How to Spend 14 Days in JAPAN 🇯🇵 Ultimate Travel Itinerary
Summary
TLDRJoin us on a thrilling 14-day journey across Japan, exploring its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene temples of Kyoto, we uncover the best experiences this fascinating country has to offer. Traverse ancient towns like Kamakura and Nikko, indulge in local cuisines, and stay in traditional accommodations. Discover why now is the perfect time to visit, with the yen at its weakest in decades and Skyscanner's help in finding the cheapest flights. This adventure is a testament to Japan's timeless allure, blending past, present, and future into an unforgettable experience.
Takeaways
- 🇯🇵 Visiting Japan for the first time can be exhilarating, fascinating, and confusing due to the abundance of choices for travel destinations, activities, and accommodations.
- 🗺️ The video offers a 14-day journey across Japan, providing insights into experiencing the country's rich history, culture, and cuisine within a short time frame.
- 🌆 Tokyo is the starting and ending point of the journey, with recommendations to stay in Shinjuku or Asakusa for their entertainment and traditional values.
- 🏯 Kamakura is highlighted as an ancient city with significant historical landmarks, including the Great Buddha statue and Hase-dera Temple's bamboo forest.
- 🍞 The city of Kamakura is also known for its unique food offerings, such as Curry pan, a popular local delicacy.
- 🚅 The video mentions the convenience of using the shinkansen (bullet train) to travel to different cities, like Kanazawa, from Tokyo.
- 🏰 Kanazawa is celebrated for its arts, crafts, and food, with a rich history as a merchant town, and is known for its gold leaf production.
- 🍵 In Kyoto, traditional experiences like staying in a machiya (traditional townhouse) and visiting temples and shrines are emphasized.
- 🎨 Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Shrine, with its iconic red torii gates, and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove are highlighted as must-visit locations.
- 🍢 Osaka is known as the 'kitchen of Japan,' famous for street foods like takoyaki and okonomiyaki, and for its vibrant nightlife.
- ♨ Hakone is a popular destination for experiencing traditional Japanese ryokans (inns) and enjoying the region's hot springs and scenic beauty.
Q & A
What is the focus of the video about Japan?
-The video focuses on a 14-day journey across Japan, exploring various locations, cultural experiences, local cuisine, and providing travel tips for first-time visitors.
Why is the Japanese yen particularly appealing to travelers at the time of the video?
-The Japanese yen is the cheapest it's been in over 30 years, meaning travelers can get more value for their money during their trip to Japan.
How does the video suggest finding cheap flights to Tokyo?
-The video recommends using Skyscanner, an app that searches the web for the cheapest flights by scanning across 80 billion prices daily and has partnerships across flights, accommodations, and car hire.
What are the recommended areas to stay in Tokyo for a first-time visitor?
-The video suggests staying in either Shinjuku, known for its chaotic or inspiring entertainment district, or Asakusa, in the east of the city, which is slightly more laidback and near traditional areas like Senso-ji temple.
What is the significance of Kamakura in Japan's history?
-Kamakura was the first capital of Japan along with Nara and Kyoto. It is known for its many shrines and temples, and it was the location where the first shogun, Minamoto no Yoritomo, set up his military government in the 12th century, starting the Kamakura period.
What is special about the Kamakura Daibutsu and why is it a must-see?
-The Kamakura Daibutsu is a 43-foot tall, 103-ton bronze statue of Buddha that has been overlooking visitors for over 500 years. It is a significant cultural and historical site and a major attraction in Kamakura.
What is the appeal of the Hase-dera Temple and its hidden bamboo forest in Kamakura?
-The Hase-dera Temple is an important Shinto shrine, and its hidden bamboo forest provides a quiet, enchanting escape from the crowds. It's a place where visitors can sit, relax, and enjoy matcha green tea while surrounded by nature.
What is the significance of the Cup Noodle Museum in Yokohama and what can visitors do there?
-The Cup Noodle Museum is dedicated to the invention of instant noodles, considered one of Japan's greatest inventions. Visitors can learn about the history of cup noodles, and even create and customize their own cup of noodles.
Why is Kanazawa known as 'Little Kyoto' and what are some of its notable features?
-Kanazawa is known as 'Little Kyoto' because, during the Edo era, it was ruled by Japan's second-richest clan, the Maeda Clan, who invested their wealth in cultural and artistic pursuits, inspired by Kyoto. Notable features include the Suzumon gate, Omicho market, and Higashi Chaya district.
What is the appeal of staying in a traditional Japanese townhouse (machiya) in Kyoto?
-Staying in a machiya allows travelers to experience traditional Japanese architecture and design, with natural materials like tatami mats and shoji paper doors. It offers a peaceful retreat amidst the bustling city and a sense of being immersed in Japanese culture.
What are some of the unique experiences offered in Takayama's old town?
-Takayama's old town offers a variety of unique experiences, such as exploring preserved old buildings, enjoying street foods like Hida beef on a stick, and visiting the Takayama Sakae-kan Museum, which celebrates the Showa era with detailed recreations of shops and districts.
What is the significance of Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto and what can visitors expect to see?
-Fushimi Inari Shrine is an ancient shrine dating back to the 8th century, dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice, agriculture, and fertility. Visitors can expect to see the famous pathway of thousands of red torii gates snaking through the forested mountain.
What is the cultural significance of Nara Park and its Great Buddha (Daibutsu)?
-Nara Park is home to many of Nara's cultural treasures, including the Great Buddha at Todai-ji Temple, one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in Japan. The park and its attractions are significant for their historical and religious importance in Japan.
What is the appeal of staying in a ryokan in Hakone and what activities can be enjoyed there?
-Staying in a ryokan in Hakone offers a traditional Japanese experience with hot springs (onsen), kaiseki dinners, and private baths. Visitors can also enjoy the scenic views of Mount Fuji, visit the Great Boiling Valley, and take a Hakone pirate ship cruise on Lake Ashinoko.
What are some of the unique experiences and attractions in Osaka?
-Osaka offers unique experiences like staying at a robot-staffed hotel, exploring the vibrant Shinsekai district, visiting Osaka Castle, and sampling local street food like takoyaki and okonomiyaki.
What are some of the must-do activities in Tokyo according to the video?
-Some must-do activities in Tokyo include staying in a capsule hotel, visiting a game center, going souvenir shopping in Ginza, strolling through Tokyo's parks, shopping for retro goods in Akihabara, and eating at a local ramen shop.
Outlines
🗻 Japan Travel Introduction
The script introduces a 14-day journey through Japan, highlighting the excitement and confusion of first-time visitors. The video aims to showcase the best places to visit, stay, and eat while exploring the country's past, present, and future. It mentions the current favorable exchange rate for the yen and the ease of finding cheap flights to Tokyo, thanks to Skyscanner. The journey begins and ends in Tokyo, with recommendations to stay in Shinjuku or Asakusa and a teaser for a comprehensive list of things to do in Tokyo at the end of the video.
🏯 Day Trip to Kamakura and Yokohama
This section details a day trip from Tokyo to the ancient coastal town of Kamakura and the port city of Yokohama. Kamakura is known for its Great Buddha statue and many shrines and temples. The video suggests exploring the city on foot and visiting the Hase-dera Temple and its hidden bamboo forest. Afterward, the trip continues to Yokohama, the second-largest city in Japan, known for its seafront and Chinatown district. The Cup Noodle Museum and the experience of creating custom cup noodles are highlighted, along with the vibrant atmosphere of Yokohama's Chinatown.
🍜 Exploring Kanazawa's History and Cuisine
The script takes viewers to the historic city of Kanazawa, rich in arts, crafts, and food. Once a wealthy merchant town, Kanazawa is known for its traditional architecture and cultural pursuits. The video features a stay in a machiya townhouse, the Omicho market, and the Higashi Chaya district. It also mentions the city's gold leaf production and unique food items, such as gold leaf-infused dishes and desserts. The script emphasizes the city's status as 'Little Kyoto' and its preservation of traditional arts.
🏞️ Takayama and Shirakawa-go Village Tour
The journey continues to Takayama, a mountain town known for its preserved traditional architecture and local delicacies. The script highlights the town's prosperity during the Edo era and its current status as a popular travel destination. It mentions the Takayama Old Town, the Takayama Shakan Museum, and the Hida Folk Village. A special focus is placed on the picturesque village of Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its gassho-zukuri farmhouses and beautiful landscapes.
🏯 Kyoto's Cultural and Historical Attractions
This section focuses on Kyoto, the cultural capital of Japan. The video explores the city's historic quarters, shrines, and temples, including the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of torii gates. It also features a stay in a traditional machiya townhouse and a visit to the Arashiyama district, known for its Bamboo Grove and the Tenryu-ji Temple. The script provides a glimpse into Kyoto's rich history and its status as a modern city with a deep connection to tradition.
🍢 Osaka's Food Scene and Accommodations
The script introduces Osaka, known as the nation's kitchen and the party capital of Japan. It highlights the city's vibrant nightlife, iconic street food like takoyaki, and the unique experience of staying at the Henn-na Hotel, staffed by robots. The video also features a visit to Osaka Castle and the Shinsekai district, famous for its tsukemen and kushikatsu dishes. The section emphasizes Osaka's reputation for delicious food and innovative accommodations.
♨️ Hakone's Hot Springs and Natural Beauty
The journey concludes with a visit to Hakone, a popular hot spring destination near Tokyo. The script describes the experience of staying at a traditional ryokan, enjoying kaiseki dinners, and relaxing in private hot spring baths. It also mentions the Hakone Ropeway, Lake Ashinoko, and the Great Boiling Valley. The section showcases Hakone's natural beauty and the rejuvenating experience of its hot springs.
🌃 Final Days in Tokyo and Recommendations
The script wraps up the trip with a return to Tokyo, offering a list of recommended activities for the final days in the city. It suggests staying in a capsule hotel, visiting a love hotel, singing karaoke, enjoying panoramic views from Shibuya Sky, visiting Odaiba, shopping for souvenirs in Ginza, strolling through Tokyo's parks, exploring secondhand goods, and trying ramen. The video emphasizes the variety of experiences available in Tokyo and encourages viewers to make the most of their time in the city.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Japan
💡Cultural Capital
💡Shrines and Temples
💡Traditional Japanese Accommodations
💡Onsen
💡Cuisine
💡Entertainment District
💡Historic Cities
💡Natural Beauty
💡Travel Tips
💡Cultural Experiences
Highlights
Exploring Japan for the first time can be exhilarating, fascinating, and confusing due to the abundance of places to visit.
The Japanese yen is at its cheapest in over 30 years, making it an ideal time for budget-conscious travelers to visit.
Skyscanner is recommended for finding cheap flights to Tokyo through its partnerships and extensive price scanning.
Tokyo offers a choice between staying in the bustling Shinjuku district or the more laidback Asakusa area.
Kamakura, the ancient capital, is known for its Great Buddha statue and many shrines and temples.
Yokohama, Japan's second-largest city, features a unique blend of a dynamic port town and a futuristic district.
Kanazawa is rich in arts, crafts, and food, with a historic connection to Kyoto and a reputation as 'Little Kyoto'.
Shirakawa-go is a picturesque village with unique gassho-zukuri farmhouses and World Heritage status.
Takayama is a mountain town with traditional architecture and a preserved old town area.
Kyoto, as Japan's cultural capital, offers a serene escape from the modernity of Tokyo with its shrines and temples.
Nara is home to Todaiji Temple, one of the largest wooden structures in the world, and its famous Great Buddha.
Osaka is known as the 'kitchen of Japan' and offers a vibrant nightlife and a variety of street food.
Hakone is famous for its hot springs and scenic views, including the iconic Mount Fuji.
In Tokyo, Shinjuku offers an intense, futuristic experience with its entertainment district and nightlife.
Tokyo has unique experiences to offer such as staying in a capsule hotel, visiting a game center, and enjoying karaoke.
Shopping for souvenirs in Ginza and exploring Tokyo's parks are recommended activities for visitors.
Eating ramen in Tokyo is a must-do experience to round off the culinary journey through Japan.
Transcripts
visiting Japan for the first time is
exhilarating fascinating and perhaps
above all confusing where to go what to
do and where to
stay I mean there's a reason this is the
most requested video I've had for 10
years now and so the time has finally
come we're about to go on a 2E Journey
around the country to discover how you
can experience as much of Japan as
possible in just 14 days and rather than
simply sit in a room and list off places
where actually going to do the entire
route we'll get lost down kotor's
ancient streets one to the picturesque
sleepy Mountain Village of Shir Calo and
have a night out in neon lit Oraka from
ascending smoldering active volcanoes to
meeting the local wildlife in NADA we'll
reveal the best locations to stay and of
course taste the local dishes along the
way and while technically there's no
right way to see Japan if you're coming
here for the first time there's
definitely certain places you need to
see and experience to understand the
story of Japan past present and even
future but perhaps the biggest question
of all is why visit Japan right now for
many coming to Japan it is the trip of a
lifetime especially given it is so far
and it costs so much to get here and yet
right now the Japanese yen is the
cheapest it's been in over 30 years and
so your money will genuinely go a lot
further but what about the flights
thankfully it's never been easier to
find cheap flights to Tokyo either
especially thanks to today's sponsor
Skyscanner whenever I'm traveling
between UK and Japan Skyscanner is
always the first place I head to is the
best way to search the web for the
cheapest flights scanning the internet
across 80 billion prices every single
day just whip out your phone and open up
the app and thanks to their 1200
Partnerships across flights
accommodation and even Car hire you can
practically prepare your entire Journey
from start to finish all from within
your pocket grab the Skyscanner app now
on IOS and Android or on desktop at the
link below and find yourself the
cheapest flights so you can save all
that precious pocket ET money for all
the amazing things we're about to do in
14 days across
Japan the vast majority of tourists
flying into Japan arrive at Tokyo haneda
or Narito airport and so our Journey
Begins and ends in Tokyo where you have
the daunting choice of choosing where to
stay in my view the best two places are
either Shinjuku the chaotic or inspiring
Entertainment District or Asaka and weno
in the east of the city personally if
you're new to Japan I do recommend
staying in Asaka for the first stretch
in Tokyo where things are slightly more
laidback around the senoji temple and
the old traditional streets the first 3
Days of our itinerary will be spent in
Tokyo however given will be back here at
the end of our trip we've actually made
the entire list of things to do in and
around the Tokyo area at the end of this
video so stick around to the end to find
out what to do while the Tokyo area can
feel absolutely endless there's still so
many amazing day trips to be had just
outside of the city where you can catch
your breath and recover from the
traumatic jet lag all in a more relaxed
atmosphere and and so today we're off on
a trip to the ancient coastal town of
Kamakura and the neighboring Port City
of Yokohama with one long day it's
possible to explore both cities back to
back just a 45-minute train journey
outside of Tokyo and we start our day at
Kamakura a city that's often referred to
as the Koto of East
Japan despite being a relatively small
City Kamakura punch is well above its
weight in the 12th century the first sha
gun the military ruler min M no Yori
Tomo set up his military government here
ushering the era of the Kamakura shanut
that lasted two centuries as one of
Japan's three ancient capitals along
with Nara and Kyoto which we'll be
visiting later on during our trip
unsurprisingly your sport for Choice
with the city's many shrines and temples
but it's the jaw-dropping Kamakura daudu
that really steals the show looming
overhead at 43 ft and weighing an
astonishing 103 tons gazing down upon
wellwishers and a struck Travelers for
over 500 years and I'll never forget the
first time that I laid eyes upon it over
10 years
ago when I first moved to Japan 10 years
ago I lived very far north and my first
trip within the country was actually to
Tokyo and after about four or 5 days I
was thoroughly burnt out in the world's
largest city and then I came here to
Kamakura and I saw the great dutu statue
that was first built in 1252 I felt
something here in Kamakura that I didn't
really feel in Tokyo and uh I think if
you end up in Tokyo four or five days
maybe you'll feel how I felt and kamur
will be the remedy to being overwhelmed
as he will be in
Tokyo while Kamakura is great Buddha
might be the most photogenic it
certainly isn't the largest ancient dutu
statue in Japan as we'll discover later
on during our trip in Nara kakur is a
very walkable town and it's not uncommon
to spot tourists darting around the
quiet back streets dressed in kimonos
which she can rent at Shops throughout
the
city
tell the other Bears what you saw what
is this this is supposed to be a kimono
shop but it's never looked more
threatening these Bears just chained up
to the wall there you go if you want to
get dressed up to enjoy your time in
Kamakura this is the place to do
it well Kamakura most important Shinto
Shrine is sudal kimangu on a hill
overlooking the city today we're
actually going to sneak away from the
crowds and visit the quaint and
unassuming HW COI temple with its very
own enchanting hidden bamboo forest
around the back of the Zen
temple this is really really bloody
beautiful I think most people know the
arashiyama bamboo forest in Kyoto which
we're actually going to later on in this
trip but here behind hwk ofy Temple
Kamakura got a much smaller but much
quiet a bamboo forest with 2,000 trees
to enjoy honestly I think I prefer it
it's a secret don't tell anyone about
it one criticism of temples and shrines
is it can often feel like a very passive
experience typ ially without seats to
sit in and appreciate the atmosphere but
here you can sit relax and enjoy a
piping hot cup of Rich matcha green tea
while looking out across the sensory
Retreat of HW coach's luscious bamboo
forest of course matcha is no lunch and
for that we head back to downtown
Kamakura to the teaming shopping street
of kakachi Dori where you can pretty
much find anything including the
greatest food of all time the ever
fluffy Curry pan literally cry bread in
this case full of thick gooey cheese a
tourist destination in its own
right I have it on good authority that
this Curry bread is the one thing to
have in cakir
so oh
yeah it's very crispy there's some
cheese there's some
Curry this is good look at that I feel
Curry bread doesn't get a lot of love
when it comes to uh videos because it's
not the most photogenic thing right but
my God is it delicious the crispy outter
shell of the bread the nice thick curry
cheese inside definitely try this if you
come to Kamakura giraffa what a name
giraff why is it
giraffa while it is time to head off to
yokahama we've only just scratched the
surface of Kamakura and it's 80 temples
and
[Music]
shrines on my previous trip here I
actually rented some bikes and cycled
around town and it might just be the
best way to appreciate the atmosphere
and the quiet back streets and certainly
if you visit in summer be sure to spend
the afternoon down at Kamakura beach one
of the most popular Seaside spots in the
greater Tokyo
area riding the train for 20 minutes we
arrive in Yokohama the second largest
city in Japan a dynamic Port town with a
sprawling seafront despite being so
close to Tokyo it has a strong sense of
identity forged as a trading City
particularly when Japan opened up to the
world in the 19th century and now with
the futuristic District of minor midi
built around the iconic Landmark Tower
the tallest skyscraper in Japan up until
2014 everybody loves Mino midai that
idea of being in a big city but also
being able to escape to the coastline
and Mito midai literally means future
port and it does have a bit of a
futuristic Vibe maybe underpinned by the
very cool looking Landmark Tower which
looks like a giant chest piece I love
it
while half of minor mid's appeal is to
walk around the Waterfront an even
bigger appeal is the cup noodle Museum
an entire attraction dedicated to the
Revolutionary product regularly voted by
the people of Japan as the greatest
invention of the 20th century and
whether you agree or not here at the cup
noodle Museum you can hear the story of
how founder muku Andor turned the idea
of flash fried noodles into the nishing
cut noodle Empire that it is today with
the man himself nestled alongside
history's most famous inventors the
moment you enter the museum but perhaps
the real reason to visit is to create
and customize your very own cup noodles
it's pretty damn fun watching your empty
cup slowly be transformed as you choose
the flavor of the noodles whether it's
Curry seafood or in my case the original
soy sauce flavor then watching it being
carefully placed into the cup before
picking the fillings in my case cheese
fried onions and the rather ominous
sounding mystery meat to this day no
knows what it is while it kind of tastes
like beef in my view anyway the cup is
then sealed and vacuum packed before
being delivered to you ready to go
tomorrow's lunch sorted I mean I'd be
tempted to have it for dinner today if
we weren't about to visit Asia's largest
Chinatown District Yokohama
Chinatown from 1603 to 1853 Japan was
effectively closed to the world as part
of a bold isolationist policy called sok
enacted by the Shogun to limit outside
influen
on the country and when the doors were
finally reopened Yokohama became not
just a huge trading Port but a gateway
to the outside world reflected today
through the European style red brick
warehouses and the vibrant District of
Chinatown if like me you're into your
nighttime photography you'll be spoil
for Choice down the colorful streets
with lanterns blowing in the wind and
steam rising from buns and dumplings
being boiled and cooked at the many
stands throughout
town it's the perfect place to enjoy
some mouthwatering nighttime Street food
just be careful if you do go for the
dumplings they're as delicious as they
are
explosive after a pretty chill Kamakura
minor mid it's back to the action in
Chinatown the biggest Chinatown in all
of Asia after actual
China when it comes to Chinatown of
course you'll spoil for Choice I've gone
for these rather delicious pork
dumplings be careful they're insanely
hot I've just obliterated my mouth eat
with
care that was
lucky the juice exploded out the
dumpling and nearly hit someone in the
face again eat the dumplings with care
having slept off our chinat town
dumplings the next morning it's time to
say goodbye to the Tokyo metropolis and
hop on the shin conon bullet train 2
hours West across the central Japan Alps
to the historic city of canaza so I've
been to canaza about three or four times
over the years every time I do I come
down here down the ASO River the old Edo
era tea houses in the Kaz Mai chai
district and you kind of feel something
here there's difficult to feel in Tokyo
or even Kyoto by coming here to canaza
you can enjoy a midsize City but a city
that's very rich in arts crafts and food
it was once a merchant Town very wealthy
and that wealth is very much on display
to this very day during the Edo era from
16003 to 1868 canaza was ruled by
Japan's second richest Clan the maida
clan with wealth derived from the
Region's huge output of rice and given
the dangers of being the second richest
clan in Japan and so as not to arouse
suspicion from the Shogun and the all
powerful Tokugawa clan that ran the
country instead of spending their wealth
on militarization the MERS plowed the
money into cultural and artistic
Pursuits inspired by Kyoto leading Kazar
to be bestowed the title of little Kyoto
and that historic relationship with the
Arts is apparent the moment you arrive
at the station and step through the
breathtaking suzumi mon gate modeled
after traditional Japanese drums which
lights up in spectacular fashion at
night but the locals here can
practically take their pick of nicknames
for the city from Little Kyoto to the
envious title of City of Gold given 99%
of Japan's Gold Leaf production comes
from canaza and the locals certainly
aren't shy about sticking gold leaves on
just about everything especially
including the food as well as munching
on gold during our visit we'll also
wander through what might be my favorite
Market in all of Japan explore the
impressive Samurai District of nagamachi
and taste the decadent matcha green tea
confectionary but for our first stop
we're heading to our traditional
accommodation which happens to be a very
good reason to visit Kazar alone after
kyotto Kazar is the second largest
Japanese City to be spared from aerial
bombings during the second world war and
given the region has been fortunate to
avoid natural disasters such as
earthquakes the city retains much of its
traditional architecture and there's no
better way to appreciate the
architecture than by staying in it with
the tatami straw mats shy paper doors
and exposed wooden beams the natural
materials instantly cultivates an
atmosphere of relaxation and with the
windows still letting light in while
closed you can shut yourself away from
the world and have a quiet moment to
yourself it's almost like having a
holiday within a holiday when it comes
to stress relief there really is nothing
better than a matcha
townhouse with over 200 bustling shops
and stores omur has been cana's largest
market since the Edo era and whether
you're visiting for breakfast or lunch
there's a ton of street foods to enjoy
while lost in the Labyrinth of Alleyways
and passages within now I love omur
Market as you can pretty much find every
Japanese food imaginable hidden away
here and the vendors are remarkably
friendly with hungry Travelers queuing
up in every alley but maybe I'm just
biased because I can't get enough of the
unagi grilled eels typically a whole eel
costs an eyew watering
4,800 Yen but for just 500 yen you can
enjoy a skewer of the good stuff grilled
to Perfection and drizzled in the sticky
sweet unagi tar sauce made from sake
mirin soy sauce and sugar for the love
of God if you go to the market you've
got to try this stuff it's not all Meat
and Fish though charotte tucks into a
freshly cut local Pimon and follows it
up with a whole orange with the inside
shredded into a thick pulpy delicious
orange juice with everything from crabs
and craft beer to Lavish Seafood bowls
of kaisendon you'll have a hard time
pulling yourself away from the market
but once you've stuffed yourself silly
it's time to head on over to canesa's
Oldtown quarter in the hiashi chai
district canaza has three historic
entertainment districts the largest of
which is higashi chai for over 200 years
Gore the local gisha have entertained
wealthy merchants and businessmen alike
in stunning tea houses clad in the
iconic lattice design called kimore the
carefully angled latice design allows
customers inside to see out onto the
street while Sim ously concealing the
interior from nosy passes by to this day
the geal still exists serving loyal
local clients though many of their old
tea houses have been converted into
cafes and as we wander the streets
dodging Rick shores along the way one of
these cafes tempts us with the promise
of tasty green tea matcher infused
confectionary how can I resist look at
that gold 24 Karat solid gold I know
just blew it all away then oh my God I'm
blowing it away what am I doing this is
gold should be eating it not blowing it
away across the road you'll find a
shop serving up the visually striking
Gold Leaf ice cream because the gold
leaves are an incredible 110,000 of a
millimeter across the slightest gust of
wind and it will likely blow away so eat
it fast eating the ice cream itself
feels almost like an optical illusion it
may look golden but the flavor is
completely unaltered and you can't even
feel the texture of the gold on your
tongue the moment you touch it it pretty
much disappears
given Kazar is famed for its arts and
crafts it's the perfect place to grab
some omag souvenirs for Lucky friends
and family back home and for that we
head to kazawa HCK matchi store downtown
from meticulous handcrafted cups and
glamorous Chopsticks to Mani Neco
figurines and the star attraction of
course a 24 karat gold leaf face mask
orbe it for a rather pricey 6,600 yen is
it worth buying just to look like a bond
villain uh no probably not still for a
more reasonable 2,200 Yen you can get
what's cheeky described as the trial set
naturally I can't help myself I want a
taste of success I want a taste of real
power well not quite the real power in
canaza used to reside in nagamachi
Samurai District where we head for a
quiet stroll around the historic streets
lined with Earth and walls private gated
entrances and narrow Lanes leading to
gently gushing streams The District
offers a glimpse of what life may have
looked like here 200 years ago and for a
quiet contemplative evening stroll it
can't be beat I love it we've got a
samurai District dating back hundreds of
years full of History wealth culture and
then we've got the
Cafe why did they choose to name it that
we'll never
know continuing our stroll we find
ourselves stumbling across oyama Shrine
dedicated to Maier the first Lord of the
immensely powerful maida Clan and while
the temple itself is Pleasant it's the
distinctive gate that's the star
attraction with its European aesthetic
designed by a Dutch architect it may not
have been popular when it was first
built but today it's a national treasure
and speaking of the maida clan while we
didn't have time on our trip today Kazar
is also home to one of Japan's three
most famous gardens Ken noen beautifully
maintained by yes you guessed it the
maida clan from generation to generation
it's absolutely worth a visit as photos
and videos simply don't do its beauty
justice as we saw earlier at omur Market
Seafood is kind of a big deal in canaza
and for dinner we head to kirar Zushi
not too far from downtown canaza station
conve Belt Sushi restaurants are
typically associated with cheaper cuts
of sushi but here at kirari not only is
the sushi high quality but it doesn't
revolve either as it's whisked over to
you on Sleek bullet trains from the
kitchen sourced from the nearby Port the
fish is some of the best in town
although not all ingredients here come
from the sea because that's right not
even the sushi escapes the 24 karat gold
trip treatment oh good God Gold Leaf
Sushi this is nuro black throat fish
it's the local fish of kazawa and
they're so proud of it they drenched it
in Gold let's taste it ice cream is one
thing but fish with gold it could work
look at
that that's charlott's
piece yeah you can't taste the gold
thankfully just tastes very good fish
very good fish indeed but if you want
reasonably pric Su she a good place and
gold sushi n left come to kidar Sushi
pretty good place well it's been a fun
day here in Kazar and having eaten half
the city it's time to retreat to our
cozy matcha townhouse where I can
finally have my long awaited
[Music]
soak the gold the
gold
it's time to leave Japan's West Coast
behind and head Inland to the central
Japan Alps our destination the mountain
town of takayama about a 2-hour train or
bus ride however we're taking a detour
first because right in the middle of
takayama and kazawa lies the most
picturesque town in all of Japan it's
called shidao and it's a settlement that
was once hidden away from the rest of
Japan by the surrounding mountain peaks
today its that Ro farmhouses and
carefully tended Fields have been
awarded World her status and the unique
way of life opened up to the world the
first time I saw a photo of shid cagal I
thought it must be Photoshop surely it
can't be this good and then I came here
and it really is as jaw-droppingly
stunning as it looks and while it does
look best in summer when the rice is in
full bloom it's pretty damn nice in
Autumn as well and winter when it's
caked in snow and it's got a very cozy
Vibe going on I think no matter what
time of year you come to sh Cal you'll
certainly be rewarded it really is like
a high Al miazaki movie I say it a lot
but this time it really
is shido's that roof buildings are
called gash Zuki and they're not just
aesthetically pleasing but absolutely
essential in handling amongst the
highest snowfall on the planet in the
winter months when looking at the
Village you may notice all the buildings
face the same direction from north to
south a direction specifically chosen to
help minimize wind resistance but what
makes the town so special is that it's
not an open a museum but a real lived in
town with a local population in fact if
your schedule allows it the best way to
enjoy Shalo is to actually stay the
night in one of the farmhouses but
whether you're here for the night or
half a day you'll constantly be
surprised by the picture perfect nature
of the village and admittedly the rather
random goat just standing in the street
don't know how it got there you often
see people sharing videos of fish in the
waterways of Japan but actually it is
quite rare outside of mountain Towers
like this and should cowo but here
abundant looks pretty damn cool right
adds to the whole vibe and there's a a
goat over there randomly just walk in
the streets as well so the wildlife of
shirao you never know what you might
find if there's one dish to try shakago
it's actually a dessert Japanese custard
pudding served up in impressive glass
jars at the aptly named House of pudding
and my God is it delicious it's easy to
see how it recently won the title of
Japan's best pudding
2023 the house of pudding we had to
stop good go that is so
creamy oh my
God the aesthetic jar as well beautiful
Aesthetics don't come to shago for the
nice buildings or the goat come for the
house of pudding because it really is
that good this is insanely
[Music]
delicious heading a further 50 minutes
into the central Japan Alps and stuffed
full of treats from the house of pudding
at last we reach the mountain town of
takama takayama might just be my
favorite town in all of Japan I mean the
Journey Through The Towering Central
Japan outs to get here alone might just
be worth it for that but with it gushing
streams and traditional architecture
it's no surprise a lot of Travelers
coming here say it's a bit like stepping
back in time and the fact that every
street food here pretty much features
the local hi wagy beef is also a pretty
big bonus as
well despite its isolated location takma
has long enjoyed a level of prosperity
thanks to its high quality Timber and
EXP Craftsman that led to the region
being directly controlled by the ruling
Tokugawa shoga for the duration of the
Edo era they really did want that Timber
today there's an undeniable retro Vibe
around town with its old school
signboards and the shakan museum
celebrating 20th century Japan meanwhile
even convenience stores like family Mar
attempt to blend in by shunning their
bright green logo in favor of a more
Sleek wooden design checking into our
accommodation first while it may not be
quite as spacious as the canaza mat here
the view certainly makes up for it as we
gaze out across the mwa River and the
Oldtown quarter with the crisp Mountain
air blowing Downstream takayama Old Town
like canaza has done an impressive job
preserving its old buildings filled with
shops restaurants and even a sakur
brewery with Travelers queuing up for
the many Street Foods on offer and I
can't help but join in the fun after
spotting a stand selling the local hi
wagu beef on a stick wagu steak at a
restaurant will set you back about 6,000
Yen typically here you can enjoy a stick
of the good stuff for a mere 600 Yen
what a
bargain oh the one street food you need
when you come to dama you won't regret
it what I love about hi gear is they're
not very snobbish about how they use it
a lot of places when it comes to our you
have to have it in a certain way here
they serve it on a stick they serve it
on Sushi they serve it in buns they're
not afraid to use it and they're very
proud of it and I can certainly see why
my God Trish Trish when he come to AMA
thank me
later if there's one place worth
stopping by in takayama it has to be my
favorite museum in all of Japan takayama
shakan Museum well the shaw era spans
the reign of Emperor Shaw from 1926 to
1989 it's most commonly associated with
the postwar era when Japan experienced
an economic Miracle as the economy
boomed and the Arts flourished it was a
time Japan Found A Renewed sense of
identity and today it's looked back on
incredibly nostalgically especially as
the bubble burst in the early '90s and
the country went on to face the Lost
decade the attention to detail in the
museum is genuinely breathtaking with
entire shops and districts Faithfully
recreated with old memorabilia eagley
viewers may even recognize it from the
Dr Jelly commercial which we filmed on
location here in the Retro Diner where
history was made Dr jelly 2 commercial
shot right here about 3 years ago now
can't believe it well I love the way
there's just these little sets in every
part this one's a diner you've got
Cinema a school 1950s house hairdresses
such a cool place my favorite museum in
Japan by far it is like coming back in
time the attention to detail is
ridiculous honestly for the museum alone
a visit to takayama May well be
justified if I could live one place in
Japan it' be here every day would be the
60s every
day
traveling back in time is hungry
business fortunately just across the
road is a quaint and somewhat random
Scottish inspired Cafe aptly named
bagpipe of course it is the interior is
filled to the brim with clocks and
trinkets with the atmosphere of Mrs
doubtfire's sitting room having just
traveled back to the 60s at the Sha
Museum bagpipe feels like a natural
extension but with its delicious menu of
desserts sandwiches and coffee it's a
pleasant spot to sit relax and enjoy
looking out onto the streets of the
Oldtown
quarter if you're not able to make it to
shirakawago takayama is also home to the
hi folk Village while it's not a real
lived in town such as Shir cagor the
impressive open air museum is definitely
worth a visit so you can explore the
gashel zakuri homes firsthand it's also
a lot easier to get to than Shao just a
5-minute taxi ride from takayama station
it's been quite the journey through
Central Japan but it's time to say
goodbye to Charlotte and head 3 hours
West by train to Kyoto the first of
three cities that will visit in Kanai
region Kyoto is the soul of Japan as the
nation's cultural capital the antidote
to the modern Concrete Jungle of Tokyo
it's easy to spend days on end wandering
through the city's 2,000 shrines and
temples or lost down the back streets
enjoying a quiet moment arriving in
Kyoto we meet up with my good friend the
ever cheeky nski Who as a resident of
North Japan hasn't ever explored the
cities of Kyoto Oraka and Nara it's
certainly going to be a lot of fun
living vicariously through nsk's
reactions to some of Japan's most
spectacular sites over the next few days
and our first stop is to head to our
accommodation with an abundance of
options in Kor the best location to stay
is arguably higashiyama on the east side
of the city where you'll have easy
access to the largest historic quarters
and while hotels are in abundance we've
decided to stay in a matcha wooden
townhouse machia tow houses are sadly on
the decline with nearly 800 lost every
every single year the one silver lining
is the city's booming tourism sector is
helping to keep them alive with many
being renovated for travelers looking
for their own private slice of CTO
wow and with the all natural materials
and enclosed Garden hopefully you too
will find your own piece of Cal in the
middle of the bustling City it's very
small like a
[Music]
hobbit and when the rain gently pours
off the kada roof tiles as he gaze out
into the tiny private Garden from your
bath you too will know you've made the
right choice choosing to stay in a
machia the quintessential Kyoto
experience with naty's early afternoon
soak out of the way the rain finally
clearing we head to South Kyoto to climb
up the city's most famous Shrine Fushimi
inard with 10,000 red Tory Gates snaking
up through the Luscious forests of Mount
Inari Fushimi Inari is an ancient Shrine
dating back to the 8th Century before
Kyoto even became the capital of Japan
and it's dedicated to inard the Shinto
God of rice Agriculture and fertility
given Mount inard is 233 M you can reach
The Summit in about 30 to 40 minutes but
here there's no real destination it's
the breathtaking Journey Through The
Gates that's the reward you might be
wondering where all the gates come from
and they're actually donated by
companies and individuals looking for
good luck with their names and the dates
of their donations inscribed on each and
every gate and unsurprisingly a Tory
gate at fim andari certainly doesn't
come cheap how much do you think one of
these gates cost nasy
10 um it's cheap isn't it cheap cheap
one small gate is 400,000 Yen
off big big a big gate is about a
million y for $88,000 you've got a hair
saly on though your business yeah why
not get a gate for your business to you
know help the C good idea yeah for your
hair Sal how much money have you got
what we got here oh 5,000
5,000 yen we just need miniature doll
size we just need another $88,000 oh D
God I'm dream get to three naty's Tory
gate dreams seemingly shattered
hopefully dinner will cheer him up as we
return to hiashi and the finest tempura
restaurant in all of Kyoto tempura
Endor every time I find myself in Kyoto
I visit the restaurant and I've
essentially bribed natski to join our
trip with the promise of crispy gold
battered wonders that lie in store from
the moment you step inside you're hit
with the tantalizing Rich Aroma of the
batter and similar to a sushi restaurant
each dish whether it's fish vegetables
or meat is batted one at a time and
placed before you and how does it taste
well I'll let naski give the
verdict so good you'll drop your
[Music]
chopsticks the next morning we head to
arashiyama a 30-minute Journey to the
north of the city and home to many of
kotor's most treasured temples and
[Music]
shrines as he cross the Striking toed
secure bridge and wander along the banks
of the cataa river you'll find what may
be my favorite spot in the city with
boats quietly drifting Upstream against
the scenic backdrop of the neighboring
arashiyama
mountains our first stop is the Bamboo
Grove with a cool morning Breeze blowing
through the forest it's an almost
otherworldly ethereal site as we follow
the winding path through the the
trees stroll through the forest and
you'll soon come across the world
heritage site of tenui one of Japan's
greatest Zen temples built in the 14th
century in dedication to the recently
deceased Emperor
gordor ten nui's beautifully landscaped
garden and pond have been practically
untouched for 700 years and it's a place
to sit relax and enjoy a quiet moment of
contemplation but don't get too
comfortable as we climb Mount arashiyama
with the reward at the top isn't just
the incredible panoramic views over CTO
but an encounter with 120 snow monkeys
that call aatama Monkey Park
home it's quite a sight being able to
get up close to the monkeys as they walk
around the visitors without a care in
the world but it's important to point
out they are wild so don't get too close
and certainly don't look them dead in
the eye unless you want a trip to buy
some
bandages
good I should have known it wasn't the
temples the culture nor the history that
attracted did nki to Kyoto it was the
monkeys naturally wow great
monkey heading back down the mountain
it's time to visit koror's most
extravagant structure and the darling of
every Japan guide book front cover ever
made King kakaji AKA The Golden
Pavilion built as a Swanky holiday home
for Shun ashik kaga yoshimitsu The
Pavilion itself has tragically burned
down twice most recently in 19 1950 by a
fanatic monk before being rebuilt in
1955 King kakaji golden Pavilion
shimmering in the afternoon sun it is
stunning but you all have to fight for a
space to see it as we are we've had to
queue for quite a while but the view is
most certainly worth it it really is
pretty spectacular what do you think I
feel so rich man you feel so rich man
and you will too if you come to the
kingi
temple in the late afternoon an hour
before dusk we returned to higashi to
catch a glimpse of Kyoto at sundown from
K mizera Temple higashiyama is
absolutely huge and the journey through
the mazike streets really is half the
appeal of exploring the area the moment
we arrive we're instantly rewarded with
a view of the Asaka Pagoda a remarkable
five-story Pagoda which has stood here
on the hillside for over 600
years as we continue our walk up to K
Madera we increasingly find ourselves
sidelined by the many shops that line
the streets selling confectionary
Pottery crafts and Sak it's only a m
matter of time before the inevitable and
that's just bought a terrifying mask to
scare the locals it's not one of the
nice ones either brace
yourselves that's
key oh dear that's certainly one way to
stand out in koto's crowded streets K
midera literally meaning pure water
temple resides in an enviable spot on
the mountain side with sweeping views
over Kyoto and derives its poetic name
from the waterfall it was constructed
around in the 8th Century perhaps the
most impressive aspect of kadera is the
Towering wooden stage that rises 13 m
above the ground built without using any
nails and giving visitors spectacular
views over the cherry and maple trees
that span the mountain side from here as
you gaze across Kyoto with traditional
architecture in the foreground and the
monolithic modern day Kyoto station in
the distance you'll truly be able to
appreciate Kyoto's story past and
present and for just 500 yen you can
also appreciate your fortune as natski
grabbs an Omi literally a message from
the Gods written on a paper slip and
often found on sale at Shinto shrines
and Buddhist
temples Moment of
Truth too bad if you hadn't
bought the bad luck you wouldn't have
had
it and if at first you don't succeed buy
another message from the gods I get the
chance what have you got this time all
right drum
roll
good is he good
does it cancel it out good fortune bad
fortune Good
Fortune having successfully manifested
some good luck admittedly with the help
of his
wallet it's time to manifest some
dinner when it comes to dining out
kyto's Pont Alleyway is home to more
bars and restaurants than just about any
other stretch in the city it's well
worth a stroll for the atmosphere alone
however we're going across the bridge
into gon to a restaurant serving up the
local omy beef said to be one of the
three great beefs of Japan alongside
corber and matasaka here we're able to
sample The Buttery Rich A5 W as it's
gently and delicately sizzled before us
by the Master Chef ory beef is typically
cheaper than its rarer cousins of corit
and matasaka there is somebody who's
consumed a formidable amount of aru in
the last 10 years and admittedly on this
trip it's less to do with where the cut
is from and how it's grilled and
prepared and once again I'll leave the
verdict to naski
oh oh my
[Music]
god well we've only just scratched the
service of Kyoto given how truly
overwhelming Kai region is for its
sights it's time we ventured off to our
next city the ancient capital of
Nara Nar is a much smaller City and its
relaxed pace is much welcomed after
Kyoto's somewhat frenetic streets
especially as many of the city's
Treasures are situated in the Majestic
Nara Park as we stumble from the station
to the park we chance upon the most
famous shop in town serving up your mogy
mchi rice cakes deliciously fluffy
Parcels of rice that have been
relentlessly pounded down dusted with
soybean flour and filled to the brim
with generous amounts of gooey red bean
paste the perfect
breakfast Mai probably the most famous
Mai in Nara every New Year's Eve you see
this shop featured in Japanese news
they're pounding the rice pounding the
rice cakes down and uh yeah it's very gy
very nice bubble gum like bubble gum
it's quite a dangerous sweet though many
people actually die choking on the stuff
every year so be careful when eating it
it's very cheery don't talk while eating
it as
well as we make our way into Nar Park we
come face to face with the local deer
admittedly not that hard given 1,200
Seeker deer call Nar Park home
the deer are remarkably friendly
especially when they spot a fist full of
crackers who'd have thought it good
morning and before accepting the
crackers if you bow to the deer they too
will bow in return such civilized
creatures well not quite things can get
out of hand pretty damn fast once they
discover the crackers the seemingly
composed deer soon become well pretty
crackers as Nai unfortunately discovers
firstand if there's one thing to see in
Nara it's a Temple but not just any
Temple this alone is a good enough
reason to visit Nara the toig temple one
of the largest wooden structures on the
planet it's not just the fact the
exterior looks like the sort of place
you'd have a video game boss battle but
it's what's inside one of the largest
bronze brother statues in all of Japan
and it is
[Music]
spectacular toi means Great Eastern
Temple and it was built in 752 as the
head Buddhist temple in all of Japan a
colossal 49 ft tall busu awaits you
inside weighing an astonishing 500 tons
around the back you'll find a pillar
with a hole in its base the same size as
the nostril of the dutu it said if you
can squeeze through it you'll be granted
Enlightenment in your next life
unfortunately for nki though the next
life isn't looking so good right
now after two failed attempts and having
lost all his pocket money Nai
reluctantly gives up better luck next
time toi is quite the Blockbuster Temple
and it seems only fair that it's matched
by one of the most visually impressive
shrines in the country on the opposite
end of Nara Park we discover kasaa nar's
most celebrated Shrine built to protect
the city and famous for its 3,000
stunning lanterns donated by worshippers
hung from the walls around the shrine if
you want to see the lanterns illuminated
they're only lit up twice a year in
February and August something I imagine
the monks are fairly grateful for that's
certainly a lot of matches ah you know
after the chaos of Kyoto streets it's
been really damn Pleasant wandering
nar's Mountainside temples and quiet
streets but now it's time to dive back
into the grit and the glamour that is
Osaka my favorite city in
[Music]
Japan Oraka the nation's kitchen and the
party capital of Japan grittier and more
laid-back than its bigger brother Tokyo
Oraka is in its element at sundown when
the city's Billboards burst into life
around the dorton B canal
[Music]
luckily we're staying nearby but before
checking into our somewhat unusual
accommodation we first let natski take
it all in given somehow it's his first
time ever to set foot in
Oraka my God allaker at night I think
it's the only place that can rival Shabu
Crossing in Tokyo for the wow factor for
that moment where you take one big look
and go oh my God where am I and what's
going on I think this might well be my
favorite spot in Japan but the best
thing about Osaka of course is that it's
known as the kitchen of Japan so it's
time we sampled some of the things in
the
kitchen Street Foods in an abundance
around Autumn Bor at night yakatori
skewers pancakes and of course the most
famous street food of all takoyaki fried
octopus balls chopped up octopus
drenched in batter and doused with Tangy
werer sauce green onion Pickled ginger
and mayonnaise with eight balls all for
the price of 600 Yen what an absolute
steal but be warmed the food does come
with one ever so slightly dangerous
downside yeah the first mistake of
takoyaki wait about 10 minutes because
it is like moled lava oh my
God
careful oh dear we'll never
learn having incinerated our mouth it's
time to check into our accommodation the
area surrounding Dort B is in my view
the best place to stay in Oraka so you
can enjoy a night out but also because
it is well connected and tonight we're
staying at the henna Hotel staffed
entirely by
robots
wow as we're greeted at checkin by two
multilingual robot dinosaurs two leg the
hotel chain can be found throughout
Japan and straddles the fine line
between being cool and gimmicky But the
rooms a good value for money don't be
deterred if you're not someone who
enjoys robot dinosaurs what a sentence
to say out loud calling our hotel
stand the next morning we visit the
city's most important Landmark the
enormous Oraka castle with its
traditional architecture quite the
contrast against the city's gleaming
Modern
Skyscrapers Osaka Castle might not be
the best preserved Castle in Japan that
title goes to Himi or maybe matoto in
fact the entire inside of it is a museum
and there's an elevator which they
certainly didn't have back in the Edo
era but what you'll find when you come
here is a visually striking castle that
is breathtaking in its scale and the
fact that it's got the mo still there
that surrounds the castle a huge sping
Gardens it really is a sight to
behold Oraka Castle played a huge role
in the history of Japan from 1614 to
1615 the ruling Tokugawa Clan fought a
lengthy battle involving several
hundred, troops laying Siege to the
castle against toyot toi hiori the son
of the general who United Japan and buil
built the castle the defeat cemented the
power of the ruling Tokugawa shoga and
ushered in the Edo era similarly when
the castle fell in 1868 during the Civil
War to Imperial forces it marked the end
of an era and 200 years of rule by the
Tokugawa Dynasty while the view from
Osaka Castle is great the queue isn't
quite so appealing and so we head to the
Retro District of shinsekai and head up
to suen Kaku tower for an equally
impressive view of Osaka's vast
cityscape admittedly it may even be
better given you can see the castle
itself developed in 1912 and originally
inspired by Western architecture Shin
seai literally means new world today
however it's vibrant and evocative
Billboards look more like a Foreigner's
imagination of what Japan might look
like
Pirates it's here in the colorful
streets around the Tuten Kaku tower that
you'll find rest restaurant selling one
of Osaka's most iconic dishes cushy
katsu deep fried
skewers so shower perhaps the only flaw
of the dish is it's pretty damn hard to
discern what it is you're eating while
it all looks the same here we've got
cuts of pork beef onions potatoes shrimp
and my personal favorite cheese lots of
cheese happy
sausage take a skewer dip it into thick
ton catsu sauce essentially wory sauce
and never look back my God it's good
beautifully crunchy batter and a nice
friend
beer good good combination nice friend
nice friend
beer oh yeah lunch time on beer great
time well it's good to know Nas is so
easily one over but it's at this point
in the trip you've got to sort of Choose
Your Own Adventure stage with an extra
night to spare you can either visit
Hiroshima and the island of MIMA in the
west or head back towards Tokyo with a
stop off at the hot spring town of hon
and seeing as we've covered Hiroshima in
a dedicated video before linked below
we're going for hakon unsurprisingly I
don't want to share a bloody hotring
with natski which means it's time to say
goodbye to natski and hello once again
to
Charlotte Aon is 1 hour outside of Tokyo
by shinan and yet from the sheer change
of scenery you'd hardly know it was on
the doorstep of the world's biggest city
as skyscrapers are replaced with
luscious towering Peaks and if you're
lucky even a glimpse of Mount Fuji
itself in fact when riding the shinhan
send Tokyo bound from orak Kor be sure
to pick a window seat on the left side
of the train and you may just be
rewarded with the quintessential Japan
view hakona itself is nestled within the
complex volcano of Mount hakon
encompassing two overlapping calderas
several Peaks and the glistening Lake
ashy it's perhaps no surpris that this
seismically active National Park is some
of Japan's most famous in so eagerly
exploiting the precious Onsen hot spring
water bubbling up from below and for a
one night Excursion it's the perfect
place to experience a Japanese ran a
traditional in the key distinction
between a Rian and a hotel is that a
Rian is a holiday destination in its own
right a mini break with the food the hot
springs and the relaxing surroundings of
your room all serve to let you escape
relax and unwind whatever roran you
choose when checking in the ritual is
typically the same shoes are removed at
the entrance your dinner and breakfast
time chosen in advance a brief tour of
the characterful lobby and finally
escorted up to your room in this case we
find a beautifully illuminated room and
tucked away on the balcony a rotmo
outdoor bath the star of the show
overlooking the Mountainside scenery and
before heading down for our kaiseki
dinner how can I resist a cheeky
dip kaiseki means traditional
multi-course dinner and hot springs
aside it really is the star attraction
of staying at a riam and admittedly the
reason the experience costs a lot more
than a regular hotel with an emphasis on
Fresh seasonal ingredients and so
beautifully preserved you may even feel
a sense of guilt devouring it there's a
good chance it'll be one of the finest
meals of your trip to Japan so choose
your yoran wisely here we're served up
an assortment of seafood in no less than
12 Immaculate dishes followed up with
the most Picture Perfect Sukiyaki Hot
Pot topped with marbled A5 wagu beef I
don't know whether to eat it or take a
photo of it and mount it on my wall H
actually no I'll definitely just eat it
breakfast is no different either at 8:00
a.m. the next morning we awaken to find
yet another artistically prepared meal
of fish omelet mushrooms and rice
awaiting us
downstairs as we head out after
breakfast to enjoy the cash Kitty onent
while all the orans of Hot Springs
separated for men and women cash Kitty
means reserved private bath allowing
couples or families to enjoy eny a large
private bath all to themselves we've
managed to reserve it for a whole hour
although at 45° C around the 20 minute
Mark while submerged in the creamy
mineral Rich Waters you'll start to
transition from relaxation to boiled
frog fairly fast so be careful not to
enjoy it too much after drying off it's
time to head to the very source of the
hot spring water that's been spilling
into our bath 3,000 years ago Mount
hakon erupted leaving behind the sulfur
hellscape that is aak kudani literally
the great boiling Valley at 1,040 M near
the summit today thousands of Travelers
ride the hakon ropeway daily to see it
firsthand with the cable car rather
ominously almost directly over the
fuming vents below but seeing as we
rented a car we just drove up admittedly
a far less impressive Journey But
ultimately with the same rewarding view
of Mount Fuji magnificently looming
3,776 M over overhead my God we got
lucky today one of the best views North
Japan from the top of the hakon ropeway
Mount Fuji itself no matter how many
times you look at it it always takes
your breath away especially when it's
caked in snow in the early winter months
yes you have no idea how hard it is to
get this shot it's always in the clouds
so I'm very happy
today meanwhile over by the ropeway
crowds gather to gaze upon the great
boiling Valley up until 2015 visitors
could actually hike through the valley
but due to volcanic activity it was
subsequently closed off serving as a
Sinister reminder that Japan's
seismically active landscape is as
treacherous as it is
captivating Jesus it's like Mordor down
there the gateway to Hell itself all the
sulfuric steam puffing out billowing
across the mountain side but the view is
damn good not only Fuji but also looking
out towards Tokyo with the cable cars
going in front this is actually my first
time to ever come up the hack on a rope
play and I've been really impressed by
the views the atmosphere can't recommend
it enough definitely come up here and if
you're Lu lucky as we were today you
might just get the best view of Mount
Fiji in all
Japan if you're feeling peckish be sure
to try Kudo tagore literally black eggs
placed into baskets and dunked into the
80° hot spring for an hour the iron in
the water turning the shells black
according to local Legend it's said that
a hardboiled Kuro tamago will extend
your lifespan by up to 7 years not bad
for 500 yen if we hadn't spent an hour
stumbling around trying to find black
eggs we might have been able to go to
hack on a shrine that sits on the shores
of Lake ashinoko it's here you'll find
one of Japan's most photographed Tory
Gates protruding from the water after a
short stroll through the quain forest
meanwhile beyond the Tory gate you might
spot the haakon a pirate ship quietly
sailing across the lake why not hop
aboard and enjoy the local scenery while
living out your onepiece fantasies along
the way while we rented a car from odada
station and drove 45 minutes up the
mountain to hakon the area is incredibly
accessible without a car with buses and
local trains available but with that
it's time to return to
Tokyo well it's been quite the journey
but we're back where we started in Tokyo
with a few days to explore the world's
biggest city and this time we're staying
on the other side of town in Shinjuku
Shinjuku is the Tokyo you've seen in the
movies and Anime intense futuristic and
Relentless the good thing about
exploring it all on the tail end of the
trip is he've kind of settled in at this
point and so you can appreciate it
better hopefully you'll feel a lot less
confused than when you first arrived and
given we're here in Shinjuku in the
evening it's time to discover what makes
Japan's largest Entertainment District
worthy of the title explore the narrow
Alleyways of a mu Yore literally memory
lane and Sample there's 60 tiny bars and
restaurants within with grilled yakatori
skewed Chicken in
abundance or grab a drink in Golden guy
a conglomeration of tiny retro bars with
an undeniable cyber Punk atmosphere for
my money Shinjuku is the best place for
a nighttime stroll in Tokyo but please
be careful not to follow the street TOS
folks on the street encouraging you to
visit their bars at discount prices
they're often linked to terrible scams
with drinks being spiked and credit card
bills being run up by unsavory
characters in fact I've made a whole
video dedicated to this that I'd
strongly urge you to watch before having
a night out in
Tokyo after Shinjuku shabuya is also a
great place to spend the night out while
not as big as Shinjuku Tokyo's most
eclectic shopping district is home to
the iconic crossing a sight to behold
with dozens of billboards blaring out
overhead but your final days in Tokyo
are a chance to do the many things you
may have missed on your travels across
Japan and given everyone's tastes are
completely different there really is no
correct way to experience the city so
rather than reel off a list of
neighborhoods you need to explore I want
to end our journey by sharing with you
10 things you need to do while while
you're in Tokyo number one stay in a
capsule Hotel somehow we haven't done it
on this trip so far and there's more
capsule hotels in Tokyo than any other
city it's a unique way to spend the
night that you simply won't find outside
of Japan so do it while you can number
two why not stay at a love Hotel don't
be fooled by the name there's nothing
inherently sleazy about it love hotels
can't be booked and are first come first
served just walk in and grab a room for
2 hours in fact you may want longer the
rooms are more playful and fun than
regular hotels with karaoke and jacuzzi
bars included and speaking of karaoke
number three go to karaoke it's cheap
fun and or you can drink when showing
friends around Japan all good holidays
end slumped over a beer in a karaoke
booth number four get a jaw-dropping
panoramic view of Tokyo while shabuya
sky is the new kid in town with perhaps
the best views of the city the cues can
be over an hour the alternative is to
visit myy Tower in rongi visit the
rooftop Sky Deck where you can stand 238
m above Tokyo and truly appreciate the
ridiculous scale of the world's largest
city number five visit a game center
from Mario Kart to the iconic tyon or
taten ultimate drumming game it's the
best place to blow off steam and get
immersed in a world where the fun never
ends until they close at 10 p.m. number
six take the monal over to Oda a future
touristic District on a reclaimed island
with sweeping views over Tokyo Skyline
from the eye-catching Fuji television
building to the 20 M to scale replica of
a gundamn robot but it's the monal
that's the star of the show winding
through Tokyo skyscrapers and across the
Rainbow Bridge number seven go souvenir
shopping in ginsa the trendy upm Market
District I never know what to buy
friends of family back home but aesu
plum wine always seems to do the trick
regular NIU sake is a a bit more of an
acquired
taste number eight stroll through
Tokyo's many parks whether it's oeno
park with the zoo yoyogi park for the
people watching or Shinjuku park for the
carefully tended Gardens they each have
their own charm although I think
Shinjuku Park is probably the nicest to
spend a couple of hours strolling around
number nine go shopping for retro
secondhand Goods nobody does secondhand
Goods better than Japan where people
actually take care of their possessions
whether it's super potato the video game
shop in akih habab
where you can pick up a super familyc as
if it's practically brand new or the
cavernous Nao Broadway shopping center
filed to the brim with rare items you
simply won't find anywhere else and
number 10 eat some Ramen because somehow
we forgot to do it on the rest of our
trip ichiran is a tourist favorite
although in my view it's good if not a
little bit overrated go to idor if you
want to visit the chain that all the
locals go to or better still visit an
independent family run Ramen Shop of
which you're pretty much sport for
Choice given there's thousands across
the
city and then finally the hard part get
on the plane and go home but don't worry
you'll be back many thanks for watching
guys I hope you enjoyed our epic 14 days
across Japan but what was your favorite
place we visited and remember most of
the locations we explored on this trip
have actually got entire videos
dedicated to them such as Oraka fuka or
even asakasa District in Tokyo we've
listed them all in the description box
below so you can find them easily and
put them to good use on your trip to
Japan and if I learn one thing from this
entire trip it's if at first you don't
get the fortune you want keep buying
fortune and eventually you'll get what
you want to
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