11/22/2025 - 12/07/2025: Tokyo, Lake Kawaguchikio, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Himeji in Japan
In January 2020, I decided it was finally time to prioritize travel. That month, I booked a flight to Tokyo to spend two weeks in Japan in November 2020. But as we all know, the universe had very different plans.
I'm so incredibly grateful that this long-awaited trip finally became a reality! From Saturday, November 22nd to Sunday, December 7th, I spent 4.5 days in Tokyo, 1.5 days in Lake Kawaguchiko, 4.5 days in Kyoto with a day trip to Nara, and 3 days in Osaka with a day trip to Himeji.
It was a whirlwind trip where I feel like I barely scratched the surface of all that Japan has to offer, but it was the perfect introduction to a country I already can’t wait to return to.
Summary of my 16 day trip to Japan
Bullet point summary of my 16 day trip visiting Tokyo, Lake Kawaguchiko, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Himeji
Day 7: Lake Kawaguchiko
Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchiko, Chureito Pagoda at Arakurayama Sengen Park, Tenku No Torii, Haha No Shirataki Waterfall, Lake Kawaguchi Maple Corridor, Nagasaki Park, Oishi Park, and dinner at Cooliya
Day 6: Shinjuku and Shibuya neighborhoods in Tokyo
Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Shibuya, Yoyogi Park, and Shibuya Sky Observation Deck
Day 5: Chiyoda, Bunkyō, and Shiba Park neighborhoods in Tokyo
Hibiya Park, Imperial Palace East Gardens, Kitanomaru Park, Chidorigafuchi Moat, Yasukuni Shrine (all in the Chiyoda neighborhood), Koishikawa Karakuen Garden in Bunkyo, Tokyo Tower in Shiba Park, and dinner at Sky Lounge Stellar Garden in the Park Prince Tower
Day 4: Toyosu Area, Nezu Shrine, Ueno Park, and Asakusa in Tokyo
Tsukiji Outer Market, TeamLabs Planets, Nezu Shrine, Ueno Park, Nakamise Shopping Street, Sumida Park, Tokyo Skytree , Senso-ji Temple , Asakusa Observatory
Day 3: Showa Kinen Park, Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, and Shinjuku in Tokyo
Showa Memorial Park, Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Kabukicho. Omoide Yokocho
Day 2: Landing in Tokyo and Wandering Around Shinjuku
Landing in Narita, commuting to Tokyo, and Shinjuku
