Japan Travel Handbook
April 15-23, 2025
7-Day Itinerary
Day 1 (April 15): Arrival in Tokyo
Morning: Arrive at Narita/Haneda Airport
Afternoon:
- Check into hotel in Tokyo
- Exchange JR Pass voucher at airport JR office
- Light exploration of hotel neighborhood
Evening:
- Dinner at local restaurant near accommodation
- Early night to recover from jet lag
Travel Tip: To help adjust to the time difference, try to stay awake until at least 8 PM local time.
Day 2 (April 16): Tokyo Exploration – Modern & Traditional
Morning:
- Visit Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park (peaceful forest walk)
- Explore Harajuku and Takeshita Street
Afternoon:
- Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya Sky observation deck
- Shopping in Shibuya
Evening:
- Dinner in Harmonica Yokocho (hidden gem in Kichijoji)
- Explore this former black market area with small izakayas and shops
Travel Tip: Harmonica Yokocho is best experienced in the evening when all the small bars and eateries are lit up and bustling with locals.
Day 3 (April 17): Tokyo Hidden Gems & Cultural Experience
Morning:
- Visit Gotokuji Temple (home of the beckoning cat figurines)
- Explore Shimokitazawa neighborhood (trendy area with vintage shops)
Afternoon:
- Proposal Opportunity: Chidorigafuchi Park for cherry blossom viewing and boat ride
- Stroll along the Imperial Palace East Gardens
Evening:
- Dinner at Ebisu Yokocho food alley
- Optional: Tokyo Tower night view
Travel Tip: Activate your 7-day JR Pass today to maximize usage for long-distance travel.
Day 4 (April 18): Travel to Kyoto & First Impressions
Morning:
- Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto (2-2.5 hours)
- Check into Kyoto accommodation
Afternoon:
- Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine (thousand torii gates)
- Explore southern Higashiyama district
Evening:
- Dinner in Pontocho Alley
- Evening stroll along Kamogawa River
Travel Tip: For the best photos at Fushimi Inari, either go early in the morning or hike up past the first viewing platform where crowds thin out significantly.
Day 5 (April 19): Kyoto Cultural Immersion
Morning:
- Tea Ceremony experience at WAK JAPAN or Toyokuni Shrine
- Zen Meditation session at a local temple
Afternoon:
- Kendo experience through WAK JAPAN
- Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Evening:
- Proposal Opportunity: Maruyama Park during evening cherry blossom illumination
- Dinner at traditional Kyoto restaurant
Travel Tip: Book cultural experiences in advance through WAK JAPAN’s website to ensure availability.
Day 6 (April 20): Nara Day Trip
Morning:
- Train from Kyoto to Nara (30-45 minutes)
Full Day in Nara:
- Nara Park and friendly deer
- Todai-ji Temple and Great Buddha
- Kofukuji Temple and five-story pagoda
- Kasuga Taisha Shrine
Evening:
- Return to Kyoto
- Dinner in Gion district
- Possible geisha spotting in Gion
Travel Tip: Purchase deer crackers (shika senbei) from vendors in Nara Park to feed the deer. They will bow to you before receiving food!
Day 7 (April 21): Arashiyama & Northern Kyoto
Morning:
- Visit Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (early to avoid crowds)
- Tenryu-ji Temple and gardens
- Monkey Park Iwatayama
Afternoon:
- Proposal Opportunity: Romantic boat ride on the Hozugawa River
- Visit Ryoan-ji Temple (famous rock garden)
Evening:
- Farewell dinner at upscale restaurant
- Final night in Kyoto
Travel Tip: Arrive at the Bamboo Grove before 8 AM for the best experience with fewer crowds.
Day 8 (April 22): Return to Tokyo & Departure Preparation
Morning:
- Shinkansen from Kyoto to Tokyo
- Last-minute shopping in Tokyo
Afternoon:
- Visit any missed Tokyo attractions
- Pack and prepare for departure
Evening:
- Final dinner in Tokyo
Day 9 (April 23): Departure
Morning/Afternoon:
- Transfer to Narita/Haneda Airport
- Departure flight to Seattle
Travel Tip: Allow at least 3 hours at the airport before your international departure.
Maps & Key Locations
Tokyo Highlights
Key locations in Tokyo:
- Meiji Shrine & Yoyogi Park
- Harajuku & Takeshita Street
- Shibuya Crossing & Shibuya Sky
- Harmonica Yokocho (Kichijoji)
- Gotokuji Temple
- Shimokitazawa neighborhood
- Chidorigafuchi Park
- Imperial Palace East Gardens
- Ebisu Yokocho
- Tokyo Tower
Kyoto Highlights
Key locations in Kyoto:
- Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Southern Higashiyama district
- Pontocho Alley
- Kamogawa River
- WAK JAPAN cultural center
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Maruyama Park
- Gion district
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- Tenryu-ji Temple
- Monkey Park Iwatayama
- Hozugawa River
- Ryoan-ji Temple
Nara Highlights
Key locations in Nara:
- Nara Park
- Todai-ji Temple and Great Buddha
- Kofukuji Temple and five-story pagoda
- Kasuga Taisha Shrine
- Nara National Museum
- Sarusawa Pond
Transportation Routes
Key transportation routes:
- Tokyo to Kyoto: Shinkansen (2-2.5 hours)
- Kyoto to Nara: JR or Kintetsu Line (30-45 minutes)
- Kyoto to Arashiyama: JR or local train (15-20 minutes)
Key Attractions
Tokyo Attractions
Meiji Shrine & Yoyogi Park
A serene Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, surrounded by a lush forest in the heart of Tokyo. Yoyogi Park adjacent to the shrine is one of Tokyo’s largest parks and a popular recreation spot.
Best Time to Visit: Early morning to avoid crowds
Admission: Free for the shrine grounds
Shibuya Crossing & Shibuya Sky
The world’s busiest pedestrian crossing where up to 3,000 people cross at once during peak times. Shibuya Sky is a new observation deck offering 360° views of Tokyo.
Best Time to Visit: Evening for the crossing, late afternoon for Shibuya Sky
Admission: Free for crossing, ¥2,000 for Shibuya Sky
Harmonica Yokocho (Kichijoji)
A hidden gem featuring narrow alleyways filled with tiny bars, eateries, and shops. Originally a black market after WWII, it’s now a vibrant local hangout spot.
Best Time to Visit: Evening when bars and restaurants are open
Admission: Free
Gotokuji Temple
The birthplace of the famous “beckoning cat” (maneki-neko) figurine. This temple features hundreds of cat figurines of all sizes left as offerings by visitors.
Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings
Admission: Free
Chidorigafuchi Park
One of Tokyo’s most beautiful cherry blossom viewing spots, featuring hundreds of cherry trees along the moat of the former Edo Castle. Boat rentals available for a unique perspective.
Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon during cherry blossom season
Admission: Free (boat rental ¥800 for 30 minutes)
Kyoto Attractions
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that create tunnels along the mountain trails. Dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice and business.
Best Time to Visit: Early morning or evening to avoid crowds
Admission: Free
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
A Zen Buddhist temple covered in gold leaf, set beside a reflective pond in a traditional Japanese garden. One of Kyoto’s most iconic sights.
Best Time to Visit: Early morning
Admission: ¥500
Maruyama Park
Kyoto’s most popular cherry blossom viewing spot, centered around a magnificent weeping cherry tree that becomes illuminated in the evenings during peak bloom.
Best Time to Visit: Early morning for fewer crowds or evening for illuminations during cherry blossom season
Admission: Free
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
A magical pathway lined with towering bamboo stalks that create a unique atmosphere as sunlight filters through.
Best Time to Visit: Before 8 AM to avoid crowds
Admission: Free
Hozugawa River Boat Ride
A scenic 16km boat ride through the ravines of Arashiyama, offering beautiful views of cherry blossoms in spring.
Best Time to Visit: Morning for best lighting and calmer water
Admission: ¥4,100 per person
Nara Attractions
Nara Park
A large park home to over 1,200 wild but tame deer that are considered messengers of the gods in Shinto religion. The deer bow to visitors to request food.
Best Time to Visit: Morning or late afternoon
Admission: Free (deer crackers ¥200)
Todai-ji Temple
Home to the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue (Daibutsu) housed in the largest wooden building in the world. A UNESCO World Heritage site.
Best Time to Visit: Early morning to avoid crowds
Admission: ¥600
Kofukuji Temple
Features a 50-meter tall five-story pagoda, the second tallest in Japan. The temple’s museum houses important Buddhist statues.
Best Time to Visit: Midday
Admission: ¥700 for the National Treasure Museum
Kasuga Taisha Shrine
A Shinto shrine famous for its bronze lanterns donated by worshippers. The lanterns are lit during special festivals.
Best Time to Visit: Afternoon
Admission: ¥500 for the inner area
Essential Japanese Phrases
Basic Greetings
こんにちは Konnichiwa
Hello/Good afternoon
おはようございます Ohayō gozaimasu
Good morning
こんばんは Konbanwa
Good evening
さようなら Sayōnara
Goodbye
Essential Expressions
ありがとうございます Arigatō gozaimasu
Thank you
すみません Sumimasen
Excuse me/I’m sorry (also used to get attention)
お願いします Onegaishimasu
Please
はい Hai / いいえ Iie
Yes / No
Travel & Transportation
〜はどこですか？ … wa doko desu ka?
Where is…?
いくらですか？ Ikura desu ka?
How much is it?
〜に行きたいです … ni ikitai desu
I want to go to…
トイレはどこですか？ Toire wa doko desu ka?
Where is the restroom?
Dining
メニューをください Menyu o kudasai
Menu, please
水をください Mizu o kudasai
Water, please
おいしいです Oishii desu
This is delicious
お会計をお願いします Okaikei o onegaishimasu
Check, please
Emergency
助けて！ Tasukete!
Help!
医者が必要です Isha ga hitsuyō desu
I need a doctor
英語が話せますか？ Eigo ga hanasemasuka?
Do you speak English?
日本語が分かりません Nihongo ga wakarimasen
I don’t understand Japanese
Special Moments
きれいです Kirei desu
Beautiful (for scenery)
すごい Sugoi
Amazing
結婚してください Kekkon shite kudasai
Will you marry me?
乾杯！ Kanpai!
Cheers! (for drinking)
Japanese Etiquette Tips
General Etiquette
Bowing
A slight bow is appropriate for tourists. The deeper and longer the bow, the more respect is shown.
Shoes
Always remove your shoes when entering homes, traditional ryokans, some restaurants, and areas with tatami mats. Look for shoe racks, slippers, or follow the locals’ lead.
Public Behavior
- Keep your voice down in public places, especially on trains
- Don’t eat while walking in public (except in festival areas)
- Don’t talk on your phone on public transportation
- Stand on the left side of escalators in Tokyo (right side in Osaka)
Tipping
Not customary in Japan and can sometimes cause confusion. Good service is the standard expectation.
Dining Etiquette
Chopsticks (Hashi) Etiquette
- Never stick chopsticks vertically into rice (resembles funeral rituals)
- Don’t pass food from chopsticks to chopsticks
- Don’t point with chopsticks or wave them around
- Use the opposite end of chopsticks when taking food from a shared plate
Before & After Eating
Say “Itadakimasu” (いただきます) before starting your meal (means “I gratefully receive”)
Say “Gochisōsama deshita” (ごちそうさまでした) after finishing (means “Thank you for the meal”)
Pouring Drinks
It’s customary to pour drinks for others, not yourself. Your dining companions will pour for you.
Temple and Shrine Etiquette
Purification
At the entrance of shrines, use the provided ladle to wash your hands and mouth at the water pavilion (temizuya)
Prayer Customs
At Shinto shrines, bow twice, clap twice, then bow once more
At Buddhist temples, simply bow once with hands together
Transportation Etiquette
Train Etiquette
- Line up orderly where marked on platforms
- Let passengers exit before boarding
- Refrain from eating on local trains (long-distance trains are fine)
- Set phones to silent mode and take calls outside the train car
- Priority seats are for elderly, pregnant women, and those with disabilities
Proposal Locations
Romantic Proposal Spots
Chidorigafuchi Park, Tokyo
Description: One of Tokyo’s most picturesque cherry blossom viewing spots, featuring hundreds of cherry trees lining a moat of the former Edo Castle. The location offers romantic boat rides through a tunnel of cherry blossoms.
Best Timing: Early morning (around sunrise) or late afternoon (1-2 hours before sunset) for the best lighting and fewer crowds. Evening illuminations run from late March to early April (around 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM).
Privacy Level: Moderate – While popular, early morning visits can provide relative privacy. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends. The boat ride offers more privacy than the walking paths.
Special Notes: Boat rental costs approximately ¥800 per 30 minutes. Boats are available from 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM (last admission at 7:30 PM) during cherry blossom season.
Maruyama Park, Kyoto
Description: Kyoto’s most famous cherry blossom viewing spot, centered around a magnificent weeping cherry tree (shidarezakura) that becomes illuminated in the evenings. The park offers a traditional Japanese garden setting with ponds and pathways.
Best Timing: Early morning (before 8:00 AM) for fewer crowds or evening for illuminated views. The illumination period typically runs from sunset until midnight during peak bloom.
Privacy Level: Low to Moderate – Very popular during peak season. Early morning visits (before 7:00 AM) offer the most privacy. The park has various secluded corners away from the main weeping cherry tree.
Special Notes: The weeping cherry tree tends to bloom earlier than other varieties. Evening illumination creates an especially romantic atmosphere.
Hozugawa River, Arashiyama
Description: The Hozugawa River boat ride offers a unique proposal setting as you float through the scenic ravines of Arashiyama. During cherry blossom season, the riverbanks are lined with blooming trees, creating a natural, romantic backdrop away from the crowds.
Best Timing: Morning boat rides (first departure around 9:00 AM) for best lighting and calmer water. Boat schedule typically operates from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM (last departure).
Privacy Level: High – Private experience on the boat. The 16km journey provides multiple scenic spots for proposing. Other passengers will be present but focused on the scenery.
Special Notes: Boat ride costs approximately ¥4,100 per person. The full ride takes about 2 hours from Kameoka to Arashiyama. Reservations are highly recommended during cherry blossom season.
Proposal Tips
Weather Contingency
Always have an indoor backup plan during cherry blossom season as spring weather can be unpredictable.
Timing Flexibility
Build 2-3 days of flexibility into your itinerary for the proposal, as cherry blossom peaks can vary.
Ring Security
Keep the ring secure but accessible; consider a pocket with a zipper.
Post-Proposal Celebration
Research and reserve a special restaurant near your chosen proposal spot.
Travel Tips
Money & Payments
- Japan is still largely a cash-based society, especially outside major cities
- Carry sufficient cash for daily expenses
- 7-Eleven ATMs reliably accept foreign cards
- Major credit cards are accepted at hotels, department stores, and larger restaurants
- Inform your bank of your travel plans to prevent card blocks
- Current exchange rate: approximately ¥110-120 JPY to $1 USD
Transportation Tips
- Activate your 7-day JR Pass on Day 3 (April 17) to maximize usage for long-distance travel
- Purchase an IC card (Suica/Pasmo) for convenient local transit in cities
- Download Japan Transit Planner or Google Maps for accurate train schedules
- Trains and buses run exactly on schedule – be punctual!
- Reserve shinkansen seats in advance during peak travel times
- For taxis, have your destination written in Japanese if possible
Connectivity
- Rent a pocket WiFi device or purchase a Japanese SIM card upon arrival
- Free WiFi is available at major train stations, airports, and some cafes
- Download offline maps and translation apps before your trip
- Consider downloading the Japan Official Travel App for tourist information
Packing Essentials
- Comfortable walking shoes (you’ll walk a lot!)
- Portable battery pack for your devices
- Light raincoat or umbrella (April can have occasional showers)
- Layers for varying temperatures
- Portable trash bag (public trash cans are rare in Japan)
- Hand sanitizer and tissues (some public restrooms may not have soap or paper)
- Medication and basic first aid supplies
Cultural Tips
- Learn basic Japanese phrases – even simple greetings are appreciated
- Carry a small notebook for communication difficulties
- Be mindful of noise levels in public places
- Follow local customs regarding shoes, chopsticks, and public behavior
- Convenience stores (konbini) are incredibly useful for quick meals, ATMs, and essentials
Emergency Information
Emergency Numbers
Police: 110
Ambulance/Fire: 119
Japan Helpline (24/7 English service): 0570-000-911
U.S. Embassy Information
U.S. Embassy Tokyo
1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku
Tokyo 107-8420
Phone: 03-3224-5000
Website: https://jp.usembassy.gov/
U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe
2-11-5 Nishitenma, Kita-ku
Osaka 530-8543
Phone: 06-6315-5900
Medical Information
Tokyo:
Tokyo Medical University Hospital
6-7-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Tokyo 160-0023
Phone: 03-3342-6111
(English-speaking staff available)
Kyoto:
Kyoto University Hospital
54 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku
Kyoto 606-8507
Phone: 075-751-3111
(Limited English support)
Medical Phrases:
- “I need a doctor” – 医者が必要です Isha ga hitsuyō desu
- “It hurts here” – ここが痛いです Koko ga itai desu
- “I have an allergy to…” – 私は〜のアレルギーがあります Watashi wa … no arerugī ga arimasu
Natural Disaster Information
Japan is prone to earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons. In case of a natural disaster:
- Follow instructions from local authorities
- Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes at your accommodations
- Download the Japan Meteorological Agency app for alerts
- For earthquake information: https://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/