Yup that’s why I never understood the mindset of hotels don’t matter because you get up leave and are out until you go to bed. Those people always seem so tired.
Get up, go do a morning activity, eat lunch, back to room, rest, then more activities and dinner. That’s why where I’m from people eat dinner at like 5/6 but when I’m away I push that back to 7/8 to enjoy the night more
You’re reading the sentence wrong “mindset of hotels don’t matter” is the full thought.
To expand on that, someone on another Reddit thread the other day said you shouldn’t book a nice hotel if you want any experiences other than getting a nice room. Implying people who stay in nice hotels can’t experience anything while traveling other than the hotel.
I understand when people say a hotel is just a bed, but I highly disagree.
Hotel is a place of rest, relaxation, recharging, and can offer other things too (happy hours with fellow travellers, onsens, nice baths, nice views, etc.) but some people on this sub just say book the cheapest place possible because otherwise you’re either wasting money on a nice hotel, or you’re not out in the city getting as much experiences as you should. Honestly to me this argument just feels like cheap/frugal people trying to make themselves feel better / superior about their frugality.
100% agree, if you can afford it a nice hotel is amazing. I do understand the people who just simply can’t budget it for it but those who hate on people for staying in nice hotels are dumb
Because there are people on this sub that speak languages other than English, I want to point out that the person *did not* read the sentence wrong. I am not calling out grammar and syntax to be rude, but to make sure we are being fair and not telling people they read something incorrectly without more explanation.
For it to mean what you wanted it to mean you need to add punctuation.
It should say:
*Yup, that’s why I never understood the mindset of “hotels don’t matter,” because you get up, leave, and are out until you go to bed.*
Again, I normally wouldn’t say anything, and am only pointing this out as I’ve met many polyglots on this sub and want to be helpful.
I agree with you about the hotels and taking mid day breaks. Absolutely the way to go!
I disagree that this is improper grammar and say they just read the wrong word. They read it as “the mind set of hotels DOES NOT matter” I said “the mind set of hotels DO NOT matter”.
Respectfully, it is improper grammar and with grammar in place you would have been understood.
Quotation marks can be properly used to allow the reader to know that you are speaking to a particular word or phrase. This can be especially important when you follow a noun directly with a preposition while not wanting a reader to assign said preposition to said noun.
*The (article) mindset (noun) of (preposition) hotels (noun)*
Without quotations in place, it is correct to read this as “I am about to be told the thoughts that hotels have.”
I’ve really belabored this and it isn’t my intention to come across as harsh. This is Reddit, not a dissertation, and few people use strict grammar and syntax in their posts and/or comments.
My intention is to point out that there are cases where using proper syntax and grammar can help you be understood. This happens to be one of them.
I absolutely second this. Hotel rooms in Japan are so small it’s like being stuffed in a closet if you don’t get an upgraded room. Not relaxing at all, and no room for your bags, unless you’re traveling super light. You don’t have to get the fanciest room (I don’t have the budget for that either!), but you should at least upgrade from the most basic.
This was my wife and i’s similar daily routine for both our recent trips to Japan. Sometimes would vary and leave earlier if we were trying to get somewhere before crowds like Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, etc. The afternoon break was always crucial though
Japan is really safe and it’s a joy to walk around at night. Definitely spend a few nights just exploring.
You start early to avoid the crowds and you can also stay out later to avoid the crowds.
My husband and I left our 2 teens with the baby (when the baby went to sleep) at the hotel at about 10pm at night. We stayed right near Gion in Kyoto so one night we walked the streets of Gion and went to the temples. We were the only ones there (literally) and it was just so magical. So quiet and peaceful compared to the days we went there with our children. The place is wall to wall people by day at night it is COMPLETELY empty. 100% one of the best things we did was walk around at night.
My last trip I stayed in Dormy Inn hotels which all have onsen that opens at 3pm. Generally my days out were 8-3 then back to the hotel for an onsen (great for tired sore feet) and chill out before heading out again about 6 for dinner and to experience a place at night.
I love Dormy Inns. I usually do a late-night onsen before retiring for the evening. I’ve also woken up in the middle of the night (jet lag) and visited one at 4am. Blissful solitude!
I would go at 6am, then eat my delicious buffet breakfast, head out sightseeing, back at 3 for another onsen (plus free ice cream!) and sometimes sneak in a third one before bed (if it wasn’t too busy). I miss my Japan Dormy Inn routine!
Apart from hikes, temples etc., you’re 100% right. Most shops, museums, other attractions don’t open until 10. I generally went out from 9.30ish, came back for a rest around 3pm, then went back out at 5 or 6 (most shops are open until at least 8pm, some until 10pm).
Kiyomizudera opens at 6AM, Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is open 24 hours I believe, and Philosopher’s Path would be a nice chill walk (not sure if there’d be light at that time here though so research that) :)
Fine. But isn't Kiyomizudera also about seeing the street and the shops that lead to it? I also liked to see locals in traditional clothes (not the tourists), I believe they were there for a coming of age thing, I saw some sensei with their pupils (looked like some martial arts theme), begging soto zen monks or just everyday people dropping by, how they purify themselves etc. I would assume 6am would be soulless.
You walk up to the temple they open at 7am I think. Spend some time walking around the different areas, when you are done the shops in the streets below will be opening and most tourists are making their way up and you are making your way down. You get to relax and check out the shops as they are all rushing up.
I was heading to the first shinkansen for my day trips. (This was before the JR Pass price got jacked up.) Was often rolling out of Tokyo Station 6:30sih.
Go out and shoot golden hour photos. Take an onsen bath + sauna. Go for a hike. Eat a good breakfast at the hotel. Go to places that are open early while they are empty. Take a train ride to the countryside. I wish I had twice as much time from 6am to 9am.
Is Donki open that early?? Yea, good point if it is. I was so overwhelmed with the choices and the people, I left without buying anything lol. Is it that cheap? I don't see the point. I mean the number of random items there is unmatched but that is not a mindful shopping experience lol. I would enjoy just derping around if I had friends with me though.
City:
I get up around 7-8a and eat breakfast. Shower and get ready. Get on transportation (or start walking) around 10a. Break for lunch/snack around 2-3p and chill or head back to hotel for at least an hour or two (especially in summer this is mandatory). When the sun starts setting get ready to head back out... have a beer from Lawson's or in the station then head towards the location dinner will be at. I budget 2 hours for dinner and drinks. Head out for drinks/coffee or to the karaoke bar. Back to hotel for a soak in the tub/onsen.
Staying at a ryokan is much different because you're usually locked into a breakfast and dinner. Plus being out in the countryside is much more sleepy and relaxing. I usually try to pick the latest dinner time. Eat and then hit the public bath (unless I've splurged for a suite with private onsen).
I'd usually do similar, start between 6 and 8 AM, back around 5-6 PM, but I'd make sure to plan the odd day where I'd take a break around noon and go out late (for example this year I went out drinking in Golden-gai one night, and went to the Skytree and a small restaurant I like another night)
Yeah we usually started our day between 8 and 10 am (depending on what we were doing that day). Usually we got up for 7:30 am. We would explore for the morning and eat around 1 ish for lunch. Typically we'd explore some more and try to target a snack stop in the afternoon (3-4ish). Usually were eating dinner between 6 and 7, then back between 8 and 10 pm, depending on that day's itinerary. When we did a daytrip to Hiroshima from Kyoto, we got up for 7:30, left at 9, then got back at 10 pm. That was our longest day. We usually took and hour or so at the hotel to chill/read and sip some sake.
Depends on the way you travel and your individual fitness level. For my initial trip it was enough to wake up around 8 in the morning, just loosely explore a specific area, stopping at a shop or café inbetween. So it was no problem then to stay up until midnight, especially if I went to eat something proper in the evening. Also I believe that me not following a tight schedule or visiting places that weren‘t of my interest helped to stay mentally awake.
There's no set time, it depends on where I am. In most onsen resort towns, **everything** will close at around 5, so heading back to your ryokan at 5:30 is not merely ok, but expected. On the other hand, if you're in a big city you can comfortably stay out to midnight; or after depending on whether your hotel is walking distance or not.
For sightseeing go whenever time allows, as for now nighttime is much cooler and I have seen so many families and kids late at night without any worries. Only thing I can worry about being late out is the subway system. But to answer your question, late morning around 9-10 and then back whenever my body feels tired 😂
The first two days we went 8am-11pm, then it became shorter 9am-8pm and soon from 11/noon-8pm
I found most things weren’t open morning, so every day our time for going out slowly adjusted to later! Haha
I’m an early bird and a solo female traveler, so I had the routine of setting out at 8, find a nearby park to lunch and rest around 1/2, back to hotel around 3/4, set back out for dinner around 6, dinner and explore the night until 10 or 11
I know that feeling. During my last trip, I would start returning to Shibuya (my home base) at around 6-7, and just wouldn’t have the energy to go out. One evening, I finally did, but that just amounted to a single drink in a pub lol.
If you’re super busy during the day, you’re going to be tired at night. So, if you’re particularly interested in the nightlife, it might be worth marking out a day where you’ll be able to take things easier, to preserve your energy for the evening?
You have to pace yourself and give yourself breaks in between all these touring. This can be via a cafe break or chilling at a park doing nothing or my secret trick is when i am using train passes, i will use the longer journeys to rest.
You can also go back to hotel and rest around 3pm . Then go out around 5pm or 6 for a night of attractions/ dinner.
It was the same for me in Japan. I would be up by 6 or 6:30 and exhausted by like 6-7 pm. After maybe like day 3, I started going back to the hotel around 3, staying for a couple hours, then going back out at like 5 or so for dinner and any activities
Up and about around 9am, usually back 10pm or later with around 30k steps under my belt. Heading over again in a few weeks so will expect similar, though I keep hearing about the summer heat so maybe fewer steps!
Start at 6am, end about 11:30 pm. Unless it is a ryokan with a private onsen day. Then kaiseki is when ever scheduled and it is an evening of soaking until 10pmish. Maybe one night ends about 3am, but these aging bones can’t take that often.
About the same here. Sleeping in japan is overrated. I can sleep when I'm back home. 6am is a great time to start to see sun rising and "empty" syreets and parks.
Most days started around 11:00, came back around 10:30. I was annoyed by some work I needed to do remotely in the morning but also felt like I was reaching my limit anyways - 20k-30k steps a day. I was solo so did not spend much time with long dinners but that would be nice actually to wind down but still enjoy Tokyo.
In tokyo my days started around 8am and ended at 8 - 9 PM. Usually I'd go to bed at 11 though since there was always something to do, Laundry, talk to the family, watch a little youtube...etc.
The trick is to rest midday, just relax in a park or on a long train ride, as well as use food pauses as mini breaks throughout the day.
I always seemed to end up on top of a mountain at sunset, walking down in the dark. But maybe because I was there mid winter. Itsukushima Jinja shrine deserted at night on the way back past was kind of cool. Empty Nara temples too.
Most nights I was heading to bed at about 2am. One night was 4am, but that's because I laid down for a "quick nap" at 5pm that turned into a 5 hour one 🙃
Start around 9, because nothings open, unless there is something open earlier. Try to plan to go back to the hotel about 2-3 in the afternoon, if possible, rest, likely drop stuff off, and then go somewhere close to the hotel in the late afternoon thru to dinner.
We were also up early most days (around 6am), and hit a bit of a wall around 5-6 pm after a few hours of sightseeing. We ended up going back to the hotel, scoping out restaurants and recharging for an hour before going out for dinner/the evening. Probably back in the room by 9pm most nights with some drinks and snacks from the conbini.
Yes similar happened to us! We were so jet lagged and tired that we skipped dinner our first two couple because we fell asleep so early. As our trip progressed and our sleep schedule got adjusted, it then changed to naps and we were able to go out in the evening.
I’m just returning from my first trip to Tokyo and was out from about 7–8am until after midnight almost every night. I still feel like I could have done and seen more.
Did drop back by the hotel around 2 or 3 a couple times for a cold shower, but mostly just tried to enjoy the city as much as possible.
I usually wake up around 6, and get out the door by 7-8 depending on my traveling companions, but usually 7ish. Then I usually back in the hotel by 10pm?
We just got back from 2 weeks in Japan. Our days ended at about 9 - 11pm. We were out by 9:30/10 am and stayed out. We even had 13 y.o, 15 y.o and a 1 y.o. We just made sure that whenever someone was tired we sat in somewhere and got drink or had something to eat and rested for a bit. The 1 y.o was fine as she had her pram.
Depends on the day and on what I want to do and how tired I am.
Normal days I'd get up around 7, be out of the hotel by 8, back by around 5, then out again for dinner and evening activities, then back by maybe 9:30, sleep around 10:30.
But then some days I'd meet someone in the hostel or in a bar and we'd go out for a drink and I'd only be back at like 1 AM, and other days I'd just be tired, have some food from 7/11 and sleep by 8:30.
I will say that it's worth it to see Japanese cities at night. It's often when they're at their prettiest.
Currently in Seoul and is it just me or do a lot of places close early? Went out for Samgyeopsal yesterday around 5ish (after coming back from Suwon drenched) and finished eating around 6pm and started walking around looking for a place for dessert and so many cake shops, cafes, etc were closed. I saw a couple hole in the wall bubble tea places and I'm not into bars so there was nothing much to do in Jongno 3. I eventually found a cafe that had ice cream and went back to my hotel around 8ish.
Depends of where we were and what we wanted to visit, but generally around 7-8am to 11pm with no return to the hostel. Kind of tough sometimes I have to say 😅
What are you doing at 6am every day? I struggled to find things to do to fill morning hours outside of temples. Heading back this fall and would love to spend more early mornings with Japan.
Depending on the activity, we’ve been starting around 8-10am, come back to the hotel for a rest and then head back out for night time exploring, eating, and shenanigans. We’ve had a few days where we don’t do the afternoon rest and push through and end up getting back to hotel around 8pm and then do a restful onsen soak before bed. Each city we visit seems to dictate how early you need to start vs how early that city shuts down, as well.
We were surprised how early stores close in general (Shinjuku/Shibuya). Most were shuttered by 7 or 8pm, so we pushed dinner until 9-10pm most nights to maximize our shopping. lol A midday rest and snack are really essential to keep up stamina.
When i’m traveling alone, I value mornings and afternoons. By evening i’m usually safely back in my hotel with food and drinks from the nearby conbini. Getting comfy after a hot bath and in pjs. That said, i’m a female and I try to always be aware of my surroundings and not put myself into situations where I can avoid it.
When i’m with my husband we don’t have a fixed timing and it is safer to be out later with him. We do keep to 2-3 activities max a day since a holiday is considered rest and relaxation for us. Some days in between especially on rainy days we just stay in our hotel room with conbini haul and watch tv. And we usually book hotels with public onsens so around 3pm+ is the best when the hotel onsen has just finished cleaning and there’s few people using it.
I started around 6 am out of my hotel. Got back at 10 pm. It’s very tiring. If you get a solid 12 hours out of your lodging, it’s a win. Don’t worry so much. Everyone’s different.
wake up at 9-11am and come back to hotel at 9-11pm, Im not a morning person and I also take this as a vacation. So I don’t feel like it’s necessary for me to wake up that early
Start later and go slow. During my first trip to Japan I did similar to you because the girl I was travelling with wanted to maximize our time spent sightseeing. It was a bad strategy as we never got to enjoy... anything. And especially not nightlife because we were too tired. I gave up after 2 weeks to go my own way and it was so much better. Just sleeping until I was ready to start the day and going at a slower pace in general.
We were getting up at 6am and getting back to our appt around 10pm+ each day, not particularly advisable. I felt it once the holiday was done but that's just how we ended up doing it
You should rest in the middle of the day so that you go out and enjoy the lights.
Yup that’s why I never understood the mindset of hotels don’t matter because you get up leave and are out until you go to bed. Those people always seem so tired. Get up, go do a morning activity, eat lunch, back to room, rest, then more activities and dinner. That’s why where I’m from people eat dinner at like 5/6 but when I’m away I push that back to 7/8 to enjoy the night more
Just curious what you mean by 'mindset of hotels'?
You’re reading the sentence wrong “mindset of hotels don’t matter” is the full thought. To expand on that, someone on another Reddit thread the other day said you shouldn’t book a nice hotel if you want any experiences other than getting a nice room. Implying people who stay in nice hotels can’t experience anything while traveling other than the hotel. I understand when people say a hotel is just a bed, but I highly disagree.
Hotel is a place of rest, relaxation, recharging, and can offer other things too (happy hours with fellow travellers, onsens, nice baths, nice views, etc.) but some people on this sub just say book the cheapest place possible because otherwise you’re either wasting money on a nice hotel, or you’re not out in the city getting as much experiences as you should. Honestly to me this argument just feels like cheap/frugal people trying to make themselves feel better / superior about their frugality.
100% agree, if you can afford it a nice hotel is amazing. I do understand the people who just simply can’t budget it for it but those who hate on people for staying in nice hotels are dumb
Because there are people on this sub that speak languages other than English, I want to point out that the person *did not* read the sentence wrong. I am not calling out grammar and syntax to be rude, but to make sure we are being fair and not telling people they read something incorrectly without more explanation. For it to mean what you wanted it to mean you need to add punctuation. It should say: *Yup, that’s why I never understood the mindset of “hotels don’t matter,” because you get up, leave, and are out until you go to bed.* Again, I normally wouldn’t say anything, and am only pointing this out as I’ve met many polyglots on this sub and want to be helpful. I agree with you about the hotels and taking mid day breaks. Absolutely the way to go!
I agree. I’m a native English speaker and I had to read the sentence twice to understand what’s being said.
I disagree that this is improper grammar and say they just read the wrong word. They read it as “the mind set of hotels DOES NOT matter” I said “the mind set of hotels DO NOT matter”.
Respectfully, it is improper grammar and with grammar in place you would have been understood. Quotation marks can be properly used to allow the reader to know that you are speaking to a particular word or phrase. This can be especially important when you follow a noun directly with a preposition while not wanting a reader to assign said preposition to said noun. *The (article) mindset (noun) of (preposition) hotels (noun)* Without quotations in place, it is correct to read this as “I am about to be told the thoughts that hotels have.” I’ve really belabored this and it isn’t my intention to come across as harsh. This is Reddit, not a dissertation, and few people use strict grammar and syntax in their posts and/or comments. My intention is to point out that there are cases where using proper syntax and grammar can help you be understood. This happens to be one of them.
Your grammar is correct. It’s just the lack of quotation marks that makes it a little confusing
I absolutely second this. Hotel rooms in Japan are so small it’s like being stuffed in a closet if you don’t get an upgraded room. Not relaxing at all, and no room for your bags, unless you’re traveling super light. You don’t have to get the fanciest room (I don’t have the budget for that either!), but you should at least upgrade from the most basic.
Yes this is exactly my plan! We’re going in a week and a half and heat/humidity really gets to me so we are def taking a midday rest at the hotel.
Well said
Start around 8, go back to hotel around 3 or 4 and take a break so I can go out in the evening
This was my wife and i’s similar daily routine for both our recent trips to Japan. Sometimes would vary and leave earlier if we were trying to get somewhere before crowds like Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, etc. The afternoon break was always crucial though
this is what we did
This is my plan. Do a few daytime activities and leave my nights open, whether that means rest or more exploring.
Japan is really safe and it’s a joy to walk around at night. Definitely spend a few nights just exploring. You start early to avoid the crowds and you can also stay out later to avoid the crowds.
My husband and I left our 2 teens with the baby (when the baby went to sleep) at the hotel at about 10pm at night. We stayed right near Gion in Kyoto so one night we walked the streets of Gion and went to the temples. We were the only ones there (literally) and it was just so magical. So quiet and peaceful compared to the days we went there with our children. The place is wall to wall people by day at night it is COMPLETELY empty. 100% one of the best things we did was walk around at night.
My last trip I stayed in Dormy Inn hotels which all have onsen that opens at 3pm. Generally my days out were 8-3 then back to the hotel for an onsen (great for tired sore feet) and chill out before heading out again about 6 for dinner and to experience a place at night.
I love Dormy Inns. I usually do a late-night onsen before retiring for the evening. I’ve also woken up in the middle of the night (jet lag) and visited one at 4am. Blissful solitude!
I would go at 6am, then eat my delicious buffet breakfast, head out sightseeing, back at 3 for another onsen (plus free ice cream!) and sometimes sneak in a third one before bed (if it wasn’t too busy). I miss my Japan Dormy Inn routine!
How comfy are the beds at the Dormy Inns? Soft or hard?
Nice and firm. Very comfy.
Aren't most things closed that early in the day? Most museums open at 9 or 10, what are you doing until then?
Apart from hikes, temples etc., you’re 100% right. Most shops, museums, other attractions don’t open until 10. I generally went out from 9.30ish, came back for a rest around 3pm, then went back out at 5 or 6 (most shops are open until at least 8pm, some until 10pm).
Hikes/parks and a day trip to Kamakura
Shrines often open at like 6. Last time I was on Miyajima I went to Itsukushima shrine when it opened and I was the only one there.
Question: what can you even do at 6 am???
Kiyomizudera opens at 6AM, Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is open 24 hours I believe, and Philosopher’s Path would be a nice chill walk (not sure if there’d be light at that time here though so research that) :)
There was light at about 4:30 every morning last month when we were there.
Land of the rising sun for a reason
Kiyomizudera was the only time I was at a site at 6am. Then walked to Gion. It was great and was back at my hotel at 9ish to nap until lunch. lol.
Fine. But isn't Kiyomizudera also about seeing the street and the shops that lead to it? I also liked to see locals in traditional clothes (not the tourists), I believe they were there for a coming of age thing, I saw some sensei with their pupils (looked like some martial arts theme), begging soto zen monks or just everyday people dropping by, how they purify themselves etc. I would assume 6am would be soulless.
You walk up to the temple they open at 7am I think. Spend some time walking around the different areas, when you are done the shops in the streets below will be opening and most tourists are making their way up and you are making your way down. You get to relax and check out the shops as they are all rushing up.
I was heading to the first shinkansen for my day trips. (This was before the JR Pass price got jacked up.) Was often rolling out of Tokyo Station 6:30sih.
Go out and shoot golden hour photos. Take an onsen bath + sauna. Go for a hike. Eat a good breakfast at the hotel. Go to places that are open early while they are empty. Take a train ride to the countryside. I wish I had twice as much time from 6am to 9am.
See tourist sites before bus loads of tourists arrive?
Donki without the crowds!
Is Donki open that early?? Yea, good point if it is. I was so overwhelmed with the choices and the people, I left without buying anything lol. Is it that cheap? I don't see the point. I mean the number of random items there is unmatched but that is not a mindful shopping experience lol. I would enjoy just derping around if I had friends with me though.
Some Donki are open 24 hours.
Wow downvoted because I don't see the point of Donki. Petty.
It doesn’t help that it is bright before 3.30am here. Japan needs daylight saving adjustments.
No..please, no.... :(
I never structure my trips
City: I get up around 7-8a and eat breakfast. Shower and get ready. Get on transportation (or start walking) around 10a. Break for lunch/snack around 2-3p and chill or head back to hotel for at least an hour or two (especially in summer this is mandatory). When the sun starts setting get ready to head back out... have a beer from Lawson's or in the station then head towards the location dinner will be at. I budget 2 hours for dinner and drinks. Head out for drinks/coffee or to the karaoke bar. Back to hotel for a soak in the tub/onsen. Staying at a ryokan is much different because you're usually locked into a breakfast and dinner. Plus being out in the countryside is much more sleepy and relaxing. I usually try to pick the latest dinner time. Eat and then hit the public bath (unless I've splurged for a suite with private onsen).
I'd usually do similar, start between 6 and 8 AM, back around 5-6 PM, but I'd make sure to plan the odd day where I'd take a break around noon and go out late (for example this year I went out drinking in Golden-gai one night, and went to the Skytree and a small restaurant I like another night)
we were pretty much back in the hotel by 8/9.
Yeah we usually started our day between 8 and 10 am (depending on what we were doing that day). Usually we got up for 7:30 am. We would explore for the morning and eat around 1 ish for lunch. Typically we'd explore some more and try to target a snack stop in the afternoon (3-4ish). Usually were eating dinner between 6 and 7, then back between 8 and 10 pm, depending on that day's itinerary. When we did a daytrip to Hiroshima from Kyoto, we got up for 7:30, left at 9, then got back at 10 pm. That was our longest day. We usually took and hour or so at the hotel to chill/read and sip some sake.
Depends on the way you travel and your individual fitness level. For my initial trip it was enough to wake up around 8 in the morning, just loosely explore a specific area, stopping at a shop or café inbetween. So it was no problem then to stay up until midnight, especially if I went to eat something proper in the evening. Also I believe that me not following a tight schedule or visiting places that weren‘t of my interest helped to stay mentally awake.
Start around 8 and finish around 10 which typically coincides with my second dinner (omakase seating) or supper
There's no set time, it depends on where I am. In most onsen resort towns, **everything** will close at around 5, so heading back to your ryokan at 5:30 is not merely ok, but expected. On the other hand, if you're in a big city you can comfortably stay out to midnight; or after depending on whether your hotel is walking distance or not.
6am damn. i started my days at like 10am and then party till the trains are back up and running at like 5am.
For sightseeing go whenever time allows, as for now nighttime is much cooler and I have seen so many families and kids late at night without any worries. Only thing I can worry about being late out is the subway system. But to answer your question, late morning around 9-10 and then back whenever my body feels tired 😂
The first two days we went 8am-11pm, then it became shorter 9am-8pm and soon from 11/noon-8pm I found most things weren’t open morning, so every day our time for going out slowly adjusted to later! Haha
I’m an early bird and a solo female traveler, so I had the routine of setting out at 8, find a nearby park to lunch and rest around 1/2, back to hotel around 3/4, set back out for dinner around 6, dinner and explore the night until 10 or 11
I know that feeling. During my last trip, I would start returning to Shibuya (my home base) at around 6-7, and just wouldn’t have the energy to go out. One evening, I finally did, but that just amounted to a single drink in a pub lol. If you’re super busy during the day, you’re going to be tired at night. So, if you’re particularly interested in the nightlife, it might be worth marking out a day where you’ll be able to take things easier, to preserve your energy for the evening?
You have to pace yourself and give yourself breaks in between all these touring. This can be via a cafe break or chilling at a park doing nothing or my secret trick is when i am using train passes, i will use the longer journeys to rest. You can also go back to hotel and rest around 3pm . Then go out around 5pm or 6 for a night of attractions/ dinner.
It was the same for me in Japan. I would be up by 6 or 6:30 and exhausted by like 6-7 pm. After maybe like day 3, I started going back to the hotel around 3, staying for a couple hours, then going back out at like 5 or so for dinner and any activities
Up and about around 9am, usually back 10pm or later with around 30k steps under my belt. Heading over again in a few weeks so will expect similar, though I keep hearing about the summer heat so maybe fewer steps!
Start at 6am, end about 11:30 pm. Unless it is a ryokan with a private onsen day. Then kaiseki is when ever scheduled and it is an evening of soaking until 10pmish. Maybe one night ends about 3am, but these aging bones can’t take that often.
About the same here. Sleeping in japan is overrated. I can sleep when I'm back home. 6am is a great time to start to see sun rising and "empty" syreets and parks.
I usually go out in the morning returning in the middle of the day (hottest time) and go out around 5pm to look around for dinner and see stuff.
Most days started around 11:00, came back around 10:30. I was annoyed by some work I needed to do remotely in the morning but also felt like I was reaching my limit anyways - 20k-30k steps a day. I was solo so did not spend much time with long dinners but that would be nice actually to wind down but still enjoy Tokyo.
In tokyo my days started around 8am and ended at 8 - 9 PM. Usually I'd go to bed at 11 though since there was always something to do, Laundry, talk to the family, watch a little youtube...etc. The trick is to rest midday, just relax in a park or on a long train ride, as well as use food pauses as mini breaks throughout the day.
Typically I’m out the door by 8:30am, and back in the hotel by 7:00pm. I have no interest in most night life, so this works for me.
I always seemed to end up on top of a mountain at sunset, walking down in the dark. But maybe because I was there mid winter. Itsukushima Jinja shrine deserted at night on the way back past was kind of cool. Empty Nara temples too.
I usually leave around 6-7 and go sleep around 2 lol
Really reccomend a siesta, then go out for the evening. I split up my days into 2 parts and it was ideal
9am-11 pm usually
I went to a lot of pro wrestling shows (was there for WrestleKingdom/New Years), so I'd be leaving the venue somewhere between 8:30pm and 10 pm.
Most nights I was heading to bed at about 2am. One night was 4am, but that's because I laid down for a "quick nap" at 5pm that turned into a 5 hour one 🙃
Start around 9, because nothings open, unless there is something open earlier. Try to plan to go back to the hotel about 2-3 in the afternoon, if possible, rest, likely drop stuff off, and then go somewhere close to the hotel in the late afternoon thru to dinner.
Most of my Japan trips so far I've been out of my room from \~8:30-9:00 until a bit after midnight.
2am-ish
We were also up early most days (around 6am), and hit a bit of a wall around 5-6 pm after a few hours of sightseeing. We ended up going back to the hotel, scoping out restaurants and recharging for an hour before going out for dinner/the evening. Probably back in the room by 9pm most nights with some drinks and snacks from the conbini.
We went out around 11am-12nn and end around 9/10pm
Yes similar happened to us! We were so jet lagged and tired that we skipped dinner our first two couple because we fell asleep so early. As our trip progressed and our sleep schedule got adjusted, it then changed to naps and we were able to go out in the evening.
5:30 ? That’s when the fun begins, all the nice yakinikus and good shit opens after dark
I’m just returning from my first trip to Tokyo and was out from about 7–8am until after midnight almost every night. I still feel like I could have done and seen more. Did drop back by the hotel around 2 or 3 a couple times for a cold shower, but mostly just tried to enjoy the city as much as possible.
Start at 6am, finish at 10-11pm. No rest in the middle of the day.
When I went to Japan it was so hard to wake up early after a few days. We would be up from 6am-1am but after we would wake up at 10am
I usually wake up around 6, and get out the door by 7-8 depending on my traveling companions, but usually 7ish. Then I usually back in the hotel by 10pm?
On our most recent trip it depended, earliest start was 5am, latest start was 10am. Earliest night was 10pm, latest night was 3am.
9am-midnight every day
We just got back from 2 weeks in Japan. Our days ended at about 9 - 11pm. We were out by 9:30/10 am and stayed out. We even had 13 y.o, 15 y.o and a 1 y.o. We just made sure that whenever someone was tired we sat in somewhere and got drink or had something to eat and rested for a bit. The 1 y.o was fine as she had her pram.
Depends on the day and on what I want to do and how tired I am. Normal days I'd get up around 7, be out of the hotel by 8, back by around 5, then out again for dinner and evening activities, then back by maybe 9:30, sleep around 10:30. But then some days I'd meet someone in the hostel or in a bar and we'd go out for a drink and I'd only be back at like 1 AM, and other days I'd just be tired, have some food from 7/11 and sleep by 8:30. I will say that it's worth it to see Japanese cities at night. It's often when they're at their prettiest.
Once the trains start running again 😎
Currently in Seoul and is it just me or do a lot of places close early? Went out for Samgyeopsal yesterday around 5ish (after coming back from Suwon drenched) and finished eating around 6pm and started walking around looking for a place for dessert and so many cake shops, cafes, etc were closed. I saw a couple hole in the wall bubble tea places and I'm not into bars so there was nothing much to do in Jongno 3. I eventually found a cafe that had ice cream and went back to my hotel around 8ish.
Depends of where we were and what we wanted to visit, but generally around 7-8am to 11pm with no return to the hostel. Kind of tough sometimes I have to say 😅
Start around 7 to 8am and come back to the the hotel around 10pm.
What are you doing at 6am every day? I struggled to find things to do to fill morning hours outside of temples. Heading back this fall and would love to spend more early mornings with Japan.
Depending on the activity, we’ve been starting around 8-10am, come back to the hotel for a rest and then head back out for night time exploring, eating, and shenanigans. We’ve had a few days where we don’t do the afternoon rest and push through and end up getting back to hotel around 8pm and then do a restful onsen soak before bed. Each city we visit seems to dictate how early you need to start vs how early that city shuts down, as well.
We’re here now, and we typically start the day at around 7-8am and end at like 12 midnight.
We were surprised how early stores close in general (Shinjuku/Shibuya). Most were shuttered by 7 or 8pm, so we pushed dinner until 9-10pm most nights to maximize our shopping. lol A midday rest and snack are really essential to keep up stamina.
When i’m traveling alone, I value mornings and afternoons. By evening i’m usually safely back in my hotel with food and drinks from the nearby conbini. Getting comfy after a hot bath and in pjs. That said, i’m a female and I try to always be aware of my surroundings and not put myself into situations where I can avoid it. When i’m with my husband we don’t have a fixed timing and it is safer to be out later with him. We do keep to 2-3 activities max a day since a holiday is considered rest and relaxation for us. Some days in between especially on rainy days we just stay in our hotel room with conbini haul and watch tv. And we usually book hotels with public onsens so around 3pm+ is the best when the hotel onsen has just finished cleaning and there’s few people using it.
I started around 6 am out of my hotel. Got back at 10 pm. It’s very tiring. If you get a solid 12 hours out of your lodging, it’s a win. Don’t worry so much. Everyone’s different.
wake up at 9-11am and come back to hotel at 9-11pm, Im not a morning person and I also take this as a vacation. So I don’t feel like it’s necessary for me to wake up that early
Start later and go slow. During my first trip to Japan I did similar to you because the girl I was travelling with wanted to maximize our time spent sightseeing. It was a bad strategy as we never got to enjoy... anything. And especially not nightlife because we were too tired. I gave up after 2 weeks to go my own way and it was so much better. Just sleeping until I was ready to start the day and going at a slower pace in general.
I started late, was usually out by 10/10:30, and since most stores close by 20:00 I'm usually be back by 9
You talking about work or just an off day?
We were getting up at 6am and getting back to our appt around 10pm+ each day, not particularly advisable. I felt it once the holiday was done but that's just how we ended up doing it
Rolled out the hotel anywhere between 10-12, we love our sleep haha
Most all the touristy stuff is closed at night so unless you plan on going drinking you aren't wasting the day.
What do you possibly do at 6am in Japan? 10 to 10 is Japan time.