HB had been planning traveling to Japan for years, but I was the one who kept on postponing the idea. Don't get me wrong, Japan is one of my travel wish lists, and I just wanted to be mentally and physically prepared to enjoy it fully. :) Anyway, to make the story short, plan was pushed through. HB prepared the necessary documents including bank certificate and applied for Japan Tourist Visa and got it in 3 days.

We decided to do this trip on our own rather than joining an organized tour group. We stayed 6days/5nights in Tokyo and 7days/6nights in Osaka. Day trips to Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima and Kobe. 

Tokyo, Japan

Osaka, Japan

Kyoto, Japan

Nara, Japan

Hiroshima, Japan

Miyajima, Japan

Kobe, Japan

As a traveler, the best way to get around places is to do as the locals do, right? And that's we did! :) We tried getting around Japan from walking, and getting subway train, bus and taxi. Tokyo Metro is the easiest way to roam around the city, and it is extremely punctual. While bus is the cheapest mode of transportation you can get but it's time consuming. On the other hand, Japan taxicab is the most convenient but very expensive.

Tokyo Metro station ticket vending machines

Japan bus interior

Japan taxicabs are mostly black

But mind you, our trip was outrageously physically exhausting! Because of the seemingly endless long walks, and a shit ton of climbing up and down the subway stairs. I rarely had a minute to breathe. Japan is pretty big unlike Singapore that is compact.