The biggest mistakes I made planning my trip to Japan
Planning 17 days in Japan takes many hours, and I made several mistakes along the way. Here's what I'd avoid if I did it again.
Planning a 17-day trip to Japan takes many hours, and although the end result turned out well, I made several mistakes along the way that now, with hindsight, I'd avoid without a second thought.
Not booking the omakase far enough in advance. The best places in Tokyo fill up weeks ahead, and we came close to missing out on a spot at the one we wanted most of all.
Underestimating how much time Fushimi Inari needs. I thought it would be a one-hour stop, and the full hike to the top actually takes more than two real hours.
Buying the JR Pass without doing the maths. Many people buy it out of habit. Adding up the journeys on my route, individual tickets came out cheaper, and the pass doesn't cover the fastest shinkansen (Nozomi and Mizuho) or the buses either.
Packing too much into some days. There were days that, on paper, fit together perfectly — but in practice we had to cut things on the fly, with a bit of frustration.
Not carrying enough cash the first few days. We ran into markets and small temples that only accepted yen in hand, with no alternative.
Not booking the buses to Shirakawa-go ahead of time. There are few seats and they fill up faster than you'd expect.
None of these mistakes ruined the trip, not by a long shot. But they're exactly the kind of thing that, if you know about them ahead of time, save you time and a fair amount of stress.
Don't repeat our mistakes
The itinerary already sorts out bookings, timings and train routes in advance, so you don't have to work any of this out yourself.
See the Japan itineraryOur favorite activities in Japan
This section contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
More guides to Japan
14 or 17 days in Japan? How to choose your trip's length
Japan has enough to fill far more than two weeks, but not everyone has 17 free days. Here's how we decided what to cut and what not to, and how we built two complete routes from the same base.
What to see in Kyoto: our 5 must-sees
Kyoto isn't a city you visit, it's a city you feel. Here are the five spots we wouldn't skip under any circumstance — plus a trick or two for seeing them without the crowds.
How much does a trip to Japan cost? Real budget
Japan has a reputation as an expensive destination, but the reality depends a lot on how you want to travel. Here's how the budget breaks down between flights, lodging, transport, food and activities.