For this first trip, we decided to follow a very classic itinerary. The choice was not simple given the numerous possibilities in Japan, but we can say today that we do not regret this classic route.
It allowed us immersing in Japanese culture and helped us to realize the regional differences.
It also enabled us to vary our activities: visiting cities, hiking in the Japanese Alps and around Kyoto, biking along the Shimanami Kaido, and of course, immersing ourselves in the culture of anime and manga in Tokyo.
This first trip will also allow those who truly wish to integrate to learn more about proper behavior: not crossing at red lights, avoiding eating and drinking in certain public places… The expectations and levels of social pressure vary depending on the cities. It can almost feel overwhelming in Tokyo, while Osaka has a greater sense of freedom.

This itinerary requires covering significant distances, which is best done by train, and more specifically by shikansen, the equivalent of our TGVs. However, this option is expensive without the possession of a JR pass. Fortunately for us, during this first trip, we were able to purchase them before the increase that happened at the end of 2023.

Finally, this trip was a bit special since we are traveling with three people. Nicolas, Eva’s brother, who is also a big fan of Japanese culture, is joining us for these three weeks that blur the line between dream and reality, as we find it hard to believe that what we’re experiencing is real.

Our second trip to Japan, organized during our long term trip, was much more spontaneous in terms of organization: apart from climbing Mount Fuji and a cooking class, we did not plan anything in advance. This last-minute planning turned out to be more complicated than expected: summer is marked by numerous celebrations and the Japanese holidays driving up the prices of accommodations and greatly limiting availability. Ultimately, these two points guided us throughout our stay. This allowed us to truly step off the beaten path.

We would have liked to go all the way to Hokkaido, but without a JR Pass, the trip was too expensive considering that for this second trip, our budget was limited. It is also more challenging to travel in Hokkaido without a car, and finding rentals within our budget was not an easy task. Therefore, we ultimately decided in Yamagata that we would not go any further north and that it was time for us to start the journey back to Tokyo and think about our next destination.

We loved this second trip. It allowed us to delve even deeper into Japanese culture, feel the relaxing breeze that summer and its festivals bring, and venture off the beaten path. Surprisingly, it was in the most remote places that we received the warmest welcome. In contrast, we enjoyed Tokyo less than during our first visit: we really felt the social pressure and struggled to feel at ease.

Finally, contrary to what we thought, there were far fewer tourists than during our visit in October 2023. Below is an illustration featuring the Nishiki Market in Kyoto. Yes, the two photos were not taken at the same time, but even when we were there at the same hours, it was nothing alike!