In August, 2023, I spent a very warm week in Japan with my friend, Yolanda. I say warm, but really, I mean- one of the hottest and most humid weeks of my life. I had little to no premonition that Japan is as humid as it is, so I want to be sure to thoroughly inform you- do not go to Japan in the summer. That’s it.
Japan is a beautiful country steeped in history and natural beauty, with some surprisingly modern technology thrown in. When I look back on my pictures now, I marvel at the cool experiences we were able to pack in in such a short time. But when I remember Japan, I remember heat and frustration.
In summary, probably the most challenging day of my entire summer of travel was the day a typhoon canceled our bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto, requiring a 7 hour work around, in 100+ degrees, with no seat reservations. It resulted in many hours of standing, sweating, and staying positive. Thankfully most problems are solvable, including that one, and we made it to our destination.
What I learned from this experience is, 1. do not travel in Japan in the summer if you can *at all* help it. 2. Japan is not the most intuitive place to travel. English isn’t always available when you need it. How people form lines doesn’t always make sense to me. And the public transportation is run by separate private companies, rather than the government. There are passes that allow to you access all of them, but figuring out which pass you have and how it can help you, can be confusing. 3. So plan to be flexible, because Japan is bound to be an adventure.
What we did:
With only a week is discover the country we decided to stick to the highlight reel: 3 days in Tokyo, 2 in Kyoto, and 1 in Osaka.
Tokyo
Day 1 we arrived and got convenience store instant ramen for dinner. Convenience stores in Japan are a whole thing, with everything from food to clothes to medicine to electronics, they really have anything you might need. As a standard rule, you really should get a meal there at least once.
Day 2: For our first full day in Tokyo we visited Team Labs (an interactive, all sensory experience), commuted through a wicked summer downpour, did a food tour in the Asakusa neighborhood, and explored Ueno Park. We decided that Tokyo has Asian New York vibes and we liked it, even if it was somehow hot and rainy all in the same day.
Day 3 we tried to visit the Imperial Palace but discovered we didn’t get our tickets in time, so we walked around it, making instagram reels about how hot we were before heading to the Shibuya neighborhood. Shibuya is known for its shopping, cafes, and busy intersections, including the Shibuya Crossing, one of the busiest pedestrian intersections in the world. We tried it all, of course, before heading to the top of Shibuya Sky for panoramic views of the city. We didn’t have a chance to try out all the observation decks in the city, but I would recommend Shibuya if you get a chance.
Day 4 was our disastrous travel day.
Day 5 was our day in Kyoto. Kyoto was the former capital and cultural center of Japan. We visited countless shrines and temples, did a walking tour, and passed a Geisha on her commute. Our time in Kyoto really helped me to understand the religious history and values that Japan holds. I had no idea that Japanese are such religious people, but even still there are personal shrines in front of homes and businesses, in addition to the dozens of large locations in the city.
Day 6 we took a train to Osaka and discovered the world of tiny streets, large signs, and shopping.
Day 7 we took the train to the airport to depart on the next leg of our journey.
If you ever get a chance to visit Japan, don’t go in the summer. Do eat all the good sushi, mochi, Cremia Ice cream, a quality beef. Walk the winding streets and feel the history. And enjoy whatever you discover along the way. I also recommend booking things in advance and doing your research on where to eat. Japan has some of the best food in the world, but we found that it’s easy to miss if you are trying to avoid lines. So, just do your research.
Bonus: me, looking and being especially sweaty.
Fun fact: I had to buy a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from my face because in Japan, the humidity prevents your sweat from drying.
I’m not saying that you should NEVER go to Japan in the summer. I’m just saying, you will like it better if you don’t. I hear cherry blossoms in the spring and red maples in the fall make those seasons better times to visit.
Think traveling with me looks like fun? Check out my group trips for 2024!
Trips by Camille 