A three-week arc across Japan, beginning in Tokyo and looping north to Ishinomaki and Tashirojima’s “Cat Island,” then inland to Matsumoto’s castle, onward to Kansai for Osaka’s food scene and Kobe’s herb‑covered hills, and finally to Kyoto’s temples before a sober stop in Hiroshima and a hike on Miyajima. We planned days around meals—sushi bars and ramen counters—threading in museums, gardens, castles, and shrines as we navigated rail passes, Shinkansen choices, and the occasional downpour. The trip blended mega‑city precision, temple quiet, forested walks, and cable‑car summits—capturing Japan’s range from culinary obsession to mountain paths and memorials.
👉 All the places we’ve visited are available in a Google Maps list
Trip Summary
✈️ Day 1: starting on a high note → Land in Tokyo, make the Jiro (Takashi) reservation, and walk the city.
📷 Day 2: walking into walls → Sushi breakfast, Imperial Palace East Gardens, vending‑machine life, spicy Ippudo ramen.
📷 Day 3: nature and art → Shrine stroll, tempura at Keio Plaza, National Museum of Western Art, soba at Sasuga.
📷 Day 4: water taxi to the museum → River bus ride, Tokyo National Museum, esoteric Buddhism exhibit, sushi in Tsukiji.
🚆 Day 5: the fast train to Ishinomaki → Tokyo Station maze, ramen corridor, Hayabusa Shinkansen, cash/ATM hunt, yakitori.
📷 Day 6: Cat Island → Tashirojima cats, tiny‑island loop, sprint to Sendai, Shinkansen back, ramen dinner.
📷 Day 7: change of plans → Swap Hakone for Tokyo: Michelin‑star ramen, laundry routine, thick matcha, Da Michele pizza test.
📷 Day 8: rain, rain and more rain. → Sushi Zanmai breakfast, credit‑card saga, soggy walks, smoky‑charcoal yakitori.
🚆 Day 9: Heading to Matsumoto → Long Nakiryu wait, 3‑hour train, sunset around Matsumoto Castle, 7‑Eleven snacks.
📷 Day 10: Matsumoto → Castle interiors and steep stairs, Alps Park tower views, sashimi + tempura dinner.
🚆 Day 11: sick day → Travel to Osaka and rest.
📷 Day 12: exploring Osaka → Shabu‑shabu, Osaka Castle critique, subway quirks, iPad sushi, indoor smoking reality.
📷 Day 13: Kobe → Nunobiki Herb Garden cable car, trail to falls, counter‑seared Kobe beef and lobster.
📷 Day 14: Eating until ruin → Okonomiyaki, takoyaki, century‑old ice cream, gelato, all‑you‑can‑eat shabu‑shabu.
🚆 Day 15: Kyoto under the rain → Eggs’n’Things, Nishiki Market shuffle, wagyu steak while the skies pour.
📷 Day 16: Exploring Kyoto → Nijo Castle (shoes off), Gion canals, Fushimi Inari torii and foxes.
🥾 Day 17: Kyoto’s outskirts → Arashiyama temples (Otagi, Adashino, Giouji, Jōjakkōji), Okochi Sanso, bamboo grove, Hafuu steak.
📷 Day 18: Hiroshima → Opt for Nozomi, Peace Memorial Museum, city rebuilt on its old grid.
🥾 Day 19: deer island → Miyajima: cable car + summit loop, endless vending machines, maple “momiji” cookies.
✈️ Day 20: flying home → Back to Tokyo for one last meal, then the long flight home.
