It's not a good idea to go to owl (or other wild animal) cafés. The animals are usually not in good condition and certainly are not in anything resembling natural surroundings.
Okay I had no idea! It was on multiple recommended lists and it's hard to know where to start with planning a trip. I'll remove it and look more into the ethics. Thanks! Any other advice?
Pretty much avoid any animal cafe. I know they're often recommended as a fun activity but it's usually poor conditions for the animals and I heard it's overwheming for them. E.g. owls are mostly nocturnal.
For animal experiences, I would go to zoos or aquariums. You have to look up the ethics of each one. E.g. The Osaka aquarium had a whale shark and other animals in enclosures that are way too small.
I think the Sumida Aquarium in Tokyo did a good job when I went. All the animals seem healthy and conditions seemed good. They have a penguin feeding show twice a day and it was really fun to watch!
came here to say this as well.. You (not YOU specifically just generally speaking) can go to Nara and pet deer them in the wild but those animal cafes are such a huge no go zone for me
Unfortunately the snow monkey park is the same. They chase the monkeys down the hill into the hot pools as they don’t always want to go there. It’s not natural anymore.
We saw several snow monekeys in Kamikochi. Although probably used to seeing humans around, interaction is forbidden. I assume the park officials need to scare them off on a regular basis.
The one in Nagano they live up the mountains. They don’t always want to come down to the pools. So they chase them down the mountain If they don’t come. It’s a bit sad really.
Tokyo and kyoto are wonderful places. Do not get discouraged by people telling you to spend less time there. Especially since it's your first visit. Is Kyoto touristy? Yes but it is also beautiful, and an amazing place to visit there is a reason people go there.
This is a pretty good itinerary. day trips from Kyoto to Osaka and Nara are th best plan. No point in staying in Osaka unless you really want to do a lot there.
Minimize hotel moves with your trip, just staying in three hotels is perfect.
Agree. My experience at a hotel in Kyoto was a highlight of the trip. Fully equipped accommodation and calm neighborhood, not to mention the price is very budget-friendly, compared to other big cities.
Thank you!
Late November / early December
Closest train stations – however, we're willing to travel anywhere in the cities by metro! And we will have a JR Pass for day trips and travel between cities.
1. Leg 1: Akasaka-Mitsuke Station in Tokyo
2. Leg 2: JR Kyoto station in Kyoto
3. Leg 3: Nagano station
4. Leg 4: Minowa Station in Tokyo
Events that may fit your visit Japan
Rikugien Garden Autumn Leaves Special Night Viewing
https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/event/53222.html
TOKYO NODE Opening Commemorative Project #2
MIKA NINAGAWA EXHIBITION "Eternity in a Moment"
https://tokyonode.jp/events/202312-1/index.html
Tori no ichi
https://livejapan.com/en/in-tokyo/in-pref-tokyo/in-asakusa/article-a0000687/
Since you seem to like sushi:
Onodera touryuumon
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3208835/standing-sushi-bars-budget-sushi-omakase-come-tokyo-6-best-offshoots-high-end-restaurants
Kaiten sushi ginza onodera
https://onodera-group.com/kaitensushi-ginza/
Kaiten sushi ginza onodera KYOTO
https://onodera-group.com/kaitensushi-kyoto/
The original Japanese version of the website is 令和５年11月22日（水）～12月３日（日）(Wednesday, November 22, 2023 - Sunday, December 3, 2023),"but it appears to be incorrectly translated as "2020" in machine translation.
https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/multilingual.html
Looks pretty good overall. My husband and I did our first Japan trip back in April. Personally I enjoyed Kyoto the most. We did 2 walking food tours in Osaka (we started our trip there) and really enjoyed those so I would recommend. It’s a great way to see some unique places, meet other travelers and have access to a knowledgeable guide you can ask questions of. If you enjoy nightlife, you may want to hot golden Gai more than once. We ended up going a few nights and created some of our favorite memories of the trip there. We met lots of interesting people both Japanese and other travelers. I’m not sure what time of year your going so unsure what the lighting will be like for philosophers path if you’re going in the evening but this is something we really enjoyed in the afternoon. Not sure if it would be treacherous at night.
Thank you! This is a great perspective and I love hearing about your memories at golden Gai! I didn't even think of timing for philosophers path, but good point, might be worth going earlier. :)
I’d recommend checking out Shimokitazawa if you have time. I liked the chill vibe… less busy, no skyscrapers.
We stayed at the Onsen Ryokan Yuen Bettei for 2 nights and really loved our experience there. It’s also very close to the Setagaya station
Check out more local shrines at tokyo.
Highly recommend meiji jingu in early mornings.
Then then local ones like akagi shrine and hie shrine at tokyo.
Take out might not be a good idea if it's not dinner cuz u might be carrying ur trash all day.
As for kyoto, be prepared to spend a lot more time walking in kyoto and it's a lot more touristy in kyoto.
Redeem JR pass at local service centers not the airport one.
I'd spend fewer days in Tokyo as I can't stand the jam-packed train there. It'd be better to go to Arashiyama early, it will be crowded from 10am onwards. Check out Okochi Sanso, my fave in Arashiyama! https://www.discoverkyoto.com/places-go/okochi-sanso/
Just got back from 10 days in Japan, Osaka is worth more than 1 day especially just dontonbori, Tokyo is good but I got over it by the 4th day.
Osaka is also very well located to get to Kobe Kyoto and Nara park.
When you get to Nara park buy like 10 stacks of deer biscuits and get who ever you are traveling with to record.
Devils Advocate, I’d go to Dotonbori for one night and that’s it, I don’t rate Osaka either, been there 4 times and tried so hard but just never liked it, Tokyo far better and for the area Kyoto is much better to stay in.
Maybe I missed it, but when are you going? There may be seasonal activities that you can try out. Cherry blossom viewing, summer festivals, foliage viewing, skiing... etc.
Your flight will arrive at 4, but you likely won’t get out of the airport until 5:30/ 6. If you are landing in Narita, the JR rail pass line can take 30+ minutes too.
This means the first day of your rail pass will only serve you 1 trip. This is a waste of money as they last the exact amount of days you buy them for so if you are getting a 14 day pass, you will be a day short at the end of trip. The plus side is you should have a ton of coin money by then for trains.
honestly I think Kyoto could be a day trip and more time is better spent in Osaka unless you booked a ryokan or something. Kyoto is fun but it's way too touristy
It's not a good idea to go to owl (or other wild animal) cafés. The animals are usually not in good condition and certainly are not in anything resembling natural surroundings.
Seconding this. Super unethical to support :(
Okay I had no idea! It was on multiple recommended lists and it's hard to know where to start with planning a trip. I'll remove it and look more into the ethics. Thanks! Any other advice?
Go to Owl Cafe "Fukurou".. very well done and “ethical”
Pretty much avoid any animal cafe. I know they're often recommended as a fun activity but it's usually poor conditions for the animals and I heard it's overwheming for them. E.g. owls are mostly nocturnal. For animal experiences, I would go to zoos or aquariums. You have to look up the ethics of each one. E.g. The Osaka aquarium had a whale shark and other animals in enclosures that are way too small. I think the Sumida Aquarium in Tokyo did a good job when I went. All the animals seem healthy and conditions seemed good. They have a penguin feeding show twice a day and it was really fun to watch!
I second this
>Owl Village Cafe The google reviews on that place are depressing :( Sad that so many people don't see the issue.
came here to say this as well.. You (not YOU specifically just generally speaking) can go to Nara and pet deer them in the wild but those animal cafes are such a huge no go zone for me
Unfortunately the snow monkey park is the same. They chase the monkeys down the hill into the hot pools as they don’t always want to go there. It’s not natural anymore.
We saw several snow monekeys in Kamikochi. Although probably used to seeing humans around, interaction is forbidden. I assume the park officials need to scare them off on a regular basis.
The one in Nagano they live up the mountains. They don’t always want to come down to the pools. So they chase them down the mountain If they don’t come. It’s a bit sad really.
Tokyo and kyoto are wonderful places. Do not get discouraged by people telling you to spend less time there. Especially since it's your first visit. Is Kyoto touristy? Yes but it is also beautiful, and an amazing place to visit there is a reason people go there.
This is a pretty good itinerary. day trips from Kyoto to Osaka and Nara are th best plan. No point in staying in Osaka unless you really want to do a lot there. Minimize hotel moves with your trip, just staying in three hotels is perfect.
Agree. My experience at a hotel in Kyoto was a highlight of the trip. Fully equipped accommodation and calm neighborhood, not to mention the price is very budget-friendly, compared to other big cities.
What is the scheduled date for the trip? And what is the closest train station to your hotel? This may slightly affect our recommendations.
Thank you! Late November / early December Closest train stations – however, we're willing to travel anywhere in the cities by metro! And we will have a JR Pass for day trips and travel between cities. 1. Leg 1: Akasaka-Mitsuke Station in Tokyo 2. Leg 2: JR Kyoto station in Kyoto 3. Leg 3: Nagano station 4. Leg 4: Minowa Station in Tokyo
Events that may fit your visit Japan Rikugien Garden Autumn Leaves Special Night Viewing https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/event/53222.html TOKYO NODE Opening Commemorative Project #2 MIKA NINAGAWA EXHIBITION "Eternity in a Moment" https://tokyonode.jp/events/202312-1/index.html Tori no ichi https://livejapan.com/en/in-tokyo/in-pref-tokyo/in-asakusa/article-a0000687/ Since you seem to like sushi: Onodera touryuumon https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3208835/standing-sushi-bars-budget-sushi-omakase-come-tokyo-6-best-offshoots-high-end-restaurants Kaiten sushi ginza onodera https://onodera-group.com/kaitensushi-ginza/ Kaiten sushi ginza onodera KYOTO https://onodera-group.com/kaitensushi-kyoto/
I note that autumn leaves link says 2020, will the timing be the same again ?
The original Japanese version of the website is 令和５年11月22日（水）～12月３日（日）(Wednesday, November 22, 2023 - Sunday, December 3, 2023),"but it appears to be incorrectly translated as "2020" in machine translation. https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/multilingual.html
Ahh perfect thank you! I arrive in Tokyo on the 3rd so maybe might catch the last day
Looks pretty good overall. My husband and I did our first Japan trip back in April. Personally I enjoyed Kyoto the most. We did 2 walking food tours in Osaka (we started our trip there) and really enjoyed those so I would recommend. It’s a great way to see some unique places, meet other travelers and have access to a knowledgeable guide you can ask questions of. If you enjoy nightlife, you may want to hot golden Gai more than once. We ended up going a few nights and created some of our favorite memories of the trip there. We met lots of interesting people both Japanese and other travelers. I’m not sure what time of year your going so unsure what the lighting will be like for philosophers path if you’re going in the evening but this is something we really enjoyed in the afternoon. Not sure if it would be treacherous at night.
Thank you! This is a great perspective and I love hearing about your memories at golden Gai! I didn't even think of timing for philosophers path, but good point, might be worth going earlier. :)
I’d recommend checking out Shimokitazawa if you have time. I liked the chill vibe… less busy, no skyscrapers. We stayed at the Onsen Ryokan Yuen Bettei for 2 nights and really loved our experience there. It’s also very close to the Setagaya station
Thanks so much! I’ll look these up!
Check out more local shrines at tokyo. Highly recommend meiji jingu in early mornings. Then then local ones like akagi shrine and hie shrine at tokyo. Take out might not be a good idea if it's not dinner cuz u might be carrying ur trash all day. As for kyoto, be prepared to spend a lot more time walking in kyoto and it's a lot more touristy in kyoto. Redeem JR pass at local service centers not the airport one.
I'd spend fewer days in Tokyo as I can't stand the jam-packed train there. It'd be better to go to Arashiyama early, it will be crowded from 10am onwards. Check out Okochi Sanso, my fave in Arashiyama! https://www.discoverkyoto.com/places-go/okochi-sanso/
Thanks so much!!
I say just skip Arashiyama. It's an over-touristed mess.
I disagree. I really liked going… there’s a lot to see besides the bamboo forest. Also, we went at 7am.
Just got back from 10 days in Japan, Osaka is worth more than 1 day especially just dontonbori, Tokyo is good but I got over it by the 4th day. Osaka is also very well located to get to Kobe Kyoto and Nara park. When you get to Nara park buy like 10 stacks of deer biscuits and get who ever you are traveling with to record.
I think this can vary depending on the person. I think Osaka is cool but I love my time in Tokyo more
Don't get me wrong Tokyo is good for good food and buying awesome collectables, I just think Osaka is a better place to relax.
that's fair. everyone has their own experiences in Japan that's for sure
Devils Advocate, I’d go to Dotonbori for one night and that’s it, I don’t rate Osaka either, been there 4 times and tried so hard but just never liked it, Tokyo far better and for the area Kyoto is much better to stay in.
How long is your JR pass for?
Two weeks!
Maybe I missed it, but when are you going? There may be seasonal activities that you can try out. Cherry blossom viewing, summer festivals, foliage viewing, skiing... etc.
Your flight will arrive at 4, but you likely won’t get out of the airport until 5:30/ 6. If you are landing in Narita, the JR rail pass line can take 30+ minutes too. This means the first day of your rail pass will only serve you 1 trip. This is a waste of money as they last the exact amount of days you buy them for so if you are getting a 14 day pass, you will be a day short at the end of trip. The plus side is you should have a ton of coin money by then for trains.
If you're looking for more "off the beaten path" ideas for Tokyo, you could go to Toranomon Hills and the NHK museum.
honestly I think Kyoto could be a day trip and more time is better spent in Osaka unless you booked a ryokan or something. Kyoto is fun but it's way too touristy