Most Memorable 3 weeks in Japan

To the land of stunning natural beauty, enhanced by centuries of unique arts … its distinctive culture fascinates almost the entire world… one of the global economic superpowers…to the land of samurai, sushi and bonsai ..manga and Godzilla.. to the land of rising sun. Japan has so much to offer.

From the futuristic bustling city of Tokyo to cultural Kyoto to scenic Japan alps to immersing ourselves in Edo period Takayama in addition to enjoying the relaxing hot springs to UNESCO heritage and picturesque village Shirakawa-go to traveling on bullet train Shinkansen to experiencing one of its kind Tateyama alpine route.

18 days, 7 cities, 3 prefectures, and crazy adventures. This trip will go down in our memory lanes forever. One of our best experiences in life.

Koffee Mameya Kakeru: The concept of this store is “to make everyday coffee an extraordinary experience.”From a single cup of coffee to a course menu that elevates coffee to the realm of gastronomy, we enjoyed the attentive hospitality of skilled baristas, their skills and manners, and their hospitality.”

Quick Itinerary:

Day 1: Tokyo : Akhihabara & Koto City

Akihabara: See at Home cafe
Ginza shopping
Lunch at T’s Tantan – Gransta Tokyo: amazing vegan ramen
Koffee Mameya Kakeru, Koto city
Night: Zoetrope Shinjuku- Japanese famous whiskey with vintage film

Day 2 & 3: Tokyo: Shibuya and Harajuku

Takeshita Dori in Harajuku- Try Marion Crepes/ Angel Crepes, crispy cream puffs of Zakuzaku / coffee at Dotcom Space / Chavaty – an ice crème
For gorgeous views : Shibuya crossing and then from 11th floor Sky Lobby in Shibuya Hikarie/ Just take the B5 exit at Shibuya Station and hop on the elevator to the 11th floor
Shopping : Shibuya Hikarie, Shibuya 109, Parco
Shibuya sky – at Shibuya scramble square 5, Try Happy pancakes
Night: Visit Memory lane Omoide Yokocho and Albatross at Golden Gei

Day 4: Tokyo: Shinjuku

Shopping -Don Quijote branch, Matsumoto Kiyoshi
Lunch – Ain Soph. Journey- vegan restaurant
Tokyo metropolitan government building 45th Floor- city views are spectacular
Night: Shibuya- Ruby Room – open mic

Day 5: Tokyo

Morning : Go Karting
Afternoon: Teamlab planets
Night: Tokyo Pub crawl

Day 6: Tokyo to Mount Fuji

Mt Fuji-lake Kawaguchi-Ko – Take a Limited express train or highway bus to Kawaguchi-Ko
Take Fujikyko line train from Kawaguchi-Ko station to Shimoyoshida station (10 mins) one way: Chureito pagoda (shrine on top)
Take sightseeing bus with one day ticket with ropeway and boat cruise combo

Day 7: Tokyo to Kyoto

Post breakfast : Tokyo via Shinkansen to Kyoto
Night in Kiyamachi street – open 24 hrs
Explore around Pontocho- open 24 hours
Ogawa Coffee Laboratory -7 AM to 9 PM

Day 8: Kyoto

Higashiyama district-Preserved historic district around Kiyomizudera
Tea ceremony- Higashiyama ward
Explore Nishiki Market- food, souvenirs
Kiyomizudera -Temple famous for its large wooden terrace
Kodaiji Temple-Built in memory of Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Day 9: Kyoto

The Fushimi Inari Shrine- open 24 hours – start at 6.00 AM to escape the crowd
Lunch at Ren vegan- this is a must try
Ginkakuji- Beautiful temple not actually covered in silver
Kinkaku-ji Temple- The Golden Pavilion-Temple building covered in gold- Northern side during sunset
Dinner – Gion soy milk ramen uno Yukiko
Walk south on Hanamikoji Street to explore Geisha district

Day 10: Kyoto

Katsura Villa-Imperial villa with stunning landscape garden
Togetsukyo Bridge
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Tenryu-ji Temple – Zen Temple in the Arashiyama district
Hop aboard from Saga torokko station for the Sagano Romantic Train

Day 11 and 12: Kyoto to Takayama

From Kyoto to Takayama via Shinkansen and Stay at Ryokan, enjoy hot spring onsen

Day 13: Takayama

Explore morning Markets
Old Town-Sanmachi Suji
Takayama jinya
Kissa ten- old japanese coffee in coffee don place
Abcdef – hot chocolate and fresh cookies 🍪 – this is must try
Dinner at Evitex- veg burritos
Try local Sake and Chuhai / at some places they call it Sochu

Day 14: Shirakawago

Entire day exploring traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses and back to Takayama for night stay

Day15: Takayama to Toyama

Day 16: Start early morning for Tateyama Alpine route from Toyama and arrive at Matsumoto

The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine (pronounced “Alpen”) Route is known as the “Roof of Japan”.

The route passes through the dynamic scenery of Mt. Tateyama in the Japan Alps. It is traversed using a variety of vehicles with an elevation change of 2400 meters from Toyama Prefecture to Nagano Prefecture.

The Alpine Route has two entrances, one starting from Tateyama Station-located in Toyama Prefecture, is the entrance from the West, another from Ogizawa-located in Nagano Prefecture, from the East. We started from Toyama ended our day by checking in hotel in Matsumoto.

Entire journey was as follow:

Take the Cable car from Tateyama Station to Bijodaira (7 minutes)
Tateyama Togen Highland Bus from Bijodaira to Murodo (50 minutes)/ Optional, take a short Hike at Midagahara Wetland
At Murodo Station, take a short stroll to Mikurigaike Pond and wandering around
Trolley bus from Murodo to Daikanbo station (10 min)
Ride the Ropeway from Daikanbo to Kurobedaira (7 min)
Cable car from Kurobedaira to Kurobe Dam (5 min)
Wandering around in Kurobe Dam
Trolleybus from Kurobe Dam to Ogizawa (16 min)
Bus from Ogizawa to Shinano-Omachi (40 min)
Take the train from Shinano-Omachi to Matsumoto