Japan in 11 Days: Sushi, Sakura, and Sore Feet 😅

Thinking about Japan? So were we—and this 11-day trip during cherry blossom season turned out to be one of the most unforgettable adventures we've ever had! From the neon lights of Tokyo to the serene bamboo groves in Kyoto and the emotional depth of Hiroshima, this trip had everything: nature, culture, shopping, and of course...food! 🍜🍣

We packed quite a bit into these 11 days but also made time to slow down and soak in the beauty—whether it was a quiet morning by Mt. Fuji or walking through deer-filled Nara Park 🦌.

In this blog, you’ll find:

✅ Our detailed day-by-day itinerary
✅ Tips we picked up along the way (that we wish we knew before!)
✅ Budget breakdown 💸
✅ Recommendations for restaurants, transport, and must-see spots
✅ And, of course, tons of inspiration for your own Japan adventure ✨

🛬 Day -1: Arrive in Tokyo

Landed at Haneda Airport at 5 AM. Dropped off our luggage at the hotel cloakroom in Akasaka and headed straight to Senso-ji Temple ⛩️. Grabbed some lunch there and then off we went to explore Akihabara Electric Town ⚡ — don’t miss Yodobashi Akiba for all the electronics!

From there, we made our way to the teamLab Borderless digital art museum 🎨✨ — an immersive and mind-blowing experience, definitely a must-see!

For dinner, we ate at a nearby Indian restaurant, Downtown B's Indian Kitchen, Tokyo, and it was really good! 🥘👌

After that, we headed back to the hotel and called it a day. 😴

💡 - Don't overload your first day! 😴 Jet lag can hit harder than expected — keep things light and flexible for the first couple of days.

🏙️ Day-2: Tokyo

Started early! 🌅 First stop: Ueno Park for a peaceful morning stroll under the trees. We had a Japanese tea ceremony planned nearby (close to Ueno), but since we had already visited the area yesterday, we decided to skip it.

After lunch, we went knife shopping 🔪 — there are lots of stores on the street, but we chose Kamata Knife Shop because they offered free engraving ✍️ on the knife we bought. Such a cool souvenir and a fun experience!

Then, we headed back to the hotel to rest and recharge 🛏️.

In the evening, we explored the buzzing Shibuya Square — neon lights, energy, and all the Tokyo vibes! ✨ We stopped by the iconic Hachikō statue 🐕 and took a photo with the goodest boy of Tokyo ❤️.

While strolling around, we also went to an Onitsuka Tiger store 👟 and picked up a sweet pair of shoes — definitely worth checking out if you love Japanese streetwear!

Wrapped up the day with a dinner in the area. 🍜

💡 - Wear comfy shoes! 👟 We walked 15–20k steps on average. While the metro is super convenient and cheap 🚇, don’t hesitate to grab a taxi 🚕 now and then — it can save a lot of time (and sore feet).

🌿 Day-3: Kamakura

Took a 1-hour train from Tokyo to Kamakura 🚆. Hopped on a bus to reach the tranquil Hokokuji Bamboo Forest 🎋—so peaceful! Had lunch at a Taiwanese vegan restaurant and then walked about 30 minutes (no cabs!) to catch a train to Kotoku-in Temple, home to a massive 13th-century Buddha 🙏.

Got some desserts from Kamakura Beniya Hachimangū Store and explored the beautiful Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Our last Kamakura stop was Kamakura-Mae Station for that epic train photo—too bad the lighting was harsh and it was packed 😓.

Returned to Tokyo by sunset and went shopping in Ginza, ending with a delicious tan-tan ramen dinner at Tokyo Station 🍜🛍️.

🏞️ Day-4: Mt. Fuji

Checked out from Tokyo and took a ~2-hour train to Mount Fuji 🗻. Had lunch near Lake Kawaguchiko at an Indian restaurant and checked into our Airbnb. After a quick rest, we rushed to Oishi Park to catch the sunset 🌇. Sadly, we missed it by 20–30 mins and the famous café with the pistachio softie was closed 😢. Still, the views were worth it! Wrapped up the day with a quiet local dinner.

💡 - Definitely plan to stay overnight near Mt. Fuji 🗻. The weather can be unpredictable 🌥️, and having an extra day gives you flexibility in case the views are blocked. Trust us — it’s worth it!

🌅 Day-5: Mt. Fuji

Woke up at 5 AM and took the most expensive cab of our trip—¥5000 for 4 km 😅—to Chureito Pagoda. We made it by 7:30 AM and enjoyed the epic view despite the wind 🌬️. Walked to Honcho Street to snap that viral Fuji-from-the-street pic 📸.

Next stop: Oshino Hakkai, home to 8 crystal-clear ponds 🐟 with interesting legends and a cute food market. After lunch, we headed back to the Airbnb to rest. In the evening, we went to the Lawson store for that iconic Mount Fuji shot 🏪—again, super crowded but still worth the visit. Ended the day with sushi 🍣 at a nearby restaurant.

💡 - Don’t be shy — ask locals for help! 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️ When we couldn’t find a taxi on Honcho Street, we walked into a nearby hostel and the kind folks at the reception helped us call one. People are super helpful if you ask politely! 😊

🚅 Day-6: Kyoto

Time to say goodbye to Fuji! Took a bus to Mishima Station, then hopped on our first-ever Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto—so fast! ⚡ Dropped off our bags at the hotel near the Kyoto station and had lunch at a vegan place, Mercury Kyoto 🌱.

Cherry blossom time! 🌸 We headed to Yodo Waterway, and wow—it did not disappoint. Took thousands of photos 😂. For sunset, we went to the majestic Fushimi Inari Taisha, though it was already getting dark. Ended the evening at Nishiki Market, where we wanted ramen but settled for Indian food instead 🍛.

🎋 Day-7: Kyoto

You know us by now—we’re early risers 😎. Reached Arashiyama Bamboo Forest at 7:30 AM and it was perfect timing! Snapped some beautiful shots before the crowds poured in.

After breakfast, we gave Nishiki Market another go and finally had our ramen 🍜 at KYOTO ENGINE RAMEN . Later, we visited the stunning Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) ✨, grabbed dinner, and tried to see To-ji Temple, but it was already dark and closed.

🦌 Day-8: Nara Park + Osaka

Took a 1.5-hour train to Nara Park, arriving around 8 AM. Pro tip I read on Reddit: “Deers are hungry in the morning and might be aggressive”—100% true! 😂 We got swarmed the second we pulled out food.

Spent 2 hours there and then headed to Osaka Castle—surprise! It was surrounded by gorgeous white cherry blossoms 🌸🤍. Couldn’t go inside the castle due to long queues, so we explored the park instead.

Next: lunch and shopping at Dotonbori. Snapped the classic Glico sign photo and then off to a Sumo Experience 🥋—1-hour train away. Learned the rules, watched a match, and yes, I even wrestled a sumo 😄. Had dinner nearby and then back to Kyoto after a long 5–6 hour travel day 🚂😴.

💡 - This day was hectic — we spent a lot of time on trains 🚆💨. If your schedule allows, plan to stay an extra day or two in Osaka to explore at a more relaxed pace and soak in the vibes. 🍜🏙️

🕊️ Day-9: Hiroshima

Took the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Hiroshima (~2.5 hours). Dropped bags at the hotel which was at walkable distance from Atomic bomb memorial and went straight to the Atomic Bomb Memorial Museum. It was heavy and powerful—learned so much about what happened that day.

Also caught more cherry blossoms nearby 🌸. Spent the rest of the day exploring the local market before heading back to the hotel.

💡 - Try to reach Hiroshima early ⏰ or dedicate a full day here if you can — that way, you’ll have enough time to visit Miyajima Island ⛩️

🌸 Day-10: Tokyo

Our final full day! Took the Shinkansen from Hiroshima to Tokyo, arriving around 1 PM. Had lunch in Ginza and explored the area. We weren’t ready to say goodbye to cherry blossoms yet, so visited Ueno Park again (fully bloomed!) and then to Sumida Park.

Ended the day with shopping in Ginza—got ourselves a shiny new Seiko watch ⌚—and a nice dinner to wrap things up.

✈️ Day-11: Fly Back to Austin

Didn’t do much this day—our flight was at 6 PM and the rain finally caught up to us 🌧️. Took a chill walk, had lunch at an Indian restaurant Bombay sizzlers recommended by a friend, and left the hotel around 1 PM to catch our flight back.

💸 Budget Breakdown – What We Spent for 2 People

We spent around $7,000 total for the two of us on this 11-day Japan trip. Here's how it breaks down:

💡 Tip: If you're traveling solo or on a tighter budget, you can save a lot by skipping taxis, staying in hostels, and limiting shopping.

💡 Wish I Knew Before (Tips for Future Travelers)

• 💴 Carry Cash: Start with around 30,000–40,000 Yen. Many small restaurants are cash only, even in cities. Most places do accept credit cards, but cash is still king in many spots!
• 🌐 Google Translate App: Download the Japanese language pack for offline use. It’s a lifesaver for reading menus, signs, and even communicating with locals when needed!
• 📱 Suica Card on iPhone: Game changer! Took just 2 minutes to set up and was super convenient for public transport. No need for a physical card.
• 🍽️ Restaurant Timings on Google Maps: Not always reliable! A bunch of places showed as open but were actually closed when we arrived. Always have a Plan B.
• 🌱 Vegan Food: We used the HappyCow app to find vegan and vegetarian restaurants. Lifesaver for plant-based options across Japan!
• 🚮 Trash Cans Are Rare: Seriously, there are no public trash bins on the streets. Carry a small trash bag with you to hold onto wrappers and waste until you find one.
• 🚄 JR Pass? Maybe Not. Don’t rush to buy it! Check your specific route using an online JR Pass calculator to see if it actually saves you money. For us, it didn’t make sense.
• There are a LOT of great places to shop in Japan 🛍️ — from souvenirs to local brands. Shop whenever you get the time and make a list beforehand of what you want to buy. Otherwise, you’ll end up spending way too much time (and money 😅) just browsing.