Embark on a 12-day backpacking adventure across Japan's most iconic cities

Check into your stylish and social hostel, known for its ground-floor bar and coffee shop.

Stroll through the public grounds of the former Edo Castle, the current residence of the Emperor of Japan.

Experience one of Tokyo's most famous tsukemen (dipping ramen) spots, located on the renowned 'Ramen Street' inside Tokyo Station.

Visit Tokyo's oldest temple in the heart of Asakusa and explore the bustling Nakamise-dori market street leading up to it.

Enjoy a delicious and highly affordable unagi (grilled eel) bowl for lunch.

Explore the vast Ueno Park, home to museums and shrines, then dive into the vibrant chaos of Ameya Yokochō, a bustling market street.

Have a fun dinner experience cooking your own okonomiyaki (savory pancake) at this traditional, post-war style restaurant.

Find tranquility at this major Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, surrounded by a lush forest.

Experience the heart of Japanese youth culture and street fashion on this famous pedestrian-only street in Harajuku.

Savor a unique lunch of gyukatsu, a deep-fried beef cutlet that you finish cooking yourself on a personal stone grill.

Witness the world's busiest intersection, an iconic scramble of pedestrians and neon lights. Don't forget to see the Hachiko statue.

Enjoy a futuristic and budget-friendly dinner at this popular conveyor belt sushi restaurant where your orders arrive on high-speed lanes.

Escape the city bustle in one of Tokyo's most beautiful gardens, featuring traditional Japanese, English, and French landscape styles.

Wait in line for what many consider the best udon in Tokyo, served fresh in a tiny, intimate setting.

Ascend to the free observation decks for panoramic views of Tokyo's sprawling metropolis and, on a clear day, Mount Fuji.

Step back in time in 'Memory Lane,' a network of narrow alleys packed with tiny yakitori stalls and bars.

Indulge in an all-you-can-eat dinner of shabu-shabu or sukiyaki, a perfect and filling meal for a backpacker.

Immerse yourself in the world of anime, manga, and gaming in this vibrant district filled with multi-story arcades and electronic stores.

Refuel with a hearty and flavorful bowl of tonkotsu ramen at this eclectic and highly-rated ramen shop.

Visit a colorful shrine that uniquely blends tradition with Akihabara's pop culture, known as a protector of tech gadgets.

Challenge your taste buds with 'Devil's Spicy' miso ramen, where you can customize the level of spice and numbness.

Check out from your Tokyo hostel.

Check into your modern capsule hotel, offering a high-tech and comfortable stay in a central location.

Explore 'Kyoto's Kitchen,' a lively market street with a huge variety of local snacks, produce, and culinary goods.

Enjoy a delicious and cheap dinner of various types of gyoza (dumplings) at this popular chain.

Take an atmospheric evening stroll down this narrow alleyway running parallel to the Kamo River, lined with traditional lanterns and restaurants.

Hike through thousands of iconic red torii gates at one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines. Go early to avoid the crowds.

Enjoy a refined and delicious bowl of ramen for lunch at this Michelin Bib Gourmand awarded restaurant.

Visit the famous 'Pure Water Temple,' known for its large wooden stage that offers stunning views of the city.

Wander through these beautifully preserved, historic streets lined with traditional shops and teahouses on your way down from Kiyomizu-dera.

Dine on delicious okonomiyaki and yakisoba in the heart of the Gion district at this cozy and welcoming restaurant.

Walk through the enchanting and otherworldly path lined with towering bamboo stalks.

Explore the most important temple in Arashiyama, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a beautiful landscape garden.

Enjoy handmade soba noodles with a spectacular view of the Togetsukyo Bridge and the Hozugawa River.

Take a short hike up a hill to see and interact with wild Japanese macaque monkeys, with great views of Kyoto as a bonus.

Savor high-quality tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) with unlimited refills of rice, miso soup, and cabbage.

Behold the stunning beauty of the Golden Pavilion, a Zen temple with its top two floors completely covered in gold leaf.

Contemplate the meaning of Japan's most famous rock garden, a masterpiece of Zen simplicity.

Have a simple, authentic, and delicious lunch at this small, family-run okonomiyaki shop near Ryoan-ji.

Take a deeper dive into Kyoto's famous geisha district, exploring its charming streets and perhaps catching a glimpse of a geiko or maiko.

Enjoy a final Kyoto dinner at this bustling and affordable conveyor belt sushi restaurant near the central Sanjo area.

Check out from your Kyoto capsule hotel.

Check into your friendly and welcoming guesthouse, a classic backpacker spot with a great social atmosphere.

Dive into the vibrant, neon-lit entertainment district of Osaka. See the famous Glico Running Man sign and soak in the electric atmosphere.

Taste one of Osaka's most famous dishes, okonomiyaki, at this long-standing, family-run restaurant that holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand.

Explore one of Japan's most spectacular aquariums, famous for its massive central tank containing a whale shark.

Head to the retro Shinsekai district for a quintessential Osaka lunch of kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers). Remember: no double-dipping!

Explore the nostalgic neighborhood of Shinsekai, with its iconic Tsutenkaku Tower and colorful, old-fashioned storefronts.

Dine on delicious udon noodles served in massive bowls, with a wide variety of flavors to choose from in a stylish setting.

Visit the magnificent Osaka Castle, a symbol of the city's history, and explore its impressive grounds and museum.

Check out from your Osaka guesthouse. You can typically store your luggage for the day.

Have a foodie's dream lunch by hopping between stalls in this bustling market, sampling fresh seafood, takoyaki, and other local delicacies.

Get a final, breathtaking 360-degree view of Osaka from the Floating Garden Observatory at the top of this unique skyscraper.

Enjoy a world-famous Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen for your farewell dinner in Japan.