Kanazawa is the capital of the Ishikawa Prefecture on the central island of Honshu, next to the Sea of Japan. I visited this city in May 2023 for a day and had a blast! So, what is Kanazawa, Japan famous for?
Well, Kanazawa is known for the stunning Kenrokuen Garden, one’s of Japan’s Top 3 Landscape Gardens! Then there’s the iconic Nezumitamon Gate, which leads you to Gyokuseninmaru Park and Kanazawa Castle. Finally, I loved wandering around Oyama Shrine complex and garden.
The Maeda Clan ruled today’s Ishikawa Prefecture from 1583 to 1869. They were the second richest family in Japan back then. Since Kanazawa was spared by air raids during World War II (same as Kyoto), visitors can still find remains of the Edo period (1603-1868) today.
But Kanazawa was affected by the earthquake on January 1, 2024. It’s only 100 km (62 miles) south of the Noto Peninsula, the epicenter of this terrible incident. Fortunately, soon after, Kanazawa opened most of its tourist attractions again.
Disclosure: I only recommend products that I’ve used in the past, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of the links throughout the page to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
Oyama Shrine & Garden area
Address: 11-1 Oyamamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0918, Japan
Oyama Shrine (or Oyama Jinja) was completed in 1599 to honour Maeda Toshiie. He was the first lord of the Maeda Clan and there’s also a statue of him on the shrine grounds. Initially, Oyama Shrine stood on nearby Mount Utatsu and later moved to its present location in 1873.
What’s unique about Oyama Shrine is the main entrance gate which beautifully blends together Japanese, Chinese, and European religious themes. A Dutch architect designed it and added stained glass windows on the third floor. Besides, it used to be the original entrance to Kanazawa Castle.
The entrance gate to Oyama Shrine. Photo credit: Soramimi on Wikimedia Commons.
After walking through the gate, visitors will spot impressive shrine buildings for worshipping, as well as the peaceful garden area. It features ponds, bridges, stone lanterns, small waterfalls, and walking paths. I felt like I’d stepped right inside a Studio Ghibli movie! 😀
The Main Worship Hall at Oyama Shrine and the peaceful garden area.
The Oyama Shrine complex is always open and there’s no admission fee.
Nezumitamon Gate and Bridge
Address: 1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0937, Japan
Our next stop is the iconic Nezumitamon Gate and Bridge, one of the five entrances to Kanazawa Castle Park. The gate and bridge were first built in the 17th century. Sadly, the bridge was demolished in 1877 because of its age and wear. Soon after, in 1884, a fire ruined Nezumitamon Gate.
Nezumitamon Gate and Bridge reopened in July 2020. Thanks to historic records that were used, they look pretty much the same as 400 years ago! The bridge was reinforced with steel as well, so it can survive earthquakes. In the end, it was covered with a wood finish.
Nezumitamon Gate and Bridge.
Fun fact: A 19th century historian assumed that Nezumitamon comes from the word gate (mon) and its grey colour, which is similar to a mouse’s (nezumi).
Visitors can walk around inside Nezumitamon Gate and learn about its history. Admission is free and it’s open daily from 9 am to 4:30 pm (last entry is at 4 pm).
Gyokuseninmaru Garden
Address: 3 Marunouchi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0937, Japan
Gyokuseninmaru Garden is a stunning landscape garden inside Kanazawa Castle Park. It was completed in 1634. It is named after Gyokusen, the wife of Toshinaga Maeda, the second lord of the Maeda Clan.
It was abandoned during the Meiji era (1868-1912). But authorities decided to rebuild Gyokuseninmaru Garden in an authentic way and it reopened in 2015.
It has bridges, a large pond, lots of trees, and stair-like waterfall that flows from one of the garden’s distinctive stone walls. The Gyokusen-an Teahouse is perfect for taking a break and trying traditional Japanese matcha tea and tasty Wagashi sweets (for 730 ¥)!
From March 1 to October 15, Gyokuseninmaru Garden is open daily from 7 am to 6 pm. In the winter months, it’s open from 8 am to 5 pm. There’s no admission fee.
If you’re visiting Gyokuseninmaru Garden after sunset on a Friday, Saturday, or the day before a public holiday, it is lit in beautiful colours. They are different every season and that’s the only time when the garden is open until 9 pm!
As per Japan Guide, visitors are currently not allowed to walk around Gyokuseninmaru Garden, because of a damage from the earthquake on January 1, 2024. Hopefully, it will reopen soon!
Kanazawa Castle
Address: 1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0937, Japan
Kanazawa Castle is one of Kanazawa’s major historic landmarks, so it’s a must-see on your visit!
The original castle dates back to 1580. Only three years later, the Maeda Clan moved in and lived here for 14 generations until 1868. With time, the castle burnt down several times.
Since the latest fire in 1881, only two storehouses and the Ishikawa-mon Gate are originals. During World War II, Kanazawa Castle was an army base. Then it was a campus building of Kanazawa University from 1949 to 1989.
Finally, the castle was designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 2008.
Two turrets and the Gojukken Nagaya Storehouse, which were original castle buildings, were restored in 2001. Thanks to using traditional techniques and materials, they look the same as back in the 1850s. The Hashizume-mon Gate, another reconstruction, was added in 2015.
Kanazawa Castle Park is open all year and it’s free to walk around outside. But there’s an admission fee of 320 ¥ to visit the Hishi Yagura, Gojikken Nagaya, and Hashizume-mon Tsuzuki Yagura (turret and storehouse).
Kenrokuen Garden
Address: 1 Kenrokumachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0936, Japan
Kanazawa is also famous for Kenrokuen Garden right next to Kanazawa Castle. Kenrokuen means “Garden of the six sublimities”, which describe the garden’s unique characteristics: Spaciousness, tranquility, artifice, antiquity, water sources, and amazing views.
The Maeda Clan built Kenrokuen Garden for private use from the 1620s to the 1840s. It later opened to the public in 1871. The garden area covers 11.4 hectares and is a perfect spot to walk around and being in nature for a few hours!
Kenrokuen Garden has stone bridges, streams, two main ponds (Kasumigaike and Hisagoike), Japan’s oldest fountain, the Midoritaki Waterfall, two teahouses, the two-legged Kotojitoro Lantern, and tons of trees and plants!
In spring, visitors come to Kenrokuen Garden to see plum and cherry blossoms and in early summer, they enjoy the greenery. In the fall, colourful maple leaves dominate the garden. Lastly, yukitsuri (“snow hangings”) cover the pine trees in the winter to protect them from heavy snow.
So Kenrokuen Garden looks different each season! I also loved seeing the staff’s efforts to keep Kenrokuen Garden spotless, and that they set up thick logs to avoid some trees from falling down!
Left: Thick logs are protecting a tree from falling down. Right: Kenrokuen Garden in the winter with the Kotojitoro Lantern and yukitsuri tree covers. Pic #2 is credit of tab2_dawa on Wikimedia Commons.
Kenrokuen Garden is open 365 days a year. From March to October 15, it’s open 7 am to 6 pm and from October 16 to the end of February, it’s open 8 am to 5 pm. Admission is 320 ¥ per person.
Other Attractions Kanazawa is Famous for
Are you sick of reading about Kanazawa’s beautiful castle and garden areas now? Perfect 😀 😀
So here are few other attractions that Kanazawa is famous for:
Higashi Chaya District
Address: 1-13 Higashiyama, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0831, Japan
Similar to Takayama, Kanazawa has three well preserved districts from the Edo period. The largest and most beautiful is the Higashi Chaya District. It is famous for its well preserved wooden chaya (teahouses), where geisha used to perform for visitors.
The Shima Teahouse is open to the public as a museum, and you can see the rooms where the geisha danced and played traditional music. Other buildings from the Edo period inside the Higashi Chaya District have been transformed into shops and cafés, sake breweries, or restaurants.
Omicho Market
Address: 50 Kamiomicho, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0905, Japan
Only a short walk from Kanazawa Station, Omicho Market is perfect to try some local food from the 200 vendors and restaurants sitting here every day. It usually gets very busy around lunchtime, when both locals and tourists come here. Omicho Market is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
Thanks to Kanazawa being so close to the Sea of Japan, it’s known for the best seafood in the country. So if that’s your thing, one famous specialty dish to try is Kaisendon (seafood donburi), which vendors sell at Omicho Market as well.
Nagamachi Samurai District
Address: 1 Chome-3-12-2 Nagamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0865, Japan
Back in the Edo period, groups of society lived in dedicated districts of Kanazawa. The Nagamachi Samurai District was home to wealthy samurai and their families. Visitors can see a restored samurai residence at the Nomura Samurai House & Garden.
The residence is open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (April to September) and 8:30 to 4:30 pm from October to March. Admission is 550 ¥ per person.
To learn more about these cool attractions, check out this video by Japan-Guide:
Top 5 Things to do in Kanazawa | japan-guide.com
Conclusion
As you can see, Kanazawa is worth visiting, thanks to its many unique attractions! Since it’s not on every traveler’s Japan itinerary, it’s less crowded than Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka. Besides, it’s easy to get around on foot. Many of the attractions are free, so it’s a good place to save money as well!
If you prefer to take a bus, the Kanazawa Loop Bus travels on a circular route that covers pretty much all of Kanazawa’s famous attractions. It leaves from Kanazawa Station’s East Gate bus terminal every 15 minutes from 8:30 am to 6 pm.
My favourite places to visit in Kanazawa are Kenrokuen Garden and the iconic Nezumitamon Gate and Bridge. So I hope I have inspired you to visit this beautiful Japanese city someday 😉 Or if you’ve been to Kanazawa, feel free to share some insider tips in the comments. Cheers!
Traveling around Japan for a while? Then check out these posts:
Kyoto is the capital of the Honshu Island in eastern Japan. It was Japan’s capital and the emperor’s home for more than 1,000 years (794 to 1868). 1.46 million people lived here in 2020. In this post, I’ll show you the Best way to Spend 48 Hours in Kyoto!
Kyoto has more than 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, the most any city has in all of Japan. One of the most famous shrines is Fushimi Inari Shrine. Visitors can also check out imperial palaces, tea ceremonies, gardens, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and maybe see a geisha (female entertainer) in the Gion district.
Sadly, Kyoto was affected by several fires and wars in the past. But during World War II, the enemies noticed the city’s historic importance, so they spared Kyoto from atomic bombings. Today, Kyoto is a modern city that’s proud to be the cultural capital of Japan. Thousands of visitors come here every year to experience its rich cultural heritage.
Disclosure: I only recommend products that I’ve used in the past, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of the links throughout the page to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
Things to See and Do in Kyoto
Wander Around Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Address: Arashiyama Genrokuzancho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-0007, Japan
Let’s start with one of Kyoto’s top attractions! Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is a peaceful and serene forest of thousands of bamboo trees. They are standing proudly on the left and right side of a 500-meter (1,640 ft) walking path. Some of the trees are up to 27 meters (90 feet) high!
In Japan, bamboo trees are a symbol of strength that are supposed to keep evil spirits away.
While it’s a beautiful walk next to the bamboo trees, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove often gets very busy with tourists. So I recommend visiting in the early morning or close to sunset to avoid them. I came during the day, but stumbled upon other paths near the forest, where there was barely anyone!
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is always open and there’s no admission fee.
To get there, just hop on the JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station. Then exit at Saga-Arashiyama Station and walk for 10 minutes to get to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
Visit Seiryo-ji Temple
Address: 46, Sagashakadofujinokicho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, Japan
On my way back to Saga-Arashiyama train station, I stopped at Seiryo-ji Templefor a bit. This less crowded temple complex was completed in 895 AD. Its main buildings are the main hall and Tahoto pagoda. The temple belongs to the Jodo Buddhist sect.
The main hall of Seiryo-ji Temple.
Seiryo-ji Temple is famous for its carved wooden statue of Shaka Nyrorai, a young buddha. It’s a national treasure and is only shown to the public on the 8th of the month in April, May, October, and November from 11 am.
Visitors can see the main hall’s interior after paying a 400 ¥ admission fee. There’s a peaceful garden area to explore within the temple complex as well.
If you’re interested in visiting more less crowded temples in Kyoto, check out Brandon’s post about 5 Lesser-Known Temples in Kyoto!
Fushimi Inari Shrine
One of Kyoto’s Instagram hotspots is the tunnel of thousands of torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine. Every torii gate was donated by people or companies and the donor’s name and donation date is written on the back of each gate.
The torii tunnel at Fushimi Inari Shrine. Photo by Caleb Jack on Unsplash.
Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of the shrines that were built to honour Inari, the Shinto god of rice. It says that foxes are Inari’s messengers, which is why there are several fox statues within the shrine complex.
There are some other buildings around the shrine grounds as well, like the Main Shrine, Worship Hall, Hall of Shinto Music and Dance, and the Shrine Office.
If you keep on walking through the torii tunnel, you’ll end up at the peak of the sacred Mount Inari (233 m/764 ft). The hike up and back to the shrine area takes 2 to 3 hours. There are also restaurants along the way that serve local dishes, e.g. Inari Sushi, aburaage (fried tofu), and Kitsune Udon noodles.
To get to Fushimi Inari Shrine, take the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to JR Inari Station (5 minutes). It’s only a short walk to the shrine grounds.
Similar to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Fushimi Inari Shrine often gets packed with tourists during the day. But it’s open 24/7 and there’s no admission fee.
The Worship Hall at Fushimi Inari Shrine.
Join a Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony
A great way to dive into Japanese culture is to join a traditional tea ceremony. Two ways to book this experience is through Get Your Guide or Viator, which I did as well. I participated in a 45-Minute Tea Ceremony Experience with Tea Ceremony Koto (37 Nishi Goshonouchi-cho, Kinugasa Kita-ku, Kyoto, 603-8377, Japan).
After entering the building, our group of 10 people sat down in a circle in a tatami floor room. First, the tea master introduced us to the tea ceremony’s long history and its important role in Japanese society until today. Then she taught us formal rules every participant had to follow during the ceremony.
Next, our hostess made the first kind of matcha tea and served it to us. A few minutes later, one after the other used these rules by saying the following words to the person next to them:
“Thank you for joining me”, then “Excuse me for being ahead of you”, and finally “Thank you for the tea”.
Then we could proof our skills by making a different flavour of matcha tea ourselves, said the same phrases, and drank it together. We all had our own cup, and tried some tasty Japanese sweets as well!
At the end of the tea ceremony. What an enriching experience!
The 45-minute tea ceremony experience costs 3,300 ¥ per person and you can add a kimono rental as well for an authentic experience. While I didn’t do it this time, I already look forward to trying on a kimono on my next Japan trip! 🙂 The tea master was happy to take pictures of us at the end, too.
Walk Around the Gion District
Before hopping on the train to the next city, I had to stop in Gion, also known as Kyoto’s famous Geisha district! It’s located around Shijo Avenue, between Yasaka Shrine in the east, and the Kamo River in the west.
Many tourists come here to shop, eat, or spend time at an ochaya (tea house), where geiko (Kyoto dialect for geisha) and maiko (geisha trainees) entertain visitors.
Sometimes geiko and maiko are walking on the streets of the Gion district as well. This guide by Wanderlust UK is great to learn about their life and how to behave as a tourist if you meet one of these iconic performers.
A geiko playing shamisen (traditional Japanese musical instrument). Photo credit: Sawai Susao on Wikimedia Commons.
A local told me that Gion district mostly comes to life during the evening. While I didn’t meet a geiko or maiko this time, I stumbled upon an impressive statue! Besides, the Gion District is famous for its traditional wooden machiya (merchant houses) and narrow side roads.
From Kyoto Station, take bus #206 and get off at Gion bus stop (about 20 minutes). Or if you’re taking the local train, exit at Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Line or Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Line to get to the Gion District.
Visit The Kyoto International Manga Museum
Address: 452 Kinbukicho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-0846, Japan
If you like manga (Japanese comics and graphic novels) don’t miss The Kyoto International Manga Museum, which opened in 2006. Manga have been an important part of Japanese culture for a long time and have spread all over the world in the past decades!
Here you’ll learn about the history of manga, which started during the Taisho era (1912-1926). The manga on the shelves are in Japanese, but there’s a small section of translated manga on the ground floor, too (e.g. Portuguese, German, and French).
The “What is Manga?” permanent exhibit on the second floor is the best part, in my opinion. Its shelves display a huge selection of manga from 1912 to 2005, including Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, and Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne! You’ll also learn how manga are made and if all manga artists are millionaires or not!
Here’s a promotional video of The Kyoto International Manga Museum:
Kyoto International Manga Museum -english-
Visitors are welcome to read one or more of the 50,000 manga inside the museum reading areas. If you’re here on a holiday or weekend, stop by the Manga Studio, where you can watch real manga artists at work! In the Portrait Corner, a manga artist is happy to draw a portrait of you!
Photography is often not allowed at the Kyoto International Manga Museum to protect the artwork and/or because of copyright.
The Kyoto International Manga Museum is open daily (except Wednesdays) from 10 am to 5 pm (last entry is at 4:30 pm). Admission is 1,200 ¥ for adults (19+), 400 ¥ for High School and Junior High School students (13-18 years), and 200 ¥ for elementary school students (6-12 years).
Watch Out for the Famous Poké Lids
While exploring Kyoto, be sure to look down once in a while, and you may spot one of the colourful Poké Lid manhole covers! I found one with Totodile and Azumarill on it (Address: Kankijicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8835, Japan)!
In fact, did you know that Kyoto is the real life location of Ercuteak City in the Pokémon Generation 2 games (Gold, Silver, and Crystal)? These unique manhole covers are spread all over Japan, with five of them in Kyoto City.
Where to Stay in Kyoto
I stayed at Matsubaya Ryokan (Kamijuzuyacho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto 600-8150, Japan), which first opened in 1884. My room had a futon bed on a tatami floor, a low table sitting area, and a yukata (Japanese-style robe) to wear.
For breakfast you can choose between Traditional Japanese breakfast and Western-style breakfast. They were happy to cook a vegetarian Japanese breakfast for me, which was super tasty!
There’s also a beautiful Japanese garden on site. Besides, the Matsubaya Ryokan is only one stop from Kyoto Station (via the Karasuma subway line).
This was the largest ryokan I stayed at during my Japan trip. While it was a nice place, it felt less personal than other ryokans or guesthouses. But it’s understandable that it’s busier because Kyoto is one of Japan’s most popular places to visit!
Where to Eat & Drink in Kyoto
Hobodo Café
Address: Sakyo-ku, Shoojicho, 452, Kyoto, 606-8353, Japan
The small and 100% vegan Hobodo Caféis the perfect spot for lunch! Their weekly changing menu features Japanese cuisine with international influences. There’s a little book shop as well.
When I was here in May 2023, I went for a tasty dish of various vegan foods. It consisted of brown rice, sesame-dressed turnips and radishes, silk beans, bamboo shoot dumplings in spring rolls, and more! It was so refreshing! The staff was super friendly as well.
As of July 2024, Hobodo Café is open Friday to Sunday only from 11:30 am to 5 pm.
Itadakimasu! (Enjoy your meal!) 😛
Qué Pasa – Downtown
Address: 142 Ainocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8071, Japan
Need a break from the yummy Japanese food for dinner? Then Qué Pasa is a great choice! This small Mexican burrito/Californian Fast Food Shop serves both meat and vegetarian/vegan dishes, and seems to be a popular place for students to hang out.
You can choose between tacos, burritos (duh!), nachos, quesadillas, Mexican grilled corn, spare ribs, alcoholic drinks (including Corona and Margarita), and more! I had the Veggie Burrito, which was very filling, and the staff was friendly and efficient.
Grab food from the Conbini (Convenience store)
If you’re on the go (or on a budget), grabbing snacks or a meal at one of the conbinis is a great idea! They are all over Japan, and the most common ones are Family Mart, 7-Eleven, and Lawson. Besides, pretty much all of their labels are in Japanese and English, which is very helpful!
My favourites were onigiri (rice balls), edamame chips, broccoli & cabbage salad, green tea, and of course, Japanase chocolate! Many locals get food from conbinis as well.
How to Get to and Around Kyoto on Public Transit
As one of Japan’s major cities, getting to Kyoto with public transit from any direction is very easy. Many tourists take the one of the Tokaido Shinkansen lines from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station (2 to 3 hours).
If you’re coming from Hiroshima, just hop on the Tokaido Shinkansen line from the opposite direction to Kyoto Station (1.5 to 2 hours).
I got to Kyoto from the north, by taking the JR Thunderbird Limited Express from Kanazawa Station to Kyoto Station, which is the fastest option (2 hours 6 minutes).
Finally, if you’re trying to get to Kyoto from Osaka, it’s only 30 minutes on the Tokaido Shinkansen line.
You can also book a Highway bus or Night bus that goes from Tokyo to Kyoto, like Willer Express and the Kanto Bus. While they are much cheaper than the Shinkansen, they take much longer to get there (8-9 hours).
Inside Kyoto, there’s a good public transit system as well. You can choose between two subway lines, local trains, and a dense bus network to get around. Or book a ticket for the Sky Hop Sightseeing Bus to get to Kyoto’s major tourist attractions.
Both locals and tourists like to use a prepaid IC card (e.g. Suica, Pasmo, or Icoca) to pay for local train or bus tickets. You can buy or charge them with cash in pretty much any train/subway station.
Thanks to its flat terrain and easy layout, it’s popular to bike around Kyoto as well. There are many bike rental companies, such as next to Kyoto Station and close to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
Finally, the closest airport to Kyoto is Osaka Itami Airport, about one hour by bus from central Kyoto.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are lots of great ways on How to spend 48 hours in Kyoto! Whether you’re into exploring shrines and temples, getting your manga or anime fix, eating tasty food, watching a geiko or maiko perform, or trying out a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, Kyoto has it all!
Without a doubt, my favourite activity during my Kyoto visit was the traditional tea ceremony. From learning about the tea ceremony’s history and how important it still is in Japanese society, to making our own matcha tea, I highly recommend trying out this experience. The hostess was very knowledgeable and explained everything in an easy to understand way!
Although it was quite crowded, I enjoyed walking around Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and the Fushimi Inari Shrine complex a lot. I especially liked the unique fox statues sitting close to the famous and impressive torii tunnel!
So I’m already looking forward to visiting Kyoto again and seeing some of its lesser known, but I’m sure just as amazing tourist attractions. 🙂
Traveling around Japan for a while? Then check out these posts:
Absolutely, Nikko, Japan is Worth Visiting! I was here for a day in May 2023 and was amazed by its unique attractions, such as Toshogu Shrine that includes Tokugawa Ieyasu’s mausoleum. He was Japan’s first shogun (ruler) of the Edo period.
I also wandered along the mysterious Kanman walking path that leads to Kanmangafuchi Abyss. It’s famous for the row of 74 Jizo statues and Reihikaku Pavilion. Lastly, I had to see the sacred red Shinkyo Bridge and try Yuba, a soy bean curd skin specialty dish from this region.
Nikko is a small city in the mountains of the Tochigi Prefecture in eastern Japan. The Buddhist monk Shodo Shonin founded this city more than 1,200 years ago. Want to learn more about what makes this city special? Then keep on reading and you’ll find out if Nikko, Japan is Worth Visiting!
Disclosure: I only recommend products that I’ve used in the past, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of the links throughout the page to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
Things to See and Do in Nikko
Visit the Amazing Toshogu Shrine
Address: 2301 Sannai, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1431, Japan
Toshogu Shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was established in 1617. It sits inside a beautiful forest area and more than a dozen buildings make up the shrine complex.
Some have golden leaf ornaments and gorgeous wood carvings, which you cannot find anywhere else in Japan.
Two buildings with golden leaf decorations inside the Toshogu Shrine complex.
One building that stands out is the Five-Story Pagoda by the main entrance gate of Toshogu Shrine. The main pillar of the pagoda was put 10 cm (3.9 inches) off the ground to avoid that the wood lengthens and shrinks with time.
The Five-Story Pagoda close to the entrance of Toshogu Shrine.
Next, check out the colourful animal wood carvings on the storehouses in the entrance area! The most famous ones are the Three Wise Monkeys who “see, hear, and speak no evil” and the Sozonozo Elephants (“imagined elephants”).
People came up with this name because the artist who carved them had never seen a real elephant in his life!
Then enter the Main Shrine Building that has a prayer hall and main hall. They were built to honour the spirits of Tokugawa Ieyasu, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Minamoto Yoritomo (two other important Japanese historical figures).
Please note that taking photos inside the building is not allowed.
As you walk through the Sakashitamon Gate, look out for the small but iconic Nemurineko(sleeping cat) carving! It’s supposed to guard the entrance gate to Tokugawa Ieyasu’s grave.
On the other side, there are two flying sparrow carvings. They are a symbol for the harmony of all beings in Japan during the peaceful Edo period (1603-1868) after decades of civil wars.
The Nemurineko carving.
Now we’ve reached Tokugawa Ieyasu’s (1543-1616) final resting spot! Ieyasu is enshrined as the deity Tosho Daigongen, which means “Great Deity of the East Shining Light”.
Tokugawa Ieyasu’s tomb.
Normally, Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines in Japan are separate entities. But Toshogu Shrine has elements of both religions, as they were blended together until the Meiji period (1868-1912) began.
While Buddhist elements were removed from many shrines soon after, this didn’t happen here.
Lastly, you can visit the Nikko Toshogu Museum. It opened in 2015 to commemorate the 400-year anniversary of Tokugawa Ieyasu’s death. It displays his armor and swords, but also writing tools and letters he wrote.
Toshogu Shrine is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm (4 pm from November to March).
Admission is ¥ 1,300 for the shrine, ¥ 1,000 for the museum only, and ¥ 2,100 for the shrine and museum.
Beautiful stone lanterns inside the Toshogu Shrine complex.
Wander along the Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Address: Takumicho, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1415, Japan
The gorgeous 5-km (3.1-mile) Kanman walking path in the less touristy west side of Nikko leads to the Kanmangafuchi Abyss. It’s a volcanic canyon within a peaceful forest along the Daiya River. The riverbanks were created by lava flows when nearby Mount Nantai erupted a long time ago.
One of the highlights along the path is Jiun-ji Temple, which Kokai, a high rank Buddhist priest, founded in 1654. Sadly, the great flood of 1902 destroyed the temple, but it was replaced by only one small main hall Hondo in 1973.
Right next to Jiun-ji Temple you cannot miss the row of 74 Jizo statues facing the Daiya River. These mysterious stone statues wearing red hats and red bibs are guardian deities of travelers and deceased children in Japanese Buddhism.
Initially, one hundred Jizo statues sat here, but because of the river’s vagaries, some have vanished with time. In fact, I read that every time people visit this spot, the number of Jizo statues is different. That’s why they are also called bakejizo (phantom Jizo).
The row of Jizo statues and one single Jizo statue.
Another scenic spot, only a few steps further, is Reihikaku Pavilion. The original building had a stone altar that was used to do the Goma Fire ritual. Its main characteristic was burning pieces of paper or wood with prayers written on them.
This way, Fudo Myoo, one of the Five Wisdom Kings in Buddhism, could hear the prayers.
Unfortunately, the great flood of 1902 ruined Reihikaku Pavilion and a statue of Fudo Myoo as well. The pavilion we can look at today was completed in 1971.
Reihikaku Pavilion.
The path to Kanmangafuchi Abyss is always open and there’s no admission fee.
While the Daiya River looks gorgeous, visitors are advised to stay away from its banks, because they are very slippery.
Sadly, I didn’t walk all the way to the Kanmangafuchi Abyss. But I loved that the path wasn’t as busy as other places in Nikko (only three people passed me on the way). The green and peaceful forest area made me feel so calm, that I almost forgot I was in a city!
The walking path and a beautiful waterfall on the other side of the Daiya River!
Admire the Sacred Shinkyo Bridge
Address: Kamihatsuishimachi, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1401, Japan
The bright red Shinkyo Bridge(“sacred bridge”) across the Daiya River in the city centre marks the entrance to Nikko’s shrines and temples.
It was completed in 1636, but there was a bridge at the same spot long before that. The great flood in 1902 destroyed it, too, but it was quickly rebuilt in 1904.
The Shinkyo Bridge.
According to legend, in 766 AD, the priest Shodo Shonin and his followers couldn’t cross the Daiya River, because there was no bridge. But after Shodo said a prayer, the god Jinja-Daisho showed up on the other side with two big snakes wrapped around his arm.
Then the god threw the snakes across the river and they turned into a rainbow-coloured bridge.
Until 1973, crossing the Shinkyo Bridge was limited to important military leaders and imperial messengers. But nowadays, everyone is allowed to enter the bridge after paying a small admission fee of ¥300.
The Shinkyo Bridge is open daily from 8:30 am to 4 pm (April to October) and 9:30 am to 3 pm (November to March).
Other Things to See and Do in Nikko
Unfortunately, one day wasn’t enough to see everything that the Nikko region has to offer.
So here are few other places that I think, make Nikko, Japan, worth visiting as well:
Rinnoji Temple
Address: 2300 Sannai, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1431, Japan
Rinnoji Temple is the oldest and most important temple in Nikko. It was founded by the monk Shodo Shonin in the 8th century. He devoted it to the Nikko area’s three sacred mountains (Mt. Nantai, Mt. Taro, and Mt. Nyoho).
The mountains are represented by three gold lacquered wooden statues of an amida buddha and two cannon bodhisattva in the main hall. The latter is a person who’s on the path to reaching Nirvana in Buddhism.
The three statues inside Rinnoji Temple. Photo credit: Zairon on Wikimedia Commons.
Rinnoji Temple is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm (4 pm from November through March).
Admission starts at ¥400 per person.
Kegon Waterfalls
Address: 2479-2 Chugushi, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1661, Japan
Kegon Waterfalls (97 m/318 ft tall) is in the Okunikko region within Nikko National Park. They are one of Japan’s Top 3 Waterfalls. You can watch them from a free observation deck, a paid platform with three decks, or Akechidaira Observation Deck.
Kegon Waterfalls freeze solid sometimes during the winter months and the scenic Lake Chuzenji is right behind them.
Senjogahara Hiking Trail is 6 km (3.7 miles) long and goes from the Ryuzu Waterfall to the town of Yumoto Onsen through the Senjogahara Marshlands. All hiking levels are welcome! In winter, the trail is accessible with snow shoes or cross-country skis, which you can rent in the area.
Where to Stay in Nikko
I booked a private room at the Turtle Inn (2-16 Takumi-cho, Nikko, Tochigi, 321-1433, Japan), a simple, but clean and affordable Japanese guesthouse. It’s in a quiet residential area and a bus stop to the city centre is nearby.
The private indoor onsen was perfect to recover from walking around Tokyo a lot!
The kind receptionists made me feel at home right away and the Turtle Inn is only steps from the Daiya River. So when I laid down at night, all I could hear was the calming rushing of the water! The healthy breakfast was very yummy, too.
Where to Eat & Drink in Nikko
The Bell Café
Address: 6-39 Yasukawacho, Nikko, Tochigi, 321-1432, Japan
The Bell Café is a small but cozy café/restaurant in the Nikko city centre. I tried the “Yuba Festa” (Monk’s diet), a set meal featuring yuba (soy bean curd skin), shiitake mushrooms, veggie tempura, miso soup, and yuba sashimi!
Yuba is a specialty dish from the Nikko area. Besides, this is one of the few places in town where you can try a vegetarian version.
The Yuba Festa dish. So yummy!
The Bell Café is open daily from 10:30 am to 4 pm and 6 pm to 9:30 pm. The service was great as well! When I visited in May 2023, they only accepted cash, no credit or debit cards.
Sogen Coffeeshop
Address: 1-21 Yasukawacho, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1432, Japan
Sogen Coffeeshopis a cozy spot for a break after walking around town! The elderly couple who manages the place went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable. For example, the man brought me a portable heater after he’d seen that my clothes were soaked from the rain!
I ordered ocha (Japanese Green Tea) with biscuits, which was very good! Their little gift shop is perfect for finding a homemade bringalong! As of July 2024, Sogen Coffeeshop is open every day (except Thursdays) from 9 am to 5 pm.
Japanese Green Tea and biscuits on the side.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Nikko?
Nikko is a popular spot for international and local tourists. Some go here for just a day trip, but I recommend staying in Nikko for two days. That way, you’re not in a rush.
You’ll have time to visit Toshogu Shrine, Rinnoji Temple, Shinkyo Bridge, Kanmangafuchi Abyss, and find a few cool souvenirs on your first day.
On Day Two, you could take a bus to the Nikko National Park area to see Kegon Waterfalls and Lake Chuzenji, and go for a hike.
When is the Best Time to Visit Nikko?
Many people visit Nikko in October and November, so they can enjoy the pretty fall foliage (koyo)! The best spots in town to see them is by the Shinkyo Bridge and on the trail leading to the Kanmangafuchi Abyss. You can also see them inside Nikko National Park.
Nikko is a bit cooler than other places in Japan during the summer months (May to September) thanks to its location in the mountains.
December and January are the coldest months in Nikko, with occasional snowfall and temperatures falling down to -4 C (24.8 F)! Besides, some sites and restaurants in the Okunikko area are closed during the winter season.
In the spring, same as other places in Japan, people come here to admire the gorgeous cherry blossoms.
Please keep in mind that August and September is typhoon season in Japan.
How to Get to and Around Nikko on Public Transit
Nikko is about 100 km (62 miles) north of Tokyo and train journeys take 90 to 120 minutes.
I bought the Nikko Pass World Heritage Area at the Tobu Tourist Information Centre inside Asakusa Station in Tokyo (¥ 2,040). It includes a trip to Tobu Nikko Station and back to Asakusa Station for 1-2 consecutive days, as well as a free local bus pass in Nikko.
Beautiful scenery on the way from Tokyo to Nikko <3
If you’re in Nikko for up to four days, look at the Nikko Pass All Area. It also includes transportation to Lake Chuzenji and the Okunikko region. It’s ¥ 4,600 from April to November and ¥ 4,230 from December to March. These passes are only available to international travelers though.
Or if you have the Japan Rail Pass, take the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to JR Nikko Station (via Utsunomiya). JR East train passes work as well. The two train stations in Nikko are only a short walk away from each other.
There are also Highway buses from Tokyo Narita Airport, Tokyo Haneda Airport, and Yokohama to Nikko.
Visitors who are short on time can take the World Heritage Sightseeing Bus that goes in a circle around some of Nikko’s beautiful shrines and temples. These buses run often from JR Nikko Station and Tobu Nikko Station.
If you’re going to Nikko National Park, note that buses from/to Nikko don’t run very frequently. So check the schedule beforehand to avoid getting stuck somewhere!
Tokyo Narita Airport and Tokyo Haneda Airport are about three hours from Nikko.
Conclusion: Is Nikko, Japan Worth Visiting?
Yes, Nikko, Japan is Worth Visiting for sure! Whether you’re into learning about Japan’s history, relaxing at the many onsens in the region, hiking, watching lakes and waterfalls, or trying local food, there’s something for everyone!
It’s also a perfect spot to escape the busy city life (e.g. Tokyo) for a few days and enjoy some time in nature!
Since I didn’t have time to visit Nikko National Park this time, I can’t wait to go back to Nikko someday!
Fredericton is the capital and third largest city by population of New Brunswick in eastern Canada. If you like a mix of history, culture, exploring green spaces, unique artistic vibes, and an exciting social life year-round, then Fredericton is the perfect place to visit!
While the city was founded by British loyalists in the 1780s, the Maliseet and Mi’kmaq people had lived in the area long before that. According to Fredericton Tourism, about 1.8 million visitors spend time in the Fredericton Capital Region every year.
I lived in Fredericton for five months, and got to know this city pretty well. So I’m psyched to share the 16 Best Things To Do in Fredericton with you! From the Bill Thorpe Pedestrian Bridge, Boyce Farmers Market, Beaverbrook Art Gallery, to an amazing live music scene and festivals, it never gets boring here!
Disclosure: I only recommend products that I’ve used in the past, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of the links throughout the page to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks.
Wander around the Historic Garrison District
Let’s start with the Historic Garrison District in downtown, that has been a National Historic Site since 1964. Several Victorian buildings stand in this area, including City Hall (397 Queen St, Fredericton NB, E3B 1B5), which was completed in 1876.
It is the oldest city hall of the Maritime provinces that’s still in use today. Until 1952, there was a public farmers market on the square in front of the building.
The Changing of the Guard Ceremony at Officers Square is quite a spectacle, when 20 City Guards of the New Brunswick regiment start marching and playing their bagpipes and drums. This happens daily in July and August. The Canadian Military was born here in 1883, and soon after, the Infantry School Corps (ISC), Company “A” was established in Fredericton as its Maritime location.
The Changing of the Guards Ceremony. Photo Credit: Fredericton Tourism.
If you keep on walking, you’ll find the Justice Building (427 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1B7). First, it was constructed as a military hospital in 1827, later the Provincial Normal School (teacher’s college) took over until it burned down in 1929. In 1975, it was turned into the Justice Building.
Then there’s the Soldiers’ Barracks (463 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 4Y7) that the British Army built in 1827. More than 200 British soldiers lived here under sparse conditions. The rooms only had iron beds, shelves, a table, and wooden benches for 19 soldiers in each room. Unfortunately, this attraction is currently closed because of construction.
Want to get more insider information about Fredericton’s history? Then join a free Guided Heritage Walking tour around this area! Your guide will wear a historic costume, and will meet you daily in front of City Hall (June to October).
Beaverbrook Art Gallery
The Beaverbrook Art Gallery (703 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1C4) has been around since 1959, and is one of Canada’s best art galleries. Its Permanent Collection has more than 5,000 objects from Maritime, Canadian, Indigenous, British, and international artists to look at.
The most famous piece displayed at Beaverbrook Art Gallery is “Santiago El Grande” by the Surrealist artist Salvador Dalí, the second largest mural he ever painted. Besides, you can find paintings by Andy Warhol and the ‘Grandfather Akwiten’ Wolastoqiyik canoe, that was built in the 1820s. It’s the oldest birchbark canoe in the world!
A small selection of the artwork displayed at Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
Beaverbrook Art Gallery also a small gift shop that sells unique items made by local artists and the Daily Espresso Café. The latter has locally made drinks and pastries, and is perfect for taking a break after your visit!
The Beaverbrook Art Gallery is open from 10 to 5 pm (Mon-Wed, Fri and Sat), 12-5 on Sundays, and 10 to 9 pm on Thursdays.
Shop ’til You Drop at The Boyce Farmers Market & Summer Night Markets
Every Saturday from 7 am to 1 pm, you can find tons of locally made goodies at The Boyce Farmers Market(665 George Street, Fredericton, NB E3B 1K4). It was named one of Canada’s Top 10 farmers markets and has been around for more than 70 years! It’s open year round.
More than 200 vendors offer fresh produce, pastries, smoothies, flowers, pottery items, maple syrup, jam, quilts, jewelry, soaps, and so much more! There are also several food trucks for buying lunch, e.g. Dee’s Quiet Café, Kang’s Chinese food, Nada’s Lebanese Cuisine, and Milda’s Pizza!
I was positively surprised by the many vegan items I found at the Boyce Farmers Market 😀
Vegan spread from Scottage Cheeze and a Vegan Breakfast Sammy from Dee’s Quiet Café! 😛
If you’re visiting Fredericton during the summer months, don’t miss the Garrison Night Market(11 Carleton St, Fredericton, NB E3B 3T1) and the ReCap Night Market at the Tannery (375 King St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1E4) on Thursday evenings! With more than 100 vendors, the Garrison Night Market is Atlantic Canada’s largest night market.
You can find tons of cool stuff at the Garrison Night Market, such as microbrews, maple candy stalls, cider, arts and crafts, jewelry, clothing, farm products, and food trucks with multicultural cuisine! The ReCap Night Market has up to 10 vendors, who sell thrift clothing, cosmetics, arts, and more!
Left: The Garrison Night Market (Photo Credit: Fredericton Tourism). Right: The ReCap Night Market.
Walk or Bike Across the Bill Thorpe Pedestrian Bridge
The Bill Thorpe Pedestrian Bridge is Fredericton’s prettiest landmark, in my opinion! It was a CN Railway Bridge from 1889, before it was turned into a walking/cycling trail in 1997. The 0.6 km (1,905 ft) long steel bridge links the north and south side of the city and stands above the Wolastoq (Saint John river).
With more than 600,000 people crossing it every year, this bridge is popular with locals and visitors alike. It’s also a great photo spot, thanks to its unique design! Last but not least, the Bill Thorpe Pedestrian Bridge is a part of the Trans Canada Trailnetwork. It spans all over Canada, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and Arctic Ocean.
The Bill Thorpe Pedestrian Bridge at sunset. Photo Credit: Fredericton Tourism.
Explore Killarney Lake Park
Wanna spend some time in nature now? Then visiting Killarney Lake Park(1653 St. Mary’s Street, Fredericton, NB, E3G 8T6) is a great idea! It’s less than 10 minutes of a drive, or about 30 minutes by bus #12N from downtown Fredericton. This scenic park covers more than 645 hectares and has 30+ km (18 miles) of multi-use trails.
The supervised sandy beach next to Killarney Lake is perfect for playing and sunbathing, then jump into the lake to cool off! From June to early September, Second Nature Outdoors offers single kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for rent, as well as SUP yoga on the lake! There’s also a playground behind the beach area.
Once winter hits, the trails around Killarney Lake are awesome for cross-country skiing and snow shoeing!
Walk along The Green, Odell Park & Carleton Park
Fredericton has more than 120 km (74 miles) of trails throughout the city. One of them is The Green, which goes from the Government House in downtown to Morell Park, along the banks of the Wolastoq river. It is 5 km (3 miles) long and is a popular cycling, running, and walking path with locals and visitors alike.
A great spot for a break on the way is the Lighthouse by 540 (615 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 4Y7), that has been a landmark since 1989. Many people enjoy their food (e.g. shrimp tacos, salads, chicken wings, and burgers) and drinks on the patio. Teddy’s Two Scoops Ice Cream Shack is right next door.
Another local gem in the heart of the city is Odell Park (Waggoners Ln, Fredericton, NB E3B 3X5). It covers 333 acres with 16 km (9.94 miles) of trails that snake around a diverse forest. Some of the trees are more than 400 years old! So it’s a great spot for hiking, walking, and mountain biking.
Odell Park also has a botanic garden, picnic areas, a playground, waterfowl pond, and disc golfing spots. Lastly, the Odell Lodge stands here, that the Queen Mother opened in 1967. In winter, visitors can take advantage of the outdoor skating rink, sliding hill, and groomed cross-country ski trails.
Hiking path inside Odell Park, and beautiful flowers in the Botanic Garden!
After crossing the Bill Thorpe Pedestrian Bridge, spend some time at Carleton Park. Even though it’s smaller than other parks in Fredericton, it’s an amazing spot to watch the Wolastoq river and downtown area, especially at sunset! It’s part of the North Riverfront Trail. You can launch a boat here, chill on one of the benches or in the grassy areas, or have a picnic.
Rent equipment from Savage’s, Second Nature Outdoors & Cruze Scooters
Fredericton has three major places to rent equipment for getting around the city in a fast and/or eco-friendly way!
Savage’s Bicycle Centre (441 King Street, Fredericton NB, E3B 1E5) has been around since 1897, which makes it the longest established bicycle shop in Canada! So the experienced staff will be happy to help you choose the right bike to ride around the city!
Bike rentals are available hourly, 1/2 day, full day, or multiple days. They have well-known brands, including Norco, Haro, and Specialized. Besides, they sell bikes and bike gear and offer repair services all year.
During the summer months, you can rent kayaks, canoes, bikes, SUP’s, and e-bikes from Second Nature Outdoors (63 Brunswick St, Fredericton, NB E3B 4Y7)! This is their main location, right next to the Wolastoq river, about 10 minutes from downtown. Equipment can be rented per hour, for two or four hours, or an entire day.
They also offer guided and self guided tours, e.g. a Sunrise Paddle Tour within the Hartt Island Resort and Sunset Paddle and Women’s Wednesdays, both in Oromocto, about 25 minutes outside of Fredericton.
Left: Rental bike from Savage’s. Right: Rental bike from Second Nature Outdoors.
A different, but equally fun idea is to grab an e-scooter fromCruze Scooters (150 Smythe Street, Fredericton NB, E3B 3C5)! They are New Brunswick’s first e-scooter experience. I didn’t try them out this time, but lots of people were riding them around the city, so they must be very popular!
Rock Out to Fredericton’s Vibrant Nightlife Scene
Once the sun goes down, Fredericton’s nightlife scene comes to life! There’s tons of cool options, from night clubs, pubs, sports bars, lounges, to live music venues. Examples are Dolan’s Pub, The CAP, Monarch Nightclub, Snooty Fox, and Pine Tree Bar & Grill.
There’s free live music at the Garrison Night Market and the ReCap Night Market during the summer months as well, with different artists playing every time.
Local band Crosscut (Blues/Swing/Rock’n’Roll) and Klarka (Pop/Garage Rock from Sackville) playing at the ReCap Night Market.
Fredericton’s major music festival is Harvest Music Festival in September. It’s the largest music festival in the Maritimes, with 400+ musicians (both domestic and international) playing on 27 stages across six days! From Blues, Jazz, Funk, Pop, to Rock, there’s something for everyone!
Our favourite venue is The Broken Record Bar & Music Room (422 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1B6)! They host mostly local and domestic live bands several times a week, from Punk, Metal, Grunge, to Pop and Hip Hop music. Also, this is a great place to go if you like karaoke and open mic nights!
They also organize the Punkocalypse Festival in June and the Metalodon Fest in October!
Another awesome spot for live music (and a pint of Guinness!) is O’Hickey’s Irish Pub(514 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1B9)! You can sit inside or outside on their patio. Besides, they show football and rugby games, and the Irish decorations (e.g. flags and license plates) are just great!
O’Hickey’s Irish Pub from the outside and Teenage Bottlerocket playing at the Punkocalypse Festival in 2023!
Check Out the Craft Beer Scene & The Taproom Trail
Fredericton is the perfect place for craft beer lovers. In fact, it has the most taprooms per capita in Canada, with one taproom per 5,400 people. So it’s no surprise that Fredericton is known as Atlantic Canada’s Craft Beer Capital! There are plenty of local distilleries, breweries and cideries all over the city.
One special thing about the craft beer culture is the Fredericton Taproom Trail. Beer and cider enthusiasts can pick up a passport-style map from either of the 11 taprooms, and will get a stamp for each taproom that they had a drink at!
Once you collected 8 stamps, you’ll get a tap trail t-shirt, and for all 11 stamps, you’ll be entered into a craftcation getaway contest by Fredericton Tourism!
We tried a few local ciders and craft beers from Graystone Brewing (221 King St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1E1) and Gahan House (426 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1B6), and they were very tasty!
Left: Cider and craft beer from Graystone Brewing. Right: Cider selection by York County Cider (Photo Credit: Fredericton Tourism).
Try Out some Local Restaurants
Before you’re partying the night away in Fredericton, it’s a good idea to put some food into your tummy! Similar to other Canadian cities, Fredericton is very multicultural, which shows in the variety of restaurants to choose from. Here are some of my favourites:
J’s Asian Kitchen is perfect if you’re craving Asian food and they have two locations in Fredericton. Their menu features amazing Thai, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese dishes, e.g. Okonomiyaki, Chow Mein, sushi, Pad Thai, Vermicelli noodles, and Bibimbap.
Pad Thai and Veggie Inari Sushi Rolls. 😛
Although Fredericton is a smaller city, there’s a good selection of vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants! The best one, in my opinion, is The Abbey Café & Gallery (546 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1B9). You can choose from their Lentil meatball panini, Seitan Gyros wrap, Coconut Curry, Caesar Salad, and more!
Another bonus are the yummy desserts and rotating art pieces displayed all over the walls.
Seitan Gyros Wrap and some of the paintings at The Abbey Café & Gallery.
Only a few minutes of a walk away, you’ll find Cinnamon Café(469 King St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1E5). This family-owned restaurant is happy to serve vegan food with a Persian/Arabic twist!
A few examples are the Falafel Platter, Tabbouleh Salad, Shawarma Wrap, Lentil Rice, and Gheymeh Stew. Their vegan cakes are supposed to be amazing, and I loved the unique décor inside the restaurant!
Shawarma Wrap and awesome décor inside Cinnamon Café.
Isaac’s Way(649 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1C3) is a great choice for (mostly) North American comfort food! Everything is made from scratch, and customers appreciate sitting on the outside patio when it’s warm out!
They serve Maritime Seafood Chowder, Philly Sandwich, Chickpea Burger (vegan), Lamb Burger, Fish’n’Chips, Smoked Tofu Carbonara, and more! Lastly, there are lots of rotating artworks displayed on their walls as well!
Haddock Fish’n’Chips and Chickpea Crunch Burger.
Fredericton also has plenty of cool locally owned coffee shops! We liked Mill Town Roasters(461 King St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1E5) and Coffee and Friends (415 King St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1E5). Be sure to try their smoothies and sandwiches!
While not a “real” coffee shop, Tobe Milk Tea (608 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1C2) offers the best cold tea and coffee options (e.g. Matcha, Oolong, Iced Cloud Coffee, and fruit sodas) in the city.
Snuggle with Kitties at the Purrfect Cup – A Cat Café
Although many of Fredericton’s attractions are within or close to the downtown area, there’s a unique one in the north of the city: The Purrfect Cup – A Cat Café(580 Two Nations Crossing, Unit 9 Fredericton, NB E3A 0X9)! It was opened in 2018 and is the first cat café of the Maritimes.
They offer locally made coffee, tea, and pastries, but of course, the main attraction are the adorable kitties in the separate Cat Lounge! They are rescues from all over New Brunswick and they look forward to meeting their new human friends who’ll hopefully adopt them!
Besides, you can buy some kitty-themed goodies (like earrings and cat toys) and join one of their regular events! For example, they have Yoga with Kitties, Baby Mornings, and Gift Wrapping. There are also games, books, a table, and comfy chairs and couches to sit inside the Cat Lounge.
The Cat Lounge can get very busy, so it’s recommended to make a reservation through their website. From downtown, take bus #14N, that takes only 11 minutes (or seven minutes by car) to the Purrfect Cup.
Walk Around The Old Burial Ground
If you need some peace and quiet after touring Fredericton’s downtown district, walk around The Old Burial Ground (500 Brunswick Street, Fredericton NB, E3B 1H5) for a bit. This is the final resting place of many of the Loyalist families who founded the City of Fredericton and New Brunswick.
The province’s first clergy, judges, and government workers are buried here, too. The oldest graves are from 1787, so it’s one of the most historically significant cemeteries in New Brunswick.
Browse Through some Independent Shops
When you walk around downtown Fredericton, there are quite a few cool independent shops to visit.
For example, Westminster Books(88 York St, Fredericton, NB E3B 3N5) has an awesome selection of all kinds of books! They’ve been around for more than 40 years and the store has a cozy vibe, which encourages customers to hang out for a while!
BackTrails by The Radical Edge(386 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 3L4) is perfect if you’re looking for outdoor clothes and equipment (e.g. backpacks, camping gear, hiking shoes, and canoes)!
Rocker Chic Boutique (59 York St, Fredericton, NB E3B 3N4) is the best place to go for alternative clothing! Whether your inner rebel desires Goth, Glam Rock, Punk, or Rockabilly clothes, you’ll find what you’re looking for here! They also have band shirts in all sizes!
You can find a list of all downtown Fredericton shops here.
Please keep in mind that most of these shops are closed on Sundays.
Look at Fredericton’s Street Art
As an artsy city, it’s not surprising that there’s lots of cool street art in Fredericton!
I stumbled upon these while walking around downtown.
Visit a Local Festival
Fredericton is proud to host tons of events and festivals throughout the year! Here are just a few coming up this summer:
The Fredericton Pride Week from July 12-21, 2024. During this period, you can visit the Pride parade, drag shows, flag raisings, nature walks, and so much more! Check out Fredericton Pride’s Facebook page for more details.
Celebrate Scottish and Celtic heritage at The New Brunswick Highland GamesFestival from July 26-28, 2024. This event takes place at the historic Government house grounds. There will be music, piping and drumming, highland dances, traditional Scottish athletics, and more!
The Trail Folk Music Festival from August 16-18, 2024. If you like nature activities and folk music, don’t miss this festival in Minto, only 40 minutes from Fredericton.
Here are a few festivals I visited during my time in Fredericton:
The Sitansisk (St. Mary’s First Nation) Annual Powwow(510 Union Street, Fredericton, NB E3A 3N2) happens on two days in June. The best part are the many dances by indigenous performers, and everyone is welcome to join! There are also booths with Native clothing, arts and crafts, and food trucks.
Animaritime is the premier anime convention in the Maritimes. It occurs in June as well at the Fredericton Convention Centre (670 Queen St, Fredericton, NB E3B 1C2). For three days, anime fans and cosplayers can play video games, buy anime and cosplay merch, and meet famous cosplayers.
The Sitansisk Annual Powwow and the Fredericton Pride Parade. Both photo credit of Fredericton Tourism.
Stay at a Historic Bed & Breakfast
By now, you may be wondering what’s the best place to stay in town? If you’re looking for a historic accommodation with genuine maritime hospitality, I recommend the Carriage House Inn(230 University Ave, Fredericton, NB E3B 4H7).
It’s only minutes from downtown, the Bill Thorpe Pedestrian Bridge, The Green, and other attractions. Besides, it’s Fredericton’s largest bed and breakfast.
This Victorian house was completed in 1875, and Harry Beckwick, Fredericton’s Mayor, lived here with his family in the late 1800s! Some original doors, a staircase, and flooring throughout the home are still used for today’s guests.
They have a nice selection of cozy and historic rooms. The hostesses, Emily and Angie, go above and beyond to make guests feel right at home! The house is in a quiet neighbourhood, so it’s perfect to relax after a long day of exploring Fredericton.
Many guests have been raving about their homemade blueberry banana pancakes for breakfast, which are served in their elegant dining room, so don’t forget to try them!
One of the bedrooms and the impressive dining room!
Conclusion
Whichever time of year you decide to visit Fredericton, there’s always something fun going on! It’s a great place to visit with friends, family, as a couple, or solo traveler. I hope this detailed guide of The 16 Best Things to Do in Fredericton gave you lots of inspiration, no matter what the weather does! I recommend spending at least two or three days in Fredericton.
Even though it’s smaller than Toronto, Halifax, or Montreal, Fredericton doesn’t need to hide at all. Instead of high skyscrapers, you’ll find Victorian buildings and many tree-lined streets, which is much better! There are daily flights from Fredericton International Airport to Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal.
Thanks to the many university and college students living here, Fredericton has quite a young and fresh vibe. It’s also known for its small town feel and cleanliness, and the locals are very down to earth. Besides, Fredericton is one of the safest cities in Canada and the Atlantic Ocean is only a few hours away!
It’s quite easy to get around the city by car and local buses go pretty much everywhere.Maritime Bus goes daily to Saint John and Moncton as well.
I had a blast during my time in Fredericton! My favourite things to do are Odell Park, the Bill Thorpe Pedestrian Bridge, Killarney Lake Park, Garrison Night Market, and hanging with the cats at the Purrfect Cup!
If you have any insider tips, feel free to share them in the comments. Cheers 😀
Spending time in the Maritimes for a bit longer? Then check out these posts:
Mount Koya (Koyasan) is a remote temple town in the Wakayama prefecture on the Honshu island. In 805 AD, the monk Kobo Daishi(Kukai) first brought Shingon Buddhism to Japan. Kobo Daishi built the first temple in 826 AD in Mount Koya. Soon after it became the centre of Shingon Buddhism and Japan’s most sacred town.
Mount Koya is one of the three sacred sites of the Kii Mountain Range and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004. Many pilgrims and tourists have visited Mount Koya for enlightenment and spirituality over time, and most have stayed in Buddhist temple lodging facilities (shukubo). Today, there are more than 100 temples in town, and about half of them offer authentic temple accommodations.
Want to learn more about Buddhism in Japan? Then staying at Fukuchiin Temple(657 Koyasan, Koya, Ito District, Wakayama 648-0211, Japan) is a great idea! From stunning artwork and antiques, relaxing onsen facilities, to Buddhist workshops and morning prayer sessions, there’s plenty of cool things to experience!
Disclosure: I only recommend products that I’ve used in the past, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of the links throughout the page to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
Staying at Fukuchiin Temple
A Short History of Fukuchiin Temple
Fukuchiin Temple is right in the heart of Mount Koya, and was founded by Kakuin Ajari in the 12th century. The main reason for opening the temple was to worship Aizen Myo-o, a Buddhist deity who has the power to make all wishes and desires come true.
Rooms and Amenities
Fukuchiin Temple offers 60 Japanese-style rooms on three floors for up to 250 guests. All rooms have tatami floors, futon bed(s), free Wi-Fi, air conditioning/heating, seating area, a yukata (Japanese-style bathrobe), and towel.
Some also have a TV and private Western-style toilet, and a nice garden view.
My room at Fukuchiin Temple. During the day, the futon bed is hidden in the closet. 😉
Apart from rooms, it’s possible to rent meeting rooms and conference rooms at Fukuchiin Temple as well.
Artwork, Antiques, and Onsen Facilities
As you wander around the temple hallways, take some time to admire the antiques from the Nara period (710-784 AD), calligraphy writings, and wall paintings. My favourite artwork is the colourful tiger painting! There are a few cozy sitting areas as well.
Fukuchiin Temple is proud to offer the only natural hot springs in Mount Koya. You can relax in their open air rock bath, indoor bath, family bath, or sauna. All are separated for men and women, but tattoos are not allowed. You can find more details on their onsen facilities here.
Open air rock bath. Photo credit: Fukuchiin Temple.
Sutra Copying Workshop and Morning Prayer Session
For an even more authentic experience, overnight guests at Fukuchiin Temple are encouraged to join several Buddhist workshops and sessions.
For example, you can participate in a Sutra Copying workshop in the evening. After cleansing their hands with incense powder, every guest kneels down in front of a table. Then a monk gives you a paper with Japanese characters on it, and you’ll copy them with a very thin ink brush.
Besides, everyone needs to write down a wish on their paper. This meditation technique started in the Heian period (794-1185 AD) and you get a Buddhist bead bracelet, too! Guests are not allowed to drink alcohol before the workshop, as this takes a lot of focus.
Sutra Copying Workshop (photo credit: Fukuchiin Temple) and the bead bracelet I got!
Every morning at 6 am, guests are welcome to join the Morning Prayer session with the monks who live and work at the temple. It was very moving to listen to them chanting songs and all the Buddhist treasures inside the room were super impressive!
In the end, both the monks and visitors said a prayer and bowed afterwards. What an amazing experience!
Photo credit: Fukuchiin Temple.
Shojin ryoki cuisine at Fukuchiin Temple
As a Buddhist monk, it’s common to eat shojin ryori(monk’s diet) vegetarian meals. So at Fukuchiin Temple, you can book this kind of breakfast and/or dinner in advance, for an extra cost.
Guests sit in several traditional Japanese-style dining rooms and wall separators are put up between groups for privacy. The kitchen uses local specialties, such as koya-dofu (frozen-dried tofu) and Kinzanji wasabi, and fresh seasonal vegetables, with miso soup, rice, and green tea.
The dishes at Fukuchiin Temple are made from scratch and change every month. Unfortunately, the kitchen is unable to accommodate food allergies or dietary needs.
Breakfast meal at Fukuchiin Temple.
Temple Garden Areas
Fukuchiin Temple has three beautiful gardens: The Rock Garden (“Lotus Garden”), Aizen Garden, and Tosen Garden and the last one has a pond as well. All of these were designed by the Japanese landscape architect MireiShigemori.
The gardens are famous for their powerful stonework and moss plants and guests are welcome to walk around and relax here during their stay.
Coffee Corner, Gift Shop, and Directions to Fukuchiin Temple
Only a few steps from the breakfast rooms you can drink a cup of coffee or tea in the cozy Coffee Corner room! There are some books and magazines, too. What a perfect spot to sit and relax, especially during the colder months!
Fukuchiin Temple has a small gift shop as well, which is open during limited hours of the day.
After arriving at Koyasan Station by cable car, it’s pretty easy to get to Fukuchiin Temple. Just hop on a local bus going to “Okunoin” or “Daimon”, and exit at the 4th stop, “Koya Keisatsu-mae”. The temple is on the right side, about 30 meters back from the direction of the bus.
My Opinion on Staying at Fukuchiin Temple
As you can probably tell by now, staying at Fukuchiin Temple is quite a special experience!
When you first enter the temple, you need to leave your shoes in the reception area, and put on slippers. Next, the English-speaking receptionists are happy to guide you about your stay. Please note that there’s a curfew at 9 pm, so be sure to be back at the temple by then.
The temple hallway near the reception area.
Before Mount Koya, I was in Kyoto, and staying at Fukuchiin Temple was a great way to recover from the big city! It was quiet and calm, just as you’d imagine a Buddhist temple to be. So it’s perfect to relax, meditate, cleanse your body, and see what the simple life of a Buddhist monk is like!
My room was very clean and spacious, and I was grateful for the heater, lol! The Sutra Copying workshop and Morning Prayer session were perfect to learn about Buddhism in Japan and about a monk’s daily lifestyle inside the temple. The food at breakfast was delicious as well! 😛
So even though the nightly rate is quite high, I highly recommend trying this kind of accommodation at least once in a lifetime!
Fukuchiin Temple is open year-round. Staying here is very popular, so it’s best to book this accommodation weeks or even months before your trip to Japan starts.
Fukuchiin Temple from the outside.
Mount Koya Okunoin Cemetery
The next morning, I wandered around Mount Koya’s town centre for a bit. After a while, I crossed Ichinohashi Bridge over the Odogawa river, which is the entrance to Okunoin Cemetery(132 Koyasan, Koya-cho, Ito-gun, Wakayama, 648-0211, Japan).
It’s inside an ancient cedar forest grove and with more than 200,000 tombstones, is Japan’s largest cemetery.
Some important historical figures are buried here. Examples are the Tokugawa family (who ruled Japan during the Edo period) and the Toyotomi family (who ruled the country before the Edo period).
You’ll also find many Jizo statues (the Buddhist deity that protects children and travelers) along the 2 kilometer (1.24 mile) long walkway.
At the end of the pathway is Mount Koya’s biggest attraction: Okunoin Temple that is home to Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum. Thanks to his high significance in Japanese religion, this is one of Japan’s most sacred places and a popular spot for pilgrims.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to go all the way, but I felt so calm during my walk around Okunoin Cemetery! In my opinion, all the graves surrounded by the old cedar trees contribute to the serene and mystical (even almost magical) atmosphere of this place. It’s also perfect for some shirin-yoku (forest bathing)!
Okunoin Cemetery is open during the day and nighttime, and you can book a guided night walk at 7 pm each day (in English), that takes about 1.5 hours.
Other Things to Do in Mount Koya
Here are few more things to do in Mount Koya if you have time:
Kongobujiis the most important temple of Shingon Buddhism in Japan. It was built in 1593 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and you can visit its rooms that have cranes and flower blossoms on the walls. Admission to enter Kongobuji Temple is ¥ 1,000.
Behind Kongobuji is Banryutei Rock Garden, Japan’s biggest rock garden, which has been around since 1984. It has more than 100 large granite stones.
The Daimon Gate is the gateway to Mount Koya. It’s a multistoried tower gate at 25.1 meters (82.3 ft) high and was rebuilt in 1705, after the original gate was destroyed by fire and lightning.
Mount Koya also has some great hiking trails for all abilities. For example, the Kohechi Trail from Mount Koya to the Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine is a part of the famous Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage route. It’s a rugged and steep hike though and is about 70 km (43 miles) long!
If you don’t feel super adventurous, Mount Koya also has some nice souvenir shops in the downtown area! 😀
Where to Eat & Drink in Mount Koya
If you’re not eating dinner at Fukuchiin Temple, Hanabishi Restaurant(769 Koyasan, Ito Gun Koya Cho, Wakayama, 648-0211, Japan) is a great choice! They offer Kaiseki cuisine (traditional Japanese multicourse dinner), sushi and bento box dishes, and shojin ryori (vegetarian).
I had the Sanko Zen Buddhist Vegetarian Meal, that consists of fried eggplant covered in bean paste, sesame tofu, cooked veggies, enokidake mushrooms, and more! While the price was a bit high, it was more than worth it, especially the eggplant was super tasty!
Please note that many restaurants in Mount Koya close by 5 or 6 pm. Besides, I was surprised to not see any konbini (convenience stores), but you can find some vending machines around town. 😉
How to Get To and Around Mount Koya on Public Transit
The closest big city is Osaka, which is about 2 hours north of Mount Koya. The most direct train option is to hop on the Nankai Limited Express in Shin-Imamiya Station to Gokurakubashi Station. Then transfer to the Nankai Koyasan Cable Car train to Koyasan Station, and local buses are ready to take you around town from there!
If you’re in Koyasan for two consecutive days, it makes sense to buy the Koyasan World Heritage Ticket. It includes roundtrip transportation from Namba or Shin-Imamiya Station to Mount Koya, unlimited local bus travel, and discounted admission to certain tourist attractions. The rate starts at ¥ 3,140 per person.
Konnichiwa! Today we’re spending One Day in Takayama, a city in the Northern Japanese Alps in the Hida region. Takayama’s official name is Hida-Takayama to avoid confusion between places in Japan with the same name. Thanks to its remote location in the mountains, Takayama wasn’t affected by war attacks, fires, or other catastrophes in the past. This is why it’s one of Japan’s most preserved historic cities.
Besides, back in the Edo period (1603-1867), Takayama was famous for its high quality timber, woodworking, and skilled carpenters. So it became a very wealthy merchant town. Even today, Hida lumber, woodcrafts, and furniture from the Takayama area are popular across Japan.
There are lots of options on How to Spend One day in Takayama, from visiting its Old Town District, Temple Town, morning markets, Nakabashi Bridge, to unique lodging and restaurants. Hajimemashou! (Let’s get started!) 😀
Disclosure: I only recommend products that I’ve used in the past, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of the links throughout the page to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
The Best Things to Do and See in Takayama
The Old Town District
Let’s start with Takayama’s top attraction, which means walking around and admiring the well-preserved houses and streets from the Edo period inside the Old Town District. Some of the oldest houses in this neighbourhood were built back in the 17th century!
The main streets covering the Old Town District are Ninomachi Street, Sanmachi Street, Ichinomachi Street, and Sannomachi Street. There are many old homes, shops, cafés, museums, and sake breweries (you can participate in sake tastings as well). Some have been in business for centuries!
Some of the old merchant houses are open to the public and you can find lots of unique souvenirs, arts and crafts, and woodcrafts inside the shops. What a great way to support the local economy!
The Old Town District is only 10 minutes of a walk from Takayama Station, and there are local buses as well. Or you can book a rickshaw ride, i.e. a person will pull you while you sit and relax inside a carriage! The cost is ¥4,000 for 20 minutes.
Not too far away is the Miyagawa Morning Market (33 Suehiromachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0016, Japan), which happens daily from 7 am to 12 pm (8 am to noon from November to March). Local vendors sell fresh fruit and veggies, flowers, and handmade souvenirs, and there are also regular stores next to the road.
This is a great opportunity to meet friendly locals and the market is right next to the banks of the stunning turquoise Miyagawa River, which is a nice spot to sit for a while after your shopping is done!
Jinya-Mae Morning Market
The other daily morning market in Takayama is Jinya-Mae Morning Market (1-5 Hachikenmachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0012, Japan), open from 7 am to noon (8 am to noon in the winter months) in front of Takayama Jinya. The vendors sell fresh produce, snacks, and souvenirs.
Neko no Tsuki Sakurayama Cat Café
If you’re a cat lover, visiting the Neko no Tsuki Sakurayama Cat Café(1-4-2, Oshinmachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0851) is a must! This cozy and inviting café is inside a traditional Japanese townhouse that has been a part of the city for 130 years.
The Neko no Tsuki Sakurayama Cat Café intends to find a loving home for stray cats in Takayama and encourages locals and tourists to spend some quality time with cats! The spacious cat area of the café has two floors and the second level looks like a Japanese house.
It’s obvious that the cats feel very comfortable here, because they have plenty of hiding and sleeping spots, tasty food, and get cuddles every day! The staff is very friendly, too, and I love the design of this place, especially the dark brown wooden outside building and floors.
For 30 minutes of kitty time, the cost is ¥ 700, and feel free to buy some treats as well (for an extra ¥ 100)! The Neko no Tsuki Sakurayama Cat Café is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm (last entry is at 4:30 pm).
You can find the separate café sitting area on the right side of the building, which is equipped with Hida wood furniture and the coffee mugs were designed by artists from the Hida region!
The café sitting area and the Neko no Tsuki Sakurayama Cat Café from the outside.
Temple Town
Next, we’ll wander around the Teramachi district, better known as Takayama’s Temple Town! Here more than 10 temples and shrines are standing next to each other. So it’s a great chance to see them all in a short time.
It’s in a quieter area and while they are rather small, the temples and shrines are all very well taken care of. First, I walked by the Myokanzan Eikyoin Temple(1-6-4 Wakatatsumachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0854, Japan), and the pathway to Higashiyama Hakusan Shrine (1-74 Wakatatsumachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0854, Japan). It was built in 720 AD, which makes it the oldest shrine in Takayama.
Left: Myokanzan Eikyoin Temple. Right: Torii gate leading the path to Higashiyama Hakusan Shrine.
Then I stopped at Daio-ji Temple(67 Atagomachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0855, Japan) with its Buddhist statue, Zen garden, and Shoro (bell tower) that was built in 1689. It’s the oldest bell tower in the Gifu prefecture.
Then look at Gohozan Dounin Temple (64 Atagomachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0855, Japan), built by the priest Senso in 1614. It’s famous for its Jizo statues and Koryuzan Sogen-ji Temple (39 Tenshojimachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0832, Japan). The main hall of the latter temple has a hipper copper roof and has an impressive bell tower as well.
Left: Entrance to Koryuzan Sogen-ji Temple. Right: The bell tower within the Koryuzan Sogen-ji Temple complex.
If you’d like to stay at a Buddhist temple for a night, this is possible at Tensho-ji Temple Youth Hostel(83 Tenshoji-cho, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0832, Japan). It was built in the 12th century.
Nakabashi Bridge
Another one of Takayama’s iconic landmarks is Nakabashi Bridge (4-9 Kawaharamachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0847, Japan). This crimson bridge overlooks the Miyagawa River and is a part of the 1 Chome Hon-machi and Kamisannomachi neighborhoods.
Nakabashi Bridge is a popular photo destination, in particular during the cherry blossom season. This offers a great mix of colours (i.e. the pink/white flowers and the crimson bridge colour). Moreover, the bridge is lit up in different colours at night during busy tourism periods every year.
Watch Out for Sarubobo Dolls
While you’re browsing through Takayama’s souvenir stores (or just walking around the streets), it’s very likely that you’ll see one special item: Sarubobo Dolls! These cute-looking lucky charms are typical for the Hida region and the translation for sarubobo is “monkey baby”.
Many mothers give it to their daughters for a happy marriage, good fertility, and a child birth that’s as easy and smooth as possible. You can also buy Sarubobo dolls in different colours with a different meaning (e.g. green for peace and health and black for protection from evil), but the red one is the most common. What a unique souvenir to take back home!
A cute Sarubobo statue I stumbled upon while walking around Takayama!
Other Things to To Do in Takayama
So as you can see, there are tons of fun things to do in Takayama in a day! But if you’d like to explore more attractions in or close to the city, I suggest staying for at least two days.
Here are some other things to do and see that sound amazing:
Takayama Festival happens in April and October, and is in the Top 3 of Japan’s most beautiful festivals. The main attraction are the stunningly decorated yatai (festival floats). If you’re in Takayama outside of this timeframe, you can see the floats at the Takayama Festival Float Exhibition Hall.
The Takayama Jinya was the local government office until the end of the Edo period in 1868. The building still stands today as a museum for visitors. You can look at the offices and conference rooms and next to the main building is the largest traditional rice storehouse in Japan.
Shiragawago is a remote village in the Shogawa River Valley, only an hour from Takayama by bus. It’s famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses in the Ogimachi district, and some of them are more than 250 years old! Shiragawago was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
If you don’t have time to visit Shiragawago, stop at the Hida No Sato(Hida Folk Village) instead. This open air museum has more than 30 traditional buildings from the Hida region. They were built during the Edo period and it’s only a 30-minute walk or 10-minute bus ride from Takayama.
To learn more about these attractions, check out this YouTube video by Japan Guide:
Top 5 Things to do in Takayama | japan-guide.com
Where to Stay in Takayama
Takayama has plenty of lodging options to offer. You can choose between hostels, guesthouses, apartments, B&B’s, ryokans (traditional Japanese inns), and Western-style hotels.
I stayed at the Takayama Ninja House(1-31-2 Wakatatsumachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0854, Japan), a small traditional Japanese guesthouse just a few minutes from the Old Town District. I booked a Japanese-style single room with tatami mat flooring and a very comfy futon bed.
Bathrooms are shared and you can enjoy free coffee and Japanese tea at the reception. Besides, there’s a public bath house (onsen) only 5 minutes from the property.
Octavio, the owner, was always happy to chat, which made me feel at home right away! He also had great suggestions on things to do in and around Takayama. Moreover, he prepared a small breakfast in the morning (green tea, toast, and jam), which was very good!
He offers a free shuttle service (must be reserved in advance), and private parking is possible on site).
Where to Eat & Drink in Takayama
While Takayama is a smaller city, there’s a big selection of restaurants to choose from.
First, I tried a local specialty of the Hida region, which is soba noodles! I had Fried Soba Noodles with an egg on top for lunch at Bokunchi Café(5-6 Shimosannomachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0841, Japan) and it was super tasty! It’s really close to the Miyagawa Morning Market as well.
For dinner, Octavio suggested that I eat at the Royal Nan House (6-18 Hanasatomachi, Takayama, Gifu, 506-0026, Japan), a local Indian restaurant. I’m so glad I listened to his advice, because the Chana Masala with Garlic Naan bread and Mango Lassi were amazing!
But there was a local specialty I couldn’t try, which is Hida gyu (Hida beef). If you eat meat, it’s supposed to be one of the best! Fortunately, Brandon mentions the best Hida beef dishes and where to find them in his Takayama Travel Guide, so feel free to check it out!
How to Get To and Around Takayama via Public Transit
It’s pretty easy to get from/to Takayama to other places in Japan via train and bus.
The closest big city is Nagoya, which is a 140-minute train ride via the JR Hida Limited Express to Takayama. If you have the Japan Rail Pass, the cost is fully covered.
From Tokyo, take the JR Tokaido Hikari Shinkansen to Nagoya, then transfer to the Hida Limited Express train (about 4.5 hours). Please note that the Tokaido Nozomi Shinkansen train to Nagoya is not covered by the JR Pass.
From Kyoto or Osaka, hop on the JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Tokyo, then transfer to the Hida Limited Express train in Nagoya (3 to 4 hours).
I took the Hida Limited Express from Nagoya to Takayama, and man, the scenery was so beautiful! <3
Or you can take the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen train from Tokyo to Toyama, then transfer to the Hida Limited Express train to Takayama (about 4 hours).
You can also book a daytime highway bus from Tokyo (Busta Shinjuku) to Takayama (5.5 hours), and there’s an overnight bus available as well on certain dates.
JR Takayama train station is right next to the Takayama Hida Bus Centre, and local buses from/to the city centre run on a regular basis. There’s also the Sarubobo tourist bus to Hida no Sato, that goes every 30 minutes.
The closest airport is Toyama Kitokito Airport, which is 57 km/35 miles north of Takayama. It offers domestic flights to Tokyo Haneda Airport and Sapporo and international flights to Shanghai, Seoul, and Taipei.
The Best Time to Visit Takayama
Takayama sees the nicest weather of the year in the spring (April/May) and fall (October/November). While summers get hot, it’s colder than in big cities in the evenings.
Takayama can get pretty cold and snowy in the winter months, with one meter (3.2 feet) or more per month of snow piled up! The average low temperature in January and February is -5 C or 34 F.
Mid-June to mid-July is the rainy season, but it doesn’t rain every day, so it’s a nice time to visit as well. So just bring a rain jacket and/or umbrella just in case, and you’re good! 😀
As you can see, Takayama is an awesome place to visit, no matter what time of the year it is!
Moreover, I like that Takayama is not as busy as Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka, but it offers a great Japanese small-town vibe, and a chance to experience the “real” Japan in a rural area!
If you’ve been to Takayama and have any insider tips, feel free to share them in the comment section! Cheers 😀
Here are a few of my other Japan blog posts for you to check out:
Tokyo is Japan’s capital and largest city. With 37.2 million inhabitants in the metro Tokyo area, it’s also the most populous area in the world! Tokyo was originally a fishing village called Edo and has only been the capital since 1868.
Tokyo sits on the Honshu island in the east of Japan and is the country’s economic and business hub. For many international travelers, Tokyo is the gateway to their Japan trip.
So here’s the Ultimate Guide on How to Spend Four Days in Tokyo, Japan!
Disclosure: I only recommend products that I’ve used in the past, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of the links throughout the page to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks.
The Best Things to See and Do in Tokyo
Onoterusaki Shrine
Onoterusaki Shrine(2-13-14 Shitaya, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-0004, Japan). This beautiful and calm Shinto shrine is in Tokyo’s Taito district. It was founded in 852 AD to honour the scholar, calligrapher, and poet Ono-no-Takamura from the Heian period (794-1185 AD).
He is the guardian of actors and others in the entertainment industry. That’s why many scholars and entertainers come here to pray for their success.
Onoterusaki Shrine has one main shrine as well as seven sub-shrines and 14 kami (gods or the spirits of the dead) are enshrined here. Among them is Tenjin (845-903 AD), the God of Learning.
The main shrine building and one of the sub-shrines.
Another unique attraction inside the shrine complex is the Fujizuka, a miniature version of Mount Fuji! Back in 1828, stones from Mount Fuji were brought here to build the 5 meters (16 ft) high mountain.
This place is closed off by a gate guarded by stone monkeys, and is only open to the public for climbing on July 1.
In general, Mount Fuji is a sacred spot in Japanese culture, as many people believe that it is a god or that god lives inside this majestic mountain.
The gate to protect the Fujizuka, with the partial mountain in the background.
Many people wash their hands and mouth at the purification fountain by the entrance before praying.
You can also buy lucky charms from one of the friendly shrine maidens (miko) who work at the shrine. There’s no admission cost to visit Onoterusaki Shrine and it’s open 24/7.
A lucky charm that I bought at Onoterusaki Shrine. It translates to “Arts Improvement Charm”. People hope that will help them to improve in school subjects or hobbies or to achieve their artistic dreams.
If it’s your first time in Japan, I recommend familiarizing yourself with common Shinto shrine and Buddhist temple etiquettes before visiting. Please find more details here.
Tokyo Tower
Next, check out one of Tokyo’s major landmarks: Tokyo Tower (4 Chome-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato, Tokyo, 105-0011, Japan)! It’s a radio and observation tower that was inspired by the Eiffel Tower, and at 333 m (1,092 ft), is Japan’s second highest structure.
Tokyo Tower was completed in 1958 and is a symbol for Japan’s rebirth after the end of World War II. Visitors can go up to the Main Observation Deck (150 m/490 ft) or the Top Deck (250 m/819 ft) to enjoy an amazing view of the city.
At nighttime, the tower lights up in different colours, and there are plenty of events as well.
I took the elevator up to the Main Observation Deck and I loved that with all the skyscrapers, there are green spaces as well! Another cool attraction is the Great Shinto Shrine, and praying in front of it is supposed to protect the visitors, broadcasters, and others involved with the tower.
Many people have bought a wooden plaque at the souvenir shop next door, on which they’ve written a wish or a prayer, then have hung it next to the shrine.
Tokyo Tower view during the daytime and the Great Shinto Shrine.
Tokyo Tower is open year round. The Main Observation Deck is open 9 am to 10:30 pm, and the Top Deck is open from 9 am to 10:15 pm. Adult admission is ¥1,200 for the first level and starts at ¥2,800 for the Top Deck Tour (includes a visit to the Main Deck).
Please note that the Top Deck will be closed from September 9th to October 4th, 2024 because of renovations. The Main Observation Deck will stay open.
Place No. 23 Park & The Ten Jizo
If you need to recharge after your visit to Tokyo Tower, go for a walk around the peaceful Place No. 23 Park (3 Chome-4 Shibakoen, Minato City, Tokyo, 105-0011, Japan) right across the street.
With all the beautiful trees standing here, be sure to watch out for the Ten Jizo! These little statues wearing red bibs represent Jizo, the guardian deity of the children and travelers in Japanese Buddhism.
Place No. 23 Park and the Ten Jizo.
Pokémon Centre Tokyo DX
But Tokyo, and Japan in general, is not just famous for its shrines, temples, and architecture, but also its pop culture (in particular anime, manga, and video games).
One example is Pokémon, of course! If you’re into that, buying some cool merch at the Pokémon Centre Tokyo DX(Nihombashi Takashimaya S.C. East Building 5F, 2-11-2 Nihombashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 103-0027, Japan) is a must!
When you first enter the store, Pikachu, Snorlax, and Mew are here to greet you, and the big screen showing new and old Pokémon video games took me right back to my childhood!
Pikachu, Snorlax, and Mew.
Both young and mature (lol) Pokémon fans get their money’s worth here, as there’s a great selection of goodies, from kawaii (cute) plushies, food, cutlery, stickers, stationary items, jewelry, clothing, to so much more!
The Pokémon game screen and cool stuff you can find at the Pokémon Centre Tokyo DX!
The Pokémon Centre DX is one of Tokyo’s six Pokémon Centre branches, and is open daily from 10:30 am to 9 pm. It is only a 5-minute walk from Tokyo Station’s Yaesu North Entrance.
Satisfy Your Inner Otaku (Geek) in Akihabara
To make your day of Japanese pop culture even more special, take the metro to Akihabara (often called Akiba), Tokyo’s neighbourhood of electronics stores and otaku (geek) culture.
It has a few chain electronic stores, like Sofmap, Laox, and Bic Camera, and some offer duty-free shopping to foreign tourists.
Other stores specialize in manga and anime collectibles, (retro) video games and consoles (like Super Potato), figurines, and card games.
Don’t miss Akiba’s Arcade Game Centres, where you can play any games (including claw machines) you like! Many of the machines accept ¥100 coins, and if you run out, just head to one of the coin exchange machines, and you’re good! 😀
My favourites are the UFO catcher machines and music games at TAITO Station (4 Chome 2-2, Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo, 101-0021, Japan)! It’s the largest Arcade Game Centre in the world with its five floors.
Moreover, you can visit one of the famous Maid cafés (where waitresses dress up as maids) or a Manga-Plus-Internet café (where basically, you can read manga, surf the internet, but also spend the night for cheap) in Akihabara.
You might see people dressed as cosplayers in this area as well. If you’d like to take a picture, make sure to ask for permission first.
Shibuya Crossing
For the next stop on our list, let’s take the metro to Shibuya Station, which is right across from Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya Crossing (Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0043, Japan).
Shibuya Crossing is the busiest pedestrian intersection in the world, with an average of 3,000 people crossing the street every two minutes! With these huge crowds, it’s natural to expect chaos. But instead, I felt very safe, and everything is done in an orderly and efficient manner.
The best way to experience Shibuya Crossing is to dive into the crowds first, then watch the people from a bird’s eye perspective. The Starbucks across from Shibuya Station and the MAGNET by Shibuya109rooftop deck on the 7th floor offer the best view.
Here’s a video I took of the crowds at Shibuya Crossing:
Many movies have been filmed at Shibuya Crossing, such as Lost in Translation and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. Besides, it’s famous for its Halloween Party and the New Year’s Eve countdown.
Visit the Hachiko Statue
Before heading back to the train station, take a quick stop at the Hachiko Statue (2-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0043, Japan). It honours Hachiko, a loyal Akita dog, who waited for his master, Professor Eizaburo Ueno of Tokyo University, every day at 3 pm in front of Shibuya Station.
Sadly, the professor suddenly died at work in 1925, but Hachiko kept waiting for him daily until his own death until about 10 years later.
Another cool attraction in central Tokyo is Ueno Park (Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo, 110-0007, Japan). First opened in 1873, it’s one of the five oldest public parks in Japan.
The park covers 54 hectares (133 acres) and is most famous for museums (e.g. Tokyo National Museum, National Science Museum, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum) and Ueno Zoo, Japan’s first zoological garden.
There are also more than 1,000 cherry trees, so many people celebrate hanami (cherry blossom season) here from late March to early April every year. Ueno Park is also a great picnic spot, and there are festivals and events on a regular basis.
Ueno Park map and some beautiful plants growing inside the park.
Originally, the park area was a part of Kaneiji Temple, one of the largest and wealthiest temples of the city, that belonged to the ruling Tokugawa clan during the Edo period. Unfortunately, this temple was almost completely destroyed during the Boshin War, which lasted from 1868 to 1869.
On May 15, 1868, the Battle of Ueno broke out in today’s Ueno Park. The Shogi-tai soldiers from the old Tokugawa government fought against the new imperial Meiji government. The Shogi-tai were defeated within only 10 hours. In 1874, the Ueno War Memorial was built to remember the Shogi-tai.
You can also look at the Saigo Takamori statue, who was one of the generals in the Battle of Ueno, and is often called the last true samurai in Japanese history.
The Ueno War Memorial and the Saigo Takamori statue.
Shinobazu Pond & Bentendo Temple Hall
After learning about these tragic past events, it’s a relief to stumble upon the peaceful Shinobazu Pond. It has many lotus flowers, that are in full bloom in July and August, and are a symbol for purity in Buddhism.
It also has a duck pond and a boat pond, and you can rent a paddle boat as well.
Next, take a look at the impressive Bentendo Temple Hall (2-1 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo, 110-0007, Japan), a Buddhist temple standing on an island inside Shinobazu Pond.
It was built in the early 17th century to honour Benten (also called Benzaiten), the goddess of good fortune, wealth, music and knowledge.
The temple hall was destroyed in 1945 due to bombings in World War II, but it was rebuilt in 1958. Fortunately, the sacred Benten statue survived this attack and is now shown in the Main Hall in the inside of the temple hall.
The front entrance to Bentendon Temple Hall.
Bentendo Temple Hall is open daily from 7 am to 5 pm and admission is free.
Gojoten Shrine
Then keep on walking until you reach Gojoten Shrine (4-17 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo, 110-0007, Japan). This less crowded but equally beautiful Shinto Shrine has been standing within Ueno Park since 1662.
Gojoten Shrine was built to honour the gods of medicine and healing. So people come here to pray for healing, but also students hoping for good exam results. I especially loved the tunnel of red torii gates and the serene vibe of this place.
Places of prayer inside the Gojoten Shrine complex.
The torii gate tunnel next to Gojoten Shrine.
The Sailor Moon Store
Last but not least, if “In the name of the moon, I will punish you!” are your favourite words, you cannot miss the Sailor Moon Store in Harajuku (1-11-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0001, Japan)!
It was opened in 2017 to celebrate Sailor Moon’s 25th anniversary and has a great selection, e.g. stationary items, posters, magnets, jewelry, key chains, cards, socks, and even a Sailor Moon costume! Some of them are exclusively available at the Sailor Moon Store, nowhere else.
One of the Sailor Moon Store windows and I found a cute greeting card!
The Sailor Moon Store is inside the Laforet department store and is open daily from 11 am to 8 pm.
Since Tokyo is such a huge city, it’s impossible to visit all of its amazing attractions in only four days. So feel free to look at Nomadic Matt’s list of The 30 Best Things To Do in Tokyo for more inspiration!
For the first three nights, I stayed at Toco Tokyo Heritage Hostel(2-13-21 Shitaya, Taito City, Tokyo, 110-0004, Japan). It is within a quiet residential area in East Tokyo, but only a few minutes away from Iriya Station and many attractions are nearby, like Akihabara and Ueno Park.
This wooden traditional Japanese house was built in 1920 and a place like this is hard to find in Tokyo these days. It also has a peaceful Zen garden with trees, koi fish pond, and stone lanterns.
I stayed in a very spacious 8-bed female dorm and the mattresses were super comfortable! There’s also a small work station with a view of the garden and they have private rooms as well.
Moreover, there’s a cozy bar/lounge area for guests and locals to use (your first drink of the night is free!), kitchen and eating area, and Japanese breakfast each morning (a vegetarian/vegan option is available).
Dorm bedroom (Photo credit: Toco Tokyo Heritage Hostel*) and the kitchen/eating area.
*This photo is not allowed to be used for commercial use.
One of the biggest perks of this hostel is its staff. Everyone is super kind and helpful and makes you feel right at home. For example, when I had to call a pharmacy, the receptionist was happy to translate between the pharmacist and me.
Here’s a video of the awesome vibe at this hostel (video credit: Toco Tokyo Heritage Hostel*):
Guesthouse toco. “The Beautiful Days”
*This video is not allowed to be used for commercial use.
Nomadic Matt also put the Toco Tokyo Heritage Hostel on his list of the 10 Best Hostels in Tokyo. Since this hostel is very popular, it’s best to book well in advance.
Akihabara Bay Hotel
Are you looking for a different, but just as authentic Japanese lodging experience? Then I highly recommend staying at a Capsule Hotel for a night!
Originally, this accommodation concept was invented for Japanese business men who missed the last train, and needed a comfortable but cheap accommodation for the night. But nowadays, capsule hotels are also available to women and foreign travelers!
I stayed at the Akihabara Bay Hotel (44-4 Kandaneribei-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0022, Japan), which is for women only and is just a few minutes of a walk from Akihabara Station.
Guests stay and sleep in a little capsule (pod), that consists of just a bed and some basic amenities (e.g. lights, Wi-Fi, bedding, plug ins, and alarm clock). Towels, toothbrushes, razors, slippers, and pajamas are provided for the night, too. And if you want privacy, just pull down the capsule door!
My capsule bed and the room I stayed in!
Guests only bring their most important things into their capsule and store their luggage in a separate locker room overnight. At the Akihabara Bay Hotel, there’s also a lounge in the basement, where you can eat meals, make phone calls, etc.
Many capsule hotels are found in larger Japanese cities and inside or near train stations, so they are very convenient! But most people come here to sleep only, so chatting with your roommates is not common.
Where to Eat & Drink in Tokyo
Since Tokyo is such a huge city, there are thousands of restaurants for every taste and budget.
Here are my favourites:
T’s TanTan Ecute(7 Chome 1-1 JR, Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo, 110-0005, Japan). This all vegan restaurant chain has several locations in Tokyo and I went to the one inside JR Ueno Station. While they are famous for their ramen noodles, they also serve soy hamburger meat, lasagna, pizza, and soup.
I ordered their White Sesame TanTan Ramen with rice and soy meat. So good!
Coco Ichibanya Curry House (Kanda Hirakawach 4, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0027, Japan). If you’d like to try Japanese curry, look no further! This chain restaurant is right across from Akihabara JR station, and you can choose between meat, seafood, and vegetarian curry. The prices are very budget-friendly, too.
I had the Vegetarian Curry with rice and soy hamburger meat. So yummy!
To get the full Pokémon experience in Tokyo, there’s no way to miss the awesome Pokémon Café, which is right next to the Pokémon Centre Tokyo DX!
Here you can enjoy a bunch of Pokémon-themed meals, drinks, and sweets, such as an omelet-shaped Pikachu, Pikachu Pancake, Gengar’s Confuse Ray Smoothie, and the Pokémon Café’s Very Chocolate Parfait (my choice)! Plus, your Pokémon friends are happy to join you 😀
But the best part is when Pikachu appears out of nowhere and starts its iconic singing and dancing! 😀
Moreover, you can buy some unique souvenirs here, like Pokémon-themed plates and soup spoons.
Please note that the Pokémon Café is super popular, so making reservations ahead of time is a must. Reservation days and times open up to 31 days in advance, and are often fully booked within 10-15 minutes! Please find more details on reserving spots here.
Tokyo also has many nice “normal” cafés, so make sure to check these out as well! For example, I ordered a red bean paste bun and Royal Milk Tea for breakfast at the MIYABI Café & Bakery (5 Chome 11-1, Toranomon, Minato City, Tokyo, 105-0001, Japan) on my way to Tokyo Tower.
Another great breakfast option is Vie de France Bakery & Café inside Akihabara Station, where they have Japanese and Western pastries and drinks. I had their Chocolate bread and red bean and sesame donut, and they were to die for!
Left: Red bean paste bun and Royal Milk Tea. Right: Chocolate Bread and red bean and sesame donut.
Many locals in Tokyo buy food and drinks at Convenience Stores (Lawson, Family Mart, and 7-Eleven are the most common) on a regular basis. They are cheap, have a good selection (also for vegans and vegetarians), and you can find them pretty much around every corner!
Convenience store dinner 😛
The same goes for Vending Machines, and many sell soft drinks and alcoholic drinks, but also food, like freshly made pizza and burgers!
Vending machines in Tokyo.
In general, I found eating out in Tokyo quite easy despite my limited Japanese language skills. Some customs are similar to North America, such as waiting to be seated and getting a free water with the meal. Besides, many restaurants have an English menu.
But some things are very different, so make sure to familiarize yourself with Japanese eating etiquette here.
It’s also good to know a few basic Japanese words and phrases and you can point at the dish you want to order as well. While many Japanese people don’t speak much English, the staff will always try their very best to help you. Please note that tipping doesn’t exist in Japanese culture.
Another cool thing in Japan is that some restaurants have artificial food displays outside, so you can see what it is! Or if worse comes to worst, Google Translate is a big help to communicate.
Artificial food display outside of a restaurant in Shibuya, Tokyo.
How to Get Around Tokyo
Once you get a hang of it, getting around Tokyo via public transportation is pretty easy. The signs inside train stations are in Japanese and English and I found Google Maps quite helpful in most cases.
For taking subways and trains within Tokyo, it’s a good idea to buy an IC card (Suica or Pasmo card) at one of the ticket machines. You can charge it with cash whenever your budget runs out. They can also be used to buy stuff at convenience stores or at vending machines!
Trains in Tokyo and the rest of the Japan are always on time, which is amazing! Besides, they are efficient, clean, and the train staff is always happy to help. In some areas of Tokyo, there are women-only cars during certain times of the day for more safety and security.
If you plan to visit more places in Japan after Tokyo, I recommend buying a Japan Rail Pass. Only foreign tourists are allowed to use it, and it’s valid for unlimited transit on most JR trains all over the country for 7, 14, or 21 days. Regional JR Passes are available for certain areas as well.
Like in other big cities, it’s not recommended to rent a car due to heavy traffic. Moreover, people drive on the left in Japan, so that might be a challenge if you’re not used to it. The same goes for taxis or rideshares, because they can get crazy expensive.
If you’d like to explore Tokyo with a local guide, Get Your Guide and Viator offer lots of walking and cycling tours. Of course, you can also walk around at your own pace or rent a bicycle. Tokyo is a very bike-friendly city, and many locals use this method of transportation as well.
One more thing: While walking around Tokyo, you should expect to get lost sooner or later. So it’s a good idea to plan some extra time if you have an “appointment” (e.g. a train departure time). And sometimes, you may find unique attractions that you otherwise could have missed! 😉
Three bicycles parked in front of a building in Tokyo. Photo by Clay Bankson Unsplash.
The Best Time to Visit Tokyo
Most tourists go to Tokyo in the spring (late March to early April) for the cherry blossom season or in October/November, when the leaves change their colours. So it gets pretty crowded, and accommodation prices will be higher or fully booked quickly.
Beautiful cherry blossoms in an alleyway in Tokyo at night. Photo by ayumi kuboon Unsplash.
I went to Tokyo in May, which is during the shoulder season, and it was perfect! It was nice and sunny, and the average temperature was 20 C (68 F). The rainy season is in June and it gets very hot and humid in July and August (26 C/78.8 F on average), so it’s not recommended to visit Tokyo then.
Mid to late April and September are supposed to be beautiful and warm months as well. But please note that typhoon season is from May to October and earthquakes occur sometimes, so it’s a highly recommended to purchase travel insurance. I used World Nomads for this trip.
Thankfully, Tokyo doesn’t get too cold in the winter, and there are way less tourists around. The coldest month is January (5 C/41 F on average), and if snow falls, it usually melts within a day or two.
It’s also a good idea to learn about Japanese holidays while planning your trip.
So that’s a wrap on How to Spend Four Fays in Tokyo, and arigato (thank you) for joining me! While it sounds cliché, it’s obvious that Tokyo offers a great mix of both traditional and modern attractions, and is an amazing city to get lost in.
First, I was excited but also a bit scared to visit Tokyo (let’s face it, almost all of Canada’s population lives in the metro Tokyo area)! But I had an awesome time exploring this city and my favourites were the Onoterusaki Shrine, Pokémon Café, and the Gojoten Shrine with its impressive torii gate tunnel!
Tokyo is one of the safest cities in the world. Besides, everyone, from servers to cashiers, hostel receptionists, and random people on the street, was so kind, and made me feel welcome right away.
Here are a few of my other Japan blog posts, if you’re interested:
Kelowna is inside the Okanagan Valley in Southern Interior BC and is the region’s largest city. It’s located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the syilx/Okanagan people. The word Kelowna comes from the syilx/Okanagan word ki?láwna?, which means grizzly bear.
Kelowna is right next to the scenic Okanagan Lake. Like the rest of the Okanagan Valley, Kelowna is famous for its vineyards, with more than 40 wineries in the area, as well as craft breweries, cideries, and distilleries.
So here’s a detailed guide on How to Spend a Great Weekend in Kelowna 🙂
Disclosure: I only recommend products that I’ve used in the past, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of the links throughout the page to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
Things to See and Do in Kelowna
Museums and Kelowna Art Gallery in Downtown
After arriving in Kelowna, stretch your legs while exploring the downtown area and get a feel for the awesome vibe of this city! You can find several museums, e.g. the Okanagan Heritage Museum (470 Queensway Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1Y 6S7), Okanagan Military Museum (1424 Ellis St, Kelowna, BC V1Y 2A5), and Kelowna Art Gallery (1315 Water St, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9R3) here.
Kelowna’s City Parks
Then take a stroll around Kelowna’s parks (City Park, Kerry Park, and Stuart Park), that are right next to the gorgeous Okanagan Lake. Each park is an attraction within itself. City Park has the Variety Children’s Waterpark, playground, skate park, a sandy beach, and the Veterans’ Memorial Square. Kerry Park is famous for the Ogopogo statue and concerts, and Stuart Park is home to the Grizzly bear statue, the Kelowna Yacht Club and an outdoor skating rink in the winter.
Walking around City Park, the Grizzly Bear statue (Photo credit: tourismkelowna.com – Shawn Talbot photography) and one of the sandy beaches by Okanagan Lake.
If you keep on walking, you’ll find Waterfront Park and the Rhapsody Plaza, with the famous dolphin sculpture named Rhapsody, created by Scottish-born artist Robert Dow Reid in 1993. Concerts and music festivals happen here as well during the summer months.
Kasugai Japanese Gardens
A hidden gem in Kelowna’s downtown district isKasugai Gardens (1435 Water Street, Kelowna, BC V1Y 1J4). It covers 0.29 hectares, and is known as Kelowna’s Japanese garden. Here you can unwind from the busy city life for a little bit!
The gardens have tons of traditional Japanese elements, like the Japanese Snowbell Tree, Green Panda Bamboo, Japanese Maple trees, and koi fish swimming around a pond. There’s also a waterfall, bamboo fountain, pathways, and stone lanterns.
The gardens were completed in 1987 to celebrate the union and friendship of Kelowna and Kasugai, its sister city in Japan.
There are sitting benches and a small gazebo to get some shade and just watch the beautiful scenery. The park is open from early March until late October and most of the trails inside the gardens are wheelchair accessible.
The Circle of Friendship Sculpture
After exiting the park, don’t miss the Circle of Friendship Sculpture, which was built by Geert Maas to honour Yukihisa (Roy) Tanaka (1915-1995). Roy worked hard on supporting the harmony and understanding between Kelowna and Kasugai. It stands for the close relationship between the local Japanese-Canadian community as well.
Rent a Bike with Kelowna Bike Rentals
If you like exercising, rent a bike with Kelowna Bike Rentals (589 Poplar Point Dr, Kelowna, BC V1Y 1Y2). Their fleet consists of city (cruiser) bikes, e-bikes, mountain bikes, trikes, gravel bikes, tandem, and adaptive bikes. So everyone gets to enjoy cycling around the city and beyond! All bikes come with a helmet, lock, and maintenance kit.
Kelowna Bike Rentals is at the Knox Mountain Overflow Parking lot from May to October, and rental rates start at C$ 25 for two hours. You can also rent bikes overnight or even multiple days.
What makes this company stand out is that they support two local charities, Elevation Outdoors and CRIS Adaptive. You can find more information on these organizations here.
I’m renting a cruise bike and it’s perfect for cycling around downtown Kelowna and the nearby Okanagan Rail Trail. The bike is super light, so it’s not exhausting to ride around, and I’m sad to return it at the end, lol!
Book lovers shouldn’t miss Mosaic Books (411 Bernard Ave, Kelowna, BC V1Y 6N8), which is the Okanagan Valley’s largest independent bookstore. It’s been family-owned ever since it opened in 1968.
They are proud to offer fiction and non fiction books, puzzles, diverse reads (also by indigenous authors), and books written by local authors.
There are also journals, greeting cards, card games, and calendars for sale! You can order books online on their website, and there’s a monthly book club as well.
The Mosaic Book store from the outside (photo credit: Mosaic Books).
Orchard Park Shopping Centre
Another great shopping spot in Kelowna is Orchard Park Shopping Centre (2271 Harvey Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1Y 6H2) with more than 160 retail stores and services. It’s the largest shopping centre between Calgary and Vancouver.
You can find Sports Chek, Old Navy, Best Buy, Lush Cosmetics, Sunrise Records, Purdy’s Chocolates, and many more stores here.
Of course, there’s so much more to do in Kelowna! It’s also very family friendly, so if your kids are joining you on your trip, check out Crystal’s post on the 15 Best Things to Do in Kelowna in the Summer!
Check out the Kelowna Visitor Centre
I also recommend stopping by the Kelowna Visitor Centre (238 Queensway Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1Y 6S4) to learn about other things to do in and around Kelowna. The staff are super friendly and there’s a lovely gift shop with many gems made by local artists.
The visitor centre is currently open daily from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm. There’s also a kiosk at Kelowna International Airport (open daily from 8 am to 8 pm) in the Arrivals Lounge.
As you can see, Kelowna is a fun destination to visit all year-round. In the spring, summer, and fall, cycling, boating, golfing, and hiking are popular outdoor activities.
Like any bigger city, Kelowna has a great selection of cafés and restaurants.
Here are a few I got to check out during my visit:
Robbie Rare Books & Pulp Fiction Coffee House (1598 Pandosy Street, Kelowna, BC V1Y 1P4). This unique retro coffee house is super charming, especially because of the many antique books and cool posters on the wall! Don’t miss the Robbie Rare Books section, and admire the many antiques around the café (e.g. clocks, a couch, and copper bookends)!
It’s awesome to learn about Pulp Fiction (not the movie 😉 ), which are books printed on cheap (pulp) paper starting in the early 1900s and became super popular in the 1930s and 1940s! Dogs are welcome too.
Veggie Calzone and Chai Tea Latte and some cool antique books!
Marmalade Cat CaféDowntown (#102 1195 Richter St, Kelowna, BC V1Y 2K8). This cool café offers healthy breakfast and lunch made from scratch, and vegan and gluten free options are available. They like to display work of local artists and there’s often live music on Friday evenings!
I love the vibe and colours of this café (dark blue and yellow), what a great contrast! While there are no real cats to hang out with, they sell some cool cat-themed stuff! They have three locations in Kelowna (Downtown, Pandosy, and Okanagan College).
Veggie wrap at Marmalade Cat Café.
Pick Thai Restaurant(467 Bernard Ave, Kelowna, BC V1Y 6N8). Although this restaurant doesn’t look super fancy from the outside, it’s very much worth it to give it a chance.
They serve authentic Thai food, like Pad Thai, Green Curry, Tom Yum soup, and bubble tea! The food and drinks are very affordable and feel free to grab a book from their small library while waiting for your food!
Ga-On Sushi Restaurant (605 K.L.O. Rd, #3B, Kelowna, BC V1Y 8E7). This cute little restaurant offers a great selection of sushi, but also Udon and Yakisoba noodles, Teriyaki, Donburi, and bento boxes! The light green and light brown colours inside the restaurant create a calm vibe.
Veggie stir-fry with coconut rice at Pick Thai and Veggie Bento box at Ga-On Sushi.
If you’re into pizza, music, and beer, check out DunnEnzies Pizza Co.Downtown (1559 Ellis St, Kelowna, BC V1Y 2A7)! The cool outside street art grabs my attention immediately!
Their New York style pizza was voted Kelowna’s Best Pizza in the Best of Kelowna Awards. They also have salads, calzones, nachos, wings, tacos, burgers, and even brunch on weekends!
They often host events, like open mic night, jam nights, trivia games, drag shows, Celtic nights, and Punk Rock Bingo! While I only saw this place from the outside this time, I can’t wait to try their food and check out an event when I’m back in Kelowna!
Where to Stay in Kelowna, BC
I’m staying at the Samesun Kelowna Hostel (245 Harvey Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1Y 6C2), that is only a few steps from Okanagan Lake and downtown’s bars and restaurants. It has private and dorm rooms and I’m staying in a 4-bed female dorm.
The room is a bit small, but has everything you need, and the beds are very comfortable.
There’s luggage storage, a spacious kitchen, TV room with a library, laundry room, back patio, and common area to use. Moreover, you can join daily activities, play pool, or get a snack from the vending machines!
How to Get to and Around Kelowna
Kelowna is right next to Highway 97, which is easily accessible from Kamloops (166 km/103 miles) and Vernon (45 minutes). From Vancouver, it’s a 389 km (241 miles) drive, and from Calgary, it takes about 7 hours to get to Kelowna.
Or you can take Ebus from Kamloops (2.5 hours), Vancouver (5 hours 40 minutes), or Vernon (1 hour) to Kelowna. They stop in downtown Kelowna (516 Lawrence Ave), Kelowna International Airport, and West Kelowna.
Kelowna International Airport is about 10 minutes north from Kelowna. They offer many flights within Canada (e.g. Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, and Edmonton), but also from/to Seattle, Phoenix, Cancun, and Puerto Vallarta.
There are local buses available in Kelowna with BC Transit. If you’re going to different areas in Kelowna, it’s useful to take the bus, as the city is quite spread out. The bus goes pretty much everywhere.
You can also rent e-scooters and through Spin. Just leave them somewhere for the next person when you’re done!
Of course, Uber and taxi services are available as well.
Well, that’s a wrap on How to Spend a Great Weekend in Kelowna!
Traveling around British Columbia for a while? Then check out these posts:
Servusla from Bamberg! I spent a day here in July 2022 and this charming town is in Oberfranken (Upper Franconia) in northern Bavaria, Germany. So I’m thrilled to share the Ultimate Travel Guide to Bamberg with you!
Bamberg was first mentioned in 902 AD and is famous for its many well-preserved historic buildings. It also has Europe’s largest city wall that’s still intact today. Since 1993, Bamberg has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Bamberg’s nickname is the “Rome of Franconia” because it was built on seven hills, similar to Rome. The Regnitz river flows right through the town. Today 80,000 people live here and a sixth of them are university students.
Disclosure: I only recommend products that I’ve used in the past, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of the links throughout the page to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
Things to See and Do in Bamberg
If you like history, Bamberg’s Altstadt (Old Town District) is THE place to visit! There are maps from the 16th century of this area of Bamberg and it still looks the same today as back then!
Altes Rathaus
Address: Obere Brücke, 96047 Bamberg, Germany
Let’s start with the Altes Rathaus(Old Town Hall), Bamberg’s most famous landmark and a popular photo spot. It was first completed in 1370. According to legend, the citizens of Bamberg asked that it’d be built in the town centre, but the bishop in charge refused to grant the land for it.
So instead, the offended townsfolk constructed the Altes Rathaus on an artificial island in the middle of a bridge above the Regnitz river! Sadly, a fire ruined it in 1460, but it was quickly reconstructed and finished in 1461. That’s the one we can look at today.
The back side of the Altes Rathaus.
Today, the interior of the Altes Rathaus is a museum where you can look at the Ludwig Collection of Porcelain and Faience, which is one of the oldest of all of Europe.
Moreover, don’t miss the painting facade that Johann Anwander completed in 1755. It shows the four seasons and the four elements, as well as the good and bad characteristics of people.
The painting facade that Johann Anwander created in 1755.
Klein Venedig
Address: Am Leinritt 4, 96049 Bamberg, Germany
Next, take a stroll around the Klein Venedig (Little Venice) district, which was the home of Bamberg’s fishermen in the past. It’s right next to the Regnitz River.
There are lots of half-timbered houses built in the Middle Ages that are sitting peacefully next to each other.
Same as in Venice, feel free to hop onto one of the gondolas sitting by the shore. This gave this quaint and picturesque neighbourhood of Bamberg its name.
After climbing up one of Bamberg’s hills, you’ll find yourself in front of the Bamberger Dom (Bamberg Cathedral). This impressive building was finished in 1012 but burned down twice (!) in the next few centuries.
The one we can visit today was rebuilt in the 13th century and is a late Romanesque building with four towers. It took a long time to rebuild it, so a Gothic architectural style was added as well.
You can find Pope Clement II’s (died in 1047) marble tomb here, same as Emperor Heinrich II (973-1024) and his wife Kunigunde of Luxembourg’s (975-1033) tombs. There’s also the Bamberger Reiter (Bamberg Horseman) statue.
Private guided tours of the cathedral can be booked, but are not possible during mass times.
The Bamberg Cathedral from the outside and partial interior area. The photo on the right is bySergey Zolkin on Unsplash.
Neue Residenz
Address: Domplatz 8, 96049 Bamberg, Germany
On the opposite side of this square you’ll see the Neue Residenz (New Residence), that was completed in 1703. It was the home of the prince-bishops of Bamberg until 1802.
You can look at more than 40 staterooms during an independent or guided tour, as well as the State Gallery with its old German and Baroque paintings.
Moreover, the Neue Residenz is equipped with stucco ceilings, furniture, and rugs from the the 17th and 18th century, as well as the prince-bishop’s apartments.
Please note that you can only visit the apartments if you book a guided tour. The Neue Residenz is open year-round.
The Neue Residenz.
Rosengarten
If you’re in Bamberg between April and October, be sure to check out the Rosengarten (Rose Garden) behind the Neue Residenz. It covers 3,500 sq meters (0.86 acres) and around 4,500 roses of 50 varieties bloom here every year.
During the 16th century, it was a Renaissance garden. But in 1733, Prince-Bishop Friedrich Carl von Schönborn ordered his workers to turn it into a Baroque garden. You can also relax at the Garden Café and enjoy the beautiful view of Bamberg. There’s no fee to visit the Rosengarten.
The Rosengarten of the Neue Residenz.
Staatsbibliothek Bamberg
Address: Domplatz 8, 96049 Bamberg, Germany
Then, take a look at the Staatsbibliothek Bamberg (Bamberg State Library) next door. It was founded in 1803 and has been a part of the New Residence estate since 1966.
Here you can look at more than 1,000 unique medieval manuscripts and three among those are part of the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.
This library collates the collections of the formerly existing monasteries of the Bamberg area and the old Bamberg University. It’s nice to take a break from exploring Bamberg here and look at some of its books. Admission is free and the historic ceiling looks super impressive as well!
The Staatsbibliothek Bamberg and some cool antique books!
Bamberg’s Brewery Culture and Rauchbier
Bamberg has lots of narrow medieval streets to explore while wandering around. Almost everywhere you look, there are some cool little historic details about Bamberg to find. So I recommend not worrying about getting lost and just keeping your camera ready. 😉
For example, I stumble upon Bamberg’s oldest brewery plant, established in 1533! Bamberg has been the home of tons of breweries for many years.
Bamberg is known for its Rauchbier (smoked beer), a local specialty unique to this town. The malt is dried above an open beech wood fire instead of an oven, which gives it its unique smoky smell and taste.
If you want to learn more about Bamberg’s beer history, join a Guided Beer History Tour (with optional tasting) or a take a self guided Bierschmecker Tour (Beer taster tour) through Get Your Guide!
Bamberg’s oldest brewery plant (est. 1533). The sign at the top translates to “Beer mugs for sale”.
Learn about The Bamberg Witch Trials
Although there are almost no visible remains today, I think it’s important to learn about one of Bamberg’s darkest and most depressing eras: The Witch Trials from 1595 to 1632.
The people of the Bamberg area went through some rough times during this era, including several “little Ice Ages”, when frost destroyed the entire harvest. So many people were struggling to survive.
Moreover, the plague was going around again and an estimated 4.5 to 8 million people died during the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1638). Many people had experienced better times in the past, so witches and wizards were suspected to have caused the cold snaps and plague by using black magic.
So Bamberg’s citizens soon forced the authorities to investigate in this matter. Soon after, witch and wizard suspects were arrested. Then they had to suffer extreme torture until they confessed the harm they were accused of. In the end, they were burned to death.
Women and men of all classes and ages also had to name their supposedly accomplices, so the number of suspects and prisoners grew very quickly.
As a suspect, authorities took you to the Zeiler Hexenturm (Zeil witch tower) in Zeil am Main (30 minutes northwest of Bamberg) and after 1627 to the infamous Drudenhaus or Malefizhaus (witch prison) in Bamberg. It had 28 cells.
Nowadays there are still more than 800 interrogation records of the witch trials at the Bamberg State Library to look at.
Copper engraving of the Malefizhaus and cell layout from 1627.
One of the famous victims was Johannes Junius, who was Bamberg’s Major for several years. He was arrested in June 1628. After a week of terrible torture, he confessed to be a wizard and servant of Satan. Before he was burned to death on August 6, 1628, he wrote a letter to his daughter Veronica from jail, which one of his guards smuggled out.
Excerpt from Johannes’s letter to his daughter. It translates to “Innocent have I come into prison, innocent have I been tortured, innocent must I die. For whoever comes into the witch prison must become a witch or be tortured until he invents something out of his head and – God pity him- bethinks him of something.”
When the Witch Trials finally ended in 1632, more than 1,000 innocent people (every 13th Bamberg resident) had lost their lives.
The worst period was between 1626 and 1632 under the rule of Prince-Bishop Johann Georg II Fuchs von Dornheim, when about 900 people were executed. It was one of the four major witch trials that happened in Germany and one of the biggest in history.
In case you’re wondering, the Malefizhaus, that was torn down in 1635, stood at Franz-Ludwig-Strasse 7 in Bamberg, which is a pharmacy today.
If you’d like to learn more about this tragic era of Bamberg’s history, you can join a Witch Trial tour through Bamberg (in German only).
Shopping in Bamberg’s Altstadt and Tourist Info Centre
Bamberg’s last attraction is its awesome shopping opportunities. Whether you like independent boutiques or chain stores close to the Altstadt district, such as dm Drogeriemarkt (drug store), C&A (clothing store), book stores, Jack Wolfskin (outdoor apparel/ equipment store), etc., Bamberg has it all!
The Bamberg Tourist Information Centre (Geyerswörthstrasse 5, 96047 Bamberg, Germany) is open year-round. The staff sells souvenirs and tickets, provides brochures and maps, and can help with booking accommodations. There are public washrooms and locker boxes for rent as well.
Where to Stay in Bamberg
I stayed at the Altstadthotel Molitor (Obere Mühlbrücke 2-4, 96049 Bamberg, Germany), a historic budget hotel within Bamberg’s Altstadt district. It is a restored mill that was first mentioned in 1410. It was still in the mill business during the 20th century until it was turned into a guesthouse in 1992.
The room is simple but very clean with a spacious bathroom, it is quiet at night, and the Front Desk staff is very welcoming! The historic design of the room, but also the artifacts and paintings displayed in the hallways make this hotel unique.
For example, you can look at an old millstone found during the restoration period and an original part of a baroque handrail used at this place from 1744.
My room and a painting of the Altes Rathaus in the hallway.
Their tasty and large buffet-style breakfast is available for a surcharge of 12 EUR. The bright-coloured design of the breakfast room is super inviting and cozy as well. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, work station, and cable TV.
Where to Eat & Drink in Bamberg
I had dinner at Der Pelikan (Untere Sandstrasse 45, 96049 Bamberg, Germany), which has been a part of Bamberg’s food scene since 1763! These days, they serve a mix of Franconian and Asian cuisine.
You can choose from the famous Bamberger Hörnla (pastry that looks similar to a croissant) or a Franconian bratwurst, both cooked in a wok with veggies, Thai curries, duck penang, fried rice, and more! All dishes are made from scratch and freshly prepared.
I went for their Thai Yellow Curry with veggies and tofu, and damn, it was really good! As mentioned before, Bamberg is known for its Rauchbier (smoked beer), so I tried the Schlenkerla Rauchbier. It’s one of Bamberg’s seven local breweries and was first mentioned in 1405.
What a perfect combo of a healthy dinner and a local specialty!
Thai Yellow Curry and Schlenkerla Rauchbier.
You can sit outside (summer only) or in the indoor bar area. Please note that you can pay with cash only, no credit cards are accepted at this time.
Der Pelikan is open six days a week (closed on Wednesdays) and hosts events regularly, e.g. Halloween Dance, 80’s Parties, and concerts.
How to Get to and Around Bamberg
If you’re driving, Bamberg is 63 km (39 miles) from Nuremberg, 101 km (63 miles) from Würzburg, and 229 km (142 miles) north of Munich. Thanks to the great highway network, these cities are easy to get to.
Bamberg is also easily accessible by train via the Deutsche Bahn (German railway company). Both regional and intercity express (fast) trains stop at Bamberg’s train station many times a day from different directions.
Flixbus also goes to Bamberg quite often and is one of budget-friendliest transportation options.
Bamberg also has a local bus, although it’s quite nice to walk around independently, join a walking tour, or renting a bike. Please find an overview of bike rental places in town here.
If you’re cycling or walking around Bamberg, just expect to be going uphill quite a bit, because of the seven hills the town was built on.
Hopefully I inspired you to visit this charming town someday 🙂
Traveling around Germany for a bit? Then check out these posts:
Killarney is a town in County Kerry in southwestern Ireland. It’s been one of Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions for more than 250 years.
Nowadays, more than a million people visit this place every year and it’s known as Ireland’s Adventure Capital. The town of Killarney is inside Killarney National Park, which is Ireland’s largest national park. Killarney also the starting point to the famous Ring of Kerry route!
I spent 3 days in this region in August 2022 and can’t wait to share my 3-Day Travel Guide for Killarney, Ireland, with you!
Disclosure: I only recommend products that I’ve used in the past, and all opinions expressed in this post are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of the links throughout the page to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
Killarney National Park
Killarney National Park was established in 1932 and is also Ireland’s oldest national park. This area covers 26,000 acres that includes ancient oak and yew woodlands, mountain peaks, high crags, moors, and the three lakes of Killarney (Lough Leane/Lower Lake, Muckross Lake, and Upper Lake).
The lakes make up a quarter of Killarney National Park and the only wild red deer herd of Ireland has been living here since the last Ice Age! The national park became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1981.
Beautiful Muckross Lake.
Popular things to do are hiking, biking, kayaking and Stand-Up paddle boarding on the lakes, and climbing Ireland’s highest mountain range, the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks. You can also book adventure packages or tours, e.g. a Gap of Dunloe boat trip & hiking tour, horseback riding tours, or rent a bike.
Other people come here for golfing, fishing, or abseiling in the Gap of Dunloe valley. If you’re adventurous, you can hike Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest peak, at 1,040 meters (3,407 ft)! Killarney National Park also has many walking trails for all abilities to offer.
There’s no fee for entering or parking inside Killarney National Park.
Ross Castle
Address: Ross Rd, Ross Island, Killarney, Co. Kerry, V93 V304
Ross Castle was built in the 15th century and was the home of the O’Donoghue family. It’s right next to Lough Leane, Killarney National Park’s largest lake.
It’s free to walk around the castle and hang out by the lake. Or you can book a 45-minute guided tour for 5 EUR from early March to late October.
Muckross House, a Victorian mansion was completed in 1843 for the wealthy Herbert family, and has 65 rooms. Inside tours can be booked year-round at 9 EUR per adult.
Muckross House was polished up with new dishes and furniture, and curtains in the dining room before Queen Victoria’s visit in 1861. They were commissioned and woven in Paris.
These, as well as 70 % of other objects displayed at Muckross House, are original. It’s on the shores of Muckross Lake, so a great view is guaranteed!
After your visit, grab some souvenirs at the Mucros Craft Shop, wander around Muckross Gardens, and chill for a bit at the Garden Restaurant. All of these are only steps away from Muckross House.
Muckross Traditional Farms
Step back in time to the Ireland of the 1930’s and 1940’s at Muckross Traditional Farms and learn how the farming community lived on Muckross Estate. There are three working farms and workers’ cottages with traditional furniture, machinery, and cute farm animals!
Tours are available from March until October only, at 9 EUR per adult and 6 EUR for children/youth 18 years and under. Combinations tickets for the farms and Muckross House are available, too.
Torc Waterfall
Torc Waterfall is in the middle of the national park, hidden inside a forest. The waterfall is about 20 meters (65 ft) high and two car parks are nearby. One is only 5 minutes away and the other one involves a hike of about 20 minutes.
We choose the second option, as we enjoy light hiking and admiring the gorgeous scenery. If you’d like to keep moving, you can climb up the stairs after the waterfall as well.
Ladies View
Don’t miss the breathtaking Ladies View point to see Killarney’s three lakes! When Queen Victoria visited in 1861, it was one of her ladies-in-waiting’s favourite spots, which gave Ladies View its name.
There’s a parking lot and a small café, too, and it’s best to admire the view from the open roof terrace!
If you’re in Killarney, visiting the Ring of Kerry is a must! It’s a 179 km (111 mile) circular drive around the Inveragh Peninsula. The Ring of Kerry starts west of Killarney and goes along the Atlantic coast, which is part of the famous Wild Atlantic Way.
It offers scenic views of green hills, jaw-dropping cliffs, beautiful sandy beaches, and sheep and cows grazing on the fields.
The roads on the Ring of Kerry are often narrow and twisty. So if you don’t feel comfortable driving, I recommend joining the Ring of Kerry day trip tour with Deros Sightseeing Tours.
The bus stops at scenic sites and goes through small towns on the way, like Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Kells, Cahersiveen, Waterville, and Sneem. If you book through their website, it’s 40 EUR per person.
Glenbeigh
One of our first stops is in Glenbeigh, where we admire the stunning view of Rossbeigh Beach and Inch Beach, as well as Dingle Bay.
Then we visit a Sheepdog show at the Kells Sheep Centre. It’s so amazing how Brandon, the shepherd, and his two border collies work together to direct the sheep. The animals are very well taken care of!
The dogs listen to their owner’s commands perfectly (Brandon uses whistle signals most of the time), and it’s obvious that they love their job! We also learn about the different sheep breeds that live in Ireland.
Brandon is super nice and informal, and knows his stuff, and patiently answers every question at the end. So the small charge of 8 EUR per person (cash only) is more than worth it! Please note that the bus only stops here from March to October.
Waterville & Derrynane Bay
After lunch, we stop in Waterville, which was one of Charlie Chaplin’s favourite retreats. There’s a life-size statue of him as well. Then we take a photo stop at Derrynane Bay, another beautiful viewpoint by the Atlantic Ocean and lots of cute sheep are grazing away.
By the way, did you know that more sheep than people live in Ireland? Aside from that, there are a few souvenir sellers, as well as a guy with a green van, who brought a two-week-old lamb that I’m allowed to hold. So adorable!
Sneem
One of our last stops is Sneem, a quaint little town that has colourful houses, shops, bars, and restaurants. Sneem is known for its Sculpture Trail, that features statues and memorials, such as the Charles de Gaulle Memorial, The Peaceful Panda, and the Steel Tree.
The latter is a donation from Israel to honour the late Irish President Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh, who died here in 1978. We also stumble upon the Millennium Fete plaque, a time capsule buried in 2000, that will be opened in 2100. How cool is that?
We liked our bus tour a lot, and it was great letting someone else do the driving for once. Dennis, our driver, was very knowledgeable and professional, and made us laugh with his typical Irish sense of humour along the way!
We had never heard about some of the stops before (like the Kells Sheep Centre), so I’m glad we gave this company a chance! Also, it was nice meeting some other travelers on this tour. You can find the detailed itinerary of this bus tour here. Here’s a map of the tour as well:
Photo credit: Deros Sightseeing Tours.
If you’re driving and want to avoid the crowds, I recommend traveling on the Ring of Kerry in the morning or later in the evening, in particular during the high season (June to August).
Moreover, to avoid getting stuck behind one of the many tour buses on the Ring of Kerry, it’s suggested to go clockwise instead of counterclockwise as the buses do.
Killarney Town
Killarney Town is the perfect home base while visiting Killarney National Park and the Ring of Kerry. We’re staying in Killarney for three days, which is enough time to experience some of the highlights of this area!
The downtown area is very walkable, with lots of great restaurants, cafés, festivals, and shops, and some even have locally handmade gems! There’s also a craft brewery. Don’t hesitate to turn into the narrow sideroads next to the main streets, because you might find something really unexpected!
After a busy day of exploring, you deserve to kick off the evening at one of Killarney’s pubs with a pint and some awesome (local) live music! In our experience, Irish people are very sociable and open minded, so there’s a good chance you’ll make some new friends!
If you like churches, stunning St. Mary’s Cathedral (New St, Inch, Killarney, Co. Kerry), one of Killarney’s major landmarks (completed in 1855), should be on your list. Killarney also has art galleries to look at and a colourful busy downtown area!
Killarney is very popular with tourists during the summer months, but is open for tourism all year round. So if you want to miss the crowds, you should visit during the shoulder season (spring or fall).
Where to Stay in Killarney, Ireland
As you’d expect from a touristy town, Killarney has many options for visitors to stay. From apartments, glamping, hotels, hostels, guest houses, and Bed & Breakfasts, to caravan (RV) & camping parks, there’s something for everyone.
We’re staying at Havens Rest B&B(Tralee Road, N22, Tralee, Co. Kerry), which is just a few minutes from Killarney Town. Our two bedroom is quite spacious, and during breakfast, guests are seated at one big table, so you get to chat with other travelers!
You can choose between Traditional Irish Breakfast, vegetarian breakfast, and continental breakfast. Kay and Richard, our hosts, are very kind, and are happy to book the Ring of Kerry tour with Deros Sightseeing Tours and a taxi to town for us.
Here are our favourite places to eat and drink in Killarney town:
Curious Cat Wine Bar (1 New Market Ln, Killarney, Co. Kerry, V93 X9TD). This quirky wine bar is a popular spot with both locals and visitors for wine, tapas, live music, and DJ sessions!
You can also order platters, salads, risotto, Chili con Carne, grilled veggies, and more! We love sitting on their outside patio and listening to the live band that is playing tonight!
Killarney Burger Kitchen (12 Main St, Killarney, Co. Kerry, V93 V30R). This place is perfect if you’re on a budget, but want a good restaurant meal.
We go for the Smash Burger and Halloumi Burger, and both are very tasty! The staff is friendly and efficient and we love that the burgers are served on a wooden tray!
Genting Thai Restaurant (Beech Road, Demesne, Killarney, Co. Kerry, V93 TWE5). This is Killarney’s only authentic Thai restaurant. You can choose between Thai curries, stir fries, spring rolls, Tom Yum soup, Pad Thai, tempura prawns, and more!
They also have a veggie menu, and their drinks menu features domestic and international beer brands and cocktails. We’re having Fried Noodles and Sweet & Sour Tofu and Veggie Stir Fry, and they are super yummy!
The Laurel’s Pub & Restaurant(Main St, Killarney, Co. Kerry). A traditional Irish pub that’s been run by the O’Leary family for almost a hundred years. Their menu includes many meat options, like Fish & Chips, steak, chicken wings, burgers, pizza, fajitas, but some veggie options, too.
We’re having a salad and baked potato and Veg Chili Nachos, which are very good! Don’t miss the cool quotes by John Lennon and Roy T. Bennett written on the outside windows before entering the restaurant!
Fish & Chips from Laurel’s Pub (photo credit: Laurel’s Pub) and the awesome John Lennon quote!
How to Get to and Around Killarney
It takes about 3.5 hours from Dublin to Killarney and about 2.5 hours from Galway to Killarney, if you’re driving. The closest bigger cities are Limerick (1.5 hours) and Cork (87 km/54 miles).
Irish Rail runs trains from Dublin and Limerick (via Mallow) and a direct train from Cork many times a day. Dublin Coach #300 (M7 Express Service) offers daily trips from Dublin to Killarney. Or you can take Bus Eireann towards Limerick, Dublin, Cork, Kenmare, and Skibbereen.
Kerry Airport is only 17 km (10.5 miles) north of Killarney, and you can fly from/to Dublin, Frankfurt-Hahn, Manchester, London, and Alicante. Cork Airport is 89 km (55 miles) from Killarney, and provides flights from/to more European destinations, e.g. Italy, Poland, Croatia, France, and Switzerland.
The closest airport that offers flights from/to overseas destinations is Shannon Airport, which is 135 km (83 miles) from Killarney.
The Killarney Shuttle Bus takes visitors to nearby tourist attractions, including Ladies View, Ross Castle, Muckross House, and Torc Waterfall. It stops daily in front of the Tourist Information Office on Beech Road.
Lastly, you can book a walking tour through Killarney National Park with Killarney Guided Walks and the groups meet at 11 am daily opposite St. Mary’s Cathedral.
