Visa Process

Important Documents Needed:

• Passport

• Visa application form

• Flight tickets

• Accommodation details

• Bank statements

• Income proof & Employment Details

Things to Pack:

• Indian food (theplas, Haldiram snacks, dry fruits)

• Medicines

• Currency - USD , Hong Kong Dollars and Japanese Yen ; (Orient Exchange has one of the best rates)

• Essentials like toiletries and travel documents

My Cathay Pacific flight from Bangalore to Hong Kong was quite comfortable. With three empty seats beside me, I managed to sleep for 3-4 hours. The meal was vegetarian as requested, though not particularly impressive—I stuck to the fruits. The entertainment system, however, was excellent, with a great screen quality.

Arriving in Hong Kong was straightforward, except I had a moment of realization—unlike Indian and Japan toilets, Hong Kong doesn’t have bidets! The immigration process was simple, thanks to pre-arrival registration form I had already filled out at the airport. Navigating Hong Kong Station was a bit different—it's huge, with many exits, and I got a little lost trying to find the bus to the Peak Tram. After a mix-up with Octopus card payments (I didn’t have one, and they wouldn’t accept cash without exact change), I decided to walk the 1.5 km to the Peak Tram station. On the way, I noticed something unique—an umbrella dryer at the mall, which was a first for me.

The Peak Tram journey was okay, but the view from the top was nothing spectacular if you've already seen other major city skylines. I spent a couple of hours exploring the area, including browsing Madame Tussauds and enjoying coffee at Starbucks. My next stop was Victoria Harbour, where I spent the evening sitting by the Avenue of Stars, soaking in the view. Dinner was at Woodlands, one of Hong Kong's oldest Indian restaurants—delicious food and a great way to end the day.

After a comfortable layover in Hong Kong, I landed in Tokyo early in the morning. Navigating Narita Airport was quite easy with the digital immigration system. I exchanged some currency (although I mistakenly chose the counter with a worse rate) and picked up a SIM card for connectivity throughout the trip — an essential for any solo traveler. Got exchange rate of 140 Japanese Yen against 1 USD and sim card from JAL.  From there, I hopped on the Express Skyline to Ginza and topped up my Suica card, a convenient travel card I borrowed from a friend.

I stayed at Hotel Sunroute Palace Ginza, and after a bit of negotiating, managed to check in early. This allowed me to rest a bit before heading out to one of my first must-see attractions – teamLab Planets. The immersive experience was unlike anything I had seen before; knee-deep water, vivid colors, and reflections everywhere made it feel like walking through a dream. Note: If you’re planning to go, shorts are a must due to the water sections .After enjoying Teamlabs, I made my way to Shibuya Crossing — the famous intersection, buzzing with life. In the evening, I tried a vegan ramen spot nearby, a treat for any vegetarian traveler in Tokyo. Later, I made my way to Akihabara; however, I got there quite late, and many shops were already closed. My tip: visit Akihabara before 8 p.m. to truly enjoy the retro gaming and anime shops.

The next day, I visited Shibuya Sky, a stunning observation deck offering panoramic views of Tokyo. I’d highly recommend booking 2-3 weeks in advance if you want a sunset slot.  After Shibuya Sky, I indulged in a foot and shoulder massage in Shinjuku—8,600 Yen well spent! I also visited an Indian restaurant called 'Indian Tea House,' where the tea was phenomenal. The day ended with more exploring in Shibuya and Akihabara.

On my third day, I headed to DisneySea Tokyo. If you love thrill rides, Tower of Terror, Raging Spirits, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and Indiana Jones are must-dos. I made sure to bring my own snacks, which saved me from spending too much time in food lines. A pro tip: carry your own food and water, as the lines for snacks are incredibly long.

Priority Pass & Express Pass Information: DisneySea offers two types of passes: Priority Pass and Express Pass. Priority Pass is a paid pass, while Express Pass is available on a first-come, first-served basis. I highly recommend getting a Priority Pass for Tower of Terror and Journey to the Center of the Earth as soon as you enter the park, as these passes tend to get booked quickly. The Express Pass is also useful for managing ride times of relatively less popular rides, so keep an eye on it as soon as you enter the park. Note that Express Passes are not available for all rides, so plan accordingly. Without these passes, it is hard to do all the rides in one day.

Recommended Order for Rides:

1. Tower of Terror - Start early to avoid long queues or based on time allotted in Priority Pass.

2. Journey to the Center of the Earth - One of the most popular rides; getting to it early will save you time. Try to get a paid pass early in the day. 

3. Raging Spirits - Another thrill ride best done in the morning or based on time allotted.

4. Indiana Jones - Single rider option available, which can help skip the long lines.

The day ended with a delicious dinner at Waindo, a vegetarian Indian restaurant. The comfort of good Indian food was a welcome touch at the end of an exciting day.

I hopped on the Shinkansen to Osaka. Unfortunately, I couldn’t secure a window seat to view Mount Fuji due to booking late — something to keep in mind for future travelers! I recommend booking tickets online in advance to secure the best spots.

I stayed at Hotel Gracery Namba in Osaka, perfectly situated near the iconic Dotonbori Canal and Shinsaibashisuji Street. That evening, I strolled through these vibrant streets, witnessing street performers like Spiderman and local musicians. Osaka’s nightlife truly lived up to its reputation, bustling and lively.

Universal Studios Japan was a major highlight of the trip. Arriving at 8:30 a.m. was crucial to beating the crowds. I highly recommend starting with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to avoid longer wait times later. I also enjoyed the Flying Dinosaur ride, which, for a thrill-seeker, was a perfect way to wrap up my day.

Single rider lines saved me hours of waiting, and if you’re a solo traveler, this is an absolute must-use tip. In the evening, I attended a Halloween-themed event called Biohazard, complete with zombies roaming the park — a fun and spooky experience.

Recommended Order for Rides:

1. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Head here first to avoid the longest lines later in the day.

2. Flying Dinosaur - Can save this thrilling ride for later in the day, as it’s a great way to end on an adrenaline high. Single riders are given priority.

3. Hollywood Dream - Choose between the forward and backward (Back Drop) options; the backward ride tends to have longer wait times. There is also a separate single rider line.

4. Minions Mayhem - A fun ride comparable to the Transformers ride in Universal Singapore, best done before the wait times get too long.

5. Jaws - Use the single rider line for a quicker experience.

The next day, I took the Shinkansen to Kyoto. In hindsight, taking the JR train would have saved some money and taken almost the same amount of time. I checked into Hotel Higashiyama and immediately headed to Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion). Though beautiful, I found the experience just okay.

Later, I visited the Bamboo Forest, but I arrived too late, and it was already dark. A lesson learned — time your visits well, especially in winter when it gets dark earlier.

That night, I had dinner at Ajantha, an Indian restaurant near Gion, and took a stroll through the streets of Gion, known for their iconic neon lights. Kyoto felt like stepping back in time, with its traditional wooden buildings and serene atmosphere

On my last day in Kyoto, I experienced a traditional tea ceremony and even wore a kimono for the event. It was one of the most cultural experiences of my entire trip and offered a glimpse into Japan's beautiful traditions.

Later, I had to head back to Osaka because I mistakenly booked my Shinkansen to Tokyo from there instead of Kyoto. A little hiccup, but one that didn’t cost a lot!

Shopping Adventures in Tokyo

On my final day in Tokyo, I shopped at Don Quijote, which is well-known for tax-free shopping. If you purchase more than 30,000 Yen, you get an extra 7% off, so I recommend doing your shopping all at once on the last day. Just remember to take your passport and note that items bought tax-free must be sealed until you leave Japan.

1. Pre-book Attractions: Book popular attractions like Shibuya Sky, teamLab Planets, and DisneySea. Only Shibuya Sky needs prebooking of  2-3 weeks in advance to get the best sunset slots.

2. Accommodation Tips: Consider staying around Shinjuku/Shibayu in Tokyo if you want to be close to buzzing areas in night or in Ginza which is high end shopping district. For Osaka, Namba is a good place to stay and in Kyoto you can stay near Gion which is their shopping district. 

3. Single Rider Benefits: If you're traveling alone, single rider lines at theme parks like Universal Studios Japan save a lot of time.

4. Food Tips: You can bring your own snacks and water to DisneySea and to many tourist places in Japan apart from Universal Studios which will save you lot of time skipping the long lines at food stalls in japan. 

5. Shopping at Don Quijote: Shop tax-free on your last day to avoid carrying sealed items throughout your trip and do carry your passport their for additional discounts.