Buzz
Japan's natural beauty is truly captivating, blessed with distinct four-season climates that make cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, and snow sought-after attractions for Vietnamese tourists visiting the Land of the Rising Sun. Additionally, meticulous planning and attention to detail, from well-maintained foliage to effective waste management and conservation efforts, have contributed to Japan's present-day charm—a testament to the silent dedication of local authorities. I'll share the story of Mount Fuji's journey to becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site someday, reflecting the significant efforts of local governments. The food is delicious, and the merchandise is top-notch. In short, Japan caters to the travel, dining, and shopping desires of most tourists, making it a naturally hot destination (except for the budget-unfriendly aspects, of course).
*What is JR Pass?
JR Pass is a type of train pass exclusively for foreign tourists. Similar to Vietnam, Japan is long and narrow, so its beauty is scattered throughout the country. Each place has its own charm, making it difficult to compile a top 5 list. Therefore, in this article, I'll write about 5 cities you should visit if you're using a JR pass (which is probably already famous) and want to maximize its functionality.
Firstly, when you arrive in Japan from the airport. Most flights from Vietnam currently only fly directly to 2 major cities: Osaka in Western Japan (Kansai Airport KIX) and Tokyo in Eastern Japan (Narita NRT or Haneda HND airports). So, to save time and effort, I suggest booking a ticket to arrive at one airport and depart from the other. This way, you can plan your itinerary to travel across Japan from north to south (or vice versa), with arrival and departure airports strategically chosen. In this article, I'll share the itinerary for arriving from Kansai Airport and departing from Narita/Haneda Airport.
Hiroshima
If you're arriving from Kansai Airport, make use of the JR pass to visit Hiroshima. Hiroshima is one of the two cities devastated by atomic bombs during World War II. From rubble, Hiroshima has been rebuilt into one of the economic hubs of Western Japan.
From Osaka, take the shinkansen bullet train for about 1.5 hours to reach Hiroshima. In Hiroshima, you can visit Peace Park, with the iconic building being the only surviving structure after the historic bombing. The park houses a museum documenting the aftermath and related issues of the bombing. With its high level of humanity, it's definitely worth a visit if you have the time.
From Hiroshima, you can also take a train to Miyajima Island - a UNESCO recognized cultural heritage site. Here, you can admire the majestic torii gate standing in the sea. At low tide, you can even walk out to the base of the gate. The island is home to a shrine dedicated to academic success, so if you're seeking scholarly endeavors, give it a try. This tourist area is highly developed, and the deer raised on the island are very friendly to humans, so be careful not to have your food snatched away by them. On the island, there's a specialty dish called fried maple leaf cake (Age-momiji-manju), unique to this location, so if you visit the island, be sure to try it.
Golden deer roaming on Miyajima Island
You can walk to the gate during low tide
Kyoto
Kyoto is already famous worldwide among tourists. With its ancient capital boasting solemn and revered ancient temples recognized as World Heritage Sites, combined with a meticulously coordinated traditional culture and tourism services, it greatly appeals to visitors. Kyoto is filled with numerous temples, and transportation to major tourist areas mainly relies on buses, often leading to traffic congestion. Therefore, if you plan to visit all the temples, it will take a considerable amount of time. In my opinion, you can spend 2 days in Kyoto to explore the main temples, visit bamboo forests, stroll through Gion district, and experience various interesting activities like wearing kimono, making traditional Japanese sweets, or crafting glass art. The main and famous temples in Kyoto include the Golden Pavilion Kinkakuji, wooden temple Kiyomizudera, and the Fushimi Inari Shrine. The Golden Pavilion, always crowded year-round, is a must-visit spot for everyone wanting to check in, with crowds around the pond making it a bit challenging to take photos without people in them. Bonus: a photo of an automated fortune-telling machine. In Japan, they automate everything, truly amazing.
Automated fortune-telling machine
Rare moments of solitude at the Golden Pavilion
Hotel rooms in Kyoto are quite expensive, so if you want to save money, you can explore Kyoto during the day and sleep in Osaka at night. It's only about a 30-minute journey, and if you use the JR pass, there's no extra transportation cost. Osaka is livelier at night, so if your time in Japan is limited, you can make the most of your days sightseeing and evenings shopping and dining in Osaka.
Shirakawa-go Village
This is a historic village located in central Japan. Getting around by public transportation can be quite challenging, mainly relying on buses (which are not covered by the JR pass). You can travel to the nearest city, Kanazawa, and take a bus from there. This historic village is beautiful in every season, but my favorite is autumn when the flowers and butterflies are in full bloom. The weather is cool enough for cozy clothing for photos but not too harsh. Winter is also beautiful, especially if you visit during the time of the illuminated evenings (usually end of January and early February), where you can see a stunning real-life Christmas card scene. It's truly picturesque, but if you're going for photography, make sure to bring a tripod because it's dark, crowded, and cold, making it challenging to capture sharp images. Nearby, there's also the beautiful historic district of Takayama, famous for Japanese beef. If you can manage your time, it's definitely worth a visit.
Snow-covered village, beautiful but chilly
Mount Fuji and Fujigoko
Mount Fuji, the iconic symbol of Japan, so visiting here when in Japan is a must. You can join various tour options to climb Mount Fuji to see the sunrise, or you can visit the Five Lakes area at the base of the mountain to admire it from a distance. The largest lake in the Five Lakes area is Lake Kawaguchi. There are many flower gardens around the lake where you can stroll and enjoy the scenery. This area should only be allocated one day. To avoid the likelihood of clouds covering the mountain, it's best to come here in the evening, then head out for sightseeing early the next morning to encounter fewer clouds.
Tokyo
When traveling to Japan, Tokyo is a must-visit - the bustling capital city of the world with sleepless districts like Shibuya, Shinjuku, and historical neighborhoods like Asakusa, and entertainment and shopping complexes like Odaiba. There's so much to discover in Tokyo. Especially, Tokyo is also a haven for delicious eateries, so if you're a food enthusiast, exploring Tokyo alone could fill up your entire day, haha. Near Tokyo is the Disneyland amusement park, a desired destination for many children, so if you're traveling with little ones, spending time here will make them very happy.
Statue of Liberty model in Odaiba
Check-in at Disneyland
So ends the journey from Osaka to Tokyo, it's time to board the flight back to Vietnam. However, Japan still has many other beautiful sights to offer. If you have the chance to return, you can explore Hokkaido or Kyushu, both of which are stunning. Hopefully, this article will help you plan accordingly. Take a look at some travel experiences in Japan to make your trip complete!
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Selfie Photos
For inexperienced travelers to Japan or those who don't speak Japanese, opting for a guided tour is advisable instead of independent travel. With a tour, you don't need to worry about paperwork or procedures; instead, you'll receive enthusiastic guidance and advice from tour guides. A small suggestion for you is to book your Japan tour with Mytour for the best deals, ensuring you'll have wonderful experiences during your vacation.
