Japan - Tokyo and Kyoto

Arrived at Haneda airport Terminal 3 (international terminal). Make sure to complete your customs and health declarations online, as it made customs a breeze under 30 minutes. Picked up JR pass at the JR east travel service centre, which is an unlimited public transit pass (used to get around Japan during this trip), and took the monorail directly to Hamamatsucho station.

A 4 star hotel with front views of the Asakusa located centrally in Tokyo near the senso-ji/Asakusa shrine, within walking distance from many shops, restaurant, food street, and many more!

Informal ramen restaurant with a specialty for tonkotsu ramen in a pork bone broth. Ichiran is a chain that has locations around the world and is famous for its single occupant seating booth that offers a quiet eating space for individuals.

One of the most famous shrines in the city, take a walk around for free to experience the rich history and calm atmosphere of this shrine.

Located in the same temple grounds, a short walk away is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan. It is Tokyo's oldest temple, and one of its most significant.

A must try when you visit Japan! It’s a rich ice cream made from real Hokkaido milk.

A major commercial and finance center, shibuya is not a location to be missed! Walk around the area to experience the large billboards, city lights (even during daylight!), and modern culture.

Just a walking distance in Shibuya, a must see sight is the world famous shibuya crossing where hundreds of pedestrians cross from all directions at once. Great way to experience the hustle and bustle vibe of Tokyo.

Booked my timed entry ticket online on KKDay. Enter in the afternoon and stay until after sunset to catch both the day time view and night view. This observation deck offers a 360 degree view of the entire city skyline! There’s also a bar and snack bar located inside after tickets are checked. Large items are not permitted outside due to the outdoor nature, However there are storage lockers inside the facility.

Free to enter and offers escalators up to the shrine 24/7! Here I experienced the red tori gates in a quiet atmosphere without many tourists around. A relaxing walk through the temple grounds that can last up to a couple of hours of exploring, this is a great place to start the day.

Visiting the Tokyo tower is a must when you’re in Tokyo! With its vibrant color and nature filled surroundings, it is a perfect photo spot to take a touristy shot.

A street filled with food stalls and small shops, it’s a great place to get some nice souvenirs and enjoy some local street food!

One of the city’s top shopping districts, whether or not if you’re a fashion lover, this is a great place to spend a relaxing morning strolling down Ginza to check out Japan’s modern culture.

I normally prefer trains over flying to avoid the hassle of going through security and the time it takes to fly. Taking the Shinkansen (Japan’s ultra fast bullet train that’s included with the JR pass) between cities is highly recommended. Here I took the Shinkansen from Tokyo station to Kyoto station which took a little over 2 hours.

Located 15 minutes walk from Nijo station, Nijō Castle is a flatland castle in Kyoto, Japan. The castle consists of two concentric rings of fortifications, the Ninomaru Palace, the ruins of the Honmaru Palace, various support buildings and several gardens. You can purchase your ticket at the door easily. It is a worth visiting site in central Kyoto.

Kiyomizu-dera ("Pure Water Monastery") is a Buddhist temple located in eastern Kyoto, Japan. The temple is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) UNESCO World Heritage Site. I enjoyed visiting for its natural surroundings, peaceful atmosphere, and beautiful architecture. The location is situated on top of a hill so you can get a nice view of Kyoto from the temple. Also a nice location for photography enthusiasts!

Fushimi Inari Shrine is an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which makes it a perfect spot for tourists. I enjoyed my hike up through the torii gates along with a few hundred other tourists.

The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is one of Kyoto’s top sights not to be missed! I recommend coming near the end of the day or early in the morning to enjoy the forest all to yourself. It is only a 5-10 minute short walk from one end of trail to another.

I took the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Kyoto to Tokyo, and then transferred to the airport direct monorail to arrive at Haneda international airport to go home. Although it was a short trip, I made memories that will last a lifetime and I hope you will too!