Japan: Tokyo Nights & Kyoto Temples

Arrival in Shinjuku

Land in Tokyo, navigate the transit system to Shinjuku, and find your hostel. You've got the afternoon free before meeting the rest of the crew around 6pm. The first night is a group outing—a chance to find a good spot for drinks and see where the night takes you.

A Free Day in Tokyo

The day starts with a quick orientation walk to get your bearings. After that, Tokyo is yours. You can hit the major sights like the Senso-ji Temple or the Shibuya Crossing, or just get lost in the vintage shops of Shimokitazawa. The city's metro is your best friend for covering ground. Heads-up if you bought a JR Pass: under the current policy you have to validate it in person at a JR ticket office counter before first use — not online. Grab some cheap eats from a 7-Eleven or a basement food hall (a *depachika*) to save yen for the night out.

Bullet Train to the Alps

It's an early start for the bullet train to Takayama, a town tucked into the Japanese Alps that feels a world away from Tokyo's neon. An orientation walk gets you pointed toward the old town's preserved streets, full of craft shops and *sake* breweries—day drinking is a definite option.

The spot for the night is a traditional *ryokan*, a Japanese inn with tatami mat floors and futon beds. The main event is the on-site *onsen* (hot spring), perfect for a long soak after the train journey.