Your Ticket To Japan Is Calling 🇯🇵

My full 8 day Itinerary As a First Timer Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka

This summer, I finally took the trip of a lifetime: Japan—with my two boys, Gavyn (10) and Hunter (8), in tow. A lot of you have asked why I chose Japan, and the answer is simple—I've been captivated by its culture and cuisine since I was a little girl. I made a promise to myself back then: when I could afford to travel internationally, Japan would be the first place I'd go. I also knew it would be the perfect destination for my boys—offering the perfect balance of immersive experiences, vibrant sights, rich history, yummy food, and plenty of action to keep them engaged without kicking and hitting one another the whole time (lol), while simultaneously fulfilling a lifelong dream of mine.

During our eight-day adventure (plus two long travel days), I shared snippets of what we were seeing, doing, and eating. But the truth is, unless you’ve experienced Japan firsthand, it’s impossible to grasp just how special it really is. I came across a video on Instagram where a creator described the strange sense of loss that can follow a trip to Japan—a kind of post-Japan blues. And while I wouldn’t say I’m feeling depressed (in fact, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been), I understand what they meant. Visiting Japan changes something in you. I get it now.

Today, I’m sharing our full 8-day itinerary—with the hope that it inspires you to say “F-it,” book the flight, and just go.

But first, let’s cover a few key questions:

Did you use a travel agent?

Yes. Since it was my first time visiting Japan, I used a travel agent to plan the trip. Would I do it again? Honestly, probably not—now that I have a general sense of the layout and culture, I feel confident planning my own itinerary next time.