Japan 17 Days - Late June 2026

Shibuya Crossing

One of the world's busiest pedestrian crossings. Best viewed from above at the Starbucks or Shibuya Sky.

Kabukicho

Tokyo's vibrant entertainment district. Neon lights, izakayas, and nightlife.

Omoide Yokocho

Atmospheric narrow alleys lined with tiny yakitori and ramen joints near Shinjuku station.

Godzilla Head

The famous Godzilla head atop Hotel Gracery in Kabukicho. Free to view from the terrace.

Senso-ji

Tokyo's oldest temple. Arrive early to beat the crowds. The Kaminarimon gate is iconic.

Nakamise Street

Traditional shopping street leading to Senso-ji. Great for street food and souvenirs.

Kappabashi Street

Tokyo's kitchen district. Fascinating fake food samples, ceramics, and cooking tools.

Meiji Jingu

Serene Shinto shrine surrounded by a 100-year-old forest in the heart of Tokyo.

Takeshita Street

Harajuku's famous pedestrian street. Colorful, crowded, full of quirky shops and crepes.

Cat Street

Trendy boutique-lined street parallel to Takeshita. More relaxed vibe, great cafes.

Shibuya Sky

Stunning open-air rooftop observation deck at 230m. Book tickets in advance. Sunset timing is ideal.

Hamarikyu Gardens

Beautiful Edo-era gardens with a teahouse on the pond. Matcha with a view of surrounding skyscrapers.

Ginza

Tokyo's upscale shopping and architecture district. Great for window-shopping and gallery-hopping.

teamLab Planets

Immersive digital art museum. Walk barefoot through water and light installations. Book tickets ahead.

Tokyo Tower

Classic Tokyo landmark. Less crowded than Skytree and beautiful at night.

Crayon Shin-chan Village

Crayon Shin-chan themed area in Kasukabe. Fun for anime fans.

Tokyo Skytree

Japan's tallest structure at 634m. Amazing views, especially at sunset. Solamachi mall at the base has great dining.

Kotoku-in (Great Buddha)

The iconic Great Buddha of Kamakura. One of Japan's most famous bronze statues, dating to 1252.

Hasedera

Beautiful temple with stunning gardens, a golden Kannon statue, and ocean views. Hydrangeas bloom spectacularly in late June!

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu

Kamakura's most important shrine. Long approach lined with shops. Komachi-dori street nearby.

Hokokuji Temple

Tranquil bamboo grove with a matcha tea house. Much less crowded than Arashiyama.

Yuigahama Beach

Kamakura's main beach. Great for a sunset stroll after a day of temple-hopping.

Zeniarai Benzaiten

Hidden shrine in a cave where you wash money in spring water for good fortune. Very unique.

Honcho Street

The iconic street view of Mt. Fuji framed by traditional shops. One of the most famous Fuji photo spots.

Chureito Pagoda

Famous five-story pagoda with Mt. Fuji backdrop. Climb ~400 steps. Best at sunset or early morning.

Oishi Park

Lakeside park on Lake Kawaguchi with stunning Fuji views. Lavender fields bloom in late June!

Aokigahara Forest

Dense, mysterious forest at the base of Mt. Fuji. Stick to marked trails — it's eerily peaceful.

Fugaku Wind Cave

Cool lava cave formed by Mt. Fuji's eruptions. Natural air conditioning in the June heat!

Narusawa Ice Cave

Fascinating icy lava cave. Wear warm layers — it stays near freezing inside even in summer.

Fujiyama Onsen

Traditional onsen with Mt. Fuji views. Perfect way to end a day of exploring the Five Lakes area.

Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka

Atmospheric cobblestone lanes lined with traditional shops. Walk these in the evening for fewer crowds.

Yasaka Pagoda

Iconic five-story pagoda in the Higashiyama streets. The best photo spot in the area.

Gion

Kyoto's famous geisha district. Walk along Hanamikoji street in the evening for a chance to spot maiko.

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Thousands of vermillion torii gates. Go very early (6-7am) to avoid crowds. Full hike takes ~2 hours.

Byodo-in Temple

Stunning Phoenix Hall in Uji, featured on the 10-yen coin. Combine with matcha tasting in Uji.

Nishiki Market

Kyoto's kitchen — narrow covered market with hundreds of food stalls and local specialties.

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Former residence of the Emperor. Beautiful park surrounding the palace. Peaceful contrast to busy temples.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Towering bamboo forest. Come at opening time (early morning) to experience it without crowds.

Tenryu-ji

Major Zen temple with a stunning landscape garden. UNESCO World Heritage site at the entrance to the bamboo grove.

Togetsukyo Bridge

Iconic bridge over the river in Arashiyama. Beautiful mountain backdrop.

Iwatayama Monkey Park

Wild Japanese macaques on a hillside. 20-minute uphill walk but great views and monkey interaction at the top.

Nara Park

Famous park with 1,200 free-roaming deer. Buy deer crackers (shika senbei) and enjoy bowing deer.

Todai-ji

Houses the world's largest bronze Buddha inside one of the largest wooden buildings in the world.

Kasuga Taisha

Ancient shrine with thousands of stone and bronze lanterns. Magical, atmospheric walk through the forest.

Pontocho

Narrow atmospheric alley along the Kamogawa River. Many restaurants have riverside terraces (kawadoko in summer).

Kinkaku-ji

The Golden Pavilion reflected in its mirror pond. One of Kyoto's most iconic sights.

Philosopher's Path

Peaceful tree-lined canal walk between Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji. About 2km, lovely in any season.

Ginkaku-ji

The Silver Pavilion (not actually silver). Stunning moss garden and raked sand patterns.

Dotonbori

Osaka's most famous food and entertainment strip. Glico sign, giant crab, and endless street food.

Shinsaibashi

Major covered shopping arcade connecting to Dotonbori. Stretches for blocks.

Osaka Castle

Historic castle with a museum inside. Beautiful surrounding park. Nice views from the top floor.

Umeda Sky Building

Futuristic twin towers connected by a floating garden observatory. Amazing sunset views over Osaka.

Shinsekai

Retro Osaka neighborhood with the iconic Tsutenkaku Tower. Famous for kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers).

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

Powerful, deeply moving museum about the atomic bombing. Allow at least 2 hours.

Atomic Bomb Dome

Haunting preserved ruins of the building closest to the blast. UNESCO World Heritage site.

Nambayasaka Shrine

Meigetsu-in

Oshino Hakkai

Gion Shirakawa

祇園白川 It's an area with a nostalgic atmosphere where traditional townhouses with lattice-patterned red shutters line the cobblestone streets of Gion. More info: https://souda-kyoto.jp/guide/spot/gionshirakawa.html IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CjIV__hrih1/ #architecture

Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center

浅草文化観光センター You can see Senso-ji Temple from above by going to the rooftop of this building. Admission is free. More info: https://tokyotouristinfo.com/en/detail/K0002 IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CsyUF45yj_V/ #temple

Kuromon Market

黒門市場 If you want to enjoy eating while walking through a market in Osaka, this is the place to go. Recently, many vendors cater more to tourists than to locals. More info: https://kuromon.com/en/ #food

Sugimoto-dera

Sugimotodera Temple, founded by Gyoki, is said to be the oldest sacred ground in Kamakura, existing prior to Minamoto Yoritomo's arrival. Its mossy stone stairway lined by banners covered in calligraphy representing the eleven-faced Goddess of Mercy, Kannon, allow visitors to sense its rich history.

Chao Chao Sanjo Kiyamachi

Coordinates: 35.0084,135.7706 #gyoza

Yanaka Ginza

A charming retro shopping street in one of Tokyo's most nostalgic neighborhoods. Old-school snack shops, cat statues everywhere, and a famous sunset staircase. The antidote to Tokyo's hyper-modern side.

Shimokitazawa

Tokyo's bohemian neighborhood — vintage clothing shops, indie cafes, street art, and live music venues. Great for a half-day wander. The area around the station was recently redesigned and is really cool.

Mimurotoji Temple

Known as the 'Flower Temple' — its hydrangea garden is absolutely spectacular in late June with 20,000 plants in full bloom. Easy to combine with your Uji day (Byodo-in is nearby). One of the best hydrangea spots in all of Kansai!

Kobe Nankinmachi

Japan's oldest Chinatown in Kobe — great street food (steamed buns, xiaolongbao, Peking duck wraps). Kobe is only 30 min from Osaka by train, making it an easy half-day side trip. Pair with Kobe beef for lunch!

Isetan Shinjuku Depachika

The basement food hall (depachika) of Isetan department store is one of Tokyo's best. Beautifully curated sweets, bento boxes, wagashi, and seasonal treats. Perfect for picking up gifts or a fancy picnic. Go hungry!

Shukkei-en Garden

A beautiful Edo-period garden just 10 min walk from the Peace Memorial Museum. Survived the atomic bomb and was restored. A peaceful counterpoint to the heavy emotions of the Peace Park. Great in any season.