Low on PTO and want to know how to visit Japan for one week? When you have less vacation time, it can be hard to decide which Japan city to visit (or which ones)!
From personal experience, I would suggest spending more than a week in Japan (if you can)! There is so much to explore, and it took some time for me to adjust to the culture and language as well. However, I definitely understand PTO constraints, so this post will help you maximize the time you DO have to visit Japan!
I’ll be sharing the destinations I visited and what do in those cities, and logistics like Visa requirements, how to get your QR code for entry, weather and seasons, and more. Make sure to save all these destinations and more by clicking the link below!
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Visa Requirement
There are different Visa requirements depending on your type of stay (long term vs short term vs other types) and which your nationality. As a US citizen coming for a short-term stay (less than 90 days), I was not required to have a Visa to enter Japan.
Check the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for the most updated information on Visa requirements.
QR Code for Entry
To expedite your experience at Immigration and Customs when you land, you are able to obtain a QR code online in advance. This QR code will also give you the ability to use the tax-free purchase function when shopping at tax-free shops.
You can put your entire group on the same registration, which is really helpful if you have a group staying at the same place. We did this before our arrival and it saved us a lot of time and confusion when we landed.
Check out the official Visit Japan Web site to register your information. When you arrive to Immigration, you will just scan the QR codes.
Please note you should have two separate QR codes – one for Immigration, and one for Customs Declaration.
Best Time to Visit
I visited Japan in mid-December, which is right in the middle of their fall season. The different colored leaves were SO vibrant and stunning! I was really amazed, especially since it was already winter back home.
The weather in December was very mild; 50s to 60s, with a bit of rain on most days. If you come during fall, I’d recommend bringing an umbrella or making sure your hotel has them to borrow!
It was also surprisingly non-touristy. We often felt that we were the only tourists walking around, and rarely heard other English-speakers. Of course, unless we were at a more popular tourist destination, then tourists were a bit more common.
The most popular time to visit is springtime, during cherry blossom season. This typically peaks around late March to early April. I would definitely love to come back during cherry blossom season!
In terms of the BEST season to visit, to be totally unbiased, I would need to visit Japan in all seasons. However, I really enjoyed visiting during Fall and would definitely recommend you do the same. It is also cheaper!
Things to do in Tokyo
We flew from Los Angeles to Toyko Haneda Airport, which only took about 11 hours on a direct flight! We spent the first two nights in Ginza, at Agora Tokyo Ginza, and the last night in Odaiba, across the water at the Hilton Tokyo Odaiba.
Ginza was absolutely beautiful, and the more upscale part of the city, so I felt very pampered and safe. It was really fun to walk around that area and explore all the luxury shops and nice restaurants.
Ueno Park and Ueno Zoological Gardens
Ueno Park is a GREAT spot to check out the stunning fall leaves! It reminded me a bit of Central Park in New York City – a beautiful green space in the middle of a busy city.
While you’re walking around Ueno Park, you can also check out Ueno Zoological Gardens. There you’ll be able to see Giant panda bears, Polar bears, Hokkaido brown bears, Japanese macaques and more.
Shibuya Sky Deck and Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Shibuya Sky Deck is an absolute must if you are in Japan for one week! Here you’ll get to witness the hustle and bustle of Shibuya Crossing from above.
Make sure to reserve your time slot tickets online in advance – you can do so on their website here. Tickets usually sell out, and you aren’t able to buy them on-site in person.
We reserved the 4:00 PM time slot, which was about 45 minutes before sunset. This was perfect – I would recommend going an hour before sunset so you can see Japan during day and nighttime, plus watch the sunset from above!
While the rooftop is definitely the main attraction, make sure you walk around the 46th floor! There are really cool large silver balloons suspended from the air and on the ground all around the floor!
The entrance can be accessed directly by crossing the connecting bridge from the Shibuya Train Station. I would also give yourself extra time (15-20 min) to figure out where you’re going – we got so lost and confused trying to figure out how to get to the entrance.
teamLab Planets TOKYO
teamLab Planets TOKYO is an immersive art museum experience between Odaiba and Ginza. This is absolutely worth checking out – it was really the highlight of our trip.
There are 4 rooms and 2 gardens you’ll get to explore. All are very unique and you will literally be part of the art. You get to wade through water, become one with the flowers, walk amongst hundreds of glittering lights and more!
Get your tickets here. I definitely recommend booking your tickets online in advance to be safe! Pro-tip: come towards the end of the night, when there are less crowds! We reserved the 7:30 PM time slot and it was perfect.
You will need to take your shoes and socks off to enter this museum. There are free lockers at the entrance that you can use to store all of your belongings. They also have accessible shortcuts and walkways!
The water did come up pretty high in one room – almost up to my knees (I’m 5’5″) so fair warning! I wore a skort which was perfect, but my boyfriend had to really roll up his pants.😂 Also there are mirrored grounds in a few exhibits, so make note of that if you are wearing a dress! I’d recommend wearing shorts underneath.
Tokyo Food Recommendations
You really cannot go wrong with the food in Tokyo, it is all so delicious. I am a big fan of sushi, and this was the freshest fish I have ever had. We probably had some sort of sushi meal every day.
I will mention a couple spots that really stood out and are worth stopping by:
1. Tsukiji Outer Market: This is a huge outdoor marketplace with tons of fresh seafood, vegetables, wagyu beef, and other traditional Japanese foods. This is absolutely worth checking out, and is very popular for breakfast.
2. Grill Bon: Featured above, they offer a small menu with these affordable premium wagyu beef Katsu sandwiches. It’s a small, unassuming spot and a good way to experience Japan like a local. We came here twice in one week, that’s how good it was.
Things to do in Kyoto
If you are in Japan for one week, I would recommend sticking to just one city. We spent two days in Kyoto, which were absolutely incredible, but it was a lot to fit in in just a week!
We stayed at the Hyatt Place Kyoto, which was really spacious and conveniently located on the Marutamachi Subway station.
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Fushimi Inari is a very popular mountainside Shinto Shrine. There is a walking path, with steps, through hundreds of these traditional gates.
It is free to visit, and you are able to hike all the way up to the top of the mountain. It takes about 45 minutes; we made it about halfway before deciding to turn around. This is a very good way to get in your workout on vacation!
This site is very popular, so if you’re looking to snap that instagram-worthy photo, you will likely need to hike further up. But it is very easy to get a clear photo if you’re willing to walk for at least 20-30 minutes.
The Shrine is open 24 hours, so you can show up early to catch the sunrise here! Or stay late to watch the sunset and then hike back down.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is SO cool! It is free to enter, and features an accessible walking path through a forest of towering bamboo trees.
We learned that some bamboo trees can grow almost 3 feet per day!🤯 These were really so beautiful to walk through.
We went right before sunset and it was pretty popular, but we were able to snap a few pics without people in the background. I would recommend waking up early and going first thing in the morning if you want to avoid any crowds at all.
Arashiyama is a fun little area to walk around. It did seem to close down pretty early – by 6 PM a lot of the shops and restaurants seemed to be closing up for the night. Another reason to visit earlier or in the afternoon!
Kyoto Imperial Palace
I really recommend visiting the Kyoto Imperial Palace. You get to walk the Palace grounds and see where the Emperor of Japan and the imperial family lived!
It is free to visit and you can take a self-guided tour during the day. There are free tours in Japanese, Chinese and English offered throughout the day. The English tours are at 10 AM and 2 PM.
My favorite part was the two beautiful Japanese gardens; they are so peaceful and I wish I could just sit on a bench and read a book here all day long.
Kyoto Food Recommendations
You also cannot go wrong with the food in Kyoto! We found a few hidden gems, that I’ll share here:
1. Sushitetsu: I saw this spot on Instagram and it was definitely a great recommendation! It is a nigiri spot with counter seats all around the sushi chefs, so you can watch them make your dinner right in front of you.
They don’t speak much English, but the menu is also in English. If you don’t have a reservation, come here 15-20 minutes before they open to write down your name on the waitlist.
2. Boulangerie Friandise Karasuma: We stumbled across this bakery accidentally, but the incredible scent pulled us in and did not disappoint! They have a ton of freshly baked pastries and sandwiches. I wish I could go back and order one of everything again.
Planning a trip to Japan for one week soon? Check out the NoFilter app for more inspiration and must-see spots in Japan and throughout the rest of the world!
And as always, feel free to send me an email or DM on Instagram with any questions!
mariss
