Japan Budget and Itinerary for 8 Days - Nagoya, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto and Kobe

For many, Japan is a dream destination. Now I understand the feeling. When I started traveling 10 years ago, I did not set my eyes on Eastern Asia countries like Japan, Taiwan, Korea etc. My eyes, were set in Southeast and South Asia. But the pandemic and recent world events changed my perspective and I started planning for East Asia. Japan was the first on my mind - but actually, we were able to visit Taiwan first - because why not, Japan is such an incredible country.

In this blog, I will narrate our experience and share with you all our itinerary and budget of our 8-Day Japan experience. Towards the end, you will be able to download our Itinerary if you share this blog and subscribe to our Youtube Channel.

 Me and my wife Lana traveled last March 12-19, 2023.

We traveled to Nagoya from Manila via Cebu Pacific on a sunny and beautiful Sunday Morning. Nagoya greeted us with a cold weather. It was fantastic! Lucky us we have friends living in Gifu Prefecture and they hosted us in Nagoya, Shirakawa-go and Takayama. 

Before we proceed to our story, let me tell you the process before we were able to arrive in Japan. There is a 50% chances that you are from the Philippines thus you need a visa in order to do your Japan selfies. So here are are the Visa Requirements that you need to submit in an accredited travel agency

Here's our Itinerary for 8-Days in Japan

Day 1 - Nagoya

• Nagoya Castle

Day 2 - Gifu Prefecture

• Shirakawa-go
• Takayama
• Yunohana Onsen Spa Resort
• Yakiniku Restaurant

Note that we have a host during Day 1 and 2 in Japan thus transportation was easy and seamless. 

Day 3 - Osaka

• Explore Namba (Eat!)
• Shinsaibashi

Day 4 - Osaka

• Osaka Castle
• Umeda Sky Building
• Shinsekai (Tsutenkaku)
• Tombori River Cruise
• Spa Suminoe (Onsen)

Day 5 - Nara

• Sumiyoshi Shrine
• Kasuga-taisha
• Nara Park
• Todai -ji Temple
• Higashimuki Shopping Street
• Shopping in Dotonbori

Day 6 - Kyoto

• Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
• Togetsu-kyo Bridge
• Kinkaku-ji
• Fushimi Inari
• Higashiyama/Gion District
• Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park
• Don Quijote Kyoto
• kyoto Station

Day 7 - Kobe

• Ikuta Jinja
• Kobe Chinatown Nankin-machi
• Harborland
• Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens
• Yazawa Steakhouse

Day 8 - Osaka - Nagoya - Manila

• Shinkansen 

Here's the details cost of our trip per person. Sharing here the actual excel sheet that I used when I was planning for the trip for a little favor :) Please share this post and subscribe in our Youtube Channel. Download our itinerary here.