Japan - final thoughts

We had an absolutely incredible two weeks in Japan and loved every minute of it. It’s been one of the best trips we’ve done and probably for a number of reasons.

• The transport system in Japan is just amazing. Having the JR pass means you just don’t have to worry about tickets and travelling on the trains is an enjoyable part of the trip. I wouldn’t have packed as many places into two weeks probably anywhere else but Japan. Getting the bullet trains makes it so easy to get from one place to the next and the journey is just as much fun.

• No hassle. I’ve never been a tourist somewhere where you don’t get harassed. There is no hard sell, no rudeness - just lovely people and a relaxed atmosphere.

• Everywhere we’ve been to seems to be like a picture postcard. You almost get used to consistent incredible views.

• It was much easier to navigate than I thought it would be. Having the pocket wifi is a must and just ensured we were connected to google maps or apple maps whenever we needed it. Also, many Japanese people speak at least a bit of English and most signs have English too.

• Expensive? Lots of people said to me that Japan was expensive. We didn’t find that at all. I’m sure there are some restaurants that will cost a lot of money but we found great food for around 1000 yen a meal, sometimes a bit more. We spent the most on our incredible meal in Takayama which we felt really pushed the boat out but cost the equivalent of around £65 for us both, including quite a few drinks…

• Our itinerary - I thought our itinerary was perfect. It gave us enough time in each place and allowed us to experience a lot of Japan in a short space of time. Every place we visited was so different and unique and I wouldn’t advise skipping any of them!

• In Hiroshima, we used a baggage delivery service for 500 yen a suitcase which allowed us to enjoy sightseeing without our cases. This service is available in most stations, as well as lockers for storage. At our other stops, we tended to plan our days so we could drop off luggage at our hotel and then explore after. It really didn’t feel like an effort with our cases.

• The food - you won’t go hungry in Japan! There is so much to try and so many highlights but for us, our meal in Takayama was the most incredible experience and a real must. We went in a fairly quiet week, post the rugby world cup. I’d advise booking in advance if possible - it’s so worth it.

• Autumn visit - we loved going in the Autumn because of the incredible colours. The train journey to Takayama was the most incredible journey I have ever taken, it looked unreal.

• I booked all of our accommodation based on reviews, location and price. The only one I wouldn’t recommend was our stay in Kanazawa. It was a little basic and depressing. The hotel in Hiroshima had incredible views, just ask for a sea view, it’s an extra 1000 yen. Our guesthouse in Hakone was also lovely, particularly due to the private onsen which was a real bonus.

We paid around £1850pp for our trip - that includes flights (Air China), JR passes, accommodation and all spending money. We didn’t go mad, but weren’t cheap on things. A couple of our hotels had shared bathroom facilities but they were really nice and not too annoying at all. If you upgrade some of these, you’ll pay a bit more. I feel like we made the most of everything without compromising.