Japan Travel: Autumn or Winter Multi-City Itinerary for Filipinos

Day 1: Philippine Airlines afternoon flight to Kansai Airport (Osaka) and checked in at our Air BNB (no reception, and we were provided security code for our locks beforehand). Flight was delayed so we missed our reservation for some great wagyu in Dotonbori. >.< But then I got to introduce the other half of my family to the wonders of konbini (which they loved) so it's all good.

Best time to visit Japan

Day 2: The entire day was reserved for Universal Studios Japan (USJ). We strongly recommend purchase of express passes.

Day 3: The entire day was reserved for Kyoto. Please take note that parks and outdoor attractions typically offer illumination events at night during fall and the holidays. Arrange your itinerary accordingly if you wish.

Day 4: Train from Osaka to Kawaguchiko (Mt. Fuji) and checked in at Kozantei Ubuya. The trip should have only taken half a day, but I mistakenly assumed that earlier trains = earlier arrival. Instead, we ended up with the slower train. Lesson learned. Pay attention to traveling times provided by Hyperdia.

Day 5: Train from Kawaguchiko to Hakuba and checked in at Hotel Hakuba. We departed late from Kawaguchiko to make up for yesterday's lost time and maximize use of the ryokan's amazing facilities. Arrived around dinner time in Hakuba as a result.

Day 6: SKI DAY in Hakuba. Or rather, some of us went skiing, others went sledding, while a few of us (like yours truly) just took photos.

Day 7. Train from Hakuba to Tokyo and checked in at our Air BNB (again, no reception, and again we were provided with security codes beforehand). We arrived late in the afternoon, had dinner in Ikebukuro and then went to Shibuya to get some obligatory photos at Shibuya Crossing and with Hachiko, of course.

Day 8: Train to Haneda Airport, to fetch late arrival members (family and friends) of our group. This is followed by shopping in Harajuku and dinner in Ikebukuro (the best gyoza can be found in Sunshine City!).

Day 9: The entire day was reserved for Tokyo Disneyland. (It's possible to visit both Disneyland and Disney Sea in one day but if you want bang for your buck then it's best to visit them on separate occasions).

Day 10: Split itinerary: some went to Gala Yuzawa, a ski resort some 70 minutes away from Tokyo and accessible via bullet train. A couple of us went to Gotemba (outlet shopping and Mt. Fuji views). The rest explored more of downtown Tokyo. Those of us who stayed behind shopped for books in the multilevel flagship store of Kinokuniya in Shinjuku, had late lunch at LEAD cafe (apparently, LEAD is a popular local boy band) in Harajuku, and then the whole group reconvened in Ikebukuro for some high-grade steak (place was recommended by our Japanese friends).

Day 11: Split itinerary: one half went to Akita (also accessible by bullet train) while the other half once again explored downtown Tokyo. Those of us who stayed behind started late. Headed to Shibuya first for shopping and had late lunch at the basement food hall. After, we went to Akihabara (an otaku's paradise) and enjoyed dinner at a maid cafe.

Day 12: Split itinerary: One half went to Yokohama for the Cup Noodle Museum. The other half went to Tsukijii Market and Asakusa. Departed for Manila in the evening.

Also Read: TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY: The Tokyo Metro (Unlimited) Subway Ticket

Note:

1. I will write a more comprehensive post for each day and link it here when it's up.
2. Although I use the term "train from X to X", the trip didn't actually only involve a single train from Point A to Point B.

3. We truly saved a lot of money with our JR pass so if you're also considering visiting multiple cities in a single trip we highly recommend purchase of it. Just click www.everydaylittlepleasures.net/home/category/jr-passes-for-filipinoshere for more info on JR passes.