredible country. This was my second visit, with the first being a short 5-day business trip to Tokyo back in 2018. As an anime fan, Japan is a must-visit destination for me. The trip was enjoyable, and this post is simply a recap of what we liked and what we should avoid for our next trip.

If you’re interested in our journey, please take a look at our itinerary.

1. Osaka

Osaka’s unique charm, distinct from the bustling streets of Kyoto or the cosmopolitan vibe of Tokyo, immediately drew us in. Yet, our exploration felt incomplete. We visited Namba Shrine, joined the lively crowd at Dotonbori, and indulged in some shopping. Without a doubt, we’ll dedicate more time to Osaka on our next trip.

On our second day, as we made our way to Katsuo-ji, we stumbled upon a small shrine called Senri-tenjin tucked away in a quiet residential area. The atmosphere was serene, with only a handful of local worshippers present. Though typically crowded during peak seasons, it felt like a hidden gem in that moment. A kind monk greeted us, and we purchased several talismans. To our surprise, he gifted us a few tokens, which we believe symbolize good fortune. It was a gesture that left us feeling truly lucky

Katsuo-ji, on the other hand, was much larger and had a unique charm of its own. The temple’s beauty stood out, with Daruma figures spread all around the grounds. Even though there were many visitors, the temple still felt peaceful and relaxing.

The temple is also known as the Daruma Temple because of a tradition related to the Daruma figures. Visitors are encouraged to participate in a custom of drawing the eye of the Daruma. This starts with buying a Daruma doll with blank eyes. To symbolize setting a goal or making a wish, the participant fills in one eye. The other eye is filled in when the goal is achieved or the wish comes true. This serves as a reminder of the journey towards achieving one’s desires and reflects the teaching of staying focused on one’s goals and maintaining dedication and perseverance.

In a change of plans, we decided to walk from Katsuo-ji to Minoh Fall. The 7-kilometer journey took us along a path that wasn’t very pedestrian-friendly, but we managed. When we reached Minoh Fall, it was incredibly peaceful. The greenery was beautiful during our visit, but I imagine the sight of red autumn leaves would make it even more stunning. As it grew darker on our way back, the narrow streets reminded us of scenes from a Ghibli film. Surprisingly, many Japanese locals were still heading toward the fall, unfazed by the dimly lit path

2. Miyajima

Miyajima, easily reachable from Osaka, is an ideal location for a day trip. Our journey kickstarted early in the day to board an early train to Hiroshima. The island is stunningly beautiful, dotted with deer, a magnificent tori gate, a floating shrine, and Daishoin - a Buddha temple nestled atop a mountain. We roamed the quaint lanes of the small town, intentionally distancing ourselves from the hustle and bustle of the tourist crowd. One of our most memorable experiences was stumbling upon a little-known restaurant that served incredibly scrumptious food, a delightful surprise that added to the charm of our visit to Miyajima.

Some people have suggested staying overnight in Miyajima to watch the sunrise over the sea and visit other sites like Mount Misen and Miyajima Shrine. As a trip to Miyajima would require a stopover in Hiroshima, it would also provide a good opportunity to visit the Atomic Bomb Dome and see the remnants of the city following its historical tragedy.

On our way back to Osaka, we made a stop at Steakland in Kobe. This is a well-known beef restaurant in the area, offering affordable prices. It has nearly 8,000 reviews on Google, attesting to its popularity.

3. Kinosaki Onsen

Before our trip to Kyoto, we took a brief detour to Kinosaki Onsen for a two-day, one-night stay. This place quickly became one of our favorites. It’s an onsen village with seven uniquely designed bath houses, each with its own story. We lodged in a charming Ryokan (a traditional Japanese hotel) and savored traditional meals, which created a unique atmosphere for us.

The village is compact and easily walkable, with most tourists being local Japanese. Everyone was dressed in Yukata and Geta, moving from one bath house to another. There’s a ropeway leading to a mountain and an Onsen temple, which we unfortunately missed due to the rain.

We managed to visit three out of the seven bath houses. These public baths have separate areas for men and women, and everyone is required to be naked in the bath area. Immersing ourselves in a warm bath at 12 degrees Celsius was incredibly relaxing. The Japanese believe that each water stream in different bath houses brings specific prophecies. For instance, Goshono-yu, also known as the “Water of Beauty,” is believed to bring luck in love, while Kono-yu is said to bring happiness in marriage and longevity.

4. Kyoto

Kyoto felt a bit too crowded for us. The buses to major attractions like Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, and Arashiyama were always packed—sometimes so full that even locals couldn’t board.

To escape the crowds, we decided to explore the outskirts and visited Kifune and Kurama temples. We did a short trek between the two temples, which was easy and safe. Starting at Kifune and ending at Kurama, we discovered that beginning from Kurama would have shortened the route, thanks to the ropeway. Along the trail, we came across interesting sights like unique trees and small temples, which made the trek even more enjoyable.

The next day, we visited Fushimi Inari Taisha and walked through the famous tori gates all the way to the top of Mount Inari. As we climbed higher, the crowds thinned out, giving us more opportunities to take photos and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

With only three days in Kyoto, we didn’t have time to see all the attractions or fully experience the city’s renowned cuisine. During our visit, we averaged 20,000 steps a day. For next time, we’ll remind ourselves to wear comfortable shoes, book two hotels close to key attractions, and wake up early to avoid the crowds.

5. Hakone

We took a day trip from Tokyo to Hakone, a beautiful destination perfect for tourists seeking relaxation. We bought the Hakone Day Pass, which is valid for two days, but like many others, we only used it for a single day.

Our day started early as we followed the recommended route from Hakone-Yumoto Station to Heiwa Tori and Hakone Shrine. We took the pirate ship across Lake Ashi, admired the stunning view of Mount Fuji, visited the Owakudani volcano, and even tried the famous black eggs.

Unfortunately, not everything went smoothly. At Heiwa Tori, we waited for two hours to take photos with the iconic floating gate. Just as it was our turn, a rude tourist cut the line and took our spot despite our attempts to explain the queue. It was disappointing to witness such behavior in such a serene and beautiful place.

Despite that unpleasant moment, we ended our Hakone trip on a high note with a visit to an onsen near Hakone-Yumoto Station. Soaking in the hot springs was the perfect way to relax after a long day of walking and exploring.

6. Tokyo

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is undoubtedly one of the most vibrant cities in the world. As expected, we visited famous spots like Meiji Jingu, Asakusa Shrine, Tokyo Tower, and Ginza. Unfortunately, we only had four days in the city, and though we booked a hotel in Akihabara, we didn’t have time to explore the area.

We were fortunate to get tickets to the Ghibli Museum. As big fans of Ghibli, we were absolutely amazed. We learned about the process of creating anime, immersed ourselves in the magical Ghibli world, and picked up some souvenirs to remember the experience.

Next, we made a stop in Yokohama. Although we didn’t have time to explore the city, we did visit the Gundam Factory Yokohama before it closes in March 2024. Seeing the life-size Gundam RX-78F00 was like a childhood dream come true.

And of course, no trip to Tokyo is complete without shopping. We packed our 26-inch suitcase with a variety of items from Don Quijote, ensuring we didn’t miss out on the best deals.

Note to myself

Here’s a list of things we did well during the trip:

• We packed light, leaving plenty of space for souvenirs.
• We wore comfortable shoes, anticipating a lot of walking in Japan.
• We used a luggage forwarding service to ship our luggage between cities, making our travel hassle-free.

Additionally, we discovered Goshuin, a book used to collect stamps from temples. It’s important to note that we needed two separate books for temples and shrines, as the stamps cannot be mixed.

Our next bucket list

• Fuji-san area
• Tokyo
• Nisekoi
• Arima Onsen
• Back to Kyoto
• Himeji and Nara