Ten-day Japan trip: lessons on timing, luggage, dining, and planning

According to Businessinsider, Jenna DeLaurentis and her boyfriend spent 10 days in Japan and later described several mistakes that made their first visit harder than it needed to be.

Their biggest regret was traveling in September: most days hovered around 93 degrees Fahrenheit with 98% humidity and no breeze, which reduced enjoyment of sites such as Osaka Castle and Tokyo's Sensō-ji. They also found bulky suitcases impractical on crowded trains with quickly closing doors and said they would use Japan's luggage delivery services next time. Booking accommodation with laundry services was a lifesaver because they swept through at least two outfits a day.

The author said they leaned on convenience stores for quick meals — noting Japan has over 50,000 locations — but wishes they had tried more sit-down restaurants like izakayas and old-school noodle houses. She also said more research and planning would have helped, citing missed opportunities such as Kinkaku-ji in Kyoto and a Sumo tournament in Osaka; if they return, they plan to travel in cooler months like October or November and prepare a short list of must-visit stops.

Key Topics

Culture, Japan, Osaka Castle, Sensō-ji, Kinkaku-ji, Sumo Tournament