It's my dream holiday, I would love to go. I want to go to Tokyo first and stay in Asakusa. I would love to go to Nara, Kyoto, Yokohama and everywhere else too though! Nara and Kyoto and osaka are near each other. We stayed at osaka a d got the train to the other places.
Where did you stay? Did you go to Shibuya?
I would really recommend Japan for a holiday.
can i share my expierence, although you are aski g the Op.
For our first time we mainly did the three cities, Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. We did other things like Honcho street to see mount Fuji.
It is dead easy to travel round. You do t need a package holiday, in fact that could be limiting. We had an idea of what we wanted to do but booked accommodation as we went along which gave us flexibility to stay longer in one place or move on.
My tips would be:
fill in immigration card before you land, it saves a lot of time.
2 sort out a pocket wifi to pick up at airport before you leave. You just drop it off on your way home. or get an e sim for your phone e, take a battery pack! Your going to use your phone a lot for directions info translations and photos!
3 Comfy shoes - you are going to be walking and exploring loads!
4 make use of the luggage forward service. Suitcases and big rucksacks are hard work on trains. It is not expensive to use a forwarding service. They pick your suitcase up and deliver to the next hotel. Our bags were waiting in our room when we arrived.
5 Realise Tokyo is not typical of the rest of Japan, like London is not typical of the UK. Tokyo is bright, brash and fun to explore!
6 There are loads of amazing day trips to be had if you base yourself in Tokyo.
7Matcha is just like eating grass!!!!
8 The scramble crossing is good fun at rush hour but make sure you take the lift to floor R (I think it is) in the department store next to the crossing. You pay to go on this floor but it includes a drink, either alcholic or non alcoholic, and you have an amazing birds eye view of the crossing. Try to go just as it's getting dark.
9Flights are incredibly expensive at cherry blossom season. However the blossoms were late this year. Outside peak season flights from the UK are reasonable. Don't go in the summer unless you like hot humid weather.
10 Go on the Shinkansen but unless you are going to be on it all the time the JR pass is not good value anymore.
Don't bother with hotel breakfasts. Many were overpriced. Try the cafes or stores at the railway stations. Good value and it's where the locals eat. Also convience store food and drinks are really good!
11Talking about railway stations goggle maps is your friend here giving you lots of info about which exit to leave. Some stationary huge with one having 200 exit's!
12 Dont bother with taxis. They are expensive and public transport is great.
if you are thinking of going do some research on instagram for ideas. I did most of my research from there and it paid off with good tips on etiquette, things to do and try etc.
Of course Japan isn't perfect,
however there aren't that many countries in the world that are. I loved being a visitor there and would go back. I felt extremely safe. I always have my guard up both at home or the away but I had no bad vibes.
I'm saving up to go back!