Japan’s Big Three: Tokyo, Kyoto & Mount Fuji
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Shinjuku, Tokyo
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Ueno Park Hanami, Tokyo
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Fushimi Inari Shrine Senbon Torii, Kyoto
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Kinkaku-ji Temple of The Golden Pavilion, Kyoto
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Mount Fuji, Japan
Trip Intro
Where do you start a trip when the whole country is like an unknown territory? As a visitor of Japan myself for over 20 years, I would always recommend starting with the Big Three: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Mount Fuji. With this selection, you can easily combine an exciting modern world metropolis with the most beautiful temples and shrines in Kyoto and the symbol of Japan, Mount Fuji. You can dive deeply into this unique culture and history of Japan. I guarantee you experiences and memories which last a lifetime.
Best Places to Stay in Tokyo >
Overview of the Trip Destinations
1. Tokyo
Tokyo, the largest city in the world and the capital of Japan, has a population of nearly 38 million. It was my home for one year, and I have returned countless times since. It is a city that never sleeps and changes faster than you can imagine. The mix of exciting nightlife, beautiful parks, amazing temples and shrines, and so much more never gets boring. Below, you can find my handpicked itinerary lists. If you only have one day in Tokyo, you should visit TOKYO SKYTREE, Sensoji Temple, Shinjuku, Meiji Shrine, Tokyo Tower, and Ueno Park. But that’s not all. For a deeper dive, check out my Tokyo Secrets list. Last but not least, for fans of Hayao Miyazaki movies such as My Neighbor Totoro, a visit to the Studio Ghibli Museum is a must-do.
Don’t miss these Tokyo highlights:
2. Mount Fuji
No matter from which angle you approach Mount Fuji, it will always be one of the most impressive sights in Japan. The world-renowned symbol of the country is, with its 3776.24m, the highest mountain or better volcano in Japan. Sometimes you need a bit of luck to have a clear sight, and my first time to see Mount Fuji up close was during my trip to Hakone. I can only recommend you to have a one- or two-day stop here on your way from Tokyo to Kyoto.
Don’t miss these highlights near Mount Fuji:
3. Kyoto
I had the chance to spend many weeks in Kyoto, and to this day, it remains my favourite city in Japan. The incredible number of beautiful shrines and temples is truly mind-blowing. Kyoto is home to around 1,600 Buddhist temples, more than 400 Shinto shrines, and 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The most beautiful, but also the most crowded, time to visit is during cherry blossom season, from late March to early April. To make planning easier, I created the handpicked itinerary list below. If you only have one day in Kyoto, you should visit Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera, the Gion district, Sagano Bamboo Grove, and Kyoto Imperial Palace. If that is not enough, check out my Secrets of Kyoto section for many more travel recommendations.
Don’t miss these Kyoto highlights:
Location
Tokyo, Kyoto, and Mount Fuji are all located on Honshu, Japan’s main island.
How to get around?
- 2hrs from Tokyo Shinjuku Station to Lake Ashi by Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus or
- 2hrs from Tokyo Shinjuku Station to Hakone Yumoto Station by Odakyu Train
- 15min from Hakone Yumoto Station to Odawara Station by Hakone Tozan/Odakyu train
- 1.5hrs from Odawara Station to Kyoto Station by Tokaido Shinkansen (Hikari)
