Attractions to SKIP and DO in Japan 🇯🇵 Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto Things to Do in 2024

The key word in enjoying all of these attractions is "GOING EARLY!" My Kyoto Starbucks, bamboo forest, Fushimi shrine, Disney Japan, Universal Studios, and various castles experiences were all "amazing" because I was early enough to beat the crowds. The lines and people in all your photos will be crazy if you wait till 1pm to do your attractions!

I think we had the most fun just walking around and not trying to do anything with a scheduled time. Coming upon stuff rather than going someplace specific and exploring the train stations was more fun and less stressful. Walking down side streets and seeing school kids walking to school. Coming across a gatchapan store or a place that looks good to eat at feels more like exploring and less like being a tourist. We found Kyoto to be so crowded it was off putting. We like the small unknown shrines butter than the famous ones. Honestly, Japan is so fascinating if you are a foreigner you can’t go wrong just winging it.

I don't know about some of the rest, but this girl is dead wrong about Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Maybe she doesn't like nature or walking? I don't know, and I don't care. This was a highlight of our last trip to Kyoto. It is beautiful, and the crowds are not that bad at all if it is not the weekend. If you go on the weekend, try to go a little earlier if possible. But DO NOT MISS IT —it is stunning!

The highlight of my last Japan trip was Nara - ancient forest, old-style Japan, friendly deer (that you can feed!!), beautiful architecture, chill quiet atmosphere ❤❤

I decided to pass through Yokohama on my last evening in Japan. Major regrets, wished I stayed a couple of days at least. I'm a solo traveller who enjoys walking cities and Yokohama was extremely enjoyable. More spacious and architecturally diverse.

Osaka Castle is a good photo op from the outside in the park if you don't have time. Instead definitely visit Himeji Castle or one of the 12 pre-modern tenshus that still stand today if you want to see the inside. If you really want to sit down at the Starbucks at Ninenzaka in Kyoto, try visit really early or later in the evening. It's easier to find seats before tourists arrive or after most leave the area in late afternoon. As a side note, I don't think it's just about time and money/budget. People have different interests and places they want to visit first. "Attractions to skip if you visit Japan for the first time..." could have been a better title, and hopefully viewers will have already picked up on what you like and dislike and then decide if they should skip too.

Loved TeamLab in Tokyo! Agreed that Arashiyama bamboo forest can be skipped if it's busy, you can hardly take photos and it's pretty pretentious when folks are taking the cab up just for an Insta pic Yasaka Shrine in Gion at night is pretty, as a free 24 hour place to check out

Fushimi Inari in Kyoto is absolutely beautiful and you can do the whole hike or just go partway. This would be a favourite place for me in Kyoto.

Meiji Jingu is religious shrine is not a tourist attraction, treating it like any other attraction seems wrong. Tourist can go there but it's not meant for tourist. But you can skip Harajuku, Takeshita dori, and the Tokyo Imperial Palace area.

About Tokyo: - I agree with the Art Aquarium. It is beautiful with the colors, but the living conditions for the fish are horrible. Very little space, many fishes in a small aquarium and only plastic "vegetation". I wouldnt go back there for that reason - myself, I feel that Meiji Jingu should not be skipped and it can easily be combined with Harajuk and Takeshita Dori for the "Kaaui" culture (which is a "must see" for me in Tokyo - if you want to include Mount Fuji, I would not do a day trip, but stay there for 1 or 2 nights, so that your chances of seeing Fujisan are better. We stayed for two nights, on one day it was perfect, on the other day, you didnt see the mountain at all. I agree about the ropeway, I also prefered the boat ride (and walking along the shores of the lake) For other "must sees", it depends on your interests. Personally, I feel that Shinjuku (ideally you stay there) should be included, for the crazy neon lights, Omode Yokocho, Golden Gai, Kabuchiko. Also, I would include Akihabara, even if like me, you are not an anime or manga fan. Even though its very busy, if you like food, I would also go to the Tsukiji outer market. I would also visit one observation tower, on a clear day, to get great views over the city. The Tokyo Government Metropolitan Building in Shinjuku is free to visit. Otherwise, consider Shibuya Sky right next to Shibuya Crossing. TeamLab Planets and soon to reopen TeamLab Borderless are great fun and interactive, and another "must see" in my opinion. There are many other options, depending on what you are looking for. Myself, I really enjoy walking around Yanaka near Ueno park, for glimpses of old and traditional Tokyo.

For the Bamboo Forest, the whole Arayashima area is beautiful. You just have to leave the bamboo forest and you can walk to shrines, temples, gardens and the protected area with traditional houses. I definitely recommend it WITHOUT a guide. The reason it is crowded is because all the tours only go to the same 2 spots, so just explore the rest of the area. The bamboo forest was disappointing though, but the area is worth exploring!

for spaghetti, come to Italy! great video, thanks

Appreciate this video. Liked how you explained why you recommended or not recommended these attraction.

I highly recommend the Sagano Romantic Train, Tenryu-ji Temple in Arashiyama and the Shigetsu Soba restaurant that the monks operate, the Saga-Toriimoto Town-scape preserved street near the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and just strolling around Arashiyama to visit spots like the Arashiyama Electric Train station, the Kimono Forest, and the Observation Decks around Arashiyama Park.

We are traveling to Japan in May, and your vlog is helpful - Thanks

You can't completely skip Yokohama. Aside from the soon-to-be closed Gundam Factory Yokohama, there's Chinatown, Red Brick Warehouse, and the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum.

Gion performance is indeed a must in Kyoto. Sad we cannot take picture or video but highly recommend. You obviously must do Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu Dera but before 9am

If you are a westerner traveling to Japan for the first time and your interest is in experiencing historical Japanese culture, please DO NOT spend the majority of your time in Tokyo or Osaka!!! As some who has lived in Japan, you are missing out on incredible destinations like Nikko, Shirakawago, Koya and Hiroshima in addition the usual suspects, Kyoto and Nara. The Art Aquarium Museum in Tokyo??? It’s much, much worse than animal cruelty. There are literally 1,000+ ways to better spend your time and money.

I recommend Amanohashidate and taking smaller trains that tourists don't take. The only catch is that you have to be able to communicate somehow in Japanese, since these are the trains frequented by high school students (and there is no English support, just like the buses that leave Matsuyama Airport). I took one from Fukuchiyama to Miyazu, then from Miyazu to Amanohashidate. On my upcoming trip with my son, we are going to the Toei Studio Park in Kyoto. I believe my son will want to go inside the EVA. We will, however, go to Osaka's tower, since my son wants to experience the slide. The bamboo forest looks appealing. I can call my son "baka deshi" while walking with him. 😄😄😄

I have a bunch of trains I want to ride and I'm definitely planning my future trip around that! 1 overnight train, the pokemon train, and maybe the hello kitty train! Then there's 2 capsule hotels, one the night we get there and one close to the airport. An onsen is a must too!!! So is the pokemon hotel! And a shrine visit! An udon place!