Here comes the part that rookie travelers need the most (including myself): itinerary!
I've done some research on several blog posts and websites to be able to craft my own itinerary. It was my first time and it was really fun, actually! Sometimes you just find that one itinerary suggestion is not enough, so you need to combine and adjust it to your liking. Hope this can be one of your itinerary reference.

So, let's begin the 8 days Japan trip itinerary!

Day 0: Arrive at Narita Airport
Day 1: Tokyo City Tour
Day 2: Disneysea
Day 3: Trip to Mount Fuji
Day 4: Move to Osaka
Day 5: Kyoto Day 1
Day 6: Arashiyama and Osaka
Day 7: Universal Studio Japan
Day 8: Shopping at Osaka 


We took morning flight with Cathay Pacific and it was such a pleasant experience. The flight took longer than direct flight, due to 1 hour transit in Hong Kong International Airport. We arrived in Narita at 20.35 PM, greeted by cold breeze and raindrops. The temperature showed 11 celcius degree, very in contrast to the weather in my hometown, Jakarta, which could hit 34 celcius degree every single day!

Tip: If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, take the Keisei Highway Bus (Tokyo Shuttle) from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station instead of the limousine bus or airport train. It costs only ¥ 1,000 (less than $10) and convenient. However you are only allowed to store 1 luggage per person.

Once arrive in Tokyo Station, buy SUICA card from the card top up machine. The card functions as electronic money, you can use it in train stations, subway, bus, even minimarts. Rather than one way train ticket, SUICA card is way more preferable.

We booked a small but spacious apartment via Agoda, just 8 minutes walk from Yoyogi Station. Tokyo has started to amazed me even since day 0. The apartment we booked has a high-tech toilet like most toilets in Tokyo, washing machine, kitchen, and you can even dry your laundry overnight in the bathroom. It costs around ¥ 10,000 per night for 2 people.

6.30 - 7.30 : Meiji Jingu Shrine
8.00 - 10.30: Asakusa: Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street
11.00 - 13.00: Ueno Park and Ameyoko market
14.00 - 16.00: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
17.00 - 20.00: Shibuya: Hachiko Statue, Shibuya Crossing, Shopping

Morning walk to Meiji-Jingu shrine


My first day in Tokyo started off in a very relaxing pace. Got a chance for a major throwback to the past by visiting Meiji-Jingu shrine. I really loved the atmosphere, the shrine was so quiet with less people, so you could really feel the zen vibe.

Asakusa: Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street



From Yoyogi Station, take train and go a little further to Asakusa area. I actually got lost on my way to Sensoji Temple because I absentmindedly followed a group of tourists heading to Tokyo Skytree. However, if not for misdirection, I wouldn't got the chance to see Tokyo Skytree and Asahi Beer Hall, since those landmarks weren't on my itinerary. The one thing I realize since Day 1 is that in Japan, you can find interesting things even when you're lost.


In contrast to Meiji-jingu shrine, Sensoji Temple is sooooo full of crowd! The area was flooded with tourists, I can't even took a photo at the famous spot (the second pic). Sensoji Temple was the oldest temple in Tokyo. It is a must-visit tourist destination in Tokyo, so better visit the temple as early as possible.  Right at the end of the temple site, there was a shopping street of over 200 meters, called Nakamise Shopping Street. You can find a lot of unique souvenirs and food you've got to try!

Melon pan with vanilla filling

Strawberry Daifuku (mochi)

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building




Night in Shibuya


When in Tokyo, do not miss crossing the street with the crowds at Shibuya Crossing. It was a very unique experience, as you blend in with the streams of people, trying to maintain the same walking pace as they did. Also do not miss taking a photograph with the iconic Hachiko statue.
Shibuya was one of a fashion district in Japan. I would recommend to check out Shibuya 109, a 10-floor shopping mall consists of many brands, ranging from average to expensive pieces.

1. Once you enter the theme park, go straight to Toy Story Mania and obtain their fast pass right away. It was one of the most anticipated ride, so the queue could take up to 3 hours. I ended up missing the ride due to insufficient time. 
2. Collect Fast Pass for the most awaited rides to save time more efficiently.
3. If you don't mind being separated from your troop, do consider to opt for single rider. Check with the staffs if the ride has the option for single rider and hop on.

Day 3: Trip to Mount Fuji

08.00 - 11.00 : From Shinjuku to Lake Ashi, Hakone (by tour bus)
11.00 - 12.00 : Pirate ship ride in Lake Ashi
12.30 - 13.30 : Lunch
13.30 - 14.30 : Sledding experience at Fujiyama Snow Resort Yeti
15.30 - 17.30 : Shopping at Gotemba Premium Outlet
20.00 - 21.00 : Dinner at Ichiran Ramen

I booked a one-day tour for an effortless experience during my trip to Mount Fuji. Early in the morning, we gathered in Shinjuku to ride on a tour bus. As the vehicle climbed uphill, the temperature drastically dropped to 4 celcius degree. When the cold wind blew, I can barely feel my hands and my face. It was the coldest weather I've ever experienced in my life.

Pirate ship ride in Lake Ashi, Hakone



We arrived in Lake Ashi, Hakone to ride on a pirate ship. My inner child was so excited! I mean, how else are we going to be in an actual pirate ship. However, it was honestly rather difficult to take photos on deck because of the cold breeze. The pirate ship ride only took around 30 minutes, then the bus took us to a shabu-shabu restaurant for lunch.

Snow sledding in Fujiyama Snow Resort Yeti 


The best part of this tour was definitely the sledding experience! We went to Fujiyama Snow Resort Yeti, which was located in Fuji 2nd station. It was the first time I saw snowfall, and the temperature even dropped to 0 celcius degree. I was dressed in spring coat and was definitely not prepared for the extreme weather. Nevertheless, I sled for like 5 times despite my hands and face being frozen. The cold never bothered me anyway!

Shop for luxury goods at Gotemba Premium Outlet


Now this one was my mom's favorite part: shop for branded items with a discounted price. The pricing dropped very low, it could be one-tenth the original price. If you're lucky, you can also got a view of Mount Fuji from Gotemba Premium Outlet. But I wasn't that lucky during this trip, it was cloudy all day. Well, maybe it was a sign for me to visit Mount Fuji next time!

Slurp on the best ramen in Japan


Since we got off the bus in Shinjuku area, I thought why not try the infamous Ichiran Ramen. The queue was quite long, it took us almost an hour to finally reach our seat. We ordered tonkotsu ramen from a vending machine, very unique and practical. We each sat in individual seats, the ramen was delivered right from the hole in front of us. Ichiran was indeed one of the best ramen I've ever tasted. The noodles were perfectly cooked, not too soggy. The pork broth was not heavy nor light, it was in a perfect consistency and taste. A warm soul food to end such a freezing day.

Day 4: Move to Osaka

10.00 - 11.00 : Drop luggage at Tokyo Station
12.00 - 16.00 : Quality time with friends in Shin-Okubo (Korea Town)
17.00 - 19.30 : Shinkansen ride to Osaka



Time to get laid back after three consecutive days full of adventure. I did not put it in much thought when planning the itinerary but 1 day of rest in the middle of the trip was actually pretty necessary. We woke up late in the morning and spent the time to pack our suitcases. After dropping off the luggage at Tokyo Station (costs around 800 yen for big luggage), we went to Shin-Okubo (Korea Town) to meet my Japanese friend. We met at a random korean restaurant and ordered dakgalbi (roasted chicken with cheese) and samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup). It was one fine afternoon, we chatted and shop for Korean makeup and skincare. On Sunday, the streets were literally flooded with people, it was hard to maintain walking as a group.


It's finally time to say good bye to Tokyo, a metropolitan city that barely closed its eyes, where ancient temples and skyscrapers soared side to side. There are 3 ways to commute from Tokyo to Osaka: by shinkansen (bullet train), by plane, or by night bus. A one-way shinkansen trip to Osaka took around 2.5 hours and costs around 10,000 yen. Travelling by plane costs pretty much similar or even more expensive, while night bus is obviously the cheapest of all options. I decided to take shinkansen due to its practicality and for the sake of a new experience.