Japan: West Tokyo, Shizuoka, Nagano - 7 days Itinerary and Expenses

Japan: West Tokyo, Shizuoka, Nagano - 7 days Itinerary and Expenses

Japan: Takayama and Toyama - 9 days Itinerary and Expenses

Japan: Takayama and Toyama - 9 days Itinerary and Expenses

Travel Date: October 2025

Japan: Yamanashi, Kawagoe, Tokyo - 8 days Itinerary and Expenses

 

Japan: Yamanashi, Kawagoe, Tokyo - 8 days Itinerary and Expenses

Japan: Otaru and Sapporo - 6 days Itinerary and Expenses

Thanks to Cebu Pacific for finally having a direct flight from Manila to Sapporo.  This skips the waiting game at the airport since there's no need for connecting flights from other entry points like Tokyo or Osaka.  

Travel Date: 15-20 March, 2025

Japan: Nagoya and Takayama - 9 days Itinerary and Expenses

Japan: Nagoya and Takayama - 9 days Itinerary and Expenses

Travel Date: 03-11 December 2024

Japan: Mie Prefecture - 7 days Itinerary and Expenses

Japan: Mie Prefecture - 7 days Itinerary and Expenses

First time we have visited Mie is on spring of 2019 (year before the global lockdown).  It was a bus trip away from Nagoya station to Nabana no Sato. 

This time (2024), I'd like to try to visit Japan during summer, season for blooming irises (Hanashobu) and hydrangea (Ajisai).  For month of June, I'd say early morning and late afternoon is still cold with strong winds.  Midday may already be hot with striking sunlight.  There are few rain showers so better bring a light jacket and umbrella. 

Coming from Manila, there are four airports to choose from and Nagoya has the most affordable in-bound flight during the search period, so I gave it a shot.  This will be my fifth time to inbound in Chubu Centrair International Airport.  

Japan: Shikoku - 7 days Itinerary and Reviews

Japan: Shikoku - 7 days Itinerary and Expenses

If you bump into this page and are still planning for your first visit in Japan, you may go to this separate entry instead.  Or visit the bottom section of this page for more itinerary options. 

This year's spring trip is a 7-day stay in Shikoku island, which is a separate island from the main Honshu island (where you can find Tokyo or Osaka). Shikoku is accessible by air, ferry, trains, or buses from Fukuoka or Osaka.

Japan: Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka - 9 days Itinerary and Expenses

Japan: Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka - 9 days Itinerary and Expenses

Japan: Sasebo, Oita and Fukuoka - 8 days Itinerary and Expenses

Japan: Sasebo, Oita and Fukuoka - 8 days Itinerary and Expenses

Travel Date: 18-25 April 2023

Japan: Fukuoka and Saga - 5 days Itinerary and Expenses

Travel Date: 03-08 December 2022

Japan: Nagano, Hakone to Tokyo: 8 days Itinerary and Expenses

Travel Date: 26-November to 04-December, 2019

Accommodations:
Nakatsugawa Plaza Hotel Sakae, Gifu Prefecture
Posada Suimei, Hakone
First Cabin Tsukiji, Ginza, Tokyo

Japan: 6 Days Spring Itinerary in Nagoya

Sakura in Nagoya
Forecast showed that full bloom is on last week of March, but don’t always trust the forecast.  It’s been cloudy and raining in few days of our stay, and because of less heat that the buds did not open and there are more still more buds than blooming flowers.

Gladly, we had our full experience in Tsuruma Park on our last day in April 01.

Date Visited: March 26 - April 01, 2019


Health Alert
I already have asthma prior on going to Nagoya and I keep on coughing and had deep breathes all day long.  Le me share with you, there exists pollen allergies or known as “hay fever” that is wide spread during spring season or February to April in Japan.

It is advisable to wear eye glasses and face masks when enjoying the nature, trees and blooming flowers during this season.


Accommodation: Where to stay in Nagoya?
Vessel Inn Sakae Ekimae ベッセルイン栄駅前
3-14-13 Nishiki, Naka, Sakae, Nagoya, Japan 460-0003
名古屋市中区錦3-14-13, 栄, 名古屋, 日本 460-0003
Read my Hotel Review

Food: Where to eat in Nagoya?

Flavors of Nagoya - Food Review

Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, What to do in Nagoya?

Japan: Sapporo: 5 days Itinerary

SappoRoute (Taste the Sights of Sapporo) 

The following sample itinerary is just a sample or basic plan for those who would like to go to Sapporo, Hokkaido.  This is basically a draft of what was submitted to JNTO contest and I have no personal experience yet on the mentioned places and restaurants below. 

Day 1: Taste of Chocoloate, Tea and Ramen

• AM: Shiroi Koibito Park (Sapporo Chocolate Factory Tour).  Where kids and adults can enjoy: painting Hokkaido shaped Cookie, riding Steam Locomotive Shiroi Koibtio Railway, strolling at Rose Garden 
• PM: Mt. Moiwa Ropeway - for city lights. 
• Tea Ceremony (wear a kimono while tasting matcha tea) (Ren Ceremony | Klook)
• Enjoy Sapporo Ramen at Susukino or Ganso (Ramen Street)

Japan: Fukuoka: 5 days 5 nights Itinerary and Expenses

Travel Date:
May 11-16, 2017 (5 days, 5 nights) [click here for Fukuoka: Spring Itinerary (2016 May)]

Accommodation: Where to stay in Fukuoka?
Hakata Gofukumachi Hostel Takataniya
9-5 Nakagofukumachi, Hakata, Fukuoka, Japan 812-0035
博多 呉服町 ホステル 高谷家
博多区中呉服町 9-5, 博多, 福岡, 日本 812-0035
Hotel Review

Japan: Traveling for the First Time

Guide on traveling to Japan for the first time

If you are looking for first time Japan itinerary, planning on how to prepare for a trip to Japan and looking for requirements and stuff to know before traveling to Japan - you are on the right page!

Visa Requirements:

The country has still been strict when it comes for foreign tourists.  But not stricter than before.  As long as you prove that you have true intentions of just touring around the area (without job seeking activities in mind), plus you have good documents regarding your financial status, then you have higher chances of getting an approved visa.

How to Apply for Japanese Tourist Visa

Luckily with my previous applications I was granted: 2012: single entry, 2014: 3-year multiple entry with 15 days duration and 2017: 5-year multiple entry with 30 days duration.

Japan: Fukuoka: 5 days Spring Itinerary and Tips

Travel Date: May 15 – 19, 2016 [click here for Fukuoka: Spring Itinerary (2017 May)]

Accommodation: Where to stay in Fukuoka?
Hotel Ascent Fukuoka ホテルアセント福岡
3-3-14 Tenjin Chuo-ku, Chuo, Fukuoka, Japan 810-0001
中央区天神3－3－14, 中央区, 福岡, 日本 810-0001
Phone:+81 92-711-1300
http://www.hotel-ascent.com/fukuoka/
Hotel Review


Important Links:

• Food Review
• Tenjin Express Bus Terminal: Routes to Kumamoto, Saga, Nagasaki, Yufuin, OIta, Kagochima, Miyazaki, etc.
• 100-yen circular bus route between Hakata and Tenjin areas
• Fukuoka Subway Map

Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, What to do in Fukuoka?

Japan: Nagoya and Toyota: 4 days Autumn Itinerary

Weather
Travel Date: Nov 14-17, 2015
Temperature: Minimum at 11.6 Celsius, Maximum at 17.4 Celsius; Rained for 3 out of 4 days stay in the city.
http://en.tutiempo.net/climate/11-2015/ws-476360.html

Bearable cold temperature (coming from a tropical country).  No need for fleece yet, you can have double shirt and leather for layering.

Japan: Tokyo: 4 days Autumn Itinerary

Travel Dates
29 NOV SAT 05:25AM NAIA T3 - 10:13AM NARITA T2
03 DEC WED 11:45AM NARITA - 03:45PM NAIA T3

Japan: Osaka, Okayama, Kobe, Kyoto: 3 days Spring Itinerary

Destinations: Osaka, Okayama, Kobe, Kyoto, Japan
Travel Date: May 16-19 2014 (3d3n)

Temperature
May 17 (Kobe): 19.3 (mean), 22.5 (max), 14.8 (min)
May 18 (Kyoto): 21 (mean), 28.2 (max), 13 (min)
May 19 (Osaka): 21.6 (mean), 26.7 (max), 16.6 (min)

Osaka Weather History (2013-2015)
http://en.tutiempo.net/climate/10-2015/ws-477720.html
http://en.tutiempo.net/climate/10-2014/ws-477720.html
http://en.tutiempo.net/climate/10-2013/ws-477720.html

If its nearly 2 weeks upon your visit, check the weather forecast or sunrise/sunrise timings: 

Osaka - http://www.timeanddate.com/weather/japan/osaka/ext

Kyoto - http://www.timeanddate.com/weather/japan/kyoto/ext
Kobe - http://www.timeanddate.com/weather/japan/kobe/ext


Accommodation: Where to stay in Osaka?
Hotel IL Cuore Namba
Address: 556-0011, Osaka Naniwa-ku Nambanaka 1-15-15
ホテルイルクオーレなんば   556-0011, 大阪市 浪速区難波中1-15-15
Hotel Review

Food and Restaurant Tip - Kampai!

Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, What to do in Osaka?
Saturday
-From Osaka, go to Okayama by train
-Visit Wake Wisteria Park, Wake Folk Museum
-Go to Kobe by train
-Visit old Western-style buildings in Kitano area
-Walk along Flower Road
-Return to Osaka by train

Sunday
-From Osaka, go to Kyoto by train
-Visit Mimuroto-ji Temple (Azalea)
-Kawaramachi Catholic Church
-TOEI Kyoto Studio Park
-Return to Osaka by train
-Namba Parks

Monday
-In Osaka, visit Nakanoshima Park (Roses)
-Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park
-Departure in Kansai International Airport (KIX)

Japan: 5 days Autumn Itinerary in Osaka and Kyoto

Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, What to do in Osaka and Kyoto?