Japan

This is a great country to visit if you are new to Asian countries, especially with families; the transportation is easy, everywhere is very safe; it's currently very economical; and the people are very cordial. If you love history, there is more ancient buildings and artifacts in a small square-mile in Kyoto than you'll probably find anywhere else.

If you're into food, this is certainly the place for you. This all being said, if you're the adventurous type, and want to feel a little bit like you're living on the edge, Japan will be much too safe and secure for you. It's really like the U.S., only cleaner and more efficient. Other drawbacks are the crowds and their overuse of plastics. Even with these issues, we would not hesitate to recommend this really cool and interestesting country.

Things To-Do

Kyoto: Kyoto, a city steeped in rich cultural heritage and history, has an impressive collection of over 1600 Buddhist temples and more than 400 Shinto shrines. This remarkable concentration of spiritual sites makes Kyoto a must-see destination for those interested in exploring Japan's religious traditions and architectural beauty. Click through the photos on the right for links to our suggested Kyoto itineraries.

Osaka: An easy day trip from Kyoto, Osaka is considered Japan's culinary capital, renowned for its vibrant food scene and rich cultural heritage. We started our food adventure with a private Ramen and Gyoza cooking class. Next, we took part in a free walking tour that showcased Osaka's bustling markets. Afterwards, we indulged in shopping, exploring the many shops and markets that line the streets of Osaka.

Koyasan: Koyasan is a historic mountain village situated about 2.5 hours from Kyoto. As the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism's founder, Kōbō Daishi, it has over 120 temples and the renowned Okunoin Cemetery, where he is buried. For our day trip, we rented a car to make the most of our visit and hired a private guide who provided detailed and fascinating insights that enhanced our appreciation of the sacred grounds. After exploring the main temple complex, we took a guided hike along the Women's Pilgrimage Trail, offering us views of the town.

Kanazawa: With nearly 500,000 residents, this capital city of the Ishikawa Prefecture, is known for it's historical sites, cuisine, and art. We spent the day here while on our way to Takayama. We visited some of the City's highlights by enjoying the gardens, touring one of Japan's largest wooden castles, built without nails, and taking a Japanese art class.

Takayama: Situated in the Japanese Alps, Takayama is about five hours from Tokyo. A particularly fascinating spot was a private WW2 museum run by a WW2 veteran, which is a must-see. We also visited nearby Shirakawa, a UNESCO world heritage site, located about 45 minutes by car from Takayama. There, we strolled through the traditional thatched Gasshō-zukuri houses. On our way back, we stopped at Hida no Sato, another delightful open-air museum.

Takayama Cont.: Shower Climbing: The object of the experience is to go up the canyon, navigating through a series of waterfalls and rugged rocks. No prior experience is required to participate in this thrilling Japanese activity, making it accessible to a wide range of adventurers. The entire trip up the canyon and back takes approximately two hours. Take the Shinhotaka Ropeway to hike Mt. Yakedake. Situated about 75 minutes from Takayama, the Shinhotaka Ropeway consists of two distinct ropeways that together elevate you over 1000 meters to the trailhead of Mt. Yakedake. Even if you don't intend to hike, this enjoyable experience is worthwhile as it lifts you high into the Japanese Alps.

Tokyo: Tokyo is a gigantic city where you can spend several days and still only see a fraction of what there is to see. We spent five days here choosing to fill our time with Sumo (as "must do"), cat cafes, walking tours, an magical experience with teamLab Planets, a hike up Mt. Tonodake (that boasts a great view of Mt. Fuji on a clear day), and a Yomiuri Giants game (also a "must do," if you're a baseball fan).

Where We Stayed

We stayed in just three places for the entire trip, using Kyoto, Takayama, and Tokyo as our home base for many day trips. At each stop, give our group of 5, it was best to use AirBnB. All places were great, inexpensive, and easy to get to public transportation: