My Japan Itinerary (December 2012 and June 2016)

Nothing beats a warm, toasty Matcha Latte from the vending machine while waiting for the train in winter. Nothing, except for some Cup Noodles. Or a soak in an Onsen!

I'm not so much into sharing itineraries as I believe that we have differing interests and expectations. Also, it is a rather tedious affair documenting everything! However I had several requests for my 2012 Japan trip so here goes something. (Yes, I am still blogging about my epic trip.) I've linked the places to my related blog posts, where available, simply click on the photo.

Update, Dec 2017: I've updated this post with links to my second trip to Japan in June 2016. Some places are repeated because they are worth visiting! I would have gone to the Studio Ghibli Museum again but it was closed that period. 

12 December 2012 _ cold

Tokyo

Arrive at Narita Airport, raid the Tourist Information Centre, grab Tokyo maps (a good subway map will go a long way), buy tickets to Ghibli Studio at Lawson's

Take Airport shuttle to Tokyo Disneysea (deposit luggage in locker at train station)

Have a whale of time braving the crowd and trying not to fall asleep during the Japanese commentary at Tokyo Disneysea

Tokyo, Japan: Tokyo Disneysea Characters

Tokyo, Japan: Tokyo Disneysea Places 1

Tokyo, Japan: Tokyo Disneyland Places 2

Tokyo, Japan: Tokyo Disneyland Places 3

Japan Day 1 – Tokyo, Day 1:
Tokyo Disneysea Characters

Tokyo Disneysea Places 1

Tokyo Disneyland Places 2

Tokyo Disneyland Places 3

13 December 2012 _ cold

Tokyo, Japan: Studio Ghibli Museum

Tokyo, Japan: Inokashira Park Zoo 1


Tokyo, Japan: Inokashira Park Zoo 2

Japan Day 2 – Tokyo, Day 2: 

Studio Ghibli (magical but restricted photography)

Inokashira Park Zoo 1 (Pet all the Guinea pigs!)

Inokashira Park Zoo 2

Chanced upon a Muji Megastore (7 storeys of goodness. That's when I found out the Muji made eyewear. And cheaper than in Singapore for my presciption!)

14 December 2012 _ cold

Tokyo, Japan: Shinjuku Gyoen 1

Tokyo, Japan: Shinjuku Gyoen 2

Tokyo Japan: The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Tokyo, Japan: Meiji Shrine – A Guide to Visiting Shinto Shrines

Tokyo, Japan: Yoyogi Koen

Tokyo, Japan: Tokyo After Dark

Japan Day 3 – Tokyo, Day 3:

Shinjukugyeon National Garden 1 (where some cherry blossom trees bloomed)

Shinjukugyeon National Garden 2

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatories (for a free panoramic view of the city)

Meiji Jingu Shrine (disguised as a guide to visiting shrines)

Yoyogi Park

Shibuya (seeing Tokyo in a different light)

Roppongi

15 December 2012 _ cold

Tokyo, Japan: Tsukiji Fish Market


Tokyo, Japan: Tokyo Station

Japan Day 4 – Tokyo, Day 4:

Tsukiji Fish Market

Ginza

Tokyo Station

Oedo Onsen Monogatari (Onsen, a godsend in winter)

Night Temple

Akihabara

16 December 2012 _ cold

Tokyo, Japan: Asakusa

Tokyo, Japan: The Sensoji Temple – A Guide to Getting Your Fortune Told

Tokyo, Japan: Ueno Park

Tokyo, Japan: Ueno Zoo

Tokyo, Japan: Tokyo National Museum

Japan Day 5 – Tokyo, Day 5: 

Check out and deposit luggage at Tokyo Station

Asakusa

Sensoji Temple

Ueno Park

Ueno Zoo

Tokyo National Museum

17 December 2012 _ cold

Kyoto, Japan: Kyoto Imperial Palace

Kyoto, Japan: Ryoanji Temple

Kyoto, Japan: Rokuonji Temple

Kyoto, Japan: Nijo Castle

Japan Day 6 – Kyoto, Day 1:

Kyoto via overnight bus

Arrive at Kyoto Station, raid Tourist Centre again

Kyoto Palace Tour

Ryoanji Temple

Rokuonji Temple(Golden Pavilion Temple)

Nijo Castle

18 December 2012 _ cold

Kyoto, Japan: Fushimi Inari Taisha

Kyoto, Japan: Toji Temple

Kyoto, Japan: Going Green in Gion

Kyoto, Japan: Gion District

Kyoto, Japan: Gion’s Shirakawa Street

Kyoto, Japan: Kiyomizu-Dera Temple

Kyoto, Japan: Jishu Shrine

Kyoto, Japan: Otowa Spring

Kyoto, Japan: Ginkakuji Temple

Kyoto, Japan: Making More Offerings and Getting More Fortunes told

Japan Day 7 – Kyoto, Day 2:

Check out and deposit luggage at reception

Using the Kyoto City Pass One-Day Pass

Train to Fushimi Inari Taisha

Toji Temple

Kyoto, Japan: Going Green in Gion

Kyoto, Japan: Gion District

Kyoto, Japan: Gion’s Shirakawa Street

Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, Jishu Shrine & Otowa Spring

Ginkakuji Temple

Making More Offerings and Getting your Fortunes Told in Kyoto

Train to Osaka

19 December 2012 _ cold

Nara, Japan: Oh Deer me, I don’t want to say Sayo-NARA!

Nara, Japan: Contemplating the Temples of Nara

Nara, Japan: Hidden Gems – A View, A Lake and A Garden

Japan Day 8 – Nara, Day Trip:

Using the Kansai 3-day Pass

Nara Deers

Nara Temples

Nara Gems

Minoo Onsen (Osaka)

20 December 2012 _ cold

Osaka, Japan: Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan 1

Osaka, Japan: Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan 2

Osaka, Japan: Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan 3

Osaka, Japan: Osaka Bay Area


Osaka, Japan: Osaka Castle


Osaka, Japan: Osaka by Night

Japan Day 9 – Osaka, Day 1:

Using Osaka 2-day Unlimited Pass

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan 1 2 3

Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel and Cruise Ship Santa Maria

Osaka Castle

Hep 5 Ferris Wheel

Natural Hot Spring Naniwa no Yu

21 December 2012 _ cold

Osaka, Japan: Shinseikai and Tsutenkaku Tower


Osaka, Japan: Shitennoji Temple and Flea Market


Osaka, Japan: Dontonbori


Osaka, Japan: 5 Reasons to Visit Osaka

Japan Day 10 – Osaka, Day 2:

Using Osaka 2-day Unlimited Pass

Tennoji Zoo

Shiseikai and Tsutenkaku Tower

Shitennoji Temple

Dotonbori / Namba

Natural Open-air Hot Spring Spa Suminoe

5 Reasons I Love Osaka

22 December 2012 _ cold

Osaka Japan: The Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum


Takarazuka, Japan: Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum


Kobe: Kitano-Cho Houses

Japan Day 11 – Around Osaka, Day Trip:

Using the Kansai 3-day Pass

Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum

Takarazuka Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum

Kobe Kitano Houses

23 December 2012 _ cold

Wakayama, Japan: Wakayama Castle


Wakayama, Japan: Kimiidera Temple

Japan Day 12 – Wakayama, Day Trip:

Using the Kansai 3-day Pass

Wakayama Castle

Kimidera Temple

Spa World (Osaka)

Depart from Kansai Airport

*Shopping and eating not included

11 June 2016
SIN >> SGN >> NRT

Japan: Some Shots of Food *burp* 


Tokyo, Japan: Small Things First


Tokyo, Japan: Shibuya-Harajuku


Tokyo, Japan: Streets Interrupted

Day 1: Toyko
Food in Japan
Small Things First
Streets Interrupted (videos)
Shibuya-Harajuku District

12 June 2016


Tokyo, Japan: Ueno-Ameyoko

Day 2: Tokyo
Ueno-Ameyoko District

13 June 2016


Tokyo, Japan: Ryogoku (Sumo Town) 


Tokyo, Japan: Asakusa

Day 3: Tokyo >>> Osaka (overnight bus)
Ryogoku (Sumo Town) 
Asakusa

14 June 2016


Nara, Japan: Streets Interrupted 


Nara, Japan: Try on Kimono for Free


Nara, Japan: A Walk Around Town 

Day 4: Osaka >>> Nara (day trip)
Streets Interrupted (videos)
Try on Kimono for Free
A Walk Around Town 

15 June 2016


Kyoto, Japan: Fushimi Inari Shrine


Kyoto, Japan: Arashiyama Bamboo Grove 


Kyoto, Japan: Arashiyama Iwatayama Monkey Park


Mino-o, Japan: A Walk Around Town

Day 5: Osaka >>> Kyoto/Mino-o (day trip)
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove 
Arashiyama Iwatayama Monkey Park
Mino-o: A Walk Around Town

16 June 2016


Osaka, Japan: A Walk Around Town 

Day 6: Osaka
Osaka: A Walk Around Town 

17 June 2016

Osaka, Japan: Universal Studios 

Day 7: Osaka
Universal Studios Japan

18 June 2016


Kobe, Japan: Arima Onsen 


Kobe, Japan: Kobe Animal Kingdom 

Day 8: Osaka >>> Kobe (day trip)
Arima Onsen 
Kobe Animal Kingdom 

19 June 2016


Tokyo, Japan: Tokyo Disneyland

Day 9: Tokyo >> NRT
Tokyo Disneyland 

20 June 2016
NRT >> SGN >> SIN