Day 1
🗻🇯🇵日本へようこそ 🇯🇵🗻
Japan!
You made it! Can you believe it! Are you tired! Well, tough luck, you're in Japan. Get ready to roll! If your flight left Denver on time, it's the early afternoon and you have a bit of a hike ahead of you to get to your hotel. Your main goal today is to get through the airport, get to your hotel, dump off your stuff, and get some food, then crash so you can wake up early and get going on your first full day in Japan.
You made it! Can you believe it! Are you tired! Well, tough luck, you're in Japan. Get ready to roll! If your flight left Denver on time, it's the early afternoon and you have a bit of a hike ahead of you to get to your hotel. Your main goal today is to get through the airport, get to your hotel, dump off your stuff, and get some food, then crash so you can wake up early and get going on your first full day in Japan.
NARITA TO KAMAKURA
There are several ways to get from Narita to Kamakura. Taxi, Uber, Train, and Bus. The typical way is to take the Narita Express Train (JR Narita Express N'EX to Shinagawa or Yokohama), then hop the train to Kamakura. Most of the express trains go straight through to Shinagawa or Yokohama. Just be aware, that you will likely arrive in Shinagawa or Yokohama right before Rush Hour. It can be a bit of a thing.
April 17th
3:48 PM - Narita Airport Terminal 2 and 3 Station - JR Narita Express 34 to Shinagawa Station (Stops in Chiba and Tokyo along the way). When you pass Chiba station, wave at my daughter, Emma, who lives there. (There are also express trains at 3:18 and 4:23 depending on your flight arrival time and how immigration and customs go).
5:35 PM - Yokosuka Line - Train to Kamakura Station (Limited Express is always the best since it stops at fewer stops along the way - see below), It's a short connection, so you will have to move to make it. But don't worry, if you miss it. There are lots of trains in Japan.
Something to consider: It's dinner time, you may be hungry or hangry. There are lots of food options in the train station or just outside of Shinagawa station. If you don't have a ton of luggage, consider grabbing something here before you travel down to Kamakura. If you're doing OK, then at Kamakura Station there are lots of Ramen shops that stay open late.
Trains in Japan
Regular trains (普通列車, ふつうれっしゃ): stop at every station and are the slowest but most affordable option, commonly used for local commuting.
Express trains (急行, きゅうこう): skip some smaller stations, making them faster than regular trains but still relatively budget-friendly.
Limited Express trains (特急, とっきゅう): stop only at major stations, offer reserved seating, and are significantly faster, often requiring an additional limited express fee.
Shinkansen (新幹線, しんかんせん): or bullet trains, are Japan’s fastest trains, reaching speeds up to 320 km/h (200 mph) and connecting major
cities efficiently with reserved and non-reserved seating.
KAMAKURA
Kamakura is a historic city famous for its samurai heritage, Zen temples, and stunning coastal views. Once the political center of Japan during the Kamakura Shogunate (1185-1333), the city is home to one of Japan’s most famous landmarks—the Great Buddha (Daibutsu), a massive 13.35-meter-tall bronze statue that has stood for centuries. Kamakura’s Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, dedicated to the samurai gods, offers a glimpse into Japan’s warrior past, while Hasedera Temple provides breathtaking views of the coastline, especially during hydrangea season in June.
Kamakura offers beautiful hiking trails that lead to hidden shrines and temples, such as the Tenen Hiking Trail, which connects to Zeniarai Benten, a shrine where visitors wash their money in sacred spring water for good luck. One of the ways we love to get over jet leg is to go for a hike in the morning. If you wake up early, Kamakura is fun to go for a morning hike to wake up.
KAMAKURA AT NIGHT
Kamakura shuts down a little in the evening since it is such a day trip tourist hot spot, but there is till stuff to do if you have the energy.
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A pedestrian plaza that cuts across the water from the Nippon Maru park to Unga park. It's a great place to walk and get fabulous views of the Landmark Tower, Cosmo Clock Ferris Wheel, and Yokohama. Great way to walk back from the Red Brick Warehouse after dinner or just stroll along. |
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A fun place to shop, eat, or just walk around. It gets you out and about Yokohama. You can stop at World Porters on the way, or just wander over here. We are partial to eating at Bills and getting the pancakes. They are super tasty and heavy and makes it easier to fall asleep after a long day of traveling. |
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We're partial to just looking at the Ferris Wheel, but riding it is super fun and gets you amazing views of the city at night as well as Landmark tower. If you are not too tired, then going to Cosmo World and getting a ride can be pretty fun. |
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Minato Mirai
If it's early in the evening, you can always head to Landmark Tower and enjoy views from Japan's second largest building. There are many sky cafes and restaurants that boast views as well where you can grab a bite and get a night view. Queen's square is right next to the metro and great place to shop and eat. Landmark Plaza likewise has all kinds of food and shopping as well. No shortage of places to eat around here. |
TRAVEL TIP
Yelp and Google Reviews in Japan
Google and Yelp reviews in Japan are often much lower. In fact, if they are not, then you can be sure the reviews are fake or it's likely a tourist trap for Westerners. A 3.8-4.1 rating on Google in Japan is excellent, and should be considered a really great place to eat. In fact, some of the best meals we have had in Japan have been at places with a 3.5-3.8 average rating. You know that it's at least authentic, frequented by locals with those types of ratings. Japanese reviewers are much more strict than in the US where everything seems to have a rating of 4.8 - 5.0. So just be wary of 5 star reviews in Japan, it probably is a tourist trap or at least, not that great.
PLACES TO EAT IN KAMKURA
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Mawashizushi Katsu Yokohama Sky Bldg.
Sushi!
Back up toward Yokohama Station, this is a conveyor sushi restaurant that is pretty good. Best bang for your buck if you want fish. Plus, conveyer sushi, it's so fun. |
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Numazu Uogashizushi Yokohama Landmark
Sushi!
In the Landmark tower, another solid sushi place that locals like. It's not super fancy, but it's a good place to get decent sushi. |
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Sushi No
Sushi!
Close to Bashamichi station, this is a fancier sushi place. There are private tables and of course the counter seating area. Reservations are required and it is probably best to plan ahead if you want fancy sushi here or anywhere else in Yokohama or Tokyo.
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