My trip to the Land of the Rising Sun was by far my most challenging and most exciting trip. Japan sets the bar high for me in many aspects. Experience the country and you will know what I mean.
I’ve been going around by train on other countries but it was only in Japan that I encountered platforms where not all trains that pass in front of you go to your intended destination even if it’s written so clear in English right above where you are standing.
Not all trains that you board here will pass by those destinations written so clear in English above your head. Yikes!Just imagine how challenging this is for a first timer like me with a do-it-yourself itinerary in a country where you can barely understand and be understood by most of the people around.
“Everyone Gets Lost in Japan”
I always read that getting lost is inevitable in Japan and I was so confident I won’t experience this norm as long as I do my research right but you see, it’s funny how overconfident people can get a humbling slap on the face at the onset.
We were set to take the Keisei Narita Sky Access line train from Narita Airport to Oshiage station and we were on the right platform right below the destination signage which includes Oshiage so we boarded the first train that stopped in front of us.
Much to our surprise, only a handful of people were inside and there were seat numbers. We barely got seated when one passenger and a couple more later on the way had to politely ask us to change seats and make us realize our ignorance as first timers.
It was an express premium train with reserved (additionally paid) seats and it doesn’t stop at Oshiage station. Just imagine how we were struggling to apply “Don’t panic!” in this situation.
We mistakenly boarded the Keisei Skyliner and paid more than twice the Keisei Narita Sky Access line fare. Oh my! (Photo from keisei.co.jp)Oh, how we could only laugh at this too early misadventure as the only thing that was right at that moment was the pocket WiFi we rented that enabled us to confirm online that we can alight at its first stop, Aoto station, to board another train to Oshiage station.
How We Navigated Japan Confidently Moving Forward
Avoid our mistake by making sure you board the right train to your intended destination. Google was a lifesaver for us so make sure you have an internet connection to do something like this:
Google Screenshot. Google provides real-time train schedules to make sure you board the right train.Just type your departure station and arrival station and Google will do the job of giving you your options including how much you’ll spend, time of departure and arrival (which is amazingly always on time), and specific train line and stops.
You can even estimate if you can make it or not with the Departure countdown timer. 🙂
Google screenshot. We should have boarded this train directly to Oshiage station conveniently.I choose the cheapest if I am not racing against time. Just make sure to board the train at the specified time to your destination otherwise you may find yourself lost like us.
Google Maps as Virtual Guide
We surprisingly rarely asked around when we visited our destinations as Google Maps became my reliable friend who tells me what direction I should walk and what landmarks I should pass to know I am treading the right path.
Real time navigation as you walk with Google Maps as your guide.Day 1. Narita International Airport Arrival, Tokyo Skytree, Hachiko, Shibuya Crossing, Shinjuku
Read detailed itinerary for Day 1 here.
Day 2. Hakone Round Course with Gotemba Premium Outlet Daytrip from Tokyo
Read detailed itinerary for Day 2 here.
Day 3. Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park, Tokyo Disneysea
Read detailed itinerary for Day 3 here.
Day 4. Hitachi Seaside Park Day Trip From Tokyo
Read detailed itinerary for Day 4 here.
Day 5. Nara Park, Univeral Studios Japan, Osaka
Read detailed itinerary for Day 5 here.
Day 6. Kyoto Day Trip From Osaka: Togetsukyo Bridge and Arashiyama Bamboo Groves
Read detailed itinerary for Day 6 here.
I traveled to Japan to visit Tokyo, Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto in six days. I always maximize my trips like this, making the most of my time thinking that I may not be able to go back.
Experiencing Japan has been fun and amazing. How everywhere we went felt so clean and safe is one for the books. It is indeed a country that makes a traveler leave with a virtue or two.
At Arashiyama Bamboo Groves. I won’t hesitate going back.sI was surprisingly granted a multiple entry Japan visa for five years but I will have to save big time if I ever get the privilege and means to go back.
I have a wish called Hokkaido snow and Nagoya Shirakawa-go winter village. Sometimes wishes do come true. Who knows?
6-Day Tokyo, Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto Itinerary and Expenses for Budget 2019
| Tokyo-Osaka-Nara-Kyoto Itinerary for 6 Days | |
| On Conversion: JPY1000 ~ Php500 | |
| On Time Zone: GMT + 9 (Japan Time is 1 hour advanced compared to Philippine Time, e.g. 7 am in JP is 6 am in PH) | |
| Day 1 | Narita International Airport Arrival, Tokyo Skytree, Hachiko Statue, Shibuya Crossing, Shinjuku |
| 2:00 AM | Check in at NAIA. Breakfast(P200). |
| 5:00 AM | ETD to Narita Airport (Tokyo) from NAIA |
| 10:30 AM | ETA at Narita Airport. Clear immigration. Get free maps at the airport. Claim Suica Card (P1055 in Klook preloaded with JPY1,500) and Tokyo Subway 72-Hour Pass (Php685 in Klook) at EASY GO / HIS counter at 1/F Narita Intl Airport Arrival Lobby: Southwing for T1, Central Bldg for T2 |
| Claim booked pocket wifi good for 6 days (~PHP1500 in Klook/2 = P750 each) at QL Liner Counter, 1/F International Arrival | |
| 11:30 AM | Take the Keisei Narita Sky Access train from Narita International Airport to Oshiage station. No transfers. Fare: JPY1170 ~ Php545, Travel time: 53 minutes. |
| 12:30 PM | Tokyo Skytree! |
| Lunch (JPY1000 ~ PHP500) at Solamachi. Stroll around. | |
| 1:30 PM | Check in at Hostel East57. |
| From Oshiage Station (A20), ride the train to Asakusabashi Station (A16) along the Asakusa Line (4 stops). Travel time: 6 minutes Fare: None on Tokyo Pass | |
| 2:00 PM | Proceed to Shinjuku and claim Hakone Pass at Shinjuku Station West exit. |
| Ride the train from Asakusabashi Station (A16) to Higashi-Nihombashi station (A15). Transfer to the Shinjuku line / Yellowgreen line / Bakuro Yokoyama Station (S09) for Shinjuku Station (S01). Travel time: 20 minutes, 8 stops, Fare: None on Tokyo Pass | |
| Claim Hakone Pass at Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center, Shinjuku West (8am to 6pm). Inquire schedule and trips. | |
| Where to claim the pass: 1/F (Ground Floor), Odakyu Railway Shinjuku Station West Exit | |
| Visit The Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, walking distance from Shinjuku station | |
| 4:00 PM | From Shinjuku Station along Oedo line / Dark Pink line (E27), ride the train to Aoyama Itchome station (E24), then transfer to Ginza line / Orange Line (G04) for Shibuya Station (G01). Travel time: 12 minutes, 6 stops, Fare: None on Tokyo Pass. |
| Shibuya Crossing and Hachiko at Shibuya station | |
| Imperial East Palace Garden at Tokyo station (best time to visit is after sunset) | |
| Tokyo Skytree at Oshiage Station (best time to visit is at night for the building lights) | |
| 7:00 PM | Dinner. (JPY1000~PHP500) |
| From Oshiage Station (A20), ride the train to Asakusabashi Station (A16) along the Asakusa Line (4 stops). Travel time: 6 minutes Fare: None on Tokyo Pass | |
| Utilize Tokyo Subway 72 hour Pass trains only for unlimited rides | |
| Estimated Expenses each: PHP3,200.00 | |
| Day 2 | Hakone Round Course with Gotemba Premium Outlet |
| 6:00 AM | Make your way to Shinjuku for Hakone |
| Ride the train from Asakusabashi Station (A16) to Higashi-Nihombashi station (A15). Transfer to the Shinjuku line / Yellowgreen line / Bakuro Yokoyama Station (S09) for Shinjuku Station (S01). Travel time: 20 minutes, 9 stops, Fare: None on Tokyo Pass | |
| 6:30 AM | Transfer to the Odakyu Line at Shinjuku station to board the train to Odawara station. Travel time: 90 minutes. Fare: None on Hakone Pass |
| Hakone Round Course / Mount Fuji using Hakone Pass at ~PHP2,500 each in Klook | |
| 8:30 AM | Arrive in Odawara Station. Grab breakfast (JPY1000 ~ PHP500). Begin the Hakone Round Course! |
| 9:00 AM | 1. Odawara Station to Hakone Yumoto Station by Train Transfer to the Hakone Tozan line to ride the train from Odawara station to Hakone-Yumoto station. Travel time: 15 minutes, Fare: None on Hakone Pass |
| 9:30 AM | 2. Hakone-Yumoto Station to Motohakone-ko by Bus Exit Hakone-Yumoto station and take Hakone Tozan Bus H to alight at Motohakone-ko. Travel time: 32 minutes, Fare: None on Hakone Pass |
| 10:15 AM | 3. Motohakone-ko to Hakonemachi-ko by Walking Start walking under the canopy of trees and visit the Onshi Hakone park through a good walk to Hakonemachi-ko where you can board the Pirate Cruise ship. Walking time: 20 to 30 minutes, Free admission on Onshi Hakone Park. |
| 11:00 AM | 4. Hakonemachi-ko to Togendai-ko by Hakone Pirate Cruise Ship Board the Pirate Cruise Ship from Hakonemachi-ko to Togendai-ko for a good and relaxing view of Lake Ashinoko and Mt Fuji if the weather is in your favor. Travel time: 35 minutes, Fare: None on Hakone Pass |
| 11:45 AM | 5. Togendai to Sounzan by Hakone Ropeway Board the Hakone Ropeway from Togendai to Sounzan with a necessary stop and transfer at Owakudani.Enjoy Owakudani Valley. Travel time: 30 minutes. Fare: None on Hakone Pass |
| 12:30 PM | 6. Sounzan to Gora by Hakone Cable Car From Sounzan, we boarded the Hakone Tozan Cable Car to Gora where we decided to rest for a while, eat lunch, and visit Gora Park. Travel time: 10 minutes. Fare: None on Hakone Pass |
| 12:45 PM | Lunch (JPY1000 ~ PHP500). Walk to Gora Park from Gora station (5 minutes) and stroll around. |
| 1:45 PM | Take direct bus to Gotemba Premium Outlet from Gora. Confirm last trip schedule back to Gora. |
7. Gora to Gotemba Premium Outlet by Bus Queue at Bus Stop 3 outside Gora station before the scheduled departure of Bus Route M which goes directly to Gotemba Premium Outlet. Ask around to be sure you are boarding the right bus to your intended destination. Travel time: 45 minutes. Fare: None on Hakone Pass | |
| 2:30 PM | Enjoy Gotemba Premium Outlet. Gotemba Goals: Good low-priced shoes and Mt Fuji! |
| 4:30 PM | 8. Gotemba Premium Outlet to Gora by Bus Queue for the hourly bus back to Gora station. Travel time: 45 minutes. Fare: None on Hakone Pass |
| 5:30 PM | 9. Gora Station to Shinjuku Station, Tokyo by Train 1. Take the Hakonetozan Line train from Gora Station to Hakone Yumoto Station. 2. Transfer to the Hakonetozan Line train at Hakone Yumoto Station to Odawara Station. 3. Transfer to the Odakyu Line at Odawara station to board the train to Shinjuku station. Travel time: 2 hours 32 minutes. |
| 8:15 PM | Arrive in Shinjuku. Return Hakone Pass at Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center at Shinjuku Station. |
| Dinner. (JPY1000~PHP500) | |
| Estimated Expenses each: PHP4000.00 | |
| Day 3 | Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park, Tokyo Disneysea |
| 7:00 AM | Make your way to go to Yoyogi Park through Meiji Shrine |
Asakusabashi Station to Yoyogi Park / Meiji Shrine 1. Take the train from Asakusabashi station (A16) to Higashi Ginza Station (A11), 5 stops. 2. Transfer to the Gray / Hibiya line (H09) for Hibiya station (H07), 2 stops. 3. Transfer to the Green / Chiyoda line (C09) for Meiji-jingumae (Harajuku) station (C03), 6 stops. Travel time: 30 minutes | |
| 7:30 AM | Walk through Meiji Shrine and enjoy Yoyogi Park. Grab breakfast (JPY1000 ~ Php500). |
| 8:30 AM | Yoyogi Park to Tokyo Disneysea 1. Take the train from Yoyogi-koen station (C02) to Hibiya station (C09), 7 stops. 2. Transfer to the Yellow / Yurakucho line (Y18) for Shin-kiba station (Y24), 6 stops. Travel time: 20 minutes. Total fare: None on Tokyo Pass, Otherwise JPY200 ~ Php100 3. Transfer to the Keiyo Line for Maihama station, 1 stop. Travel time: 9 minutes. Fare: JPY160 ~ Php80 (Use Suica/Pasmo card, not covered by Tokyo Pass) 4. Transfer to the Disney Resort Line for Tokyo Disneysea station. Travel time: 12 minutes. Fare: JPY260 ~ Php130 (Use Suica/Pasmo card, not covered by Tokyo Pass) |
| Stroll around and go to Disney Sea!!! (Take trains under Tokyo Pass for free unlimited rides) | |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch (JPY1000 ~ PHP500). Stroll around Disney Sea (~PHP3500) |
| 7:00 PM | Dinner. (JPY1000~PHP500) |
| 8:30 PM | Ride and watch shows and stay until night time for the parade and fireworks. |
| Go back to hostel. | |
Tokyo Disneysea to Hostel East57, Asakusabashi 1. Take the Disney Resort Line train from Tokyo Disneysea station to Resort Gateway station. Travel time: 12 minutes. Fare: JPY260 ~ Php130 (Use Suica/Pasmo card, not covered by Tokyo Pass) 2. Transfer to the Keiyo Line / Maihama station to Shin – kiba station (Y24), 1 stop. Travel time: 9 minutes. Fare: JPY160 ~ Php80 (Use Suica/Pasmo card, not covered by Tokyo Pass) 2. Transfer to the Yellow / Yurakucho line (Y24) to Tsukishima station (Y21), 3 stops. Travel time: 8 minutes. Total fare: None on Tokyo Pass, Otherwise JPY170 ~ Php85 3. Transfer to the Dark Pink / Oedo line (E16) to Daimson station (E20). Transfer to the Pink / Asakusa line (A09) to Asakusabashi station (A16). Travel time: 23 minutes. Total fare: None on Tokyo Pass, Otherwise JPY220 ~ Php110 | |
| Estimated Expenses each: PHP5000.00 | |
| Day 4 | Hitachi Seaside Park Day Trip From Tokyo |
| 7:00 AM | Check out. Leave bags at Oshiage station locker (JPY700 ~ Php350). Grab breakfast (JPY1000 ~ Php500) |
Asakusabashi Station to Oshiage Station Take the train from Asakusabashi station (A16) to Oshiage station ( A20), 4 stops, Travel time: 6 minutes. Fare: None on Tokyo Pass, otherwise JPY180 ~ Php90. | |
| 7:30 AM | Oshiage Station to Hitachi Seaside Park 1. Take train from Oshiage station (A20) to Asakusa station (A18), 2 stops. Transfer to the Orange / Ginza line (G19) for Ueno station (G16). Total fare: None on Tokyo Pass, otherwise: JPY280 ~ Php140 2. Transfer to the Joban line at Ueno station for Katsuta station. Travel time: 2 hours 20 minutes. Fare: JPY2,270 ~ Php1,135. (Use Suica/Pasmo card) 3. Take the bus to Hitachi Seaside Park from Katsuta station exit. Travel time: 15 minutes. Roundtrip bus fare + Entrance Fee combo: JPY1200 ~ Php600. |
| 10:30 AM | Explore and enjoy Hitachi Seaside Park. |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch (JPY1000 ~ PHP500). Stroll around. |
| 1:00 PM | Go back to Tokyo. Last minute stroll at Solamachi Mall/Tokyo Skytree. Get luggage at Oshiage station before boarding Narita Sky Access line for airport. |
Hitachi Seaside Park to Narita International Airport 1. Take the bus from Hitachi Seaside Park to Katsuta station. Travel time: 15 minutes. Roundtrip fare already paid. 2. Transfer to the Joban line at Katsuta station for Ueno station. Travel time: 2 hours 20 minutes. Fare: JPY2,270 ~ Php1,135. 3. Take train from Ueno station (G16) along Orange / Ginza line the to Asakusa station (G19). Transfer to the Pink / Asakusa line (A18) to Oshiage station (A20). Total fare: None on Tokyo Pass, otherwise: JPY280 ~ Php140 4. Take the Keisei Narita Sky Access directly to Narita International Airport from Oshiage station. No transfers. Fare: JPY1170 ~ Php545, Travel time: 53 minutes. (Use Suica/Pasmo card) | |
| 6:00 PM | Check in at Narita airport. |
| Dinner. (JPY1000~PHP500) | |
| 8:00 PM | ETD to Kansai Airport, Osaka. |
| 10:00 PM | ETA Kansai Airport. Take train to Nankai Namba Station and walk to hostel. |
Kansai Airport to Nankai Namba Station Take the train along the Nankai Line Airport Express to Nankai Namba station, the last stop. Travel time: 46 minutes. Fare: JPY920 ~ Php460. (Use Suica/Pasmo card in the Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto) | |
| Check in at Fuku Yado – Fuku Hostel Nagomi Namba | |
| Estimated Expenses each: PHP5800.00 | |
| Day 5 | Nara Park, Univeral Studios Japan, Dotonbori, Osaka |
| 6:00 AM | Eat free breakfast (5am PH time) at hostel |
| 6:30 AM | Visit Nara and the Deer Park. |
Fuku Hostel to Nara Park Take the train from Kintetsu Nippombashi station to Kintetsu Nara station along the Kintetsu Nara line. No transfer, Travel time: 36 minutes, Fare: JPY560 ~ Php280. | |
| Nara Park is a short walk from Kintetsu Nara station. | |
| 8:30 AM | Go back to Osaka Universal City station for Universal Studios (PHP3600 in Klook) |
Nara Park to Universal Studios Japan 1. Walk a few meters from Nara Park to Kintetsu Nara station. Take the train to Nishijuko station along the Kintetsu-Nara Line. 2. Transfer to the JR Sakurajima Line at Nishijuko station for Universal City station. Travel time: 58 minutes. Total fare: JPY920 ~ Php460. Use Suica/Pasmo card. | |
| 10:00 AM | Enjoy Universal Studios. Ride, watch shows, stay until night time for parade and fireworks. |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch (JPY1000 ~ PHP500). |
| 7:00 PM | Dinner. (JPY200~PHP100). There’s an amazingly cheap wrapped rice with toppings near USJ exit to Universal City station. |
Universal City Station to Dotonbori, Osaka 1. Take the Sakurajima line train to from Universal City station to Nishikujo station. | |
| Visit Dotonbori. Buy discounted goods at Don Quijote. | |
| Estimated Expenses each: PHP5300.00 | |
| Day 6 | Kyoto Day Trip from Osaka: Togetsukyo Bridge and Arashiyama Bamboo Groves |
| 7:00 AM | Eat free breakfast (6am PH time). Check out. Leave bags at hostel. |
| 7:30 AM | Visit Arashiyama, Kyoto |
Fuku Yado – Fuku Hostel to Arashiyama 1. Take the Saikusiji Line for Kita-senri train from Nippombashi station to Awaji station. 2. Transfer to the Hankyu-Kyoto Line for Kawaramachi at Awaji station to Katsura station. 3. Transfer to the Hankyu-Arashiyama line for Arashiyama to Arashiyama station. 4. Take a scenic walk from Hankyu Arashiyama station to the Bamboo Groves. Travel time: 1 hour | |
| 8:30 AM | Enjoy the Bamboo Groves and Arashiyama. |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch (JPY1000 ~ PHP500). Lots of food stalls and restaurants around. Remember your meal budget as you decide. 🙂 |
| Go back to Osaka for last hoorah. Roam around Dotonbori, etc. | |
Arashiyama Bamboo Groves to Osaka 1. Walk and enjoy the scenery from the bamboo groves to the Hankyu Arashiyama station. 2. Take the Hankyu-Arashiyama line train for Katsura from Hankyu Arashiyama station to Katsura station. 3. Transfer to the Hankyu-Kyoto line for Hankyu-Umeda at Katsura station to Awaji station. 4. Transfer to the Hankyu-Senri line for Tengachaya at Awaji station to Nippombashi station. Travel time: 1 hour | |
| 4:00 PM | Go to Kansai airport via Namba Nankai Airport Exp. (JPY1000~PHP500) |
Nankai Namba Station to Kansai Airport Take the train along the Nankai Line Airport Express to from Nankai Namba station to Kansai Airport. Travel time: 46 minutes. Fare: JPY920 ~ Php460. | |
| 7:00 PM | Check in. Dinner. (JPY1000~PHP500) |
| 8:00 PM | ETD to Manila |
| 11:30 PM | ETA NAIA, Manila. |
| Estimated Expenses each: PHP2600.00 | |
Estimated Expenses for 6 Days: Php26,000.00
|
Japan Trip Notes
We stayed for 6 days on a very tight budget.
Use Google to know which train to board at a real-time schedule by specifying your specific departure train station and your arrival train station on the search box, e.g. “Narita Airport station to Oshiage station” or “Kansai Airport station to Nankai Namba station”.
Use Google / Google Maps to navigate around by specifying your specific location and your desired destination on the search box, e.g. “Asakusabashi station to Hostel East57”, “Nankai Namba station to Fuku Yado Nagomi”, or “Hankyu Arashiyama station to Arashiyama Bamboo Groves”.
We already paid for our air fare, accommodation, admission tickets, and passes months before this trip with complete list below. Click each highlighted item to book or know the details.
Accommodation
3 nights in Tokyo at Hostel East57 Asaskusabahi
2 nights in Osaka at Fuku Yado – Fuku Hostel
Pocket Wifi
Unlimited 4G Wifi for 6 Days (Narita Airport Pick up, Kansai Airport Drop off)
Passes and Tickets
Tokyo Disneysea Admission Ticket
Universal Studios Japan Admission Ticket
Reloadable Smart Card
Suica Card or Pasmo Card (Can be used across Tokyo, Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto)
Plane Tickets
Manila to Tokyo via Cebu Pacific
Tokyo to Osaka and Osaka to Manila via Jetstar
- We only had to bring cash for our meals and fare around the Osaka-Nara-Kyoto region and very few parts in the East which were not covered by our passes.
- We had to stick to our budget as we only had so much.
- Our passes and loaded smart cards made us ride the trains and buses conveniently.
- A pocket wifi is a necessity, it’s your life-saver as you go around Japan.
- You get to explore more of Japan if you get lost. 🙂
It was also quite fun despite being pretty time consuming trying to find out how to flush when you visit their toilet for the first time.
You can play false flushing sounds to overlap some unwanted sounds that you make. 😉I read and tried to understand all these characters and drawings around 3 times (and experimented how they work) before giving up and looking elsewhere to find out how to flush. First-timer problems!
Flushing is as simple as hovering your hand on the sensor not on your seat but on the wall beside you or behind you. What a good laugh! 🙂
Seat cleaners are even available!
8 Travel Tips from A Frugal Traveler
Keep these travel tips in mind to help you make the most of your travels.
Natasha was a full-time banker who got to take a breather when she traveled. She loves the outdoors so much. She is currently in the UK pursuing postgraduate studies!