JAPAN TRAVEL DIARIES 🇯🇵 Tokyo & Osaka, dream day trips + full 2 week itinerary 🍣🍜

Arriving in Osaka late at night, the group settles in, enjoying 7-Eleven pancakes for breakfast before heading out to a local skewer spot recommended by a local friend, and exploring vintage shops.

The group experiences the transformation of Dotonbori from a quiet daytime area to a bustling nighttime hub, enjoying udon and soaking in the iconic tourist essential atmosphere by the river.

A day trip to Kyoto, where the group enjoys their first sushi meal of the trip at a tiny restaurant, followed by a walk to an iconic street offering views of a temple.

The group visits the Osaka Aquarium, enjoying the jellyfish room and large tanks, followed by a 'last meal type thing' yakiniku dinner near Dotonbori, featuring Wagyu rice boxes.

After a 2.5-hour shinkansen ride from Osaka, the group arrives in Tokyo and heads to a favorite standing sushi bar, hoping to avoid crowds on a Saturday evening.

The boys spend the morning at Oedo Antique Market, described as super cool, while the girls get their lashes done. They attempt to meet for lunch at a favorite udon place, but the line is too long.

The group enjoys a delicious tonkatsu dinner, described as the best ever, followed by drinks at a bar across the street with great vibes, good records, and pricey but worthwhile drinks.

The group attempts to visit Samoya Cafe, a dog cafe requiring reservations, then shops for dog clothes and finds a store with a wide selection of socks and shoes.

A visit to TeamLab Borderless, a highly photogenic digital art museum, followed by dinner at Savoy Tomato and Cheese, an award-winning pizza spot known for its unique tuna pizza.

Exploring Shimokitazawa, an area known for its vintage and antique stores, which was on the group's list for a while.

A morning spent at Senso-ji Temple, followed by street food and souvenir shopping at Kappabashi Kitchenware Street, including customized knives and matcha supplies.

Visiting Tsukiji Outer Market for uni bowls and other snacks, noting it gets very busy. Later, a stop at a favorite coffee shop in Tokyo, known for its nice owners and bike tours.

A day trip to Hakone, a confusing journey from Tokyo, offering views of Mount Fuji and gondola rides up a mountain. The group visits the Hakone Open-Air Museum on a cold day and tries black eggs at Owakudani.