March 3-17, 2026 · 14 Nights
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Includes est. $100 for HND→ITM flight (not yet booked)
March 2, 2026 @ 6:00 AM
Arrive: March 3 @ 2:20 PM (Tokyo)
Flight: UA 3703 + UA 131
HND → ITM (Osaka Itami)
March 3, 2026 around 5:30-6:30 PM
Airlines: JAL or ANA (~$100 CAD)
March 17, 2026 @ 6:25 PM
Arrive: March 17 @ 10:47 PM (Quebec)
Flight: UA 130 + UA 3625
March 3-7 | 4 nights | $140 CAD
March 7-11 | 4 nights | $207 CAD
March 11-17 | 6 nights | $403 CAD
After discounts applied
Arrive HND at 2:20pm → Take domestic flight to Itami (ITM) around 5:30-6:30pm → Check into hostel near Namba/Shin-Osaka → Grab dinner nearby and rest up from travel
Explore Dotonbori (street food, neon lights, iconic Glico sign) → Visit Osaka Castle and grounds → Afternoon in Shinsekai area (Tsutenkaku Tower, retro vibes) → Evening nightlife in Namba
Day trip to Nara (45 min train) → Feed the bowing deer in Nara Park → Visit Todai-ji Temple (Giant Buddha) and Kasuga Taisha Shrine → Return to Osaka for dinner
Morning at Kuromon Market (fresh seafood, street food) → Shopping in Shinsaibashi and Amerikamura → Evening bar hopping in Umeda or exploring more of Namba nightlife
Train from Osaka to Kyoto (45 min, ¥560) → Check into hostel near Kyoto Station or Gion → Afternoon settling in and exploring nearby → Evening walk through Gion district (traditional streets, maybe spot geishas)
Early morning at Fushimi Inari Shrine (hike the iconic red torii gates) → Afternoon in Higashiyama district → Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple → Walk traditional Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka streets → Evening in Pontocho alley
Full day in Arashiyama → Bamboo Grove early morning → Tenryu-ji Temple and gardens → Monkey Park Iwatayama for city views → Walk along Katsura River → Rent a bike to cover more ground
Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) in morning → Walk the Philosopher's Path → Explore any temples or areas you missed → Evening exploring more of Gion or Pontocho
Shinkansen from Kyoto to Tokyo (~2.5 hours) → Check into hostel in Shibuya/Shinjuku → Afternoon exploring Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya area → Evening in Harajuku (Takeshita Street) → Settle into Tokyo vibe
Morning in Asakusa (Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise shopping street) → Afternoon in Akihabara (anime, gaming, electronics) → Evening in Shinjuku (Golden Gai for tiny bars or Omoide Yokocho for yakitori)
Day trip to Fujikawaguchiko (2.5 hours each way) → Check weather forecast for best Mt. Fuji views → Rent bike and cycle around Lake Kawaguchi → Visit Chureito Pagoda for iconic Fuji view → Return to Tokyo evening
Day trip to Nikko (2 hours) for stunning shrines and nature, OR Kamakura (1 hour) for Great Buddha and beach town → Return to Tokyo for evening nightlife
Visit teamLab Borderless or teamLab Planets (immersive digital art) → Explore Odaiba waterfront area → Shopping in Shibuya or Harajuku → Evening in Shimokitazawa (vintage shops, live music, bars)
Explore neighborhood you missed (Roppongi for art museums, Yanaka for old Tokyo, or others) → Last-minute shopping and revisit favorite spots → Final evening in Tokyo
Final morning exploring or relaxing → Check out and store luggage at hotel/station → Head to Haneda Airport with plenty of time for 6pm flight
Multiple styles - tonkotsu (pork), shoyu (soy), miso. Try Ichiran for solo dining experience.
Conveyor belt sushi (cheap, fun) or traditional sushi restaurants. Try Tsukiji Market for ultra-fresh.
Octopus balls - iconic Osaka street food. Get them in Dotonbori.
Savory pancake with cabbage, meat, seafood. Osaka specialty.
Breaded deep-fried pork cutlet. Simple but delicious.
Tonkatsu over curry rice. Perfect combo of crispy and savory.
Grilled chicken skewers. Perfect with beer at izakayas or Omoide Yokocho (Tokyo).
Pan-fried dumplings. Great as side dish or drunk food.
Thick (udon) or thin (soba) noodles. Cheap, filling, everywhere.
Multi-course traditional meal. Expensive but worth it once for the experience.
Japanese curry - different from Indian curry. CoCo Ichibanya is popular chain.
Battered and deep-fried seafood/vegetables. Light and crispy.
Rice balls with filling. Perfect convenience store snack (¥100-200).
Matcha ice cream, matcha Kit-Kats, matcha everything. Kyoto is matcha capital.
Rice cakes - sweet or savory. Try different varieties.
Fish-shaped cake filled with sweet red bean paste or custard.
Sweet bread with cookie crust. Convenience store staple.
Japanese soufflé pancakes - super thick and jiggly. Popular chains: Flipper's, A Happy Pancake.
Try unique chip flavors, Japanese sweets, seasonal items at 7-11/Lawson/FamilyMart.
Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo, Suntory. Cheap at convenience stores, pair with yakitori.
Japanese rice wine - try different grades (junmai, ginjo, daiginjo). Kyoto has sake breweries.
Distilled spirit - stronger than sake. Usually mixed or on rocks.
Whisky and soda - super popular in Japan. Refreshing and cheap.
Canned flavored alcoholic drinks - easy drinking, cheap, everywhere.
Suntory, Nikka brands. Try at bars - expensive but world-class.
Hot or cold - free at many restaurants. Try bottled versions from vending machines.
Popular soft drinks - uniquely Japanese flavors.
Hot and cold options - try random things. Boss Coffee is iconic.
Location: 30 min from Kyoto
Info: Interactive exhibits, gaming history, hands-on experiences
Booking: Need to book tickets months in advance - check availability ASAP
Best fit: Day 8 (March 10) in Kyoto
Location: 30-40 min from central Kyoto
Info: Working film studio, Edo-period sets, samurai shows, ninja attractions, costume experiences
Best for: Japanese period drama fans or lighter entertainment day
Best fit: Day 7 or 8 in Kyoto (March 9 or 10) if you have time after main temples
Location: Ikeda, Osaka (about 30 min from Umeda)
Info: Make your own custom Cup Noodle package, history of instant ramen
Best for: Fun, light activity, unique souvenir
Best fit: Day 4 morning in Osaka
Location: Osaka Bay Area
Info: Super Nintendo World, Harry Potter, incredible rides
Booking: Express Pass essential to skip long lines (buy 2 months out)
Best fit: Would need to replace Day 2 or 3 in Osaka
Location: Mitaka, Tokyo
Info: Whimsical museum for Studio Ghibli fans
Booking: Extremely hard to get tickets (sales open 10th of prev month)
Best fit: Any morning in Tokyo
Expect temperatures between 5°C and 15°C (40°F - 60°F). Mornings and evenings will be chilly, days can be pleasant. Rain is possible.
Have specific needs? Tell us (e.g., "traveling with a toddler", "planning to hike Fuji", "staying in hostels") and we'll suggest items.
Need to say something specific? Type your English sentence below and I'll translate it to natural Japanese with pronunciation.
Konnichiwa (Kohn-nee-chee-wah)
Hello
Arigatou gozaimasu (Ah-ree-gah-toe go-zai-mass)
Thank you very much
Sumimasen (Sue-mee-mah-sen)
Excuse me / I'm sorry
Ohayou gozaimasu (Oh-hi-yo go-zai-mass)
Good morning
Fukuro wa irimasen (Foo-koo-roh wah ee-ree-mah-sen)
I don't need a bag
Atatamemasu ka? (Ah-ta-ta-may-mass kah)
Do you want this warmed up?
Ohashi kudasai (Oh-hah-shee koo-dah-sigh)
Chopsticks please
Kore wo kudasai (Koh-reh oh koo-dah-sigh)
I'll take this one
Oishii desu (Oh-ee-shee dess)
It's delicious
Gochisousama deshita (Go-chee-so-sah-mah desh-tah)
Thank you for the meal (say when leaving)
Eigo no menyu wa arimasu ka? (Ay-go no men-yoo wah ah-ree-mass kah)
Do you have an English menu?
O-kaikei onegaishimasu (Oh-kye-kay oh-neh-guy-she-mass)
Check/Bill please
[Place] wa doko desu ka? (... wah doh-koh dess kah)
Where is [Place]?
Toire wa doko desu ka? (Toy-reh wah doh-koh dess kah)
Where is the toilet?
Eki (Eh-key)
Station
Migi / Hidari (Me-ghee / Hee-dah-ree)
Right / Left
Not sure about etiquette? Type a situation (e.g., "how to act in an onsen", "tipping in Japan") to get cultural advice.
Get a Suica or Pasmo card immediately. Add it to your iPhone Apple Wallet before you leave (Region setting doesn't matter). You tap this for trains, subways, buses, and convenience stores. Super convenient.
Bring your Passport everywhere. Purchases over ¥5,500 (~$50 CAD) at licensed stores (Uniqlo, Don Quijote, Pharmacies) are tax-free (10% off). They seal the bag—don't open it until you leave Japan.
While cards are accepted more, many ticket machines, small restaurants, and temples only take cash. Use 7-Eleven ATMs to withdraw yen; they have the best exchange rates and work with foreign cards.
No public trash cans: You must carry your trash home or to a convenience store bin.
Quiet Trains: No talking on phones. Whisper if chatting.
Escalators: Stand on the LEFT in Tokyo, RIGHT in Osaka.
Google Maps is the gold standard. It tells you exactly which train car to board for the fastest exit. Trust the platform numbers implicitly.
Ask me anything about your trip! I know your itinerary and can help with logistics, food recommendations, or cultural questions.