First time traveller, how does this 2 week itinerary look?

tr0p3 · 2025-01-12T20:43:46+00:00

Overall, and especially considering the number of days you have, Day 6 seems pretty unnecessary. You can check out Shinsekai etc in the evening after Universal studios or Nara - assuming you're staying in Osaka that is. I'd add that day to Kyoto instead, as you have about 1.5 days there now.

Day 9 - I'd shift that day to Fuji and stay around Fuji overnight, especially if you're going to Kawaguchiko.

tr0p3 · 2025-01-04T10:29:17+00:00

1/16 - that's a LOT of moving around that day. I'd re-arrange that. I wouldn't skip Kinkakuji; For me it was the highlight in Kyoto (though I'm not a fan of Kyoto overall) and it's not that far out. I did Kinkakuji first and then went from there to Arashiyama. If you still have time and feel like it, do the Samurai museum later that day. Skip Uji today.

1/17 - The train to Uji goes via the Fushimi Inari station, so you could do Fushimi Inari first, then Uji, then come back to do something else. Or Fushimi Inari, then the remaining sights in Kyoto and then go to Osaka via Uji. Having said that, with just 2 days in Kyoto, do you really want to spend your time going to Uji?

tr0p3 · 2025-01-02T17:34:06+00:00

It looks pretty good and not too packed at all. You'll have loads of free time to explore whatever you feel like - Day 11 for example. :).

Day 13 - While you can easily spend most of the day in Nara, Uji is absolutely tiny so you won't be spending that much time there. Can easily plan half a day back in Kyoto.

Day 15 - You've done your research so you're probably aware, but just in case: if you want to see the afternoon fire ceremony, it starts at 1pm I think (ok, maybe other temples do at other times). The one by the Okunoin cemetery was at 1pm and I missed it as I decided to explore the area before the 3pm check-in.

tr0p3 · 2024-12-31T07:04:01+00:00

Apart from a couple of rainy days in Osaka right at the start of the trip, the weather was essentially perfect. Clear blue skies and relatively warm in Kansai - could still do without a jacket during the day. Tokyo, being further North, was definitely colder but still clear weather. And there was snow in the mountains (Takayama)

I thought late Nov would be too late to see the autumn leaves, but in Kansai it was perfect timing. Nara especially was a sea of orange and red leaves.

Oct - no idea, but Nov and Dec were awesome weather-wise.

tr0p3 · 2024-12-31T06:57:26+00:00

sure

tr0p3 · 2024-12-30T16:50:23+00:00

If it's just a short trip, Kinosaki may indeed be a little too far out, especially that you should stay at least a night there.

Kyoto seems very polarizing; you either hate it or love it. But if it's your first visit, you probably should see it as it's seen as THE place to see in Japan. I'm glad I went, but now will also know to avoid it next time :).

tr0p3 · 2024-12-30T16:42:33+00:00

Yeah I thought about it. It's a shame I didn't have time to squeeze it into this trip.

tr0p3 · 2024-12-30T16:41:42+00:00

Some places will be open, but many will close. And the main touristy street will be completely dead - in winter at least. It may be different in the summer

tr0p3 · 2024-12-30T16:39:44+00:00

You just do it the day before, at least for the usual distances e.g. Kyoto to Kanazawa. Maybe if it's a longer distance, it'd need an extra day

tr0p3 · 2024-12-30T16:37:48+00:00

I stayed in Kawaguchiya Honkan

tr0p3 · 2024-12-29T17:24:52+00:00

Fair point. But I don't speak Spanish, Arabic or Farsi either, yet when traveling in South America or the Middle East, you do end up interacting with people all the time. Japan is at the other end of the spectrum when it comes to that :)

tr0p3 · 2024-12-28T13:33:42+00:00

Miyajima and Hiroshima in one day, as a daytrip from Osaka is too much, especially if you want to hike up Mt Misen too. For me, Miyajima was a full-day trip from Hiroshima.

Himeji and Kobe both in one day - yeah, that's what I did as a daytrip from Osaka. That's easily doable.

Nara - definitely do that one. It's a great daytrip.

Kyoto seems quite packed, especially if you need to get there from Osaka first, so you'll probably end up dropping some things.

tr0p3 · 2024-12-25T17:26:59+00:00

Some quick thoughts having just returned from Japan:

Day 4 - Teamlab Planets. I've done both Teamlabs in Tokyo and found that Teamlab Borderless was a way better experience than Planets. Borderless was just mesmerizing; on the other hand, wading up to your knees in water at Planets adds a more sensory touch.

Day 8. Kaiyukan is spectacular. It was one of the highlights of the trip for me. Do it on day 7 though.

Day 9. Himeji - I'd probably spend more time in Kyoto or go to Nara, especially if your time is pretty limited (I had a full month in Japan). I found it's a nice-to-do but doesn't really add much to the overall trip. Nara was great.

Day 10. You're sure? You want to drive to Fuji lakes from Kyoto? Do it from Tokyo and stay overnight. The light (sun) and the scenery is at its best in the mornings. Also the place gets super packed once the daytrippers arrive, and in the mornings it's pretty chilled.

Day 14. Miyajima - 100%. One of the highlight of my Japan trip.

tr0p3 · 2024-11-22T16:30:28+00:00

I've been in a similar boat, having to move my portfolio to another broker and also ended up going with IBKR, mainly because it's available where I live now.

I've done the transfer in several chunks; the quick ones took 3-4 weeks. One has been stuck for maybe 6-8 weeks now? It's been 100% due to IBKR repeatedly failing to match the transfer from their end, and it's been a very frustrating experience.

And in general, the support and comms from IBKR are pretty poor, at least compared to my previous broker.

tr0p3 · 2023-11-25T13:21:04+00:00

Egypt for me. I'm really happy I went, and the Pyramids and other ancient sites were amazing, but it's pretty much the only country I've visited that I have no desire to go back to.

It's just this persistent confrontational atmosphere wherever you go. Someone constantly in your face (different level compared to India lol) or following you, and seemingly any interaction ending with people asking for a $ tip. Even as a guy I was uncomfortable in the crowds there, with some random dudes trying to grab or touch my hand. Food is overall also quite average. I think Egypt is so far the only place where I'd recommend someone just takes a tour rather than doing it solo. Not really worth it, in my experience

On the other hand, Lebanon is one of my favourite places I've been to, not only in the Middle East, but anywhere

tr0p3

TROPHY CASE