🇯🇵🍡 Lost in Japan: 6-Day Travel Diary ⛩️✨
Thinking of visiting Japan🤔 Say sayonara to planning headaches and konichiwa to a stress-free blueprint to maximize your trip 🗓️ Last year April, my family and I visited places like Tokyo, Hakone and Karuizawa - hopefully this itinerary isn’t too outdated 😇
✈️ DAY 1 ✈️
✦ Singapore >>> Narita International Airport
✦ Get Pasmo Passport
✦ Narita Express (Klook) from Narita Int T1 to Shinjuku Station 🚄
✦ Shinjuku Station > Shin-Ōkubo Station (Yamanote Line - Clockwise Direction)
✦ Tokyo Station Character Street 🛍️
✦ Shibuya 🛍️ - Mega Don Quijote
✦ RAKERU - european cottage vibes omurice🍳 w FLUFFY egg + tender hamburger steak 😋
🏰 DAY 2 🏰
✦ Spent the whole day at Disneyland LOL (maybe i’ll do a separate food log for this 👀)
✦ DOWNLOAD Tokyo Disney Resort App before entering the parks
🗻 DAY 3 🗻
✦ Travel from Shinjuku > Hakone-Yumoto Station🚆then took bus to Motohakone-ko (K) 🚍
✦ Lunch at Tatsumi - 🍜 Traditional Ramen Shop with delicious miso base
✦ Hakone Sightseeing Cruise (Motohakone-ko Pier) > Togendai Station using Hakone Pass 🚢
✦ Hakone Ropeway from Togendai Station > Owakudani 🚡
✦ Tried Onsen Black Egg 🥚& Black Sesame Ice Cream 🍦(tbh try once can alr 🫤)
✦ Owakudani Station > Togendai Station (Hakone Ropeway) 🚡
✦ Stayed at a Ryokan 🏨
🏞️ DAY 4 🏞️
✦ Hakone Yumoto > Shinjuku > Tokyo > Karuizawa 🚆
✦ Prince Shopping Mall 🛍️ (Mostly travel with cab 🚖)
🎏 DAY 5 🎏
✦ Ryokuyu Shokudo 🍞 - healthy breakfast with crispy veggie toast
✦ Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza Shopping Street 🛍️ (Snoopy Village, Miffy Forest Kitchen, Ghibli Store)
✦ Yagasaki Park 🌲
✦ Takamitei 🥢 - Tiny soba place, value for money and worth trying👍
🍙 DAY 6 🍙
✦ Natural Cafeína ☕ - Sweet & Buttery French Toast 💯
✦ Ueno/Nippori Station > Narita Terminal 1 (Skyliner Narita Airport Express Ticket) 🚆
#lemon8japan #ThingsToDo #japanguide #japantravel #lemon8travelreviews
When deciding between Karuizawa and Hakone for your Japan trip, I found both destinations offer unique attractions that cater to different travel moods. Hakone is ideal for those wanting to experience hot springs, traditional ryokan stays, and alluring mountain views combined with activities like ropeway rides and lake cruises. Its proximity to Tokyo makes it perfect for a day or overnight trip. I personally enjoyed the Hakone Black Egg as a quirky culinary experience, although the flavor can be an acquired taste. On the other hand, Karuizawa, a charming resort town, offers a serene atmosphere with beautiful parks, unique shopping streets, and cozy cafes such as Natural Cafeína with its buttery French toast that I adored. The cooler climate and open spaces make Karuizawa great for leisurely strolls and relaxing away from the city hustle. Traveling between Hakone and Karuizawa requires some planning. The journey usually involves returning to central Tokyo by train before heading to Karuizawa, which can be time-consuming but straightforward with a Japan Rail Pass or pre-booked tickets like the Skyliner. This route allows you to enjoy the contrasting experiences of the mountainous hot springs and the refreshing highland retreat. If you're curious about Rakeru’s signature dishes, their omurice with fluffy egg and tender hamburger steak is a must-try comfort food. This spot captures a cozy European cottage vibe, making it a delightful break after exploring Tokyo’s bustling streets. For anyone planning a similar trip, I recommend downloading key transport apps and purchasing passes like the Hakone Pass or Tokyo Disney Resort app beforehand to save time and avoid stress. Ultimately, both Hakone and Karuizawa hold special charms, and including both in your itinerary offers a well-rounded taste of Japan’s diverse landscapes and cultures. My 6-day travel diary reflects this balance, infused with personal tips and favorite food finds to help you plan a memorable adventure.