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Tokyo, Japan
Do a day trip to Nikko
Sumo experience
Koenji is the place for second hand in Tokyo. Nanako is for manga and anime and stuff. Also fun to see. I did both as not far from each other
Disneyland ?
Tokyo:
- I’m sure you’ll go to Shinjuku and Shibuya. Both great fun. For contrast, Odaiba is fun for an afternoon. If Shinjuku is soho with skyscrapers and more neon, Odaiba is like Canary Wharf. Super clean with views over the water and a monorail. It also has a Statue of Liberty
- Near Shinjuku you can go up the Tokyo metropolitan government building for free to the viewing deck and if you are very lucky and it’s clear, you might be able to see Mt Fuji. I tried in 7 different ways on my trip and didn’t get to see it 😕
- I really liked the shrine near Asakusa in the early evening. There is also a sushi restaurant there which I thought was great. Will send pic
- If you have time and it’s your thing, there are great second hand clothing shops in Nanako which is a train ride out of town. Generally, second hand shops in Japan are incredible!
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Hakone, Japan
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Fujikawaguchiko, Japan
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Kanazawa, Japan
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Kyoto, Japan
Day trip to Nara from here
Kyoto:
- heian shrine near Gion is great. Beautiful gardens and there was an evening concert on when we were there but I’m not sure if that’s a regular thing
- the castle - didn’t come up in a lot of guides I suspect it’s big in German and French guides. My German friend recommended it. Beautiful inside. A lot of castles in Japan do not have their traditional/recreated interiors
- great second hand shops near there and the food market
- the shrine with the tori gates but it will be swarmed with instagrammers. Climb the hill and the crowds will thin
- near there is a zen temple which is the complete opposite. So quiets it’s almost eerie and a nice contrast after - tofuku-ji. Also a great little stand up bar near the station there that sells ice cold beer and gyoza called He
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Hiroshima, Japan
Maybe day trip to Miyajima
Hiroshima:
- the museum is something else. Very emotional
- go to see baseball if it is on. Japan loves baseball but Hiroshima in particular. Huge fans
- go to the island with the floating gate
- really nice little tea shop at the bottom of the hill near the other temple, will send link. Only takes cash like a lot of places
- take cash to the island as there are no cash points on the island
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Osaka, Japan
Osaka:
Universal studios!!
- go on the ferris wheel near the harbour at sunset
- maybe go to the aquarium before then. Pretty good. They have whale sharks!
- Dotonbori is a total experience and I loved it. Mad crowds. Neon everywhere. Lairy for Japan. Does have more little than you’ll see anywhere else - due to tourists
- good restaurant there for local specialty. Will send pin as not on google I don’t think
- good secondhand shops off the side streets there in Amerika-Mura and orange street
Do day trip from koyosan spiritual area (can stay overnight with monks)