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Japan is having a cultural second. Once an unique and weird vacation spot, now it’s a must-visit sizzling spot for American vacationers.
Modern and historic cultures mix collectively seamlessly right here.
The meals is so good it’s been exported world wide. And neglect New York, as a result of Tokyo is admittedly the town that by no means sleeps!
Airbnb has unveiled its winter journey report. This winter, the 2 most searched-for worldwide locations for American vacationers had been each in Japan.
Osaka got here in second place and unsurprisingly, the mega metropolis of Tokyo took the primary place crown.
Visiting Osaka
Osaka is Japan’s kitchen in addition to its celebration capital. The nightlife right here is raucous, and the individuals appear rather more pleasant as a result of they’re out to have a superb time.
I’ve spoken to extra native individuals in Osaka than I ever have in Tokyo!
Perhaps essentially the most well-known attraction in Osaka is Dotonbori. This is an space filled with neon lights and is the place you may see Osaka’s well-known working man. It’s additionally residence to Osaka’s iconic meals road, which is the place to be when the solar goes down.
But there’s a lot extra to see and do in Osaka than its Vegas-style leisure.
For a style of historic Japan, go to the historic Ikutama Shrine. This shrine has pink tori gates just like the extra well-known shrines of Kyoto, however with out the crowds. It is a bastion of calm in a loopy metropolis! Entry is free.
Sumiyoshi Taisha, one of many oldest shrines in Japan, can also be positioned within the coronary heart of Osaka.
For the perfect views on the town, go to the highest of the Umeda Sky Building. With its floating backyard, this observatory is finest visited firstly of your journey to essentially assist you to perceive the size of the town.
Entry prices 2,000 yen ($13) per individual.
I used to be stunned by simply how a lot I preferred Osaka; we visited for its theme parks (that’s what occurs once you journey with children) and proximity to historic Kyoto however fell in love with its vibrancy and laid-back vibe.
Getting To Osaka
Both Osaka and Tokyo are each properly linked to the U.S. You can fly nonstop to Osaka from 3 American airports; Honolulu, Los Angeles and San Fransisco.
Honolulu is each the most cost effective and closest entry level to get to Osaka, but it surely’s extra possible you’ll want the comfort of a mainland American hub.
The subsequent most cost-effective possibility is to fly from Los Angeles. Flying on December 2 and returning every week in a while December 9 will price $693. This flight is operated by Japan Airlines.
If you select this route you’ll have an outbound flight time of 12 h 40 and an inbound flight time of 10 h 05.
Visiting Tokyo
If you solely go to one metropolis in Japan then it actually ought to be Tokyo. In actuality, the town is so huge and various that it must be tackled such as you’re visiting a small nation!
Tokyo is the one metropolis I all the time wish to return to, and you may uncover a special facet to it each single time.
Of course, you may go to the town’s iconic tall buildings just like the Tokyo Tower and the Tokyo Skytree. Entrance to the Tokyo Skytree prices 3,100 yen ($20) to go to each decks. As in Osaka, do that early in your journey to essentially recognize the size of the town.
Tokyo can also be cram packed filled with historic sights. The Senso-ji temple is maybe essentially the most well-known (sadly it’s additionally essentially the most crowded, so get there as early as doable) and the Imperial Palace is properly price exploring, significantly its gardens that are a shocking oasis of calm.
If you wish to get off the crushed path then attempt Ebisu Yokocho. A maze-like space of tiny streets with hidden bars and eating places the place you may sit shoulder to to shoulder with locals and get an actual style of Japanese nightlife.
And though it’s not a lesser-known attraction, everybody ought to go to Akihabara Electric Town at the very least as soon as. The land of neon and gaming is a mecca for nerds and a real visible delight.
So many individuals make the error of attempting to cram the entire of Japan right into a 10-day trip, however all they’re actually seeing is a highlights reel.
Much higher to choose one metropolis and actually get to comprehend it as a substitute. And mine’s a vote for that first metropolis being Tokyo!
Getting To Tokyo
As the bigger and extra well-known metropolis, it ought to come as no shock that Tokyo is considerably higher linked to the U.S. than Osaka. You can fly nonstop to Tokyo from 16 U.S. cities.
Deep breath to learn this listing! Those choices are: Los Angeles, Honolulu, San Fransicso, San Jose, New York, Detroit, San Diego, Chicago, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Washington DC, Dallas and Boston.
At the time of writing the most cost effective departure airport is Los Angeles. Flying on December 2 and returning on December 9 will price $526. This flight is operated by United Airlines.
You’ll have an outbound flight time of 11 h 45 and an inbound flight time of 9 h 55.
There are 2 giant worldwide airports in Tokyo; Haneda and Narita. Both are equally properly linked to central Tokyo, so I are likely to fly into whichever is most cost-effective! But if switch time is vital to you, then Haneda airport is far nearer to the town.
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed below are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, authorized or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the put up.