15 DAYS IN JAPAN: DAY 11 TO 15

Continuing (and ending) our journey across Japan…

If you haven’t read the itinerary for days 1 to 5, click here.

If you haven’t read the itinerary for days 6 to 10, click here.

DAY 11- Himeji & Osaka

Another sunny day in Japan! Head to Kyoto Station and take the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen towards Himeji (55 minutes).

The highlight of this day trip will be Himeji-jo (Himeji Castle), considered one of the most beautiful feudal castles in Japan and one of its twelve original castles, never destroyed or rebuilt.

Himeji Castle, Japan — White and beautiful, Himeji Castle

At the entrance, volunteer guides offer a free tour of the castle. We strongly recommend you accept; our guide was a charming lady and the 3-hour tour went by flying. We wouldn’t have enjoyed the castle as much if we had been on our own .

Walk around the labyrinth like castle grounds, climb the six stories of wooden steps inside the main keep to get stunning views and visit the Nishinomaru, a building which served as the princess’s residence.

Himeji Castle — Castle view from *Nishinomaru*

Head next to Kokoen where you can enjoy 9 different styles of Edo-period gardens and experience the tea ceremony in a tea-house surrounded by water and green views. Go back to the train station by Otemae-dori, a wide street full of shops and restaurants.

Take the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen towards Osaka (40 minutes).

Walk through Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade, and shop your heart out on this 600 meter long hallway of well-known brand stores and boutiques.

Visit Dotonbori street, parallel to the canal and packed with food options. Here you can find the famous Glico Running man along with hundred of stores. Eat a typical okonomiyaki or takoyaki to live the full Osaka experience.

Hotel: Sakura Terrace The Gallery, Kyoto.

DAY 12- Nara

Take the Miyakoji Rapid Train from Kyoto Station towards Nara (45 minutes). Nara was Japan’s first permanent capital, so it holds some of the oldest temples in the country. It is also very famous for the deers that roam freely across Nara Park and its surroundings, believed to be envoys of the Shinto gods.

Your first visit will be Todaiji Temple. Daibutsuden, its main hall, is the world’s largest wooden structure and houses one of Japan largest bronze statues of Buddha (15 meters tall). Its open palm is the same hight as a grown man.

Todaiji Temple, Nara, Japan — Imposing Todaiji Temple

Big Buddha (Daibutsu), Nara, Japan — Big Buddha (Daibutsu)

Next wander around Nara Park and feed the deers… just be careful, they may bite or attack if they don’t get food fast enough!

Head next to Kasuga Taisha, a shrine famous for its hundreds of stone and bronze lanterns. This lanterns are lit twice a year during a festival in February and August.

Stone laterns, Nara, Japan — Stone lanterns

Don’t leave Nara before trying some of the local cuisine, which includes Kakinoha sushi, a preserved mackerel sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves. Also, don’t miss the dangerous mochi making show in Nakatanido, where two men rhythmically pound rice with wooden mazes in perfect synchrony.

Hotel: Sakura Terrace The Gallery, Kyoto.

DAY 13- Kanazawa

Check out from your hotel and take the JR Thunderbird Limited Express leaving from Kyoto Station to Kanazawa (2 hours).

Walk around the Korimbo, Tatemachi and Katamachi areas. With modern buildings and wide open spaces, these streets full of shopping and dinning opportunities will remind you of New York or Washington.

Head next to Nagamachi a well-preserved samurai district. Visit Nomura-ke, a restored former samurai family residence, where you can admire the wooden panels, painted sliding doors, tatami floor mats, a japanese garden and even a samurai armor.

Nagamachi, Kanazawa, Japan — Historic atmosphere of Nagamachi

Nomura-ke, kanazawa, japan — Inside Nomura-ke

On your way to Kenrokuen Garden you can visit the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. We didn’t have time to enter, but read some fantastic reviews about it.

Kenrokuen Garden is considered to be one of Japan’s three most beautiful landscape gardens. The grounds are really enormous and you can walk for hours admiring the meticulous care they put on making the scenery perfect. Unfortunately for us, it rained the entire time we were there which dampened our spirits a little bit.

Kenrokuen, Kanazawza — Kotojitoro Lantern in Kasumigaike Pond

Hotel: Trusty Kanazawa Korinbo

DAY 14- Takayama (Hida-Takayama)

Takayama is one of the places that will be stuck forever in our minds cause of its alluring ambience, misty climate and handsome streets.

Take the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kanazawa station to Tokyo; change in Toyama Station to the Hida Limited Express Train to Nagoya and get off at Takayama Station (2 hours).

We recommend mainly exploring the old town, since there’s so much to see. There are complete streets of houses preserved as they were on 1600. There are dozens of stores with local crafts and souvenirs, among them SARUBOBO DOLLS which are the cutest thing you’ll ever see. There are several sake breweries that sell sake by the glass (delicious), and various restaurants that offer mouth-watering Hida beef (similar to Kobe beef).

To end the perfect day hike the Higashiyama Walking Course, a 3.5 km path above the city, to get lovely views, enjoy the fresh air and visit some shrines.

Return to Kanazawa.

Hotel: Trusty Kanazawa Korinbo

DAY 15- Kanazawa Station and Narita Airport

Reaching the end of our trip… pack your bags and head to Kanazawa Station. Take the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen to Tokyo Station (3 hours), and then the JR Narita Express to Narita Airport (1 hour).

Buy your last omiyage and enjoy your last ramen. But don’t be sad! Start planning your next trip to this beautiful country!