I just lightened my wallet by 3000 € for 3 tickets: Paris > Tokyo > Osaka > Paris (well, not just mine—I’m exaggerating, there are two of us). For my daughter’s 10th birthday, we’re heading to Japan—it’s her "decade gift," though I thought she’d pick London🏴☠️. But I’ve been dreaming of going back to Japan since my 2013 trip, so I’ll admit this trip is (a lot) for me too.
We’re traveling during school holidays, so the ticket prices are unfortunately sky-high. Maybe I could’ve gotten a better deal if I’d waited, but who knows... oh well, it’s done now.
We leave at the end of October, so we still have a few months to prepare. That said, I’d rather start early to make sure we don’t miss anything (like the Ghibli Museum—I couldn’t go last time, and anyway, I’ll have to wait until September to book).
Last time, there were three adults, so it was pretty straightforward. Eleven years later, well, now it’s two adults with a 10-year-old😛.
So I’m wondering how many days to spend in Tokyo. My daughter idealizes the city (that’s why she wants to go to Japan), and she’s really drawn to Japanese culture and food. Actually, what first got her interested in Japan were all the *kawaii* character products...
Tokyo is such a fascinating city, but it can also be exhausting—especially for a kid, and I’m not sure what to expect.
Beyond Tokyo, honestly, I’m not entirely sure. I was thinking of Hakone and maybe stopping by Fujikyu Highlands. Then heading down to Osaka for a few days in Kyoto before flying home (our return flight is from Osaka).
We only have 11 days there (not counting the arrival day, and since our flight leaves at 11:30 PM on departure day, we’ll have the whole day), so it’s not a ton of time. I already spent a week in Kyoto on my last trip (huge crush on it), and I’d love to have two months there, but... well, you know how it is.
For example:
5 days in Tokyo
2 days in Hakone
4 days in Osaka/Kyoto
What do you think? If you’ve done this trip with kids, do you have any tips for family-friendly accommodations in Tokyo and Hakone? My daughter would love to try an onsen. We have a decent budget, but it’s not unlimited. We’d like to book as we go to spread out the costs a bit.
3000 € for 3 people during the holidays isn’t bad at all!
In Tokyo itself, I’d say:
- Ghibli Museum and spending time in the Kichijoji neighborhood (where the museum is), Kichijoji Petit Mura, Inokashira Park, and a bit further away, the Edo-Tokyo Open-Air Architectural Museum.
- The Digital Art Museum, which can be pretty fun for a kid.
- Maybe Kawagoe district.
- Akihabara for the kawaii side—so, along the same lines, Harajuku.
- There’s the 2D Café in Shinjuku, which could be amusing.
- The Edo-Tokyo Museum, which is quick, interactive, and informative about Japanese history.
Hakone might be a good idea since it’s not too far from Tokyo. I’d also add Kamakura, which is really nice. It all depends on whether you’re traveling by train or car, but continuing around Mount Fuji after Hakone, there are some great spots.
Personally, I no longer go to Kyoto—way too crowded everywhere, and more and more restrictions for tourists. Osaka is fun and different from Tokyo, but if you don’t have anything specific to see there…?
For your daughter, Nara could be an option—small town, park, deer, temples.
Final recommendation: if it’s in autumn, you should still visit forested areas where you can see beautiful fall colors—the Japanese Alps, not too far from Tokyo.
Fuji-Q Highland park is really nice, but most of the roller coasters are *super* intense. There’s still a perk, though—if it’s still in place, you can skip the entrance fee and only pay for the rides you go on.
For info on Osaka, you can check out our Japan travel journal here. Unfortunately, it’s not finished yet, so there’s no info on Kyoto or Tokyo. Otherwise, you can also see our trip photos on the site under: Photo Gallery - Travel - Japan.
For info on Osaka, you can check out our site’s Japan travel journal here,
I took a look since I’ll probably spend a week in Osaka during my next (and upcoming) trip to Japan, thanks to the World Expo. But I’ve already spent 3 separate 3-day trips there, so honestly, I didn’t discover much new. That said, there are three things that really impressed me—two of which aren’t very Japanese…
1. The window behind the bed.
It’s pretty original; you’d think you’re on an overnight train.
2. The camera bag.
Ever since my full-frame DSLR got stolen, I’ve switched to an iPhone Pro. And I’m loving it.
I’m still in awe of people who still lug around that kind of bag.
3. The resemblance between the mother and daughter.
It’s striking.
It’s true that for our first trip to Japan, we mostly visited the tourist spots in the big cities. But outside the cities, we discovered some really nice places. We even went scuba diving on the Izu Peninsula.
Fuji-Q Highland park is really nice, but most of the roller coasters are *super* intense. There’s still a perk, though—if it’s still available, you can skip the entrance fee and only pay for the rides you go on.
For info on Osaka, you can check out our Japan travel journal here. Unfortunately, it’s not finished yet, so there’s no info on Kyoto or Tokyo. Otherwise, you can also find our trip photos on the site under: Photo Gallery - Travel - Japan.
Small correction: Kyoto *is* included in our travel journal now! !
Hi everyone,
And thank you so much for your replies.
3000 euros for 3 during the holidays isn’t bad at all!
Thanks. It’s not always easy to tell, actually. It’s not a direct flight—I have a layover in Helsinki on the way there and back. But the schedules are good.
In Tokyo itself, I’d say:
- Ghibli Museum and spending time in the Kichijoji neighborhood (where the museum is), Kichijoji Petit Mura, Inokashira Park, and a bit further, the Edo-Tokyo Open-Air Architectural Museum.
- The Digital Art Museum, which can be pretty fun for a kid.
- Maybe the Kawagoe area.
- Akihabara for the kawaii side, so along the same lines, Harajuku.
- There’s the 2D Café in Shinjuku, which could be fun.
- The Edo-Tokyo Museum, which is quick, interactive, and informative about Japanese history.
Thanks, I’ll note that. I had actually spotted the Edo-Tokyo Museum—it seems well-suited for a visit with a child.
Hakone might be a good idea since it’s not too far from Tokyo. I’d also add Kamakura, which is really nice. It all depends on whether you’re taking the train or driving, but continuing around Mount Fuji after Hakone, there are some great spots.
I’m not sure if we’ll bother with a car—I was thinking of taking the train. But at the same time, exploring the "great spots" around Mount Fuji is tempting. On our last trip, we had to get our license translated—I don’t know if that’s changed since. And since we have very little time... I’ll still look into it.
Personally, I don’t go to Kyoto anymore—it’s way too crowded everywhere, and there are more and more restrictions for tourists. Osaka is nice, different from Tokyo, but if you don’t have anything specific to see there...?
I already spent a week in Kyoto, so I don’t think I’ll spend much time there this time. It was more to introduce my daughter to it. Osaka wasn’t my favorite in Japan personally, but I wanted to show her the Dotonbori district (she saw a documentary).
Last recommendation: if it’s in autumn, you should still visit the forested areas where you can see beautiful fall colors—the Japanese Alps, not too far from Tokyo.
Yes, that’s very tempting. We’ll be there exactly during that period (around October 18th until the end of the month). Given the number of days we have (11, not counting the arrival day), I think it’s either that or Kyoto/Osaka. It’s going to be tough to do both. Is it possible with public transport in 2 or 3 days?
Masterpo, thanks, I’ll note that:
Along the same lines, you could stop at Nakano Broadway, a must-visit manga spot, like AKB.
Otherwise, for Ghibli, outside Tokyo, there’s obviously the park in Nagoya.
Capucine33, thanks—I don’t know about that, I’ll check it out:
A visit to one of the two teamLab locations could be fun...
Girardinpho:
Fuji-Q Highlands is really fun, but most of the roller coasters are *very* intense. There’s still one advantage—if it’s still in effect, you can skip the entrance fee and only pay for the rides you go on.
Perfect, thanks! We love *very* intense roller coasters, as long as they’re not off-limits for kids (10 years old)—that should be fine :)
Okay, I’ll review all this to make a first itinerary. Thanks everyone!!!!
For autumn colors, it's actually everywhere there are beautiful forests, so potentially all over Japan. The ultimate spot is Hokkaido, otherwise the Japanese Alps, anywhere really.
To tie it back to Mount Fuji, there's Lake Kawaguchiko in Yamanashi, which offers a beautiful view (I'm imagining, since I had rain).
I couldn’t remember if there was an expiration period—that’s mainly what I was wondering about. If it’s a one-time thing and valid for life, then perfect, I’ll be able to reuse it.
With a 10-year-old, Tokyo Disneyland Park seems like a great option, as does Odaiba.
If you keep Osaka in your plans, the castle, Universal Studios Japan, and the aquarium are all worth it. Dotonbori is best at night (I didn’t see many kids there).
For onsens, you’re nude inside. You can book a private one, but it probably won’t be cheap.
I’d skip Kyoto if it’s just for the temples. Tokyo has plenty too—they’re less crowded but just as interesting, IMO.
I recommend booking accommodations as early as possible to have more choices for location, and it doesn’t cost extra on platforms like Booking.
I recommend booking accommodations as early as possible to have more choices in terms of location, and it doesn’t cost anything on platforms like Booking.
Happy searching!
That’s excellent advice! My first trip to Japan was 20 years ago, and it’s become much harder to find available hotels these days. The longer you wait, the fewer options you’ll have.
Hi,
Thanks everyone for your advice. The flight change isn’t worth it financially, so I’ll be leaving from Osaka after all. That means I’ll spend my last two days there. I visited the aquarium last time and thought it was amazing, so yeah, it’s definitely worth it with a kid. I’ll skip Kyoto this time—I loved it on my last trip, but it’ll be too much.
Would you have any recommendations for renting a car in Japan?
I’m considering renting a car from Tokyo to go to Hakone (Mt. Fuji). Then from Hakone, heading to Nikko and finally returning the car in Tokyo. Ideally, I’d love to rent the car where I’ll need to take the train to Osaka (so returning from Nikko, dropping off the car, and leaving directly for Osaka).
Does that seem doable?
Also, do you know of a great place near Mt. Fuji with an onsen that accepts kids (and has a view of Mt. Fuji, while we’re at it 😛)?
I’m planning to go from Hakone to Nikko (for the beautiful autumn colors), which means I’d stay there for 2 nights:
Hakone > Nikko
Nikko
Nikko > Tokyo
Good idea?
In the end, I’m cutting down to Tokyo, Hakone/Mt. Fuji (with Fuji-Q Highland too), Nikko, then heading down to Osaka—but I’m only staying there for 2 days just to visit Universal Studios and
take my return flight.
I’ve always rented from Tocoo. It’s easy, reliable, and affordable.
You can pick up a car in one location and drop it off in another. If the two agencies are close (in the same city or region), there’s no drop-off fee. Either way, the amount is listed on Tocoo, even if it’s zero.
Fujiyama to Nikko is still quite a long distance over 2 days (including the return trip). Nikko is nice, but in my opinion, it’s not worth 3.5–4 hours of driving each way.
Better to do something else in the area, like the Mount Oyama hike in the Kanto region (1.5 hours from Tokyo), or Tanazawa (hiking, Tsurumaki onsen), or something else.
Nikko is nice but I don’t think it’s worth 3.5–4 hours of driving each way.
Oh, even in autumn? I was actually thinking of Nikko for the fall colors...
As for accommodation, I didn’t see many options there either (or they were really expensive)...
I’ll check out your suggestions... Thanks.
It’s funny, I’m also back on this forum to plan my second trip to Japan.
First time was in 2013 with friends, and this year, it’ll be with the kids ;)
We’ve got a bit more time than you (15 days plus arrival and departure days), and we’re doing the reverse route (Osaka-Japanese Alps-Tokyo).
Activities in Tokyo:
- Ghibli Museum
- TeamLab (or in Osaka)
- A visit to the Harry Potter store
- Shibuya Sky
And exploring the neighborhoods.
I also saw the Edo-Tokyo Open-Air Architectural Museum, which looked cool, though a bit out of the way.
Back then, we visited the Edo-Tokyo Museum, which was nice, but it seems to be closed until... sometime in 2025. We also did a sumo tournament, which was fun but required patience.
Activities in Osaka:
- The aquarium
- Universal Studios (but make sure to check the tickets—it seems like a total hassle without planning)
- The castle.
And day trips (Nara, Himeji, Kyoto).
There’s also the World Expo this year—I’m not sure yet if we’ll go.
Around Mt. Fuji, we visited Fuji-Q Highland park, which was really great (or at least it was back then). The attractions have views of Mt. Fuji and are seriously amazing. Though there were quite a few lines…
Biking around Lake Kawaguchi is also a nice option with kids, I think (though I haven’t done it myself).
Around Hakone, we took a cruise on the lake and ate black eggs (at Owakudani, I think—I just found the name on Google but had completely forgotten). I think there are also some hikes to do there.
Anyway, I don’t know if my message will be super helpful, but I wanted to chime in here :)
Hi Fanny,
I’m finally catching up on my forum discussions bit by bit :) after a sad family event that’s made me even more determined to enjoy life!
Thanks for your tips.
What exactly do you do during the "Japanese Alps" stage?
For my part, given the limited number of days and the need to get to Osaka for the return flight, I’m seriously considering renting a car. We’ll stay in Tokyo as planned (4 nights), then pick up a rental car to visit Mt. Fuji and take the opportunity to go to FujiQ Highland (so two nights in the area).
After that, we’ll drive down to Osaka. To avoid doing the 5h30 drive in one go, I was thinking of stopping somewhere before reaching Osaka. Maybe Ghibli Park? ... Then we’ll finish with 3 nights (or 4, depending on whether we do a 1-night or 2-night stop) around Osaka (I’ll probably return the car when we arrive in Osaka), with one day in Nara, one day at Universal Studios. On the last day, since our flight is at 11:30 PM, we’ll probably visit the Aquarium.
I really loved Miyajima, and my daughter would’ve adored it too, but that’ll have to wait for the next trip ;)
For now, the rental car simulations are pretty steep (100 €/day when picking it up in Tokyo and dropping it off in Osaka), but we won’t have the transport costs for Tokyo > Osaka or Tokyo to Mt. Fuji, etc. So yes, it’s more expensive (since we’ll also have tolls and gas), but not *that* much more, especially considering the time saved and flexibility it’ll give us
Car or no car really depends on where you want to go.
In 20 years of traveling in Japan, I’ve only rented a car recently because the places I wanted to visit were inaccessible otherwise. I’d say you really need to decide where you want to go first, then compare public transport and car options before deciding. Still, there are some downsides to driving: the driver’s license translation isn’t free, picking up and returning the car at the agency, parking—especially since some hotels don’t have parking—and toll and gas costs.
Hi,
The idea of renting a car is to make it easier to explore around Mt. Fuji and also because I plan to visit FujiQ Highland. Using public transport would take a lot of time. If the weather isn’t great, it would also give us some flexibility to adjust our activities since we’d be free to move around. Plus, I could head straight to Osaka afterward without having to go back to Tokyo.
The car rental station is just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel I booked in Tokyo. I haven’t looked into what to do once I get to Osaka yet, but yes, I’ll make sure I can park somewhere.
I’ve also read traveler accounts from people who chose this option and were happy with their decision. One said, "The stunning landscapes just keep coming. Valleys, hills, roads along the coast..."
Since this isn’t my first trip to Japan, I kind of want to try it out—but mostly, I have limited days, and given what I want to do, this option seems like the best way to save time. So I wouldn’t say the places I plan to visit aren’t accessible, far from it, but I’ll definitely save time on transport—that’s for sure.
The main question I had was whether to drive to Osaka in one go or make a stop (if there’s a stop that’s really worth the detour and only possible by car).
Of course, this does add extra costs (gas/tolls/parking + license translation).
If I had more time, I probably wouldn’t go for the car option.
Translation of the license isn’t free, you have to pick up the car at the agency and return it, parking—especially at hotels since some don’t have parking—toll fees, and gas.
I think I read somewhere that Japan was going to end this option for tourists.
What catches my attention is this sentence: "If you have an acquaintance in Japan, that person can act as your agent and apply for translation before your entry into Japan."
Does that mean if I know someone in Japan (which I do in Tokyo), they can make the request for me? Has anyone already tried this method?
It’s really frustrating because I had my translation done in 2013 (I went in person, and it was done the same day), and now I can’t find it. 🏴☠️
To answer your question about the Japanese Alps, we’re planning a loop starting from Matsumoto.
- Hike from Magome to Tsumago
- Visit Shirakawago
- Hike in Kamikochi with an overnight stay at an onsen
- Visit a Ninja house in Togakushi
- Visit Nagano
- Visit Matsumoto (especially the castle)
All in 6/7 days. Of course, if it feels too packed, we’ll drop some stops toward the end.
We’re also renting a car—I’m right in the middle of translating my driver’s license, actually.
I had a translation that got lost in the paperwork too... we did it on-site at the JAF office, but now it can only be done through an app that’s only available in Japan. If you know someone there, I think they can handle it for you—they’ll just need your license and a few details. Apparently, it’s not too expensive that way.
Otherwise, it’s through an agency in France, and the rates aren’t the same. If anyone reading this has a reliable agency for the translation, I’d love to know!
We did Fuji Q the first time too—it was a really great day. I second that! !
Thanks so much! :) It really makes me want to go, but I’ll keep it in mind for a future trip—it’d be too tight for us right now.
I sent a message to my friend who lives in Tokyo to help with the license translation... we’ll see, because honestly, the translation would cost 4000 yen, which is way more interesting. :P
Otherwise, it’s through an agency in France, and the rates aren’t the same. By the way, if anyone passing by has a reliable agency name for the translation, I’d love to hear it.
In 2019, we had our license translated through the agency Vivre le Japon, which I think is now called Japan Experience.
I’m reaching out for a bit of help 😛 because I need to finalize the bookings.
I’ve given up on renting a car in Tokyo and dropping it off in Osaka—it sends the price through the roof. I’ll either pick it up and return it in Tokyo (around a hundred euros for 3 days) or skip renting altogether.
I’ve also dropped the idea of going to Nikko.
If you could share your thoughts on my itinerary...
Also, I canceled my hotel in Ueno that I’d booked a few months ago (it was really expensive). Instead, I booked in Asakusa, but some people say it’s out of the way while others say it’s great...
Could you let me know, based on what we’ll be doing in Tokyo and our expectations, if you think it’s a good idea (I can still cancel)?
Our expectations for the neighborhood where we’ll stay: a lively area, even in the evening, with a Japanese vibe, lots of (good) restaurants, easy access to public transport without wasting too much time relative to our plans, and a few shops selling cute Japanese stuff.
The hotel I booked: Richmond Hotel Premier Tokyo Schole in Asakusa.
Our itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo. We land in the early afternoon and will probably be exhausted. I’m thinking just a good sushi meal to get into the mood and a stroll around the hotel neighborhood.
Day 2: Tokyo – Yurakucho, Shinjuku (2D café), Shibuya > Is this too much?
Day 3: Tokyo – Ueno, Akihabara, TeamLab Planets (already booked, and we can change the date/time three times for free)
Day 4: Ghibli Museum and spending time in Kichijoji (I’m waiting for ticket sales to open for Ghibli, so it’s not confirmed yet)
Day 5: Edo-Tokyo Museum and Odaiba > Same here, I’m not sure if this is doable... If not, I’ll skip it and maybe do a tea ceremony and explore another neighborhood (Odaiba is just for fun for my daughter, not essential—I’ve been there before personally).
Day 6: Tokyo – TBD
Day 7: I want to go to Fuji-Q Highlands. From what I see, it’s a long trip by public transport (2.5 hours from Shibuya or Shinjuku). Maybe leaving at dawn...? – Stay overnight in Fujikawaguchiko.
This is where I’m considering renting a car in the morning and heading straight to the park...
Day 8: Mt. Fuji (same here, I’m lost with public transport; if I have a car, I’ll adjust the day accordingly) – Stay overnight in Fujikawaguchiko.
Day 9: Return to Tokyo (by car or public transport) and take the shinkansen to Osaka (in which case, I’d return the car at the station where the train to Osaka departs). Night in Osaka.
Day 10: Universal Studios (not booked yet)
Day 11: Nara – Night in Osaka
Day 12: Shopping day and/or aquarium, then flight back at 11 PM.
I booked in Asakusa but some people say it's out of the way while others say it's great...
Well, both...
It's especially super touristy.
Our expectations for the neighborhood or where to stay: a lively area including in the evening, Japanese atmosphere, lots of (good) restaurants, easy to get around by public transport without wasting too much time compared to what we're going to do, some shops with cute Japanese stuff.
Asakusa has all that.
Day 2: Tokyo - Yurakucho, Shinjuku (2D café), Shibuya > is that too much?
Yeah, it is. First, we wonder what Yurakucho is doing there, and as for Shibuya and Shinjuku on the same day... how to put it, it feels like a whirlwind tour...
Day 5: Edo-Tokyo museum and Odaiba
Here, I'm a bit lost.
First, as far as I know, the Edo-Tokyo Museum is closed until next year (that's what their website says), and Odaiba is already planned for Day 3...
That's where I'm hesitating to rent a car in the morning and head straight to the park...
For Fuji Q Highland, Mount Fuji, the pagoda, I suppose, etc., a car is a good idea. Personally, I’ve always rented one when I’ve gone to that area. But I think there’s a pass that covers the trip from Tokyo and lots of transport options on site...
Day 10: Universal Studios (not yet booked)
Day 11: Nara - Night in Osaka
Day 12: shopping day and/or aquarium and return flight at 11 PM
That doesn’t leave much time for Osaka itself.
I spent a week there this year (including two days for the World Expo) and loved it, even though it was my fourth time. But this city seems to be traditionally overlooked by foreign tourists...
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
Day 2: Tokyo – Shinjuku (2D café)
Day 3: Tokyo – Ueno, Akihabara, TeamLab Planets
Day 4: Tokyo – Ghibli Museum, Kichijoji neighborhood
Day 5: Tokyo – Tea ceremony and not sure yet
Day 6: Tokyo – Shibuya and...
I’ll have my translated driver’s license, someone’s doing it for me on-site, so I’m tempted to rent a car (it’s not too expensive either). I’ll think about it.
That doesn’t leave much time for Osaka.
With 11 full days there (I’m not counting the 12th day even though my flight is late), I’m being realistic—I can’t do Tokyo, add 2 days toward Mt. Fuji, *and* visit Osaka. Plus, I’m traveling with a child, which is why I chose Nara and Universal. I’m only going because my flight leaves from there; otherwise, I would’ve skipped it to save for a future trip and stayed in the Tokyo area.
Otherwise, I have an option to stay in Shinjuku (near the station but in a quiet area, according to people who’ve stayed there—even with family). However, it’ll cost me 100 € more than the hotel for the 6 nights.
That would let me check out Takeshita Dori on the day I arrive (a Sunday) and also make it easier to get around during the stay.
I’m leaving on October 8th for a three-week trip with my 15-year-old daughter, and I’d *love* to get the name of the hotel in Tokyo you mentioned—I’m staying six days and still haven’t booked my accommodation. Thanks so much in advance for your reply!
Shinjuku is the upscale side of Asakusa, without the out-of-the-way feel. It’s even hard to find a better location, except maybe Shibuya.
Awesome, thanks—I’ve booked it now😉! It’s more expensive, but I think I made the right call.
Takeshita Street, I stopped going after my third trip to Tokyo, and I haven’t been back since... especially not on a Sunday!
...haha, can you tell me why? (Or is once enough?) Well, this’ll be my second trip to Tokyo—even though I’m struggling to plan my itinerary, it’s been 12 years since I last went, so I’ve forgotten a lot—and I’ve never been, so I guess I just want to check it out...
Hi there,
I had booked the Richmond Hotel Premier Tokyo Schole in Asakusa on Booking.com but I canceled.
So, I’m not going to the hotel anymore but to an apartment in Shinjuku instead.
The one I’m going to isn’t available in October, but check Airbnb around Shinjuku Station—honestly, there aren’t many at reasonable prices, so you won’t have too many options to look through (unless you’ve got a big budget, in which case, you’ll be fine). That said, make sure to read the reviews carefully because some places are in noisy areas and not necessarily suitable.
Otherwise, Asakusa does seem cheaper, and people are often happy with it. It’s just that, given what I’m planning to do—plus the fact that I have a friend in Tokyo who lives on the opposite side and much closer to Shinjuku—Asakusa just wasn’t the right choice for me, even though the hotel was right by the subway. So, it might work for you!
Also, what I consider an acceptable price might not be the same for everyone😛. For the 6 nights, the hotel in Asakusa cost 742 € for a triple room, so that’s over 100 € per night (and the apartment in Shinjuku is even more expensive 🏴☠️). But I did see cheaper options I didn’t choose for various reasons (location or otherwise), and the best value-for-money places weren’t available for my dates (or maybe I’m just really bad at searching).
For me, it’ll be my second stay in Tokyo (even though I’m struggling to plan my itinerary, but it’s been 12 years—I’ve forgotten) and I’ve never been there before, so yeah, it’s just to see...
Well, there you go, you’ll see ^^
Let’s not spoil the surprise!
Takeshita Street—I stopped going there on my third trip to Tokyo, and I’ve never gone back since... especially not on a Sunday!
...haha, can you tell me why? (Or is once enough?)
Well, this will be my second trip to Tokyo (even though I’m struggling to plan my itinerary, but it’s been 12 years, so I’ve forgotten), and I’ve never been, so I guess I just want to see it...
I’ve been to Tokyo three times and only went to Takeshita Street once. It’s a street with mostly teen clothing shops, a few animal cafés, and some food stalls. Nothing unforgettable, and not a place I’d call a must-see, but if you and your daughter feel like checking it out, it’d be a shame not to go. It’s your trip, not anyone else’s. Let us know how it goes!
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Bonjour à tous
Pour simplifier la logistique, j'envisage de louer une voiture pour passer 5/6 jours dans les alpes japonaises avant d'aller à Kyoto en solo.
La conduite est-elle compliquée voire risquée dans cette région.?
Merci pour vos retours
Tara
We’re arriving as a group of three in Tokyo on Saturday, October 17th, then heading straight to Kyoto by direct train.
On Sunday and Monday, we’ll explore Kyoto, and in the evening, we’ll take a train to Osaka to spend the night.
On Tuesday, we’ll pick up a rental car at Itami Airport for a 6-day/5-night road trip around Shikoku:
- 2 nights in the Iya Valley
- Thursday morning, we’ll head to Matsuyama for 2 nights.
- Saturday, we’ll visit Mima (town, a few temples + overnight stay) and return on Sunday to drop off the car in Osaka.
We’ll leave very early on Monday the 26th by plane for Aomori in northern Honshu, where we’ll pick up another rental car at the airport for a 5-day/4-night trip:
- Day 1: Tsugaru Peninsula (Takayam Inari, Cape Tappi, Kanita); overnight in Kanita
- Day 2: Ferry transfer to the Mutsu Peninsula (cliffs, Lake Usori); overnight in Shimofuro
- Day 3: Head to the Hakkoda Mountains and onsens galore; overnight TBD
- Day 4: Return the car in Aomori by noon and explore the city before taking the train to Tokyo in the evening
We’ll spend Friday night in Tokyo, wander around on Saturday, and head home on Sunday.
Thoughts on the road feasibility of this trip? We’ll be there right in the middle of Koyo season, so it’ll be busy...
I know it’s a lot of driving, but there are two of us who can take turns. We’re not afraid of driving, even in the mountains and on the left side! Just wondering, are we going to be rushing, or is this manageable? AI says it’s all good, but it’s not the one driving...
Any tips for booking accommodations in the Iya Valley? Not many places have email addresses or websites (I know Booking.com exists, but not all listings are on there... and given the season, I think it’s better to book ahead!). Same question applies for northern Honshu.
For the rental car, I’m thinking of going with Alamo since at least it’s in French and straightforward, but are there any direct rental companies with user-friendly websites (Toyota Rentacar, ugh... 🏴☠️)?
Another question: With so many trains, is it even necessary to book them in advance? Can we just go to the ticket counter and grab seats on the spot?
For paying for the rental car, do we need a credit or debit card?
I saw there are several "authentic" villages about 90/100 km from Beijing.
Including: Lingshui, Liuliqu, Sangyu, Miaoying, and Cuandixia.
Has anyone visited any of them? I was thinking of choosing Cuandixia—what do you think?
Thanks in advance.
Hi everyone!
It seems there’s a flea market in Tianjin that’s way more interesting than the one in Beijing. I’ve been searching online but can’t find the right one… The one I’m looking for is called gu wan shi chang (my PC won’t display the Chinese characters…). Does anyone have the address and has anyone been there before? The one in Beijing has lost a lot of its charm over the past 10 years, so I wanted to find another. Thanks!
Hi,
My departure is coming up soon—two months backpacking in Taiwan, so much to discover! I’d love to hear about your travel experiences.
My main interests are meeting people, understanding how things work, hiking, and nature in general. I’ve also done a lot of reading about Taiwan’s complex situation.
I do stone sculpture.
I also want to visit Orchid Island for its history.
Marie
I’m looking for advice from seasoned travelers about a roughly one-month trip to Japan.
From late October to late November 2026.
We often travel in Southeast Asia but have never been to Japan.
Based on what I’ve read, I’d love to hear your thoughts on:
- Is traveling day-to-day, without booking hotels or trains in advance, possible in Japan?
(I’ve read many travel journals and blogs that say everything was booked way in advance… but that’s not how we usually travel.)
- Will the Japan Rail Pass be worth it for us?
(According to an old simulator, I’m looking at around 400 € for trains compared to 570 € for the JRP.)
Here’s our rough itinerary (which may change):
- Arrival Osaka: 3 nights with Nara
- Hiroshima and Miyajima Island: 3 nights
- Kurashiki or Naoshima: 2 nights
- Himeji: 1 night
- Kyoto: 4 nights
- Kanazawa: 2 nights
- Takayama and Shirakawa-go: 3 nights
- Around Mount Fuji: 3 nights
- Tokyo with Nikko: 6 nights (no theme parks)
Departure from Tokyo
Here are some tips from our 6-week trip (summer 2026) to China, Vietnam, and Cambodia. We traveled as a family of four with two kids aged 15 and 12.
I hope these notes help other travelers!
CHINA
General
You’ll need to download and set up a few apps:
- Alipay and WeChat for payments (I didn’t withdraw a single bill the entire trip)
- Didi for taxis
- Amap = Chinese Maps (works great, especially for subways)
- A translation app (we used Papago, but it sometimes gave weird results)
- Google Lens for translating menus or signs—super handy.
- HelloRide for bikes
- Gemini and ChatGPT for everything: understanding daily life, enhancing visits, checking the weather, finding things.
- HomeExchange if you want to lower travel costs (few listings in Asia except in big cities, often expats)
- Trip.com is very useful, even essential, for trains, domestic flights, and hotels. Like Booking.com, the more you book with them, the more perks you get. So I’d even suggest checking flight tickets on this site, even if it’s a bit pricier. However, buying train tickets is complicated because (1) they only open 15 days in advance, and (2) they sell out fast. Trip.com just promises to buy them as soon as they’re available but doesn’t always succeed. It’s stressful and might force you to change your plans, especially if you’re aiming for a sleeper car and there are no seats left. Watch out for station names—many cities have multiple stations, including a high-speed rail one outside the city.
For internet, we got the Asia plan from Holafly. It worked but seemed much slower than Chinese internet. I regretted not buying a Chinese SIM card because without internet in China, everything is VERY complicated (money, transport, etc.).
For the firewall, we used ExpressVPN, but it wasn’t always reliable. A bit disappointing. Ask ChatGPT for tips with screenshots to improve the settings.
Since we only had one SIM card with internet, we couldn’t rent shared bikes. If I were to do it again, I’d get a SIM for each person, even the kids, because distances in cities are huge. We walked *a lot*. Same goes for buses—it’s tricky with just one internet connection. Better to have a phone per person with internet.
Book your visits as far in advance as possible—they often sell out.
Watch out for power banks: if they don’t explicitly say "3C," they’ll confiscate it. Even if there’s a little airplane logo.
Shanghai
In the evening, the streets leading to the Bund from the metro were so crowded that police were out in force blocking roads. Arrive early. We went around the north side.
Suzhou
Be careful—there are two stations (common in China), and the high-speed rail one is 45–50 minutes from the old town.
The Humble Administrator’s Garden was *packed*—we don’t recommend it. It turned into a marathon day from Shanghai (almost 4 hours from our hotel to the garden).
Beijing
Forbidden City: Don’t go—I know it’s a shame, but it’s too crowded. I couldn’t buy tickets on the official site because of the kids’ passports. We ended up with a guided tour, the only way to get in (tickets sell out fast). The visit was disappointing—bad guide *and* massive crowds. You’ll queue a lot to enter and see certain areas. You’ll be checked often, so pack your bags carefully.
Great Wall at Mutianyu: Crowded. Two hours by bus, and even though we arrived early, people were already leaving! I really think the best option is to leave your big bags in Beijing and stay overnight near the Wall. That way, you’ll have it to yourself a bit more. For transport: get off at Tiananmen Square metro and look for buses with official guides in bright yellow-green vests. No need to buy tickets online—they made me cancel mine to rebook on the spot. Buses leave when full. Note: the cable car and chairlift are separate—if you want to go up one side and down the other, you’ll need different tickets. The endless queue for the toboggan ride put us off.
Quick tip: Incredible swimming spot in Beijing—on the north shore of Houhai Lake, you can swim by crossing the barrier. We did it twice with about ten other people. Bring a swimsuit!
Shapotou Desert
Amazing, but it gets *very* hot in the afternoon. We had a tent (not an air-conditioned bungalow), which was unbearable during the day. We hung out in the restaurant.
The paid activities are fun, except the camels—they look sad. The real highlight is the evening and sunset. The only downside: you can’t explore the desert alone or far—they don’t rent 4x4s, for example.
We stayed at "The Desert Camping Hotel of the Proprietress of Shapotou." They were lovely.
Zhongwei
Gaomiao Temple and its underground: Fun and short—you’ll see quirky Buddhist hell paintings.
Xi’an
Terracotta Army: We took a Didi because for four people, a car was almost the same price as four shuttle tickets. It was packed—chaotic to see properly.
We visited the halls in order: 3, 2, then 1—a good choice.
Hua Shan Mountains: Left before sunrise to arrive when the ticket office opened (7 AM, I think). We were shocked to see so many people already coming down.
45 minutes by bus to the west cable car, then 15 minutes up.
We did the west, south, east, central, then north peaks (in that order) before taking the other cable car down (you can buy the ticket at the top). A beautiful day.
In the city, check out...
Chengdu
Panda Research Center: Like Hua Shan, plan to arrive when the ticket office opens. Already *tons* of people, and it moves fast to see the big pandas before their nap. Have them drop you at the west entrance (not south), or you’ll have to walk uphill.
Leshan Giant Buddha: Interesting. The trip is a bit long (metro, then train, then city bus, then shuttle on-site). We didn’t take the boat option but walked. In the end, you only spend a few minutes at the Buddha’s feet, but it’s a nice day out.
Hotel tip: Panda Enjoy Home Hotel Apartments (Chengdu East Railway Station Dongda Road Branch). The view is insane, and the neighborhood is super convenient and nice. 646 CNY for 2 nights.
Swimming: The municipal pool is an interesting experience, but don’t expect to swim—no one does. Everyone just splashes around where they can stand. The hours are a bit odd, with a break in the late afternoon.
Kunming
The bike path along Dian Lake is pretty and often well-protected from cars. But like everywhere in China, it’s *packed*. Not much to say about visits—the flower market is a wholesale market, not very interesting. The ethnic minorities museum closed right in front of us.
All the big malls are good for shopping.
Dali
We thought we could bike around the lake in two days. Wrong on two counts: First, the lake’s edge is blocked to traffic and reserved for bikes (or tourist mini-buses). So you’re stuck on the main road, which never gives you a view of the lake, with all the trucks and cars. Doing 120 km like that wouldn’t make sense, in our opinion. The rice fields around are nice but not as impressive as elsewhere, so Dali isn’t worth it for that.
The old town, all restored, is pretty but *packed*—thousands of people, especially in the evening.
Hekou (Vietnam border)
Comfortable train from Kunming. In the parking lot, a bus (not well-marked, but Didi is an option) takes you to the border in 15–20 minutes. Short wait at both border posts. Fun to see the two lampposts near the border line: the Chinese one is new, modern, with a surveillance camera (of course), while the Vietnamese one is old and a bit rusty.
VIETNAM
General:
- You’ll need the Grab app for taxis
- Very disappointed with 12Go—it doesn’t show all buses, never connects you with the company, and refuses refunds. Try booking directly with companies like FUTA Bus instead.
- Credit cards are often accepted (supermarkets and modern stores), otherwise, you’ll need cash
Lao Cai
2 km between the border and the train station.
The sleeper bus to Hanoi with Sao Viet is well-organized—it works.
Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum closes early (10:30 AM, I think).
Women’s Museum: Very good, not too long
Temple of Literature: Beautiful, fairly quick
This is where you should buy souvenirs, clothes, and knockoffs—the prices are reasonable, and the sellers are nicer than elsewhere. We recommend Cho Dong Xuan.
Tu Long Bay
We did 2 days, 1 night (so really 24 hours on the boat) with Parfum d’Automne (French-speaking agency), which put us on a Cycad Cruise boat. Cost: 300 € per person—expensive, but it was amazing, super luxurious, and the buffet meals were delicious. We don’t regret the splurge. The only downside: no swimming in the bay (but there’s a pool on the boat). To swim, you’d need a 3-day, 2-night trip to an area not protected by the maritime park.
Phong Nha
If you didn’t do the northern mountains due to time or weather (like us), Phong Nha is a great stop for a motorbike ride. It’s beautiful, especially the mountains west of the city toward the caves.
There are two (small) swimming spots at the Botanic Garden—a pleasant 45-minute walk without stops.
Hotel tip: Sunbeam Village (very friendly, pool, breakfast by the river, motorbike rentals)
Da Nang
Hotel tip: Meridians by Hsuite—you’ll have the beach almost to yourself. You’ll still need to walk 15–20 minutes to the hyper-touristy area if you want to rent surfboards (150–200k VND per hour).
The beach is beautiful, and the water is 30°C—great for a break on a long trip, especially since all transport goes through Da Nang.
Hoi An
45 minutes from Da Nang, so it’s easy to visit in a day, especially since the city isn’t that big and it’s *very* hot.
Cooking class: MS Hanh cooking class—great (the market tour is a bit useless). We don’t recommend the "basket boat" tour—it’s a bit sad on a big brown pond with elderly guides.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ben Thanh Market is a nightmare: starting prices are exorbitant, and the vendors are aggressive. Don’t go.
The War Remnants Museum can be really tough for kids.
Can Tho
Avoid this city. We made the mistake of going to see the floating market—don’t.
Chau Doc
No Grab in the city, but regular taxis.
One day is enough if you go early to the forest and the mountain in the late afternoon.
250k VND per person for the forest and its canals (45 minutes by motorbike)
The sunset at Victoria Nui Sam can be magnificent if the clouds cooperate.
Cheap and good restaurant: Quan Nem Nuong Sau Hiep
Hotel tip: Homestay Khoa (2,250,000 VND for 3 nights)—adorable hostess, full of tips, clean rooms.
The speedboat to Cambodia is more comfortable than a bus. Book with Hangchau a few days in advance—payment in cash on the day (1,640,000 đ).
CAMBODIA
General:
- Issues with the "Bakong Tourists" app—we had to go to a big bank to load money onto it. We barely used it afterward.
Phnom Penh
For us, a day and a half is enough if you want to spend more time elsewhere.
Markets close early (around 6 PM) and are less interesting than in Hanoi, for example.
The Royal Palace has a break from 11 AM to 2 PM, but there aren’t many people in the afternoon.
Siem Reap
Trip with Capitol company—the bus is basic but cheap. Departs at 10:15 AM, 7-hour ride.
Angkor entrance fee: 62 USD per person for a 3-day pass. Tickets are picked up at Angkor Enterprise.
Renting two 125cc motorbikes: 10 USD each, plus 7 USD for gas.
By bike, it took me 25 minutes to reach Angkor Wat’s pools. A basic city bike rental was 1 USD per hour.
Short circuit by motorbike (in reverse): 7 hours with stops everywhere.
Grand tour by tuk-tuk: Only 5 temples, 4.5 hours.
If you want to see lots of monkeys, they’re grouped west of Bayon.
For the temples, we asked Gemini (AI) at each stop to point out details that might interest kids (who can get bored with the repetition). It gave fun facts and things to look for—great for the little ones.
Hotel tip: The Five Senses, run by a Frenchman, Bruno, who knows Cambodia inside out and organizes tours.
Restaurant tip: Wild (only spring rolls, but *so* many varieties—delicious and cheap)
Watch out: 1 hour to the airport, 50 km from the city.
Show tip: The Phare Circus
I booked my trip from May 5 to 26, 2027. I’m starting to plan my itinerary and look for hotels (I know it’s early!). While I’ve found some in Seoul and Busan, I’m noticing that elsewhere—like Yeosu—most hotels aren’t available (on Booking.com, for example, almost all are unavailable). AI tells me not to worry because hotels in South Korea only open bookings 6 months in advance, so it’s normal to see most of them unavailable on booking sites.
Could you confirm this for me and, of course, reassure me (!)? Thanks so much.
philippe
We’re back from a one-month trip to China and wanted to share our itinerary. Hopefully, this can give future travelers some ideas for exploring this beautiful country.
Beijing → Temple of Heaven / Forbidden City
Jinshanling → Great Wall
Zhangjiajie → Tianmen Mountain and Heaven’s Gate
Wulingyuan → Avatar Mountains / sandstone pillars
Fenghuang → riverside houses
Ping’an → terraced rice fields
Tiantouzhai → village / rice terraces
Yangshuo → Li River / karst mountains
Shanghai → skyline with the Oriental Pearl Tower
Our travel journal is available on our travel journal, written day by day. You’ll find lots of photos and some travel tips there.
I’m starting to look at neighborhoods in Seoul, and I’m leaning toward staying in a hotel in Insa-Dong—I’ve spotted one really close to Unhyeongung.
Is this a good area—nice and convenient for exploring the city?
Otherwise, I’ve also found another hotel in Yongsan-Gu, right near the station of the same name. Is that station useful for getting around Seoul?
Since I’ll be in South Korea for nearly two months, I plan to spend at least a week in Seoul to recover from jet lag (it takes me a while to adjust...). So, I’d love a neighborhood that’s pleasant and a hotel not too far from a subway station.
Hi there,
I’d like to do this cycling route over 2 or 3 days. I’m struggling to figure out and find a (good) bike rental that lets me start in Onomichi and drop off in Imabari. Can anyone help with great tips for rentals and accommodations along the route? How do I get back to Onomichi afterward?
Next year, we’re celebrating 20 years of marriage (and travel 🙂), and we’re looking for something new, pretty legendary, and something the teens will enjoy too.
The family council has settled on Japan for now. And it’d have to be a summer trip—no choice there.
The catch: I keep reading that August isn’t the right season for southern Japan. It’s hot, humid, and there’s a risk of typhoons… Okay, but what does that *actually* mean in practice? Are there any travelers who’ve been there during this time? Is it *that* unbearable?
We’re pretty familiar with Southeast Asia—last year, we dealt with scorching heat in Vietnam and insane humidity, plus a typhoon we experienced from a distance, and visiting Angkor in the blazing sun. Is it worse than that?
I’m back with my detailed itinerary for 20 days in South Korea—it’s my first trip to the country. Our idea is to experience a more rural and cultural Korea. Here’s the rough plan: Seoul for 4 nights at the start and 1 night at the end, Gurye for 4 nights, Suncheon for 4 nights, Namhae for 4 nights, and Gyeongju for 2 nights. The goal is to pick a base and explore the surrounding areas. What do you think of this itinerary? Anything you’d change?
thanks
hi everyone, we're heading out for a 12-day trek in the Japanese Alps. We're bringing freeze-dried meals like we always do. We just found out that importing meat is banned, even freeze-dried. Is that true? We already bought them. They're commercially made freeze-dried meals. Online, it's not specified that they have to be "commercially made" because you can make your own freeze-dried food. And since we've heard they're really strict in Japan, can anyone confirm this for us? thanks
I haven’t found what I’m looking for despite my searches!
For a 15-day trip next spring, I’d like to buy a card (preferably an eSIM, but a physical SIM is fine too) that also lets me make calls in the country (to contact a hotel, a tourist spot, etc.).
You can easily find options just for data, but I haven’t come across any that include calls, texts, or even MMS.
Could you recommend something?
hi there
I’m planning a trip in September—here’s my rough itinerary. What do you think? Is it easy to rent a car to get around between my stops? Thanks so much!
Philippe
StopNightsFull daysSeoul44Gurye (Jirisan)43Suncheon43Namhae43Gyeongju21Seoul1—
Hi,
July 2026: I’m writing to you from Dali.
First, I got scammed on Booking—AI-retouched photos. No tourists at this hotel (Yishanju Designer Hotel), and the reality was horrible: dirty, with a disgusting breakfast. It’s better to use Trip.com here.
Next, the old town was an infernal cacophony, packed with tourists who shoved past without a care. Some vendors harassed you to buy things. All the stalls sold the same cheap plastic junk or other uninteresting stuff. The beautiful scenery was ruined by vendors lining 100% of the alleys. Impossible to walk, crushing heat, nothing good to eat except fresh fruit. Horrible experience.
Day 2: We went to Cangshan Mountain by cable car—the ride was short and nothing spectacular. We were at 2,600 m.
My plan was to see Erhai Lake. Unfortunately, I followed the advice of an AI chatbot: take the boat at Langkan Dock. The Didi dropped us off in the nearest area, which was full of charming little alleys but packed with Chinese tourists. The three-wheeled yellow cabs zoomed through the narrow streets, forcing you to hug the walls, on top of the scooters and other pedestrians to deal with. Crossing the neighborhood was hellish and suffocating. Once out, we hit the "corniche," which was also packed with Chinese tourists. The lake’s edge was all pebbles, and everyone was standing around taking photos. I was with my 5-year-old son. I would’ve liked to sit down and let him play with stones by the water, but it was clear we didn’t belong. They were even shoving each other for a shot! There were no boats in sight. In short, we’d had enough, and there was nothing interesting there either.
On the way back, we had to cross that maze again under the scorching sun. My son was braver than me—I even had a little dizzy spell from all the chaos. Add to that Dali’s altitude (2,200 m), so altitude insomnia, fatigue, and vulnerability during the day...
The restaurants weren’t inviting—the staff served sticky rice in a little bucket. The dishes were wrapped, and you had to figure it out yourself. After that, they ignored you completely, even if you were the only tourist.
On the 3rd day, it was time to leave for Shaxi. I hope to see beautiful villages. But honestly, I’m exhausted by this atmosphere where everything is complicated, communication is never smooth, noise is everywhere, and the behavior of some Chinese people is abusive...
Silver lining: not a drop of rain in 4 days and blue skies.
I couldn’t visit the villages in southern Yunnan because of rain and storms there...
But I was expecting to see a few more tourists.
We’re planning a 17-day trip to South Korea in October 2026 with my husband and our daughters, who’ll be 9 years old.
I’d love to get your thoughts on our draft itinerary.
First, some key details:
1/ Jeju Island is a must for us. I’ve personally dreamed of going there for years after reading a novel about it.
2/ Our girls are used to road-trip style travel since they were born, so this kind of trip won’t be an issue for them.
3/ We plan to travel by train, except on Jeju where we’ll rent a car (we already have an international driver’s permit).
Itinerary:
Seoul: 1 arrival day at 10 AM + 4 full days
Gyeongju: 2 days
Busan: 3 days
Jeju: 4 days
Seoul: 2 days
Hi there,
My girlfriend (23) and I (24) are heading to Japan for the first time from October 20th to November 6th. Here’s our itinerary:
6 nights in Tokyo
1 night in Hakone (ryokan already booked)
4 nights in Kyoto (hotel already booked)
2 nights in Osaka
4 nights back in Tokyo
I’d like to book hotels for Tokyo (both stays) and Osaka, but I’ve gotten so many different recommendations.
I’ve read that Shinjuku is the place to be for its huge hub, accessibility, and things to do, but I’ve also heard about Shibuya, Asakusa, and Ueno.
I’ve looked at hotels, and first off, I’m surprised by the prices compared to what I’ve seen on forums (I guess inflation’s hit here too… and maybe I’m late to the booking game?). I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the options.
For our first stay in Tokyo, I’d prefer a hotel (not a residence or Airbnb) since we’ll be arriving at night, and it’s our first time in Japan. It’d be great to have a place with a reception, staff who speak at least a little English, and can give us some guidance. For the second stay, we could consider other options if it’s better.
Budget-wise, we can go up to 150–180 € per night, but if we can save some money to spend elsewhere, that’d be amazing!
I’m open to all recommendations, hotel suggestions, or any other tips for Tokyo (first stay), Osaka, and Tokyo (second stay).
Hi there,
I’m getting ready for a classic tourist trip to China in May 2026.
The "Terres Lointaines" itinerary looks good to me, and the price is interesting.
Has anyone traveled with them before? Any feedback?
Is there a better option?
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences on this!
Michel
I just booked my hotel in Seoul—it’ll be near Unhyeongung, on Samil-Daero 30-Gil—and I’m wondering if there’s public transport from the airport to this address (bus or subway)? If not, what’s the taxi fare? I read it’s around 50 or 60 €.
I’m traveling to Japan with a young adult with autism (ASD) from July 28 to August 8, following a pretty classic route: Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Tokyo. I’m looking for a schedule of the most spectacular fireworks displays during that time. So far, the dates for the major *hanabi* events aren’t available online yet. If anyone has them, I’d really appreciate it if you could share!
We’ll be doing a self-drive trip using public transport in May 2026.
On Day 6, we’ll arrive in Hakone by train from Tokyo in late morning. We’ll spend the night in Hakone before heading to Kyoto.
The main goal of this stop is clearly the view (no hiking) of Mount Fuji, not so much exploring Hakone, where the sights seem limited.
I’ve read on the forum that the view is great from Gotemba, but it also takes a good hour by bus to get there. And, apart from that view, there’s nothing else to see in Gotemba!
So, I’m not sure what to choose. Any thoughts? Or alternatives to suggest?
Maybe some spots in Hakone or Gotemba for a great view?
