- To read about my recommendations of affordable, Reasonable, Convenient hotels in Tokyo, visit: Affordable Cheap Reasonable Hotels in Tokyo
- To read about my recommendations of affordable and reasonable hotels in OSAKA, visit: Osaka Reasonable Affordable Hotels
- To read about how to plan your trip to Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe, visit: Planning your trip to Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe in Japan
- To read about my recommendations of reasonable, affordable, and convenient hotels in KYOTO, visit: Kyoto reasonable, affordable, and convenient Hotels
- To read about the most famous ramen franchise in the world, visit: The origin of Ippudo Ramen: Quest for world's first Hakata Ippudo restaurant
- To read about Kobe beef in Kobe, visit: Kobe Beef in Kobe: My Kobe Beef experiences
- To read about Kobe beef in Kobe, visit: Kobe Beef in Kobe: My Kobe Beef experiences
Tips, suggestions and what I learned from this Japan Rail Pass trip
1. Plan ahead
Due to the surge in international tourism in Japan, (doubled in the past 2-3 years) I had difficulty booking reasonable hotels even when I started planning 2 months prior to my trip.
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| Japan Rail Pass is simply amazing |
1. Plan ahead
Due to the surge in international tourism in Japan, (doubled in the past 2-3 years) I had difficulty booking reasonable hotels even when I started planning 2 months prior to my trip.
2. Be flexible
I revised my itinerary a few times and changed my itinerary due to lack of vacancy for reasonable hotel in Osaka during the weekend of my arrival.
3. Book your hotel way ahead of time
My preference will always be convenient business hotel near JR stations; however, I had to stay at a hostel-like hotel (First Cabin Hakata) due to lack of reasonable hotel. My very first hostel experience turned out to be very pleasant.
4. Expect a long wait in line for every popular restaurant
Also expect usual quiet Kyoto streets to be filled with loads of both Japanese and international tourists during high season, especially during autumn color and cherry blossom seasons. There were long queues outside of my favorite restaurants in Kyoto Pontocho and Osaka Doutonbori areas.
5. Many of the more authentic restaurants do not accept solo customers
Minimum of two guests required for many of the Matsusaka beef sukiyaki restaurants. As a solo traveler, I was not able to enjoy dinner at some yakitori and sukiyaki restaurants.
Project Shinkansen 2015 Itinerary (Project Setonaikai Loop 2015)
Since my vacation days were limited, I did not have the luxury of having a "day zero"
Japan Rail Pass was activated at Kansai International Airport right after arrival.
Day 1: Project Shinkansen 2015 begins!
Route: Los Angeles - Kansai International Airport - Shin-Osaka area - Doutobori - Shin-Osaka area
Visit: Shin-Osaka area and Doutonbori food paradise
Food: Daiki Revolving Sushi Bar in Doutonbori
Hotel: Hotel Shin-Osaka Conference Center (great location and great breakfast)
Day 2: Mission Spirited Away
Route: Osaka - Takamatsu - Matsuyama
I revised my itinerary a few times and changed my itinerary due to lack of vacancy for reasonable hotel in Osaka during the weekend of my arrival.
3. Book your hotel way ahead of time
My preference will always be convenient business hotel near JR stations; however, I had to stay at a hostel-like hotel (First Cabin Hakata) due to lack of reasonable hotel. My very first hostel experience turned out to be very pleasant.
4. Expect a long wait in line for every popular restaurant
Also expect usual quiet Kyoto streets to be filled with loads of both Japanese and international tourists during high season, especially during autumn color and cherry blossom seasons. There were long queues outside of my favorite restaurants in Kyoto Pontocho and Osaka Doutonbori areas.
5. Many of the more authentic restaurants do not accept solo customers
Minimum of two guests required for many of the Matsusaka beef sukiyaki restaurants. As a solo traveler, I was not able to enjoy dinner at some yakitori and sukiyaki restaurants.
Project Shinkansen 2015 Itinerary (Project Setonaikai Loop 2015)
Since my vacation days were limited, I did not have the luxury of having a "day zero"
Japan Rail Pass was activated at Kansai International Airport right after arrival.
Day 1: Project Shinkansen 2015 begins!
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| Crab cuisine specialty restaurant is calling you at Osaka Doutonbori |
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| Blue Fin Fatty Tuna Toro Nigiri Sushi at Daiki Resolving Sushi Bar |
Visit: Shin-Osaka area and Doutonbori food paradise
Food: Daiki Revolving Sushi Bar in Doutonbori
Hotel: Hotel Shin-Osaka Conference Center (great location and great breakfast)
Day 2: Mission Spirited Away
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| Spirited Away Dogo Onsen Hot Spring Bath House Entrance |
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| Spirited Away Dogo Onsen Hot Spring Bath House Window |
Visit: Takamatsu; Matsuyama; Dogo Onsen area
Hotel: Hotel Abis Matsuyama
Day 3: Mission Tokyo Love Story
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| Tokyo Love Story Drama Ozu Shrine, Shikoku |
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| Tokyo Love Story Drama Baishinji Station |
Visit: Tokyo Love Story TV drama filming locations: Baishinji station; Iyo-Ozu; Dogo Onsen hot spring bath.
Food: Hotel breakfast buffet; Ozu local cuisine (grilled beef over rice with special sauce set); Matsuyama Tai Meshi with Somen meal set. Dogo onsen hot spring bath soak.
Hotel: Hotel Abis Matsuyama
Day 4: Mission Seto Inland Sea
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| Yawatahama to Beppu Ferry. About 3000 yen for a 3-hour ride |
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| Blood Pond Hell Beppu Jigoku Hot Spring (not for bath) |
Visit: Yawatahama to Beppu Ferry; 8 Jigoku hot springs in Beppu; Beppu Myoban Yu no Sato Onsen bath soak; Fukuoka/Hakata Nakasu Yatai cuisine area.
Food: Hotel breakfast buffet; Jigoku Croquette ; Jigoku original mushi flan; Fukuoka Yatai Oden; Ichiran headquarter ramen
Hotel: First Cabin Hakata
Day 5: Origin of Ippudo Ramen
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| Ippudo original ramen at original restaurant in Fukuoka/Hakata |
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| Kyoto Pontocho restaurant/bar area |
Visit: Fukuoka Nakasu area; Kyoto Yasaka Jinja Shrine; Gion; Hanamikoji road; Pontocho; Kobe.
Food: Mister Donut; Ippudo Original restaurant: original white maru; limited edition ramen; Yoshinoya beef bowl; Kannonya original cheesecake and matcha cake; Kobe beef nigiri sushi in Kobe
Hotel: Hotel in Osaka
Day 6: Travel in Time in Kyoto
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| Kyoto Autumn Colors |
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| Kyoto authentic Tofu meal set |
Visit: Kyoto Arayashiyama; Bamboo forest; Tenryuji; Ginkakuji; Tetsugaku no michi; Nanzenji; Night time autumn color viewing
Food: Convenient store sandwich; Sagano gourmet tofu feast; Kushikatsu near Tsutengaku
Hotel: Hotel in Osaka
Day 7: Ise Jingu Shinto Shrine
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| Sacred trees at Ise Jingu Shinto Shrine |
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| Meoto Iwa (Married Couple Rocks) in Futaminoura, near Ise, Mie |
Visit: Futami Okitama Shrine; Meoto Iwa (Married Couple Rocks); Ise Jingu Shrine: Geku (Outer Shrine); Naiku (Inner Shrine); Okage Yokocho; Matsusaka area
Food: Convenient store sandwich and onigiri; Ise udon in Ise; Matsusaka Beef in Matsusaka; Osaka Gyoza no Osho original store Gyoza and Tenshinhan
Hotel: Hotel in Osaka
Day 8: Sakura Ebi shrimp in Shizuoka
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| Sakura ebi shrimp meal set in Yui Shizuoka |
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| Traditional Oden restaurant at Aoba Yokocho, Shizuoka |
Visit: Shizuoka local tour; Yui area; Shimizu Sushi Yokocho; Aoba Yokocho; Tokyo Ginza Corridor
Food: Sakura Shrimp cuisine in Yui Shizuoka; Shimizu Sushi Yokocho sushi; Aoba yokocho oden and fish cake; Hinaiya original restaurant chicken cuisine; BAR de ESPANA Pero Vamos
Hotel: Hotel Princess Garden
Day 9: Quest for Snow Monkey in Nagano Jigokudani Monkey Park
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| Snow Monkey baby in Nagano Jigokudani Monkey Park |
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| Cheers to beautiful Tokyo Tower |
Visit: Snow Monkey Park; Prince Hotel Park Tower Bar; Roppongi Nightlife
Food: Convenient store sandwich; Jigokudani Enza Cafe chicken broth ramen; Pomme no ki omlet rice; Prince Hotel Park Tower bar beverages; Matsuya beef bowl
Hotel: Hotel Princess Garden
Day 10: Day trip to Monaco of Japan: Atami
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| Atami beach and coastline, reminded me of Monao coastline |
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| Tokyo Shibuya Scramble Crossing |
Visit: Atami station foot bath; Atami Onsen KKR with ocean view; Tokyo Shibuya Scramble Crossing; Shibuya Spanish-zaka
Food: MOS Burger; Shirasu two-color bowl set with vanilla ice cream; Shibuya Watami izakaya cuisine; Shibuya Gutso Burger and Pancake
Hotel: Japan Airline Economy Class
2010 Japan Rail Pass Journey
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| 2010 Japan Rail Pass Route. The Journey |
Which Japan Rail Pass trip do you think is better?
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