JAPAN
アドベンチャー
Warsaw → Tokyo → Kamakura → Mt Fuji → Kumamoto → Mt Aso → Onomichi → Shimanami Kaido → Osaka → Kyoto → Nara → Tokyo → Warsaw
Day 01 — Fri, May 8
Arrival in Tokyo
Touch down at Narita. Neon lights and konbini runs await.
Withdraw yen at 7-Eleven ATMs — best rates, English menus. Japan runs on cash.
Tokyo skyline from Shibuya
First ramen. Life-changing.
Shibuya crossing at night
Day 02 — Sat, May 9
TeamLab & Harajuku
Immersive digital art, then the sensory overload of Shibuya at night.
Wear dark clothing at TeamLab — projections look best on black. Book tickets the moment they open (2 months ahead).
TeamLab Borderless
Harajuku vibes
Day 03 — Sun, May 10
Kamakura
13th-century capital. Giant Buddha, ocean temples, island at sunset.
Time your visit to catch golden hour at Enoshima observation tower.
Great Buddha, Kamakura
Bamboo everywhere
Beach sunset after temples
Day 04 — Mon, May 11
Mt Fuji
The iconic pagoda-and-peak view. Fuji is famously shy — go early.
Clouds roll in by midday almost daily. The early bus is non-negotiable.
Fuji-san. Finally.
Lake Kawaguchi reflections
Day 05 — Tue, May 12
Tokyo → Kumamoto
A quick flight south. By lunch, you're in Kyushu.
Book HND→KMJ flight early — ANA Super Value or JAL Special Saver can drop to ¥8,000–12,000 if booked 75+ days ahead.
Shinkansen selfie
Kumamoto Castle
Kyushu countryside from the train
Day 06 — Wed, May 13
Mt Aso & Bike Ride
Active volcano, vast caldera, then e-bikes through landscapes most tourists never see.
Book Bokuya Rides at asocalderatourism.com. Start with the ride while legs are fresh. Helmets provided.
Mt. Aso crater smokeCycling through rice fields
Day 07 — Thu, May 14
Amakusa Beach Day
Crystal-clear waters and island bridges. Leave the volcano behind — today is sea and sand.
Dolphin watching has 98% sighting rate year-round. Book at Amakusa Dolphin Center. Best light for the Five Bridges is golden hour on the return drive.
Kurokawa onsen steam
Ryokan breakfast spreadOutdoor bath at dusk
Day 08 — Fri, May 15
Kurokawa Onsen
Mountain onsen village. Soak in open-air baths hidden among cedar forests.
Rotenburo meguri pass works at 28 participating ryokan baths. Bring a small towel (or buy one). Onsen etiquette: wash before entering, no swimwear, tattoos usually OK in Kurokawa.
Onomichi temple steps
Cat town alleys
Day 09 — Sat, May 16
Kumamoto → Onomichi
Shinkansen north. A hillside port town of cats, temples, and sea views.
If you can spare 2 hrs, detour to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park en route. It's one of the most powerful experiences in Japan.
Shimanami Kaido bridge
Seto Inland Sea cycling
Island hopping pit stop
Day 10 — Sun, May 17
Shimanami Kaido → Osaka
70 km across 6 islands. Then straight to Japan's kitchen.
Takkyubin: drop bags at any konbini or Yamato office by morning. Follow the blue line on the road. E-bikes worth every yen.
Dotonbori neon madness
Takoyaki from the stallShinsekai tower glow
Day 11 — Mon, May 18
Osaka — Dōtonbori & Shinsekai
Neon canals, retro towers, and the art of eating till you drop.
Osaka's motto is kuidaore — eat till you drop. Dōtonbori at night is pure electricity.
Osaka Castle morning
Kuromon market haulDay 12 — Tue, May 19
Osaka — Castle & Markets
Castle parks, market stalls, and the city that never stops eating.
Kuromon Market before 2pm — stalls close early. Supermarket bento after 7pm is 30-50% off.
Fushimi Inari gatesArashiyama bamboo groveGeisha spotting in GionDay 13 — Wed, May 20
Kyoto
Thousands of torii gates. Gold temples. Bamboo forests. Geisha at dusk.
Fushimi Inari at dawn is life-changing. The first tunnel of gates, almost empty, almost holy.
Back to Tokyo lightsLast-night izakaya run
Day 14 — Thu, May 21
Osaka → Tokyo
Final bullet train. Choose your Tokyo finale.
For a special last meal: Daigo is extraordinary. Otherwise, kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi) — kappa, avocado, inari are veggie.
Sayonara, JapanOne last konbini coffee
The journey
いい旅を！
Have a great trip, Jacek.