My 12-Day, 10-Night Japan Trip: A Whirlwind Adventure!
Hello everyone! After being a bit MIA for a month, I'm finally sharing all the awesome moments from my first solo trip to Japan. I finally ticked off a big bucket list item: seeing the cherry blossoms in Japan at the end of March, early April. I've been waiting for this moment, especially after missing out three years ago due to my residency schedule. This time, I almost missed it again with graduation stuff, but I went for it last minute!
My 12 days and 10 nights, actually a solid 10 days of "survival" on my own in Japan, were filled with all kinds of emotions. I was super excited and happy, but also tired, worried, and even a bit hopeless at times. But now, all I have are amazing memories and a strong desire to go back and explore Japan even more. Big thanks to my parents, especially my mom, for supporting me and giving me this incredible trip as a birthday gift at 28. Traveling solo was unforgettable. Those 10 days in Japan felt like 10 super hard exams made just for me. I spent a month before the trip planning everything, looking at tour itineraries and watching tons of vlogs to get tips.
Here's my 12-Day Itinerary:
- Day 0: Overnight flight to Tokyo (Narita Airport)
- Day 1: TOKYO (Tokyo Omokado - Meiji Jingu Shrine - Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden - Shibuya Crossing - Hachiko Statue - Pokemon Center - Mega Don Quijote Shopping)
- Day 2: TOKYO (Tsukiji Fish Market - Tokyo Tower - Odaiba Bay - Statue of Liberty)
- Day 3: TOKYO (Shiori Park - Tokyo Skytree - Chidorigafuchi Park - Hijiri-bashi Bridge)
- Day 4: TOKYO (Meguro River Walk - Ishigawakazakura Namiki Walk - Osanbashi Pier - Red Brick Warehouses)
- Day 5: FUJI (Oishi Park - Arakurayama Sengen Park - Chureito Pagoda - Oshino Hakkai Village - Lake Yamanaka)
- Day 6: FUJI (Fuji-Q Highland)
- Day 7: KYOTO (Kinkaku-ji Temple - Yasaka Pagoda)
- Day 8: KYOTO (Arashiyama Bamboo Forest - Gion District - Philosopher's Path (Tetsugaku no Michi) - Daikakuji Temple - Yasaka Pagoda - Fushimi Inari Shrine)
- Day 9: OSAKA (Kema Sakuranomiya Park - Katsuoji Temple - Osaka Castle - Nishinomaru Park - Umeda Sky Building - Dotonbori)
- Day 10: NARA (Mount Yoshino - Nara Deer Park - Namba Shopping Area)
- Day 11: Morning flight back to HCM from Osaka (Kansai Airport)
Expenses Breakdown (MYR equivalent):
- Total Cost: ~ RM21,000
- Visa: RM260
- Round-Trip Flight (bought 2 weeks before): RM5,760
- 12-Day Unlimited 4G Esim: RM197
- 10 Nights Hotel: RM3,300
- Transportation: RM1,980
- Food: RM5,500
- Attraction Tickets: RM1,340
- Shopping: RM2,400
