Japan has always held a certain magic for me — a place where centuries-old traditions live side by side with neon-lit streets, where food is treated with reverence, and where even the smallest gestures carry meaning. I’d dreamed of visiting for years, but the idea of planning a trip across so many regions felt overwhelming.
When my mom suggested joining a guided tour, everything clicked. It turned out to be the perfect way to experience Japan for the first time. Our guide, Emiko, was extraordinary — warm, knowledgeable, and patient — gently opening the door to Japan’s culture, etiquette, and food while giving us space to explore on our own.
Japanese culture is famously rooted in harmony and respect, and I felt that everywhere. Even in Tokyo, a city of millions, the streets were spotless. With no public trash cans, everyone simply carries their trash home. That level of discipline amazed me. And while I worried about accidentally breaking etiquette rules, locals were gracious and forgiving. Emiko explained the nuances — like greeting seniors first or bowing deeper to show respect — and I found myself appreciating the beauty in these rituals.
Over two weeks, we traveled from Tokyo to Hakone, Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, and finally Hiroshima. Each place felt distinct, yet connected by the same quiet sense of pride and tradition. I left wanting to return and linger longer in each city.
What I Saw
Tokyo
We arrived in Tokyo midday, jet-lagged but eager to explore Shinbashi, our neighborhood. As the sun set, the city transformed — lights flickering on, crowds flowing through the streets, restaurants filling with people ending their workday. Our first dinner had to be sushi, and it felt like the perfect welcome.
The next morning began with a calligraphy lesson from artist Koshun Masunaga. I’d always admired Japanese calligraphy, but learning it firsthand showed me how much intention and control it requires.
From there, we visited Meiji Shrine — a peaceful oasis that made the city around it disappear — and wandered through Ginza before returning to our hotel. I loved how Tokyo blends sleek skyscrapers with ancient temples; the contrast feels uniquely Japanese.
We continued exploring the Imperial Palace, home of the Japanese Imperial Family. The palace is surrounded by moats but on the inside, covered by beautiful gardens.
Our next stops were the Asakusa Kannon Temple and the bustling Nakamise arcade. The crowds were intense, but the energy was unforgettable.
Later, at the Tokyo National Museum, I fell in love with the ceramics collection.
And of course, we ended the night at Shibuya Crossing, an orderly scramble of people crossing the main road. We were swept up in the organized chaos.
Hakone
The next morning brought one of the most breathtaking sights of the trip: Mount Fuji, a perfectly symmetrical cone that rises to 12,388 feet.
On Lake Ashi, the views were serene and almost dreamlike.
We stayed at a traditional ryokan, complete with hot springs, kimonos, and a Kaiseki dinner. It felt ceremonial and grounding — a glimpse into a slower, more intentional way of living.
Takayama
Riding the bullet train to Takayama was thrilling, especially watching trains speed past the platform. Takayama itself felt like stepping back in time. The preserved Old Town, with its narrow streets and wooden buildings, was charming and peaceful.
We experienced a traditional tea ceremony, visited the Miyagawa Morning Market, cooked our own Japanese lunch, toured historic sites, and ended the day with a sake tasting. Wandering the quiet streets at sunset was one of my favorite moments — everything felt still and content.
Kanazawa
We visited Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO village of steep thatched-roof houses, and made washi paper in Gokayama.
In Kanazawa, we enjoyed rooftop cocktails, learned about gold leaf art at Hakukokan, watched ceramics being thrown by hand at Kutani Kosen Kiln, and explored Omicho Market.
Kenrokuen Garden was stunning — spacious, elegant, and timeless. We spent hours wandering its paths before visiting the nearby Kanazawa Castle.
After we walked back to our hotel while exploring small streets and stopped by the beautifully preserved Nomura Samurai House.
Kyoto
Kyoto felt like the heart of Japan — temples everywhere, history woven into every street. We visited Nijo Castle, the sprawling residence of the shoguns who ruled Japan for 250 years. This castle has many security measures, including deep moats, hidden rooms, and “nightingale floors” that squeak as you walk on them to alert of any intruders.
We also visited the Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design and admired Kyoto Tower at night.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove was otherworldly, especially early in the morning before the crowds arrived.
Ryoan-ji’s Zen garden, a Zen Buddhist temple, was quiet and contemplative. This temple’s dry garden epitomizes the simplicity of Zen meditation. Inside the temple, the paintings on the paper room dividers are stunning.
We then made our way to Kinkaku-ji Temple, the famous lakeside Temple of the Golden Pavilion. It shimmered over the water like something out of a painting.
We wandered through Gion, spotted a Maiko, and explored temples tucked into corners of the city.
The next day we visited Fushimi Inari shrine, the social media famous shrine with endless red torii gates was iconic and unforgettable.
After, we visited Sanjusangendo Hall, an important Buddhist temple housing 1000 statues of the Thousand-Armed Kannon deity. We weren’t allowed to take photos of this temple, but the site of the 1000 deities is awe-inspiring. I have never seen anything like it before.
On our last day, we climbed to the Kiyomizu-dera Temple for sweeping views of Kyoto and celebrated the end of our tour with a farewell dinner.
Hiroshima
We extended our trip to visit Hiroshima, and I’m so grateful we did. The Peace Memorial Park and museum were deeply moving. Standing before the Genbaku Dome, one of the few structures left standing after the bombing, was humbling.
Despite its history, Hiroshima radiates hope. The resilience and forgiveness of its people left a lasting impression.
We took a boat to Miyajima Island, famous for its floating torii gate and friendly (sometimes too friendly) deer. We explored shrines, temples, and of course, sampled plenty of snacks and ice cream.
On our final night, we gathered on the hotel rooftop, sharing drinks and memories from the past three weeks.
What I Ate
Japan’s food scene is legendary, and it exceeded every expectation. From sushi and ramen to street snacks and tempura, every meal felt like a small adventure. The table below lists all the restaurants and food stalls we visited.
| City | Name |
|---|---|
| Tokyo | Sushi Zanmai Shinbashi |
| Tokyo | Asakusa Sakura |
| Tokyo | Ginza Oborodzuki |
| Takayama | Takayama Pudding Tei |
| Takayama | Cha-No-Me Cafe |
| Takayama | Suzuya Restaurant |
| Shirakawa-go Gassho-zukuri Village | Shirakawago Purin no Ie (Pudding House) |
| Tamukai | Gokayama Onsen Gokasansou |
| Kanazawa | Ohkura |
| Kanazawa | Sushi Tora |
| Kyoto | Hakata Daruma Kyoto Ramen Koji Store |
| Kyoto | Arashiyama Sousuke Kiyomizu-dera |
| Kyoto | Tempura Endo Okazaki |
| Hiroshima | Hiroshima Okonomi Story Ekimae Hiroba |
Tokyo
We kicked things off with fresh sushi at Sushi Zanmai Shinbashi — simple, delicious, and exactly what we needed. Our tour welcome dinner introduced us to wagyu hot pot, tempura, and plum wine.
Street food quickly became our favorite. We shared melonpan ice cream sandwiches, dumplings, and bowls of ramen at Ginza Oborodzuki. Ordering from picture menus became part of the fun.
Hakone
At the ryokan, dinner felt ceremonial — sushi, hot pot, grilled dishes, and kamameshi simmering at the table. Wearing kimonos made the experience even more special.
Takayama
We began with matcha and wagashi at a tea ceremony, then cooked our own lunch during a hands-on class. Soft serve from Takayama Pudding Tei was unforgettable — the milk flavor was unlike anything I’ve had before.
We tried mitarashi dango (pretty but not my favorite), indulged in crème brûlée cheesecake, and ended the night with sukiyaki and Hida beef yakiniku at Suzuya, where the staff made us feel so welcome.
Kanazawa
We finally tried custard pudding at Shirakawago Purin no le — I could’ve eaten three. Lunch in Tamukai featured miso-marinated beef and smoked fish.
At Omicho Market, conveyor-belt sushi at Sushi Okura was the best of the trip. Dinner at Sushi Tora was memorable thanks to the sweet elderly owners.
Kyoto
We had delicious ramen at the train station, egg salad sandwiches from 7-Eleven, grilled seafood skewers on the way to Kiyomizu-dera, and tempura at Tempura Endo Okazaki for our farewell dinner.
Hiroshima
We tried Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, watched chefs prepare it right in front of us, and snacked our way through Miyajima Island — curry bread, grilled squid, takoyaki, momiji manju, and Hokkaido ice cream.
Where I Stayed
Tokyo — Dai-ichi Hotel Tokyo: Beautiful, central, and convenient, with plentiful breakfast options.
Hakone — Hakone Setsugetsuka: A traditional ryokan with outdoor onsen baths and kimonos for guests.
Takayama — Hida Hotel Plaza: Close to everything, perfect for exploring on foot.
Kanazawa — Hotel Nikko Kanazawa: Modern, corporate, and offering great city views.
Kyoto — The Thousand Kyoto: Sleek, high-tech, and right by the train station — complete with a robot delivering amenities.
Hiroshima — Granvia Hiroshima South Gate: Extremely convenient and close to the Peace Memorial.
If you’d like any more information or have questions about my time in Japan, feel free to drop a comment or reach out to me on Instagram!
