Issue 25: You Have Reached Your Destination ✈️
You have officially arrived in Japan 🇯🇵
Hey everyone!
Hope you’re having an amazing summer so far! We’re in Japan, catching up with family and old friends (kanpai! 🍻). Let me tell you – we were totally unprepared for the scorching heat here! If you are planning to visit Japan, please stay hydrated and slather on extra sunscreen to protect yourself from the intense rays. 😎
As a kid, I spent countless summers with my grandparents in the countryside of Tokyo. We would light fireworks together, savor salted watermelon, and visit neighboring amusement parks. However, it wasn’t until I was an adult that I developed a curiosity to explore beyond Tokyo.
Fortunately, one of my closest college friends joined me in Japan, and we crafted a comprehensive itinerary that will take you through the prefectures of Kanto, Kansai, and Chugoku. Dive into our itinerary below for your five-day Week to Weekend travel guide along with some tips from Dr. J on eating healthy and exercising while traveling!
Until next time ✌🏻,
Akina
Your Week to Weekend Travel Itinerary to Japan
Be warned – this itinerary contains tons of walking (and stairs). We started our trip in Osaka and utilized our Japan Rail Pass.
🏯 Day 1: Osaka – Total miles walked: 8.43 miles
Sprinted up nine floors to the Pokemon Cafe. Was it worth it? UM, YEAH.
Walked to Osaka Castle and had all my childhood dreams come true with Detective Conan goods.
Indulged in street food at Dotonbori – takoyaki & okonomiyaki are a must. If you’ve seen Netflix’s Street Food: Asia, you already know what we’re about to say. The street food and izakayas are a true testament to the love these chefs put into their life’s work.
🍁 Day 2: Hiroshima – Total miles walked: 8.33 miles
Took the Shinkansen to Hiroshima Station using the JR Pass.
Rode the Maple Loop bus (sightseeing bus) to Hiroshima Castle & had tofu ice cream.
Walked to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Genbaku Dome.
History: On August 6, 1945, at 8:15 a.m., Hiroshima became the first city to be struck by an atomic bomb decimating the lives of tens of thousands of people, followed by the bombing of Nagasaki hours later. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) is the only surviving structure from the bombing and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
🎢 Day 3: Osaka (Universal Studios) – Total miles walked: 9.13 miles
We used our JR Pass to get to Universal Studios! Mario World, here we come! 🍄
What we ate🍴: Yoshi’s Green Shell Yakisoba Bun, Butterbeer from the Wizarding World, a Squritle churro, and Bulbasaur’s Melon Sofrozen.
⛳️ Highly suggest going on a weekday or a Sunday. We went on a Sunday and were surprised at how many rides we were able to enjoy.
⛳️ A separate ticket must be purchased in advance if you want to enter Super Mario World. These fast pass tickets can be purchased on Klook and will give you a timeslot for some of the most popular attractions (Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, etc).
🎋 Day 4: Kyoto – Total miles walked: 9.86 miles
Shipped our bags to our hotel in Tokyo for only $15. What?!
Took the Shinkansen to Kyoto Station. Transferred to a local line to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
Visited the Arashiyama Monkey Forest. An uphill battle, indeed. 🐒
Snacked on matcha shaved ice, warabi mochi, pickled cucumbers, and cheese pancakes.
Stopped by a Bengal Cat Cafe for some cuddles.
🥢 Day 5: Tokyo – Total miles walked: 8.3 miles
Visited the Gotokugi temple, famously known as Tokyo’s Maneki Neko ‘Lucky Cat’ temple.
Lunch at The Kitchen Salvatore Cuomo GINZA. For about $28, you get an all-you-can-eat buffet of various pizzas, pasta, salads, soups, appetizers, coffee, tea, and a dessert bar.
Visit the Muji Flagship store in Ginza. So many floors and shelves with easy-to-make food products, household goods, stationery, clothes, etc.
Dinner at Teppan Baby and ended the night at the newest Kabukicho Entertainment Tower for a good time with old and new friends.
🚄 Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it?
The Japan Rail Pass was convenient and helpful when traveling to other prefectures. But overall, was it worth it?
Depends. If you plan to stay only in Tokyo or Osaka, then getting a PASMO, SUICA, or ICOCA card would be best. If you plan to take a Shinkansen to Kyoto and other prefectures, we highly suggest planning your routes. Seriously.
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to use our passes as much in Osaka other than Universal since we were staying in Amagasaki (a little outside the city). The JR Pass does not work on local lines, but some additional benefits from the pass include getting access to the Maple Loop sightseeing bus in Hiroshima.
🍙 Eating Healthy While on Vacay with Dr. J
Of course, you want to eat all the good stuff while on vacation! We don’t blame you, especially when the Ramen Museum has nine stalls. Here are some tips by Dr. Jasmin Wenzel, certified personal trainer.
Q: What simple workout tips can people incorporate into their day while traveling?
Walk as much as you can
Try to do any fun physical activities on vacation, like hikes and trails that will keep your cardio high
Take the stairs if they can
Ten push-ups and squats throughout the day 2-3 times a day, which comes out to at least 20 reps a day!
Q: How do you balance eating healthy but still be able to enjoy eating out?
I won’t neglect my cravings on vacation, but I’ll keep these things in mind:
Prioritize protein foods like meat, chicken, beans, and seafood
Eat protein first
Enjoy your food and eat until you’re full instead of overindulging
Add greens, veggies, and fruits
Continue to drink lots of water to help with fullness
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