Tokyo, Japan: 5-9 Days Itineraries

       In Tokyo, I used a 3 days Subway Visitor Card to move around. I do not need a card using the 4th day because as I've stated below, it is possible to walk everywhere. On the 5th day, you can either use a Suica or ICOCA card or metro-only card, or if you are here for 3 more days, buy another subway card. In my humble opinion, the Subway Visitor Card is more useful for first-time visitors than the other IC cards because we tend to get lost in a new city. This card granted me unlimited use of the Tokyo Subway for 72 hours, so it doesn't matter how many times I ended up exiting the wrong station!  

       Other than that, always stay connected! If your Airbnb doesn't provide you with a 4G pocket wifi, rent one and pick up at the Airport (HERE). Honestly, it is not even that expensive and it is definitely worth every penny.

Kyoto, Japan: a 5 Days Itinerary (Kyoto, Nara, Uji)

       Every visitors to Japan whether first timers or repeating guests would put Kyoto in their itinerary. I mean who wouldn’t wanna explore Kyoto again and again? Although most of the time people visit Kyoto for 2 days at most, I actually think it deserves more time. I based myself in Kyoto for 5 days altogether, 1 day dedicated to Nara, and another 4 days visiting every site of Kyoto: East, West, North, and South. 

Kyushu, Japan Itinerary: Visiting the Hells of Beppu in 1 Day

       “Go to hell!” Such a strong expression used often to curse someone… Little did I know, it could be a well wish that one day you'll have the opportunity to visit Beppu!

Kyushu Itinerary: 1 day in Takachiho

       Takachiho is a town in Nishiusuki District Northern Miyazaki, known as the "land of Japanese Mythology”. It is made famous by the legend of the Sun Goddess who hid in the cave to protest against her brother’s (Susano'o) violence. Takachiho is also mentioned in many other legends, for example, the story of god Ninigi descending from heaven.

My 7 Days Itinerary with a Japan Rail Pass

Since I am spending 6 days in Tokyo, another 5 in Kyoto and 3 days in Osaka (using an Osaka Amazing Pass), it doesn’t make sense for me to activate my Japan Rail Pass any earlier. Hence, I only activated my Japan Rail Pass 2 weeks into my round Japan Trip and it worked exactly like this:

Read also: 2 Days in Osaka with an Osaka Amazing Pass