This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/japantravel by /u/sgy0003 on 2025-04-22 16:17:45+00:00.
After 2 weeks in Korea, I decided to plan one more week in Japan. It was from 4/7 - 4/14.
This was not only my first time in Japan, but my first solo-travel as well. I went from 2 nights in Osaka, 1 night at Hakone, and 4 nights in Shinjuku.
And for the most part, it was a lot of fun! Aside from a few things I wish I did more research on, I really enjoyed my time in Japan, and made few notes to myself for my eventual, but definite, second visit.
What I loved:
- It was perfect timing for the cherry blossom! It was amazing! I got to enjoy a nice picnic at a park by a river near Sakuranomiya Station. I am in the Seattle area and the only cherry blossom that I know of is the one at UW, which not only the area super crowded at the time of the year, but it's really small. The picnic at the park was super nice, and I got to enjoy a nice, warm weather. While the blossoms began to die after I left Osaka, they were still found here and there and I enjoyed all of them
- The food! OMG the food was amazing. Okonomiyaki, Gyu-don, Ten-don, ramen, tsukemen, katsu curry, they were all amazing. The hakone ryokan I stayed at served homemade pastries for breakfast, and it was amazing.
- Hakone Onsen!!!!! Holy shit, I actually regret I only stayed one night. I wish I had stayed at least 2 nights, because dipping in a nice, relaxing, warm onsen water was heavenly. My ryokan had an outdoor onsen, and the night that I was there, a thunderstorm was happening. It was amazing to see lightning and thunder break as I relaxed in the onsen water.
- The politeness of people was amazing. I mean I heard that they were polite, but I didn't think they were this polite. I once lost a ticket during a Shinkansen ride, and couldn't find it on my way out. The staff were nice enough to let me through, telling me to be more careful next time. I felt super bad and was thankful at the same time
- Akihabara was like a mecca for pop culture, anime, videogames, etc. There were so many figures and cool legacy hardware that I haven't seen in ages
- Ochanomizu music street was bonkers! So many quality guitars, basses, and other musical instruments. I actually ended up picking up an elec. guitar myself!
Things I wish I had done, or had gone better
- A lot of places were closed, particularly around the Shibuya/Tokyo area. Imperial Palace, TEPIA Tech gallery, Samurai Museum, etc. I wish I had done a bit more thorough job when researching
- It rained a lot in Tokyo. This was something that was beyond my control. I feel the view from Tokyo Tower would've been a lot more better had it been sunny
- Most of my Airbnb reservations were for Osaka, and I wish I had scheduled more in Tokyo/Shibuya area. Because it definitely made Tokyo experience a lot less exciting. The city was fun at first, but the excitement only lasted about 1 - 2 days.
- In Kyoto, I did the kimono rental, and I wish I had asked for a lighter/cooler robes. The set that I got was really hot, and after I toured the bamboo forest I had sweated an entire bucket, and had to return it.
- At least two nights at Hakone! I didn't know what I was getting into when I made the reservation. I am definitely staying longer next time.
As I've said in the beginning of this post, I am definitely coming back. with more thorough planning next time