If I get the chance to visit Japan again, I would definitely include Kyoto in our itinerary once more. Many visitors label this place their favorite in the country, and I truly understand why. The vibe is so much different from the busy and bustling Tokyo as Kyoto has a more relaxed, traditional, and easy atmosphere.

Our visit to Kyoto was only a day trip from Osaka, but we have covered most of the popular tourist destinations to tick off. If you're planning to squeeze in a short Kyoto tour (which I HIGHLY recommend), then I suggest taking note of this list I am about to share!

1. Visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine

2. Walk through the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Another popular place to head to is the natural bamboo forest in Arashiyama. Just like Fushimi, it gets super jampacked in here, but still worth a visit despite the crowds.

3. Explore the grounds of the Golden Pavilion

The most serene temple we have visited is the Kinkaku-ji, or otherwise known as the Golden Pavilion, an iconic gold-colored temple that sits in the middle of the temple grounds. We were a little bit early for the autumn season, but if you are able to pay a visit during the peak of fall, then you'll get to witness the golden temple being surrounded by majestic autumn trees in red, orange, and yellow leaves. That would truly be an amazing sight!

Entrance fee: 400 yen (around PHP 200)

4. Walk around the Gion District while wearing a Kimono

To experience an old Japan vibe, you must explore the Gion District of Kyoto, known as the old entertainment hub in Kyoto. This is the best place to rent and wear kimonos while exploring, to fully expose and immerse yourself to the Japanese culture. I tell you, this experience will be high up on your list of favorite moments in Japan.

5. Eat and eat. Because duh.

Matcha ice cream and Matcha Soba

And the best way to end your Kyoto tour is to devour the best meat you will ever taste in your whole life (I kid you not!), Wagyu beef!!! We had Kobe beef for dinner and it was seriously the best meal I had in Kyoto. The meat just bursts in amazing flavors and melts in your mouth literally!



There are obviously more places to explore and things you can try in Kyoto, but this list would definitely help you plan out your tour, especially if you're only exploring it for a day just like us.

I also created this very short 1-minute video of Kyoto. Enjoy!

If you have been following me on Instagram, you have probably witnessed (and probably have been annoyed lol) by my seemingly endless posts from Japan. Obviously, I am obsessed. And it won't stop, because here I am blogging about it (lol). Japan is just all sorts of amazing. The politeness of the people, their discipline of following all rules, the spotless streets and corners, the temples showcasing their tradition and culture, the modern architectures, the colorful anime displays, the ramen and sushi, are just a few of the many things I remember and miss about the land of the rising sun.

I have been fortunate to have traveled twice to Japan last year. Thanks to my boyfriend, Andy, who grew up in Tokyo, navigating around and visiting the popular places have been quite easy. There are still so many places we have yet to explore, but I could say that we've been to most of the significant places in Tokyo already.

So in this post, I have rounded up 10 places that I would like to share to those who are planning to immerse themselves in the Japanese culture for the first time.

1. Shibuya Crossing / Hachiko

An ultimate Japan itinerary would definitely include witnessing the crowded but organized scramble in Shibuya Crossing, one of the most popular and most photographed places in Japan. It is the busiest intersection in the world but despite the chaos, it is seemingly in order that crossing it is not even a hassle nor inconvenient (it only shows how orderly and polite the Japanese are!). While there, you cannot miss the Hachiko Statue just outside the Shibuya Station - so pose with it and reminisce the sad and touching story of the dog and it's owner. (If you haven't watched it yet, put your phone away and watch it now!)



2. Meiji Shrine

Dedicated to the first emperor of modern Japan, Emperor Meiji, the Meiji Jingu is nestled between Shibuya and Harajuku. Despite its busy and rowdy neighboring areas, a walk at the Meiji Jingu is a very peaceful and a calming experience. The huge famous torii gate welcomes you as you enter the long walkway canopied by tall trees, which makes you feel like you aren't in the city. Make sure you see the map to avoid getting lost (because we did lol) and try writing your wishes outside the temple for good luck.

Admission: Free




3. Yoyogi Park

This is probably my favorite park in Tokyo. Despite being mobbed by tourists and locals when we went, it still has that chill vibe that I really like. It's the perfect place to walk your dog, do yoga, lounge around in a picnic with your friends, and leisurely stroll on a weekend. We went in March last year, so we were able to witness the beauty of the cherry blossoms and the peak of the hanami (sakura viewing) season. Autumn is a great time to visit too, as the trees turn red, yellow, and gold. Must come back for it! (More photos here: 5 Cherry Blossom Spots in Tokyo, Japan)






4. Shinjuku Gyoen

One of the largest and most famous parks in Tokyo, the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is a huge park that showcases the traditional Japanese gardens. It is home to a variety of cherry blossom trees too. Make sure to grab a map at the entrance to explore the main gardens and ponds. And don't be like us who went there late in the afternoon and only got to explore a small area - because this park closes at 5pm, so be there early. (More photos here: 5 Cherry Blossom Spots in Tokyo, Japan)





5. Senso-ji Temple / Asakusa

A trip to Tokyo would not be complete without a visit to the most significant and oldest temple there is, the Senso-ji Temple which stands in Asakusa, an area in Tokyo that preserves the traditional Japanese culture. Bringing so much history, it is known to bear good luck and good fortune. The pathway to the temple is lined up with numerous shops selling key chains, magnets, t-shirts, fans, and many more souvenir items, so it's also a perfect place to buy pasalubongs. Make your visit memorable by wearing a kimono (rental fees are around PHP 3,500) while strolling around Asakusa. It was one of the best experiences we had in Tokyo!

Admission: Free





6. Sky Tree

If you want to see a superb panoramic view of Tokyo, then you might consider the Tokyo Sky Tree in your itinerary. The Sky Tree, the tallest structure in Japan, is an observation tower with a shopping complex, some restaurants, an aquarium, and museum at its base. It has two observation decks - 350meters and 450meters above ground. Andy and I decided to head up to the highest viewing deck to see the night scene of Tokyo, and the view was simply amazing. If you go up in daylight, you might even spot Mt. Fuji! Be ready with the lines though as it could get very crowded. 

If you'd rather see the view of the Sky Tree itself, then I suggest you head to a park by the Sumida River, and take nice photos of the tower. It is also very visible when you're in Asakusa.

Admission:
Floor 350 - 2,060 yen (PHP 1,000)
Floor 450 - additional 1,030 yen from floor 350 (PHP 500)





7. Tokyo Tower


Japan's version of the Eiffel Tower is the Tokyo Tower, another observation tower and is known to symbolize Tokyo.  It is the second tallest structure in Japan, next to the Sky Tree. It also offers a majestic bird's eye view of the city which makes it a top sightseeing destination. It's base is also a shopping complex that has many restaurants and souvenir shops offering unique items and displays of the Tokyo Tower. There are also attractions, theme parks, and events inside, so make sure to check those out!

Admission to mall: Free
Admission to the top deck: 2,800 yen / PHP 1,351
Admission to the main deck: 900 yen / PHP 434





8. Harajuku

Harajuku, the fashion capital of Tokyo, is probably my favorite part of the city. When I think about Harajuku, I see quaint coffee shops, trendy cafes, thrift stores, cosplay boutiques, crepes, and anything a typical millennial would fancy. If you're down for some shopping, then this place could be your top option. (I will talk about the things you can do in Harajuku in a separate blog post!)

Admission: Free





9. Ueno Park/Ueno Zoo

Lined with a thousand cherry blossom trees, the Ueno Park is known for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties where people sit under the trees and marvel at the sight of the sakuras with food and drinks in hand. It is also home to the famous Ueno Zoo, the first zoological garden of Japan, as well as many museums such as the Tokyo National Museum, National Science Museum, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. This is a good choice when traveling with your family and kids.

Admission:
Ueno Park - free
Ueno Zoo - 600 yen / PHP 289
Museums - 300-620 yen  / PHP 144-300






10. Disneysea / Disneyland

Japan is also home to one of the few Disneylands in the world. Since there are only 5 (not sure tho), why would you miss this one in Tokyo? They have two parks - Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea, both offering different attractions and a different vibe. With that, you can't visit both in one day, so allot a single full day for each. If you're only traveling for a few days in Tokyo and only have a day to enjoy a Disney park, I suggest you go for DisneySea since it's the only one in the world. (More photos of Disney Sea here: A Peek Inside Tokyo DisneySea)

Admission:
Disney Sea - 7,400 yen adult (PHP 3,586) / 4,800 yen child (PHP 2,326)
Disneyland - 7,400 yen adult (PHP 3,586) / 4,800 yen child (PHP 2,326)

Welcome to Tokyo DisneySea - the only DisneySea in the world! I was super excited to be here, especially because it was my first Disney park experience. It was Andy's birthday, too, so it was a very special day.

Some say that this is the best Disney park in the world. I can't personally tell though, since I haven't been to other Disney parks yet. But it is certainly unique, since you can't find other nautical-themed Disney parks anywhere else in the world. It is said to cater more to grown ups, probably because of a more relaxed atmosphere, but its definitely suitable for all ages.

We didn't book our tickets ahead online, but there wasn't any line when we arrived (because we woke up late and arrived at 10:30AM already haha). I then thought there wasn't a lot of people inside but I was wrong! It was jampacked! Best to head there early to get the fastpass tickets of the top attractions inside. Tickets were sold out already when we arrived :( So yeah, we weren't able to try many rides. And lining up takes 2-3 hours! Definitely coming back!


Regular tickets for adults cost 7,400 yen, which is P3,575.00.

Let me take you on a short tour inside now - I didn't take so much photos though, but I hope these pictures encourage you to see the park in your own eyes!






Andy's cutie mom, Tita Lani! Behind her is the DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta.


Spotted Mickey Mouse!

Mediterranean Harbor


I suggest you also ride the steamer to cruise through the harbor, enjoy the views, and see half of the whole park. We docked at the Lost River Delta. You can also ride on the gondolas.



Port Discovery


We got to try the Aquatopia, "a whirling ride with unexpected turns".

Lost River Delta



Look at that sea of people!


You have to ride on the Indiana Jones and Raging Spirits! (We weren't able to tho)


Mermaid Lagoon


It looks small on the outside, but it's actually pretty huge inside with a lot of rides and a theater! We got to watch the Under the Sea Musical Show and it was so nice! Worth the long wait!


Arabian Coast


Watch the magic show by Genie inside! We also went to Sinbad's Storybook Voyage where you ride on a small boat and witness the story of Sinbad.




Love their indian fooood.


Toyville Trolley Park


Spot Andy and his mom :)



Disney pancake. Kinda bland for me though.

American Waterfront


Didn't get to take photos when we were there in the area, but it's the ship at our back in this photo lol.

Tower of Terror


This is probably the most popular (and terrifying!!) ride in DisneySea. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to try (Again?! I know, we mostly watched shows lang!) Andy almost cried (lol) because he really wanted to go on the Tower of Terror. We promised to come back for it! Right, Duy? :)






There are still so many parts of the park not captured, like the Mysterious Island. Word on the street is that DisneySea is expanding to include Peter Pan, Tangled, and Frozen Villages! Wow. Definitely coming back for them!

Hope you enjoyed the photos! :)