UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE OF JAPAN IN 8 DAYS

 Our Japan Adventure:

Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Kyoto & Osaka Culture, food, anime, theme parks, and unforgettable family memories Japan has a special way of blending tradition, modern life, and pure fun in one trip. On this journey, we explored Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Kyoto, and Osaka — and added a touch of magic with The Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour in Tokyo and the Naruto Hidden Leaf Village at Fuji-Q Highland near Mt. Fuji.

From temples and shrines to ramen, neon streets, anime attractions, and character-themed trains… here’s a look at our family adventure and tips if you’re planning your own.  

Tokyo — Traditions, City Lights & Harry Potter Magic

Where We Stayed: APA Hotel Asakusa,

We based ourselves in Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s most historic districts. APA Hotel Asakusa offered compact, clean, efficient rooms (very Tokyo!), and made it super easy to walk or train to major sights.

Exploring Asakusa: Asakusa was the perfect intro to classic Tokyo. Tokyo's historic "low city" district. It's a must-visit for culture, history, and authentic Japanese experiences, contrasting with modern Tokyo.

Some of our highlights included:

• Senso-ji Temple

• Hozomon Gate

• Asakusa Shrine

• Nakamise-dori Market (street food + souvenirs)

• Shin-Nakamise & Skytree Nakamise-dori

• Hoppy Street (local izakaya vibes)

• Asahi “Golden Flame” with Skytree in the backdrop.

Food & Local Cruisine:

From warm taiyaki to fresh melon pan, lantern-lined streets, and shrines tucked between shops — Asakusa has that charming “old Tokyo” feeling.

The famous Japanese egg sandwich is known as Tamago Sando (たまごサンド). It is a beloved, minimalist comfort food found in Japanese convenience stores (konbini), bakeries, and cafes, distinguished by its soft, rich, and slightly sweet flavor profile.

Highlight:

The Making of Harry Potter — Tokyo Studio Tour One of my personal highlights was spending an entire afternoon at The Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour. If you’re a Potterhead, this is a must-do.

We explored:

• The Great Hall

• Diagon Alley

• Hogwarts Express

• Costumes & props

• Butterbeer break!

It truly feels like stepping into the wizarding world.

Tips for Harry Potter Studio Tour:

• Book timed tickets ahead of time

• Plan 3–4+ hours (there’s a lot!) We were exploring the whole studio for almost four hours but we still felt rushed and were not able to enjoy some other attractions because we we're almost near the closing time.

• Going early = better photo opportunities.

• Money & Credit card for souvenirs: Tip: Bring cash or a credit card. There are food options inside and the Harry Potter gift shop is huge, with tons of exclusive merchandise worth checking out.”

Experience Japan's konbini culture, visit the big three: 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson, each offering unique highlights like 7-Eleven's quality bentos, FamilyMart's famous FamiChiki, and Lawson's amazing breads, plus ATMs, tickets, and amazing seasonal snacks for a true taste of Japanese everyday life and convenience. Konbini also have money exchage machine so don't worry if you guys un out of Yen, just look for nearby Konbini to exchange your Dollars or any other currency. Usually they have better money exchange rate than the aiport ones. Don't forget to try staples like onigiri, sandwiches, hot buns, and seasonal sweets

 Mt. Fuji Day Trip

From Tokyo, we took the Shinkansen and a private tour guide to show us around Mt. Fuji for a day full of views, lakes, and anime fun. It helps us not only to get around the areas but saves us time and stress in navigating the places and attractions we wanted to see.

Fuji Five Lakes & Obvious Photo Ops We visited:

• Lake Kawaguchiko

• Chureito Pagoda

• Lake Yamanaka

• Shimoyoshida

• The famous Black Fuji Lawson

• Fuji Five Lakes + Naruto Hidden Leaf Village

• Oshino Hakkai (Oshino Village): Famous for its eight crystal-clear spring ponds fed by Mt. Fuji, this village preserves old Japanese farmhouses and offers local delicacies like grilled mochi, fresh peaches, and corn from its many food stalls.

Tips in Exploring Mt Fuji & Surrounding Area:

•To climb to the Chureito Pagoda, expect about 400 steep steps (398) requiring good sneakers, take it slow, go early to beat crowds (especially in peak seasons like cherry blossom time), use coins for parking/food, and consider a carrier if with kids, as it's a manageable climb for most with patience and proper footwear for that iconic Mt. Fuji view.

• focus on clear viewing times (early morning/winter)

• Early Morning/Late Afternoon: Higher chance of clear views before midday clouds form.

• Check Forecasts: Use weather sites and webcams to monitor real-time conditions before you go

• For Exploring Shimoyoshida use Shimoyoshida Station as your base, walk to Honcho Street for retro vibes.

  • Cash is King: Many smaller shops & street vendors are cash-only.

  • Food: Try local food & specialties like Houtou noodles, Takuyaki, Yakitori, Okonomiyaki, Onigiri, Dango

  • Accommodation: Consider staying overnight to beat crowds and enjoy different times of day,

    
    

It felt like Mt. Fuji photobombed every picture — and we loved it. It’s one of those places where you truly keep saying “just one more photo.”

Bonus Highlight:

Naruto Hidden Leaf Village at Fuji-Q Highland Absolutely unforgettable for anime fans! Inside Fuji-Q Highland is a dedicated Naruto Hidden Leaf Village zone, and we had a blast experiencing:

• Life-size photo sets

• 3D interactive attractions

• Exclusive Naruto merch

• Ichiraku-style ramen

• Character-themed treats (Kanmido)

If someone in your family loves Naruto, this experience makes the Mt. Fuji day trip even better. It’s immersive, nostalgic, and full of cool photo ops.

 KYOTO - Temples, Tea Streets & Culture

Where We Stayed: Airbnb “Home in Kyoto”

In Kyoto, we stayed at a cozy Airbnb near Sannen-zaka Street in Higashiyama. It was walking distance to: • Kiyomizu-dera • The oldest Starbucks in Japan • Charming traditional streets + cafes Perfect location for exploring without needing long transport days.

Kyoto Highlights Kyoto won our hearts with its mix of culture, beauty, and food.

We explored:

• Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

• Fushimi Inari (Thousand torii gates) • Kiyomizu-dera Temple

• Gion District

• Nishiki Market

• Kyoto Imperial Palace

• Nanzen-ji Temple

The best part? Wandering with no set plan — discovering tea houses, boutiques, and food stands along the way. Kyoto feels peaceful, historic, and cinematic.

OSAKA - Food, Fun & Neon Energy

Where We Stayed: Dotonbori Hotel Located right in the heart of Dotonbori, it gave us front-row access to Osaka’s loud, tasty, neon-filled personality.

Osaka Highlighs

Our Osaka adventures included:

• Osaka Castle

• Dotonbori

• Namba

• Glico Running Man Sign

• Namba Yasaka Shrine

• Shinsekai + Tsutenkaku Tower

• Kuromon Market

• Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street (Onitsuka Tiger hunt!)

• Universal Studios Japan

• Hard Rock (magnet collected!)

Osaka is a foodie paradise, so we indulged in:

• Ramen • Takoyaki

• Mochi

• Fruit cups

• Seafood snacks

• Street food everywhere No regrets. Just happiness + chopsticks.

 Cutest Goodbye: The Hello Kitty Shinkansen Before heading home, we boarded the Hello Kitty Shinkansen, and honestly… it was the cutest way Japan could say goodbye. Themed interiors, adorable designs — a total core memory.

Family Travel in Japan

Our Thoughts Japan surprised us with how family-friendly it is:  

Safe & clean,  

Easy train system  

Convenience stores = lifesavers  

Mix of culture + anime + theme parks  

Endless food options Between temples, shrines, markets, Harry Potter, Naruto, and Universal Studios, there was something for everyone.

Practical Japan Travel Tips Money & Cards

• Carry some yen for markets + shrines

• Cards accepted in many places

• Suica / Pasmo / Icoca = tap to ride trains & buy snacks

SIM / Wi-Fi • Pocket Wi-Fi or eSIM recommended

JR Pass • Worth it if doing multiple long-distance

Shinkansen trips

Apps to Download

• Google Maps

• Japan Travel by Navitime

Packing Tips

• Comfy walking shoes

• Light layers

• Small umbrella (you got borrow this also from the hotel

• Power bank

10 Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting Japan

1. Not Carrying Cash Japan is modern, but many small shops, local restaurants, shrines, and vending machines are cash-only, especially outside major cities.

Tip: Get yen from airport ATMs or convenience stores like 7-Eleven or Lawson.

2. Talking Loudly on Public Transport Subways and trains are known to be quiet. Locals avoid phone calls and keep conversations soft.

Tip: Use headphones on silent mode and save phone calls for outside the train.

3. Not Reserving Restaurants in Advance Popular places (like sushi bars or themed restaurants) often require reservations.

Tip: Use platforms like Tablelog, Gurunavi, or hotel concierge to book seats.

4. Not Knowing Trash Rules There are very few trash bins in public areas. Japan is extremely clean, so people take their trash home.

Tip: Carry a small bag inside your backpack for trash.

5. Wearing Shoes in the Wrong Places You must remove shoes when entering:  traditional inns (ryokan)  temples  some restaurants  fitting rooms  people’s homes Tip: Look for signs or shoes at the entrance—it’s a clue!

6. Misunderstanding Lines & Etiquette Japan loves organized lines—train platforms, escalators, food stalls.

Tip: Follow painted lines on the ground and stand on the correct escalator side (usually left side to stand in Tokyo).

7. Not Learning Basic Phrases Even simple phrases go a long way and show respect.

Useful ones:  Arigatou = Thank you  Sumimasen = Excuse me / Sorry  Konnichiwa = Hello  Eigo dekimasu ka? = Do you speak English?

8. Eating While Walking It’s considered impolite except at festivals. If you buy street food, people usually eat beside the stall.

9. Assuming All Places Take Cards or Suica While Suica/IC cards are super useful, small towns & markets still prefer cash.

Tip: Keep both cash & IC card charged for convenience.

10. Rushing the Schedule Too Much There’s so much to see that tourists try to pack in 3 cities in 3 days.

Tip: Japan is best enjoyed when you:  wander side streets  savor food  explore hidden shrines  enjoy onsen or café breaks

 Bonus Mini Mistakes to Avoid

• Tipping (not common and sometimes refused)

• Forgetting to shower before entering onsen

• Taking photos where prohibited (mainly shrines & museums)

• Blocking train doors when waiting

• Standing on the wrong side of escalators

Thinking of Visiting Japan?

If Japan is on your bucket list and you’re not sure where to start, I’d love to help you plan it. From hotels and JR passes to theme parks and anime attractions like Harry Potter Studio Tour, Naruto Hidden Leaf Village, and Universal Studios Japan, I make it simpler and stress-free — especially for families.  

Message me “JAPAN” to start planning your own adventure!

Travel Advisor:

Canyesa Leveck

TimRiel Lipad Travel LLC