Spend a Day at Disneyland in Paris, France!

Spend a Day at Disneyland in Paris, France!

Hi Friends!

When we were planning our Paris trip, Disneyland Paris was pretty high up on our must-do list while we were visiting. It is just a short train ride from the city, and it’s the perfect way to experience the Disney magic that we all love. It was fun because there are actually two parks in one! They have the Disneyland Park and they also have Walt Disney Studios Park. Between both parks you are going to get everything you’re looking for from classic fairytale rides, Pixar and Marvel adventures, and the iconic Sleeping Beauty’s Castle! If you’re a Disney fan, a foodie, or just want to relive a little childhood magic, Disneyland Paris is a must-visit. Below I’m sharing how we got there, how to get tickets, our favorite rides across both parks, what we ate, where we shopped, and then some of my best tips for making the most out of your magical day! Happy reading!

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🎟️ Getting There + Buying Tickets

We took the train from our Airbnb to Disneyland Paris! Disneyland Paris is located in Marne-la-Vallée which was like a 40 minutes train ride from central Paris. Like I said, we took the train and we got off at the Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy station, and it drops you off just a few steps from the park entrance which was super easy and convenient!

As for our tickets, we booked our tickets in advance through the official Disneyland Paris website! I always recommend booking tickets through the official site just so there aren’t any problems when trying to get into the park. We were only there for one day and we bought the Park Hopper ticket so we could go to both the Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. For us it was definitely worth it because each park has unique rides and experiences that we really didn’t want to miss!

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🏰 How to Skip the Lines at Disneyland Paris

I am not an expert by any means, I just wanted to note what we did and noticed about the fast pass system when we were visiting. From what I understand, the classic paper FastPass system is gone much like other Disney parks, Disneyland Paris now uses Premier Access passes. They actually have two options, Disney Premier Access Ultimate and Disney Premier Access One. The Disney Premier Access Ultimate is where you can use the pass one time for each attraction that is available and the Disney Premier Access One is where you can use the pass one time for one attraction. I shared an image below that details the options a little bit more! For us, with a lot of the wait times being well over an hour to wait and us only being there for one day, we wanted to maximize our time and we decided to purchase it to experience both parks in one day.

One big tip: if there's something you must ride, go straight there at rope drop or pay for Premier Access.

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🎢 Our Three Favorite Rides From Each Park

Disneyland Park Highlights

• Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain

• Pirates of the Caribbean

• It’s a Small World

• Haunted Mansion

Walt Disney Studios Park Highlights

• Ratatouille: The Adventure

• Avengers Assemble: Flight Force

• Crush’s Coaster

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🛍️ Souvenirs We Bought (Because You Have to)

Shopping at Disneyland Paris felt extra special and there was a lot of merch that I hadn’t seen anywhere else like in the states or in Japan! Here is where we stopped:

• The Emporium on Main Street - This is where you will find the Disney classics and it’s great to stop in for last-minute shopping before you leave the parks for the day!

• Castle Shops - There were so many cool themed souvenirs that were tied to Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, definitely stop in here!

• Ratatouille Merch - We loved shopping in here and it is exclusive to Paris! They had themed desserts and candy and Ratatouille merch I haven’t seen before in any other parks I have been to!

• Marvel & Pixar Stores in Walt Disney Studios - These were some other cool stores to shop in especially if Marvel or Pixar are you thing! Tons of cute things to find in here, they felt similar to shopping in California Adventure in my opinion!

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💡 Tips for First-Timers

• Download the Disneyland Paris App before your trip and use it!

• Make sure you log in and link your tickets before getting to the park, you will want to use the app with your linked tickets to get into the park!

• Check availability for rides and make reservations right after park entry. Availability for the fast pass options can go fast—especially on weekends and holidays!

• Make sure you bring a portable charger, you’ll be on your phone all day and it will come in handy, I promise!

• Utilize mobile ordering when it is available at select quick-service locations in the app! It is great for skipping food lines!

• Pack compact umbrella or raincoat, we learned that the Paris weather can change quickly and again you will be happy you brought it!

• Make sure you arrive early to the park to wait in line. I would aim to get there at least 30–45 minutes before park opening. The earlier you get in line the earlier you will get into the park and be able to get the fast passes that you want for the rides on your list.

• I would have a plan going into the day but at the same time be flexible. It is smart to have a few rides on your list that are must-do attractions for you but also be ready to adjust the plan based on crowd levels and wait times for the day that you are at the park!

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With us being such big Disney people we were so happy that we added Disneyland Paris to our itinerary in Paris. The Disneyland Park wan’t short of magic by any means and we loved the unique experiences at Walt Disney Studios, it really felt like the best of Disney with a little Paris twist! Don’t be intimidated by visiting Disneyland Paris, it was super easy with a little planning! Things like getting tickets early, considering Premier Access, and prioritizing your favorite rides will help you make the most of your day across both parks. If you’re planning your own Disneyland Paris adventure and have any questions, feel free to comment below or email me at tarynintotravel@gmail.com.

Much love,
Emma

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WHAT TO READ NEXT!

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12 Things to Do in Paris

12 Things to do in Paris

Hi friends!

We absolutely loved our trip to Paris and everything that we did while we were there felt like checking off major bucket list items! The city itself just feels like it is straight out of a dream, it’s romantic, elegant, and just charming. Whether it’s your first time visiting, like it was for us, or you’ve been there a few times, it seems like you will always have something new to experience while you are there. Here are the things that we did that I don’t think you should miss while you are there and there are also some tips that I share, which we learned along the way on our own trip!

Happy reading!

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1. Marvel at the Eiffel Tower (during the day & at night)

I feel like nothing prepared me to see the Eiffel Tower in person, like no matter how many times I had seen it in pictures, the Eiffel Tower is just breathtaking in person. We visited the Eiffel Tower during the day to see if and take in everything going on around it but we also came back at night because we didn’t want to miss seeing it sparkle at night! When you are going, make sure that you check when it is scheduled to sparkle, but when we were there, it went off every hour on the hour after it was dark out! We also didn’t go up in the Eiffel Tower, but we really didn’t feel like we missed anything so that is completely up to you if you go up for the view! If you plan to go up in it, I recommend buying your tickets online in advance to avoid the long lines!

2. Wander Through the Louvre

I don’t think I even knew what to expect when we put “visit the Louvre” on our itinerary, but it was such a fun morning wandering around seeing all of the art and history that was in just one place. We learned that it is one of the world’s largest art museums, and honestly, it was a little overwhelming at first from all of the wings and levels and names to take in! I also suggest getting a map when you walk in and maybe don’t expect to see everything inside. But if you have a few things on your list that you really want to see, start there and then see what happens as you wander the museum! Tip: I highly suggest getting a ticket beforehand online and choosing a timed-entry slot when you are picking a time online. I also suggest trying to go in the morning or later in the evening. We went in the morning and by the time we were heading out to leave, it was SUPER crowded!

3. Stroll Along the Seine

One late-ish afternoon we were walking around and we walked along the Siene from near the Arc de Triomphe and walked towards the Eiffel Tower to find some dinner. We went down the stairs and walked right along the river, there were a few outdoor beer garden type things and we really enjoyed it! There was lots to see and take in! We originally wanted to hop on one of the river cruises to see the city from the water but we ran out of time so this was good enough for us! Next time though we do want to do one of the river cruises! Tip: We heard that the evening river cruises are even more beautiful because you can see the Eiffel Tower sparkle as you pass by. Most cruises are about an hour and leave from near the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame.

4. Lunch and exploring Montmartre

I don’t know what I thought I was expecting but Montmartre but it completely exceeded my expectations and was the cutest little place to explore. Montmartre feels like its own little village filled with cobblestone streets, cute shops, delicious smells, watching artists set up at Place du Tertre, and climbing up (SO MANY STEPS) to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica for one of the best views of Paris! We also found a flea market nearby which is where my mom, my sister and myself found the best souvenirs! We ate lunch at a restaurant called Le Consulat and had some really yummy tortellini while we people watched! Tip: Be prepared for steps, like you are going to prepare yourself for a certain amount of steps and then I am going to need you to double it, there were SO many! If you’d rather not walk up, there’s a funicular (cable car) that will take you from the base of the hill up to the basilica. Entry to the Sacré-Cœur is free, but there’s a small fee to climb the dome.

5. Visit a Bakery and Eat all the Baguettes

I’m not even gong to link a specific bakery because there are good ones ALLLL over the city! We had one that was near our Airbnb and we stopped there once a day if not twice a day for baguettes, chocolate croissants and other yummy desserts to try! Please do not leave Paris without trying something from at least one bakery and if I am being honest, do it on day one because you will be so thankful when you can go everyday for the rest of your trip there!

6. Visit the Musée d’Orsay

This was another spot that wasn’t originally on our “to-do” list but we were happy that we added it! Musée d’Orsay was one of my favorite museums that we went to while we were in Paris. There was so much to look at and the building itself was really interesting! We learned that the Musée d’Orsay is a former railway station and it’s just filled with incredible Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, you won’t be sad you put it on your list! Tip: The top floor has huge clock windows that you can look out of with stunning views of the city! You will also want to buy your ticket ahead of time, we bought ours while we were in Paris a few days before we wanted to go and it just made the experience much calmer than it would have been if we were to wait in line which was the alternative option.

7. Picnic in the Luxembourg Gardens

This doesn’t have to be a super elaborate activity but one afternoon we grabbed a few snacks from a local market and headed to the Luxembourg Gardens. We really just sat there, ate our snacks and people watched! It was realaxing and it really felt like we were sort of immersed into what the locals that were there were doing. Tip: The gardens were free to get into and there are a ton of chairs you can use and move around as you want! Oh and there was a playground which would be fun if you are traveling with kids!

8. Take a Day Trip to Normandy

I actually wrote a whole blog post on this day trip that we took but early on when we were planning this trip we decided that we wanted to go on a day trip to visit Normandy and some other sites outside of Paris and we were so glad that we did! You can read all about that day trip here in this blog post! We went with Viator and we really enjoyed our time!

9. Spend the Evening at a Jazz Club - On the last night we were in Paris we decided to go to the Jazz Club where La La Land was filmed and it was such a fun night! Caveau De La Huchette is an underground jazz club and you literally feel like you are in a cave but such a cool experience! We decided to go to the early show at 9:00 pm so we could go get dinner afterwards but still catch out flights the next morning and it was perfect! The drinks were yummy, the crowd was so fun and it was a bucket list item I didn't even know I needed to check off my list until we did it!

10. Visit the bookstore Shakespeare and Company

While we were in Paris we stopped at the cutest bookstore called Shakespeare and Company and we spend like an hour looking at all of the books that were in the store. There was a line to get into the bookstore and it was well worth the wait! They had so many books and the cutest merch, I got a tote bag that I use all the time! If you are into books, I definitely recommend checking out Shakespeare and Company. It was sort of near Notre Dame, so when you visit that this would be a good quick pit stop since you are already in the area!

11. Spend a Day at Disneyland Paris

Not everyone is as in love with Disney as we are but if you know us, you know that there was no way we were going to go all the way to Paris and not spend a day at Disneyland in Paris! I am working on a blog post that shares all of the details from our day at Disneyland Paris but if you are a Disney fan you absolutely have to add the park to your list of things to do in Paris, you won’t regret it!

12. Go See Notre Dame

We didn’t go in but we walked by it and it was just really neat to see it in person. It was crazy to watch the videos of the fire back in 2019 but really something you can’t miss seeing while you are visiting Paris. It is such an iconic building that it felt like we couldn't miss it after getting a second chance to be able to after it was rebuilt. Like I said, we didn’t go in but you can buy tickets to go in and see it here! From what I understand, you can go in for free and see it but you need to make a reservation for a time that you go in. If you want a tour you can also buy those tickets from this same website!

On Our List but Ran Out of Time

Catch the Sunset from the Arc de Triomphe

This was one thing that was on our must do list but didn’t get to it while we were on this trip. We had heard that everyone usually goes to the Eiffel Tower for views around sunset but we should try to see the sunset at the Arc de Triomphe! We heard the view is equally amazing because you can see the Eiffel Tower in the skyline while you are at the Arc de Triomphe! We will have to make this happen next time but there’s no reason you shouldn’t! Tip: Entry to the Arc de Triomphe is included with the Paris Museum Pass. Make sure to check when you are buying it but it was when we looked at buying the Paris Museum Pass!

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We seriously had such a fun time when we were in Paris and I really think that the city of Paris is the kind of place where even the simplest moments feel special no matter what you are doing or seeing! Whether you are grabbing a coffee at a corner café, walking along the Seine after dinner or watching the city lights sparkle at night you are going to have a great time! I really think with any of these experiences that I listed as well as leaving room for your own unplanned spontaneous adventures, you will have the trip of a lifetime! If you have any questions at all I am here to answer them as best as I can, you can leave a comment below or send me an email at tarynintotravel@gmail.com and I will get back to you as soon as I can!

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What To Read Next

Secrets Moxche Playa Del Carmen Travel Diary

Hi friends! For my 30th birthday we weren’t sure what we were going to do for it, we had a couple of plans but they never worked out so about a week before my birthday Dustin pretty much surprised me with a relaxing long weekend at a resort doing my favorite things, reading, drinking wine and laying by a pool. I was sold and we had SUCH a fun time being down there!We went down with the intention to have zero plans, and we did just that. I loved every second of it! I have shared resorts that we have been to in the past and I wanted to share Secrets Moxche Playa Del Carmen with you guys as well! We loved the views, the food, the staff, the atmosphere. I could go on and on but the concierge staff were amazing, the bar staff, restaurant staff at ALL of the restaurants were just the nicest. We would absolutely go back to this resort again!

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Secrets Moxche Playa Del Carmen

Overview

We were there for 4 nights and 5 days and it was the perfect amount of time, we flew out EARLY on a Thursday morning and got to the resort before 10:00am which was nice because we got to enjoy the whole day there and then we flew out early on Monday morning and were home by noon and able to work a half day. It was an efficient trip timeline wise but it felt like we were still really able to make the most out of our time there with the flights that we chose to take.

• All inclusive resort

• Adults only resort

• 40 minute drive from Cancun Airport

• Free wifi

• 7 pools

• 10 restaurants

• 2 swim-up bars

• 7 bars/lounges

• A beach bar

• A 24 hour coffee shop/cafe

• A poolside bar

Activities & Amenities

One of the first things that stuck out to me about Secrets Moxché and really all of the Secrets hotels we’ve stayed at is how much there is to do without ever leaving the property. For the five days we were there it felt like every corner had something new to find. We loved that there were seven pools to choose from and something new that we liked were the man-made cenotes which were seriously stunning and made you feel like you’ve stumbled across your own secret oasis. We also loved the rooftop infinity pool that had amazing views that we still can’t get over! During the day, there was a ton of entertainment like live music, some fun shows, and tons of volleyball in the pool! We also loved that while there was a ton of things going on, there were also many spots that you felt completely alone and it was quiet to read a book or lounge on a pool float and relax. This resort felt like the perfect balance of relaxing and calm while also being able to be active and socialize if that’s what you were wanting.

The Spa

When we go on trips down to Mexico we always make a point to spend time at the spas that they have. This spa was really really nice, it was called the Secrets Spa by Pevonia and we loved it! As preferred members we always get a complementary hydrotherapy circuit when we are there and we booked that right before our massages and it was the perfect way to get super relaxed before the massages. The hydrotherapy circuit consists of wet and dry saunas, a steam room, a cold plunch and then pools with massaging jets of all sorts. A staff member walks you through the different steps and it is just so nice and peaceful! We also love getting massages with Secrets, they are always great experiences where we walk out feeling like your whole body hit reset. If you go to this Secrets or any Secrets, trust me, carve out a morning or afternoon for the spa—you’ll thank yourself later!

Dining

Okay, let’s talk food at Secrets Moxché! There are 10 different restaurants to choose from on property and we love that every meal felt like its own little adventure with so many different cuisines to choose from. My absolute favorite dinner was at Suki which was their asian fusion restaurant and you could also make a reservation for the hibachi grill. A couple of other honorable mentions was Bisou, the French restaurant and Allora, the Italian restaurant. We wanted to try Dos Almas, the Mexican restaurant but we ordered room service one night and didn’t have the opportunity to try it! They really have a ton of variety in their food which makes it feel like the resort is a lot larger and you can really spend more days/nights there. For lunch they had a few good options but surprisingly our favorite was the vegan restaurant next to the pool, it was called Bamboo. Also as I mentioned, there’s 24-hour room service for those late-night snacks!

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We were there for my birthday and anytime we are there for a special occasion they really go all out for it! There was a banner on our door that said “Happy Birthday”, there were a few nights that we were there where we had a bottle of champaign brought to the room that was left with a little dessert. It’s just little touches and things that they do that make the trip extra special.

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WHAT I PACKED

You can click each photo below and it will take you to all of the links!

When we were talking about this trip I knew that our main goal for the days that we were there was to spend as much time in and around the pool reading and relaxing and so I ended up bringing quite a few swimming suits. I didn’t buy new for this trip but I have gotten some new ones for our house this summer and those were the ones that made the packing list for Mexico! We go through suits so frequently here in Florida I usually gravitate towards buying them on Amazon because of the price point! ANYWAYS, now I am rambling but I will link my favorites below!

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BOOKS I BROUGHT TO READ

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We have been to a few Secrets properties at this point and Secrets Moxche Playa Del Carmen did not disappoint, it was absolutely beautiful. You can read about our trip to Secrets Playa Mujeres in Cancun here and you can read about our trip to Dreams Las Mareas in Costa Rica here! Have you stayed at a Secrets or Dreams location before? What was your experience? I would love to know what you thought of it. You can comment below or you can send me an email at tarynintotravel@gmail.com and I will respond to you there!

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WHAT TO READ NEXT

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Spend a Day at Universal in Japan

Spend a Day at Universal in Japan

Hi Friends!

When we started planning our activities for while we were in Osaka, we realized just how close we were going to be to Universal Studios in Japan and we added it to our list pretty much right away! This theme park has so much to offer and had so many cool and nostalgic rides, movie-themed attractions, amazing food, and even a little magic (hello, Harry Potter World!). If you are a fan of rides, good food and nostalgic movie memories I think Universal Studios is definitely a must do while you are in Japan! I am sharing below how we got to the park, how we got tickets, our favorite rides, the yummy food we had and just some tips and tricks to make your day at Universal Studios in Japan easier!

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🎟️ Getting There + Buying Tickets

Universal Studios in Japan is located just about 20 minutes away from Osaka Station. We took the train from the Shinsaibashi Station on the Midosuji Line which was about 15 minutes and then we went to the Osaka Station and then from there we took the JR Yumesaki Line to Universal City Station. When we got off the train we were pretty much right at the entrance. I also found a whole map that Universal Studios actually provides on their website, I will link that here for you! We bought our tickets online in advance and I would really recommend doing that! We bought our tickets directly through the official Universal Studios Japan website but I do think there are other ways to get them too! We went to buy them about two weeks before we were going and tickets were slim, we went one of the two days that were available so make sure you get them as early as possible when booking for your own trip!

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🏰 How to Skip the Lines with Express Pass

When we were planning this trip, we found out that number one way to maximize your time in the park is be spending a little bit more and getting Express Passes. The day that we were there we were noticing that some rides had like 2 to 3 hours wait times and if you have the Express Pass then you can skip that line which gives you more time to do other things in the park! We got our Express Passes directly through the Universal Studios Japan website but like the tickets for getting into the park, there are other places you can get them! The prices varied by the ride package that you picked but we got one that included passes for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge and The Flying Dinosaur. We got those ones specifically because we wanted access to Harry Potter World and to Super Nintendo World. But there are a ton of options you can choose from to fit your own preferences for what you would like to ride!

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🎢 The Rides We Went On (And Which Were Totally Worth It)

• Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge (Super Nintendo World™) - Such a fun ride, it’s basically like a real life version of being in Mario Kart where you are racing around a track, you are right in the game with the AR technology that they use and it is so cool! Definitely recommend going on this ride if you can get a time slot for it!

• The Flying Dinosaur - Holy $H!T, this was the most insane intense rides I have ever been on in my entire life. You are put into your seat and then your whole seat gets faced down so you are looking at the ground the whole time. It was such an intense ride, we went backwards, forwards, upside down, in a loop, underground. I don’t even know what I didn’t know before I went on that ride, it was insane. Haha, I’m glad I went and experienced it but that was a one and done kind of ride for me!

• Jurassic Park: The Ride - We had tickets to go on this, it looked like so much fun! It is a classic water ride with a huge drop where you get absolutely soaked. We watched the drop a few times and decided not to go on it, we didn’t want to be wet all day long and be uncomfortable, but people looked like they loved it. If you do go on it, bring a poncho!

• Minion Mayhem - This was the first ride that we went on when we got to the park and it was a lot of fun, and not like what I expected at all. It was a 3D ride mixed with a sort of roller coaster feel, it would be a good ride for anyone to go on, even kids!

We were only there for one day and I feel like we did it all but at the same time we didn’t get to see everything. We aren’t huge 3D ride goers so that takes a few options away. But on top of that, keep in mind that everything is smaller and that was no different for their rides. We were supposed to go on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey as well as the Hollywood Dream the Ride and for both rides we were turned away because the bar wouldn’t fit over Dustin’s shoulders. I would recommend looking at requirements before buying your tickets to go on those two rides specifically because we were so excited to go on them and we definitely weren’t the only people turned away from going on the ride and it really sucked.

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🍴 What We Ate

There were so many options to eat at this park, and really that was kind of the fun part! I will just name a few things that stuck out to us!

• Butterbeer at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - always a fun treat! It’s sweet, frothy, and perfect for photos in front of the castle!

• Mario Café & Store - You will need to get reservations for this, but if you have a fan of Mario and Luigi in the group, this would be a really fun lunch spot!

• Jurassic Park Turkey Leg - This was definitely not for me, but they smelled so good, and so many people were walking around with these huge and honestly iconic turkey legs!

• Louie’s N.Y. Pizza Parlor - We did eat here, and the pizza was really good! We tried the honey on top of the pizza trick that is really popular, and that was also really good, and something we will do on our pizza at home now!

Pro tip: Restaurants inside the park can get packed around lunchtime, so try eating early or late to skip the rush.

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🛍️ Where We Shopped for Souvenirs

I feel like with any theme park, shopping is a big part of being there, and Universal Studios Japan was just as cool as you would expect it to be in the merchandise department, plus there really was so much to look at souvenir wise!

• Universal Studios Store - This is the main shop near the entrance of the park that has everything from Minions to Jurassic Park and more. You can think of this store as a “I forgot to grab this when we were near those rides” on the way out for any last-minute purchases!

• Mario-themed Merch in Super Nintendo World - The stores that were in Super Nintendo World were so cool to look around in, and I believe that the merch that was in there was exclusive to Japan!

• Harry Potter World - Harry Potter World was another area that we spent a lot of time shopping in! You could buy wands and robes at Ollivanders or Filch’s Emporium, and so many other goodies as well!

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💡 Tips for First-Timers

• Arrive Early - When we were there, the gates opened up a little early before the official opening time, and it gave us a head start on getting to the rides we really wanted to go on!

• Download the Universal Japan App - This app was super helpful and gave us information on things like ride wait times, maps, show schedules, and where food was located. This was a very helpful tool for our day!

• Plan Ahead - Before you get there, make sure you know the rides that are important to you, which rides need special things for access to get to, and have a general idea of the layout of the park. That was helpful for us!

• Wear comfortable Shoes - This should be something you know if you read my blog posts about any park we have been to, but WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES, you will thank me later! You will easily walk 10,000 steps, and that’s just when you are in the park!

• Make sure you log in and link your tickets before getting to the park. You will want to use the app with your linked tickets to get into the park!

• Make sure you bring a portable charger, you’ll be on your phone all day, and it will come in handy, I promise!

• Pack an umbrella or bring a raincoat - The weather in Japan changed so quickly, and you will be happy you brought it with you!

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When we initially planned our Japan trip, we didn’t have Universal on the list of things we were going to do until we realized how close we were to Universal when we were in Osaka, and then we knew we had to add it in. There was so much to see there, and much like anything else in Japan, the details that were added to the park were just over the top cool to see. We loved getting to walk around the different themed areas and really just taking it all in. I think that with the right planning, utilizing the Express Passes, and having a few insider tips in mind when you are there, you can make the most of your trip to Universal in Japan. If you have any questions while planning your own trip or want to know more about anything that I mentioned above, feel free to reach out! You can comment below or you can send me an email at tarynintotravel@gmail.com, and I will get back to you as soon as possible!

Much Love, 

Emma

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WHAT TO READ NEXT!

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A Day Trip from Paris to Normandy, France

Hi Friends!

When we were in Paris this past summer, one of the days that we planned for our itinerary was to take a day trip to visit Normandy to learn more about D-Day and take more of a historical tour outside of the city. I will get into this a bit more down below but we ended up choosing to take a full-day tour through Viator (which we have used them before, you can read about our Daytrip to Dornoch, Scotland here). There were a ton of stops on this trip including Juno Beach, Omaha Beach to the American Cemetery and the having lunch in the cutest town of Arromanches. The day was packed with so much to see and so much to learn, we were so happy that we went on the tour. If you're considering a day trip like this, you can read all about our experience below!

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Why We Chose a Guided Day Trip from Paris

We travel quite a bit and we’ve done trips on our own and with tours and for this specific trip we were breaking down the cost of the tour and then what it would cost if we did it on our own and obviously ended up going with a guided tour. We knew this would be a long day (around 13–14 hours), and we didn’t want to worry about car rentals, taking a train, getting directions, or parking. For us, choosing a guided tour meant we could just show up, sit back, and also learn more from someone who really knew the history rather than just doing it on our own. If you have been around for awhile or have read other travel blogs that I have written, then you might have noticed that we have used Viator in the past. We have liked all of our day trips with them so we opted to use them for this tour as well. It was nice because the drive from Paris to Normandy was about 3–4 hours, and we were able to have a comfortable, air-conditioned bus that made the day trip just even better.

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What Our Day Looked Like: Normandy Tour Itinerary

🚍 Morning Departure from Paris

We had to get to our meeting spot realllllllly early, we met our group at a hotel that was just around the corner from the Eiffel Tower. The view with the sunrise was actually really cool to see while we waited for our bus! The Viator team was there and separated us onto our correct bus for the tour and we were on our way to Normandy right around 7:00 AM. The bus was nice and spacious, we sat up on the second floor. The views were cool, there were pretty scenery and the right amount of commentary from our tour guide when he was giving us details about different things. We also stopped at a gas station about an hour into the drive where we were able to go to the bathroom and get a snack for the drive.

🇺🇸 Stop 1: Omaha Beach

Our first stop was Omaha Beach, we learned A LOT while we were here. From what I understand, it was one of the five landing beaches that happened on June 6, 1944. It was also the site of one of the most intense battles that happened on the D-Day invasion, it was really something to experience. We walked around the beach for a bit and just took it all in. There was also a small visitor center with a few displays and a great viewpoint over the coastline. They had a “little free library” of sorts that you could take a book if you made a donation which was kind of a cool souvenir and memory to take away from this stop on the trip as well!

🕊️ Stop 2: American Cemetery and Memorial

The next stop on the tour was The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial which was in Colleville-sur-Mer. This was a really somber and emotional part of the trip. Seeing row after row of the nearly 10,000 white marble crosses and Stars of David stretched out across the stunningly manicured lawns which all overlooked the water. There was a museum that was there as well that shared more personal stories about the soldiers who passed away here, it was really something to take in.

🍴 Stop 3: Lunch in Arromanches

We stopped for about an hour and a half and got lunch in Arromanches. It was the cutest seaside town packed with restaurants, souvineer shops and even some WWII history of its own. We learned that this was the site of one of the temporary harbors that they used during the D-Day invasion. When we were there we stopped and got some lunch at a seafood shop and it was really good. The restaurant was called, Fish & Co! Dustin and I split the mixed plate that had fish, calamari, chicken and fries. After lunch we wandered around the shops, got a couple of souvenirs and some ice cream! Then we were back on the bus and on our way to the next stop.

🇨🇦 Stop 4: Juno Beach Center

The next stop was Juno Beach, we learned that this is where the Canadian forces landed on D-Day. The Juno Beach Center was also a museum as well as a memorial that was dedicated to the Canadian role in the liberation of France. There was a lot to learn and the views were really cool too!

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Here are some tips that we learned for this day trip!

• Wear comfortable shoes - You’ll be walking a lot, like more than we realized would be happening and there were stops where we were walking in grass or a rocked path!

• Get water and snacks at the first stop - This isn’t SUPER important, but we were really glad that at the gas station when we first stopped that we grabbed some snacks and drinks to have with us on the bus! It’s not like there won’t be food opportunities but it was just nice to have something to munch on between stops.

• Bring layers - We were there in June and it was on the warmer side but even in summer, the coast can be breezy and I was happy to have a little button up shirt to wear over my tank top in the morning stops!

• Bring a portable charger - There were plenty of photo opportunities and your battery will most likely be drained pretty quickly. We were so happy that we had brought portable chargers with us!

• If you see a bathroom use it - This was our motto throughout the day, we were worried about getting to a stop and their not being a restroom, we did learn that restrooms were available at most of the stops, including Omaha Beach and Juno Beach but it was just a good thing to keep in mind so you didn’t have to hold it for too long if you did need to go.

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Overall, this trip was emotional, educational, and so worth the time and I also don’t think that you need to be a history buff to appreciate the weight of what happened here. The tour was well organized, I thought it had a great pace and it was full of information that we wouldn’t have probably learned on our own. I would say if you are visiting Paris and want to add something a bit different to your trip, I would recommend this day trip for sure. I would also highly recommend booking this tour with Viator, they always make our day trips and excursions memorable, exciting and fun regardless of what we are seeing. Let me know if you have any questions at all, you can comment below or send me an email at tarynintotravel@gmail.com and I will get back to you as soon as possible!

Much Love, 

Emma

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WHAT TO READ NEXT!

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Packing for an 7 Day Trip to Paris in the Summer

Hi Friends!

We recently got back from spending 7ish, almost 8 days in Paris with my family and somehow I had a bit of an easier time packing for a trip to Paris than I did when we were packing for Japan back in April! I actually found that packing for Paris in the summer to be pretty straightforward—but still important to plan well so I wanted to share what I brought! Paris in the summer is typically warm and sunny, even hot honestly, with the occasional breeze or quick rain shower, so packing smart can make a big difference. When we were there it seems like we did it all so whether you're sipping espresso at a sidewalk café, exploring museums, or wandering along the Seine at golden hour, I probably have an outfit idea for you while you are packing! I wanted this blog post to be written in a way that makes your packing experience easy and you sort of know what you need going into the process. Also keeping in mind that I packed and dressed with comfort and practicality in mind, I am not one to dress up a ton on a trip so this packing list will be much more casual than probably most other Paris packing lists you might find on Pinterest!

Happy reading!

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WEATHER IN PARIS

When we were in Paris it was the second and third weeks of June and weather was a little bit warmer than what we had anticipated. The daily average was about 78-85 degrees as the highs each day that we were there. There were times when it got a little bit chilly at night but I never actually needed to wear the jean jacket that I had brought. It should also be important to note that MOST places in Paris didn’t have air conditioner. Your hotel might have it but our Airbnb definitely did not. This was really only unconfortable for a couple of the nights we were there and we just slept with the fans on us. When you are searching for a place to stay in Paris you will notice that the places with air conditioning are much pricier than the places without. If you are visiting at any time from the end of June through the summer, you might want to budget in a hotel or Airbnb with air conditioning if the heat will get to you!

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Outfit for Exploring The Louvre

| We the Free Ziggy Overalls | Ankle Socks | Light Blue Button Down |

| Small Hoop Earrings | Dainty Chain Bracelets | Cream Belt Bag |

Hoka Clifton 9 Sneakers | White Crop Top | Brown Tinted Sunglasses |

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Night Out at the La La Land Jazz Club Caveau de la Huchette

| Khai One Piece Romper | Dainty Chain Necklaces | Beige Clutch |

| Pavoi Statement Hoops | Dainty Two Piece Ring Set | Large French Claw Clip |

| Saie Matte Lipstick | Small Hoop Earrings | Dainty Chain Bracelets | Sandals |

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Outfit for the Plane to Paris

| White Amazon Romper | Small Hoop Earrings | Dainty Chain Bracelets |

| Oversized Jean Jacket | Off to the Races by Elsie Silver | Beats Headphones |

| Veja V-90 Sneakers | Lanolip’s 101 Ointment | Ankle socks |

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Exploring Montmartre in Paris

| Amazon Two Piece Set in Rust | Oversized Jean Jacket | Small Hoop Earrings |

| Dainty Chain Bracelets | Veja V-90 Sneakers | Cream Belt Bag |

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A Day Trip To Normandy, France

| Black and White Striped Button Down | Dainty Chain Necklace Set |

| Cream Linen Pants | Nude Tank Top | Cream Colored Sunglasses | Leather Sandals |

| Small Hoop Earrings | Dainty Chain Bracelets | Ribbed Hoop Earrings |

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Walking Around the Eiffel Tower

| We the Free Denim Romper | Ribbed Hoop Earrings | Dainty Chain Bracelets |

| Rings | Veja V-90 Sneakers | Cream Belt Bag | Sunglasses | Dainty Necklace Set |

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Exploring Paris

| Ziggy We The Free Overalls | White Crop Top | Oversized Green Button Down |

| Small Hoop Earrings | Dainty Chain Bracelets | Ankle socks |

| Cream Belt Bag | Veja V-90 Sneakers | Brown Tinted Sunglasses |

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I hope this post helps a bit when you are packing for your own summer trip to Paris! I tried to keep things simple, realistic, and comfortable. Paris was such a magical city to be in and you are going to have an absolute blast. If you have any questions or need help narrowing things down, I’m always happy to chat packing lists! You can drop a comment below or you can email me at tarynintotravel@gmail.com and I will get back to you as soon as possible!

Much Love, 

Emma

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WHAT TO READ NEXT!

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Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Dotonbori in Osaka, Japan

Hi Friends!

We really had no idea how much we were going to fall in love with Dotonbori until we were right in the middle of it—surrounded by all of the fun neon lights, sizzling and amazing smelling street food, and that electric energy that makes Osaka so unforgettable. This area truly has it all: iconic signs (hello, Glico Man!), endless takoyaki stalls, quirky shops to wander through, and just an overall vibe that just pulls you in and makes you want to explore every corner! It feels like we did it all when we were there so I wanted to share some of the highlights with you! Whether you're wanting to snack your way through the streets, wanting to take a nighttime stroll along the canal, or just sit and people-watching with a drink in hand, I promise Dotonbori delivers on all of that! Happy reading!

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All blog posts for this Osaka and Tokyo Japan Trip

Packing for a 14 Day Trip to Osaka and Tokyo Japan

Where to Eat, Stay and Play in Osaka, Japan

20 Tips to Know Before You Go to Japan

Spend a Day at Disney Sea in Japan

Where to Stay and Play in Tokyo, Japan

Spend a Day at Disneyland Tokyo

A Day Trip to Nara Park + Kyoto from Osaka, Japan

Where to Eat, Stay and Play at Disneyland Tokyo and Disney Sea

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📍 Where Is Dotonbori?

We stayed at Henn Na Hotel Osaka Shinsaibashi which we really think was a great location and only about a 12 minute walk to Dotonbori. Dotonbori is just a short walk from Namba Station and if you aren’t staying in the area I recommend getting to Dotonbori by train. Dotonbori runs along the Dotonbori Canal and this is where you will see all of the amazing things that the area has to offer—day or night!

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🍠 What to Eat in Dotonbori (aka the Main Event)

If Dotonbori had a love language, it would be food. Here are the foods we kept seeing and foods we heard were must-eats:

• Takoyaki - Octopus Balls

• Okonomiyaki - Savory Pancake

• Kushikatsu - Fried Skewers

• Taiyaki - Fish Shaped Waffles with Fillings

• Matcha Soft Serve

• Candied Strawberries on Sticks

• Goyza

• Ramen Shops (I go into detail about the one we tried below)!

Hanamaruken Namba Hozenji Ramen Shop - This ramen was SO SO SO good, it might have been the best ramen that I had while we were in Japan. My ramen had beef short ribs on top and I can’t even believe how good it was! The gyoza was also good and Dustin loved his ramen! This was one of those shops that only had about 10 spots to sit and there were so many locals that were eating lunch in here which made us feel good about how much we liked it here! It is in the middle of Dotonburi so plan to stop here if you are in the area exploring on your own trip!

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🍻Bars near Dotonbori in Osaka

Bar Fun - This was the bar that we went to after wandering around Dotonbori all afternoon and we just stopped in to get one drink. One drink turned into two and that turned into us spending the whole night there until it was time to go find a snack before heading to bed! The vibe was very chill, we sat at the bar and played cards for about 3.5 hours and the owner kept serving us and talking with other people that came in and out of the bar throughout the night! It was up on the third level of the building it was in and at first when we got to the door we thought it was closed but it wasn’t so definitely make sure you check the door before deciding to turn away!

Kenny Bar Osaka - We stopped in this bar for our first drink on Dustin’s birthday and we were greeted with literally the nicest old lady that was running the bar! She was so happy that we were in there! I had a glass of red wine and Dustin got this drink that was almost like an experience, it was explained to us that the first shot was the Japanese whiskey as it comes normally and then the second shot is the same Japanese whiskey that had been aged in a barrel. He said it was pretty good! We also got a snack of different nuts that were seasoned with Japanese peppers and they were seriously better than I could have ever imagined. I liked them so much I want to recreate them and have them on hand here at home! Overall the bar was very low key but that is how we like things so it was perfect for us to spend time there.

Kizuna - This bar was where we went after the Kenny Bar on Dustin’s birthday and WOAH. It was seriously a blast, the owner and the other bartender were so fun and nice. They just wanted us to have a good time! They had so many things to offer us, they had a book that translated basic sayings and we actually learned a lot that night. They people that were in the bar were mostly locals that had just gotten off of work and we sang karaoke with them for the entire night! Keeping in mind that this spot is TINY and really only could hold 10-15 people, it was full and everyone was in a great mood! When the whole bar found out it was Dustin’s birthday the owner popped a bottle of champagne and everyone in the bar toasted to Dustin and drank and just had the best time! I can’t recommend this place enough! We loved it!

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🌃 What to Do (Besides Eat!)

There’s more to Dotonbori than just food:

• Glico Running Man sign— It is really just a sign to look at but there were so many people taking photos and selfies with this giant sign that was overlooking the canal, this is also where we saw the canal tours happening as well!

• Tombori River Cruise, we didn’t get a chance to do this but we saw a lot of tours happening while we were there walking along the canal. But it was the perfect way to take in Dotonbori from the water!

• Hozenji Yokocho - This was a cute alley full of traditional eateries and a peaceful moss-covered temple tucked away in the middle of the action, we were so surprised to see this in the middle of the hustle and bustle!

• Don Quijote Ferris Wheel - Yes, it’s attached to a store. Yes, you should ride it.

• Kani Doraku crab sign, another famous landmark but honestly there are SO many signs to look at while you are exploring around! Like giant dumplings, a giant crab, huge chicken nuggets for some reason, different fish… It was actually really cool!

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🛒 Shopping & Souvenirs in Dotonbori

• Don Quijote Dotonbori is a massive, 24-hour discount store that’s an experience all on its own, seriously a shopping experience I will never forget. Anything you could ever want or need was inside this store. There is this quirky song playing the whole time and when we were in there, suddenly like three hours had passed. I wish I would have taken photos or a video inside the store but if you look up Don Quijote on Tiktok or Instagram you will get a good idea as to what I am talking about haha!

• Local Souvenir Shops: From keychains to fun themed socks, beauty products, clothing and everything in between, in these souvenir shops you’ll find something quirky and memorable to take home!

• Gaming Arcades - We went into a couple of these like gaming arcades, they were stories high with claw machines, different arcade games and so much to look at! Think of like a Dave n’ Busters here but three stories high on steroids! It was actually very fun to go into and loose a ton of coins to the claw machines after a couple of drinks! But that might have just been that we weren’t great at playing the claw machines beucase there were actually a ton of people walking around with the prizes that they were trying to get!

• Local Snacks: There are so many shop to go in and stock up on Japanese Kit-Kats, candies, instant ramen varieties, and so many other treats to take back home with you after your trip!

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💡 Last Tips for Visiting Dotonbori

• Go at Night: That’s when the lights are brightest & the energy is highest.

• Cash is King: Not all vendors accept cards (most do), but bring yen.

• Watch for Lines: If there’s a queue, it’s probably worth the wait!

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Like I mentioned and you could probably tell by this post, Dotonbori had totally won us over and it has been one of those places that has stuck with us since we’ve left and been home. It has so much to offer like the fun glowing lights and signs, the busy canal and all of the reflections on the water, to the mouthwatering street food and nonstop energy. I really think Dotonbori is such a special part of Osaka that truly had its own personality. I hope this little guide helps you dive into all the fun and flavor Dotonbori has to offer. And if you end up trying anything from here that you loved, found a special hidden gem, or just a note about your own trip, let me know! I’d love to hear your favorites. As always, feel free to drop a comment or email me at tarynintotravel@gmail.com with any questions.

Much Love, 

Emma

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WHAT TO READ NEXT!

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Spend a Day at Disneyland in Tokyo Japan

Spend a Day at Disneyland in Tokyo, Japan!

Hi Friends!

If you are planning a trip to Japan and are even a little bit of a Disney adult like Dustin and I and you're even thinking about not going to Tokyo Disneyland, let me stop you right now and say: YOU HAVE TO DO IT. Seriously, this place is pure magic and has a charm that’s totally unique compared to other Disney parks we've been to! The classic Disney vibes mixed with a fun Japanese twist make it such a special experience. When we were planning our trip to Tokyo, we knew both Disneyland Tokyo and Tokyo DisneySea had to be on our must-do list! As you probably know by now, we went in early April and it turned out to be the perfect time—great weather and manageable crowds. Dustin and I soaked up every bit of the magic, food, rides, and fun we could fit into our one day at the park!

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🎟️ Getting There + Buying Tickets

We bought our tickets ahead of time through the official Tokyo Disney Resort website, and I definitely recommend doing that — they can sell out, especially during busy seasons or when there's a new attraction. If you want there are other options that you can also use third-party platforms like Klook if you prefer, but we found the official site worked just fine and then I didn't have to worry about transferring anything over or dealing with extra steps, it was just in the app.

Like I mentioned, for us getting to the park was very easy because we were staying at Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay Maihama (we loved our stay here so much) and it was a quick 5 minute walk to the Disney Resort Line! But if we weren’t staying right in the area it was also super and we could have taken the train to Maihama Station and then transferred to the Disney Resort Line. The Disney Resort Line feels like the first ride of the day because of the Mickey-shaped windows and handles, which are adorable)! We got there at about 8:15 AM and it opened at 9:00 AM. There was already such a long line forming and I recommend getting there about 45 minutes to an hour early to not be at the back of the line when the park opens. The gates opened a bit ahead of schedule (like at 8:50ish). Make sure you have your tickets on the app, it made things so much smoother!

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🏰 How to Skip the Lines at Disneyland Tokyo

I am not an expert by any means, I just wanted to note what we did and noticed about the fast pass system when we were visiting. From what I understand, the classic paper FastPass system is gone much like other Disney parks, and Disneyland Tokyo now uses Disney Premier Access (paid) and Standby Passes for some attractions. We used the Tokyo Disney Resort app to keep track of wait times, reserve access to certain rides, and even order food — it’s a must. We bought the Disney Premier Access to be able to choose a ride right away when we got there and once we scanned into the ride we were able to look on the app again and choose another option from Disney Premier Access. We kept doing this throughout the day and adjusting our plan as we knew the next ride we were going on, it helped a ton with avoiding crazy lines!

One big tip: if there's something you must ride, go straight there at rope drop or pay for Premier Access.

Make the most of your visit with these handy tools available in the Tokyo Disney Resort app:

🎟️ 1. Disney Premier Access (Paid)

• What it is: A paid reservation system that lets you skip the regular line at select popular attractions.

• How to use it:

  • Open the Tokyo Disney Resort app, link your park tickets, choose an attraction and select a time slot, pay directly through the app and show your QR code when it’s time to ride!

🆓 2. Standby Pass (Free)

• What it is: A virtual queue system that gives you a time window to join the line—no payment required.

• How to use it:

  • Reserve your Standby Pass through the app (subject to availability), come back during your time window and join the physical line.

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🎢 The Rides We Went On (And Which Were Totally Worth It)

1. Pirates of the Caribbean - This is another classic that is pretty much the same every park we have been to but we will always recommend for people to ride it because it is just so good, we loved it!

2. Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast - This was the cutest ride ever that reminded me of the Rattatouli ride at Epcot in Florida but done 10x better honestly! You get to ride in a teacup and feel like you are immersed into the Beauty and the Beast movie while watching animatronics and listening to music while moving around in the teacup. This ride was done so well and we loved it! This ride was really popular and is a must-see in my opinion! We bought a Premier Access to skip the long line!

3. The Happy Ride With Baymax - I would compare this ride to the Aliens ride at Hollywood Studios in Orlando! It was a fun ride, the energy from the cast members was amazing and we loved it! It was actually a little bit longer than I expected as well. Because we were trying to squeeze in as much as we could in the one day we were there, bought a Premier Access to skip the long line!

4. Pinoccios’s Daring Journey - We also really liked this ride, it was pretty nostalgic and just overall enjoyable. It would be great to take any member of your family on it!

5. Pooh’s Hunny Hunt - The cutest ride, we loved it! It is basically just a journey through the Hundred Acre Wood with cute scenes and getting to see the characters that are in Winnie the Pooh. There was really no wait and we loved it! Definitely a good ride for all ages.

6. Mark Twain Riverboat - We went on this around 3 in the afternoon because we needed a break from all of the walking that we were doing and it was the same ride as the one in Disney World. We liked going on it and it was a nice break from the crowd!

7. Haunted Mansion - This is always a classic and pretty much the same everywhere we have been but we will always ride it!

8. Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin - We didn’t even really know what we were getting ourselves into when we got in line for this ride but we wanted to go on something and we were in the area so we decided on this when we saw it only had like a 30 minute wait. It was a cute ride and was like no ride we have here in Orlando so that was a fun experience!

I know I have said this a few times but we were only there for one day so there were a few rides we didn’t have time to go on. We chose to skip Splash Mountain and Peter Pan’s Flight and then we were sad to realize that Big Thunder Mountain was down for refurbishment when we were there as well so we missed that one. We wanted to make sure that we got to go on rides that we wouldn’t be able to here at home. So yes we skipped out on some of the bigger rides but we were definitely okay with it because each of them seemed so similar to rides that we have here in Orlando at Disney World.

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🍴 What We Ate

Okay, real talk: everything I watched about the food at Disneyland Tokyo was that it was so great and some of the best food they had ever had at a theme park and so on… guys, we weren’t fans of the food at the parks, like at all. There were some things that weren’t horrible but besides the food being really cute and themed well, it didn’t taste great. This is obviously just my opinion but I would lower the expectation of the taste of the food at Disney Sea and Disneyland Tokyo quite a bit before you visit! The second day we ate breakfast and dinner outside of the park and for “lunch” we just had a couple of snacks here and there!

🥐 Breakfast

We ate breakfast at our hotel, Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay Maihama! We weren’t sure if there were going to be a ton of options for breakfast in the park so we just ate before we went. I’m glad we did this because we were able to get right to going on the rides!

🥐 Lunch

We ate lunch at Huey, Dewey and Louie’s Good Time Cafe and we pretty much got one of everything and was mostly disappointed in the food with the exception of the Bacon and Basil Pizza. We got the Tariakyi Chicken on the Bao Bun which we would rate a 5/10. The last thing we ordered was the special breaded chicken sandwich on a bao bun, I can’t remember what it is called but it was probably a 6/10. Don’t get me wrong, the food was so cute- it just didn’t taste the best!

🍗 Snacks

• Soy Sauce Popcorn – There were so many kinds of popcorn to try but the lines were seriously always so long. They had flavors like black pepper, caramel, and a curry flavor that smelled great! They had the option to buy popcorn in regular boxes or you could go all-in with a souvenir bucket — we saw people collecting them like trophies, they were so cute but I couldn’t bring myself to get one and then try to fit it in my suitcase on the way back to the states. We ended up trying the Soy Sauce popcorn because there was a short line during a parade that was happening and it made sense why the lines were always so long, it was delish!

• Churros – The churros were really good, we had many and my favorite from Disneyland was the creme brûlée churro!

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🛍️ Souvenirs We Bought (Because You Have to)

Shopping at Disneyland Tokyo and even DisneySea Tokyo was honestly in my top 5 favorite things that we did while we were there. Every store we went into there was SOMETHING that I couldn’t resist picking up. They had so many fun Mickey-shaped snacks that I felt that I couldn’t live without. The merch here is seriously next level, with tons of Japan-exclusive items you won’t find anywhere else—especially all things Duffy, which has a massive fan base here so if you are also a fan, prepare your wallet! Haha We tried to go into all of the stores, like the little kiosks near each land those had themed goodies that you might miss if you walked past. I also couldn’t leave without getting some of the themed plushies that I wouldn’t find here in the states as well as the iconic Mickey Mouse shaped sunglasses that I have seen everywhere! We definitely bought way more than we planned, but I have zero regrets! A little tip, shopping during parades or early morning was much less stressful because the crowds were preoccupied and not shopping, so I would shop during those times if you want to browse in peace!

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💡 Tips for First-Timers

• Download the Tokyo Disney Resort app before your trip and use it!

• Make sure you log in and link your tickets before getting to the park, you will want to use the app with your linked tickets to get into the park!

• Check availability for rides and make reservations right after park entry. Availability for the fast pass options can go fast—especially on weekends and holidays!

• Make sure you bring a portable charger, you’ll be on your phone all day and it will come in handy, I promise!

• Utilize mobile ordering when it is available at select quick-service locations in the app! It is great for skipping food lines!

• Pack compact umbrella or raincoat — Tokyo weather can change quickly and again you will be happy you brought it.

• Make sure you arrive early to the park to wait in line. I would aim to get there at least 30–45 minutes before park opening. The earlier you get in line the earlier you will get into the park and be able to get the fast passes that you want for the rides on your list.

• I would have a plan going into the day but at the same time be flexible. It is smart to have a few rides on your list that are must-do attractions for you but also be ready to adjust the plan based on crowd levels and wait times for the day that you are at the park!

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I can’t express enough how Disneyland Tokyo totally lived up to the hype and then some. Whether you're a Disney die-hard or just looking for a fun day while you're in Tokyo, this park is 100% worth the visit. From the park being so insanely detailed with theming, to the fun and unique rides and all the themed snacks and merchandise, it was such a magical day! If you're going to Japan and a Disney fan and you are on the fence about going, I promise it’s 100% worth it. We hope that someday we will be able to go back and experience it again! Until then, we’ll just be reliving the magic through our memories (and the snacks we brought home)! If you have any questions while planning your own trip or want to know more about anything that I mentioned above, feel free to reach out, I’m always happy to chat about anything Disney! You can comment below or you can send me an email at tarynintotravel@gmail.com and I will get back to you as soon as possible! ✨

Much Love, 

Emma

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WHAT TO READ NEXT!

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Where to Stay and Play in Tokyo, Japan

Hi Friends!

Okay, so I had no idea what to expect when we got to Tokyo—but wow, this city was really, really cool! It’s one of those places that just pulls you in with something new around every corner without really knowing at all what you will stumble upon. One minute you're in the middle of the wild chaos at Shibuya Crossing, and the next you're walking through a peaceful garden or stumbling into the coziest ramen shop down a quiet alley. It’s got this perfect mix of super modern and totally traditional, and somehow it all just works. Whether you're into food, fashion, culture, or just aimlessly exploring, Tokyo had it all. I wanted to share where we stayed, some of our favorite spots that we ate at, and all the fun stuff we saw while we were there!

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All blog posts for this Osaka and Tokyo Japan Trip

Packing for a 14 Day Trip to Osaka and Tokyo Japan

Where to Eat, Stay and Play in Osaka, Japan

20 Tips to Know Before You Go to Japan

Spend a Day at Disney Sea in Japan

Spend a Day at Disneyland Tokyo

A Day Trip to Nara Park + Kyoto from Osaka, Japan

Where to Eat, Stay and Play at Disneyland Tokyo and Disney Sea

Spend a Day at Universal Studios Japan

Eat Ramen Around Japan with Dustin

Budget Breakdown of the entire 14 Day Japan Trip

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A Few Things to Have on Hand!

1. Rain jacket or an umbrella

2. Small backpack or a crossbody for purchases, we also carried this reusable compact bag for times when we had too many things to carry!

3. Camera or Phone for pictures

4. LAYERS! I was so thankful that I had a rain jacket, a sweatshirt and a t-shirt on because I shed and added layers all day long!

5. Passports - we needed to have our passports anytime we left the hotel!

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Where to Stay in Tokyo, Japan

Remm Plus Ginza - We feel like we couldn’t have chosen a better place to stay in Tokyo than Remm Plus Ginza! The location was perfect it was right in the center of everything we wanted to do and just a short walk from great shopping, amazing restaurants, and the Tokyo Metro, which made it super easy to get around the city! Really that was the main reason that we chose it being so close to the train. We were able to explore spots like Tsukiji Nippon Fish Port Market, Imperial Palace Tokyo, and even took the train to the Skytree Tower with no problems. The hotel itself was modern and stylish, with compact but thoughtfully designed rooms that felt cozy and comfortable. The bed was super comfy, the rainfall shower was amazing, and the city views from the upper floors were a really nice bonus. There was a massage chain in our room which we felt like royalty after walking 10+ miles a day for 10 days straight. The hotel was clean, affordable, and was a nice place to come back to after busy days exploring Tokyo. The only thing we were disappointed with from the hotel was the breakfast. The food was not good and we were really glad that we only pre-booked one morning for breakfast at the hotel! Other than that we would definitely stay here again and/or recommend others to stay here as well!

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Sites to See in Tokyo, Japan

Shibuya Crossing - One of the coolest and honestly one of the most overwhelming things we saw in Tokyo was Shibuya Crossing. I believe it is also called Scramble Square, I could be wrong though. I didn’t know what to expect but it’s this crazy busy intersection where (not exaggerating) hundreds of people cross from all directions all at once, but somehow it’s not chaotic — it’s like organized chaos! We went in the Starbucks at Shibuya Crossing and sat and watched the traffic crossing below a few times and to get some pictures and honestly, just standing there watching it happen felt like being in a movie. It was very cool! There was also a ton of shopping in the area! Here are some other things to do in the area:

• Mario Kart Racing - This is such a cool and unique experience where you drive through neon-lit buildings and iconic landmarks dressed as your favorite Nintendo character. We were so freakin’ excited to do the Mario Kart experience in Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo. We weren’t able to do it so I want to make sure that I share everything you need to do for this so you don’t make the same mistakes that we did! The first thing that you will need to do the Mario Kart experience is to plan ahead. Before you even leave the states you will need to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) from AAA. You will need this because it is required to legally drive in Japan. Getting the International Driving Permit (IDP) from AAA was so easy, we just printed off the required paperwork and brought $20 with us to a store by us (make sure you check because not all locations do this). Once we got to AAA they took our passport photos for us and we were in and out in like 30 minutes max. The next important thing to note is that three days before your booked time slot you will get an email from the company and they will be asking for proof that you did get an International Driving Permit (IDP) from AAA. This is where we messed up, with being on vacation we weren’t checking our emails and so we never sent them proof and our appointment was canceled and we were refunded. Just make sure you do those two things if you are wanting to enjoy this experience!

• Shopping -

  • The Disney Store

  • MEGA Don Quijote Shibuya Honten

  • The Pokemon Center at Shibouya

  • IKEA Shibuya - IKEA Japan

Imperial Palace Tokyo - This was just such a beautiful spot to spend time at. It is the most peaceful contrast to the busy hustle and bustle just across the street. The gardens are beautiful and so well-kept, and even though you can't go inside the main palace buildings, just walking around the grounds made me feel like I stepped into another era. The mix of super modern and deep history in Tokyo is unreal, we definitely recommend stopping here to take some pictures and take it all in!

Tsukiji Nippon Fish Port Market - We went here on the second to last day we were in Tokyo and we loved it so much, it was such a fun spot! Dustin and I spent like 4 hours just wandering through all the little stalls and just seeing what there was (because there were SO many different things to look at). Tsukiji had tons to see and amazing street food. We started with some melt-in-your-mouth otoro (fatty tuna) sushi that was literally the freshest I’ve ever had, we get it when we are getting sushi here in the states but it was just SO fresh at this market, hands down a must try! They also had this thing called tamagoyaki which was like a sweet rolled omelet on a stick, that was super popular too! There was also no shortage of matcha soft serve for dessert if you are into that! One of the other things we had there were these little like pancake bears with filling inside and they were so good- I loved the chocolate filled bears! This spot is just such a cool mix of food, culture, and just a ton to look at and see! We left full and happy and would stop there if we were in Tokyo again.

Pokemon Center Tokyo DX - This was another really cool Pokémon Center. The Pokemon Center Tokyo DX is located on the 5th floor of the Nihonbashi Takashimaya S.C. main building in Tokyo. If you’re not staying in walking distance you can get to it via the Nihombashi Station. We visited this location on a casual evening and it wasn’t super busy which was nice because we were able to shop at our own pace. The front of the store had an adorable giant Snorlax and I think (at least in my opinion) there were the most kind of stuffed Pokemon to choose from!

Don Quijote Ginza - I mentioned this shopping spot in my Where to Eat, Stay and Play in Osaka, Japan blog post but I will share about it again here! This is a massive, 24-hour discount store that’s an experience all on its own, seriously a shopping experience I will never forget. Anything you could ever want or need was inside this store, beauty products, fun snacks, clothing, toys, kitchen stuff, like anything and everything that you could think of. There is this quirky song playing the whole time and when we were in there, suddenly like three hours had passed. I wish I would have taken photos or a video inside the store but if you look up Don Quijote on Tiktok or Instagram you will get a good idea as to what I am talking about haha!

Skytree Tower - When we were in Tokyo, Skytree Tower wasn’t initially on our must see list but we stumbled upon it while we were walking around and it was really cool to see! It’s this super tall tower—like, the tallest tower in Japan! We didn’t go up in it but you could and from up there, you get these incredible views of the whole city. The tower is crazy modern but also kind of has a cool traditional vibe in its design. If you have some extra time in your day and you are nearby, it is a cool thing to see!

Book-Off - This is a second hand store that had discounted items from all things Pokemon, Disney, collectors cards, books, Anime collectables, records and so many things! They also were mostly brand new and/or in great condition. We bought lots from these stores and some of the things we got were brand new with tags from the Pokemon Centers and Disneyland! I linked the website so you can find the location that is closest to you here depending on the area you are in the day you are looking!

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Day Trip to Mt. Fuji - I might write a whole blog post about our day trip to Mt. Fuji at some point but I’m not completely sure so I will go into detail here! Unfortunately the day that we were scheduled to go to Mt. Fuji, it was pretty much raining the entire day which was honestly so freakin sad. Even though we didn’t get to see Mt. Fuji this day, the Mt. Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Tour turned out to still be fun for us. We really just had to make do with what we were given. We started early at like 7:15 from Matsuya Ginza. The tour bus was super comfortable, with air-conditioning and charging ports, which was nice. The tour was given in english but there were headphones with many other language options that were available. Our guide pretty much made the entire day. She was so nice and funny, she shared stories, history and just fun facts that you wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.

One of the highlights was the Hakone Ropeway. Even though the views of Mt. Fuji were mostly hidden behind the clouds, going up the misty mountains still felt magical. And the Lake Ashi cruise was pretty cool as well! The calm waters, the sound of soft rain, and a peaceful vibe almost made you forget about the weather entirely. Lunch was an actually really good. It was served buffet style with tons of options for different dietary restrictions. Everything was fresh and tasty, and it was a great chance to relax before heading to Odawara Station for the bullet train ride back to Tokyo. It was also nice to skip the bus on the way back and take a bullet train! It was so fast which I liked at the end of the tour.

Cost wise, the whole tour cost us $359.28 for two adults ($179.64 each). With all that was included from transportation to food to all the entrance fees—it felt well worth it, it would have been even more exciting if the weather cooperated but it was still a fun expereience. I can’t even imagine the views we would have seen on this tour if the weather was nicer. Even with the rain, the day was packed with memorable and new experiences and a well-organized schedule that made us feel taken care of from start to finish.

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Using The Train in Japan

Trains in Japan can seem indimidating but were actually pretty easy once we did it a few times. I can’t recommend enough to add a Suica card onto your iPhone’s wallet before you go and load money onto that! We did this and literally just tapped our phones to pay for tickets when we entered and exited the stations. Having the Suica card in your Apple Wallet was so helpful and to do this, you need to add your Suica card to the Wallet app and then enable Express Mode. Enabling Express Mode was what allowed us to use the Suica card without having to unlocking our phones. It was so nice to not have to try and get tickets at each station and this made things so much easier! Most of the signs are really clear and have both Japanese and English. Keep in mind when you’re on the trains to be very respectful and quiet. The trains were always clean, quiet, and in great condition, so my recommendations are to never talk loud or be talking on the phone and also if you have a backpack on, put it on the front of you or place it in the overhead storage. Lastly, the trains were literally always on time so make sure you’re early or you will probably miss your train.

Bullet Train Info

We also used bullet trains to get from Tokyo to Osaka and also to get from Osaka back to Tokyo and we bought our tickets online and it was so easy. We used Klook to get these tickets, I will link that website for you guys here! We got first class tickets to make sure we had a nice seat that we were able to stretch out and be comfortable for the whole trip and that was really nice. I would suggest getting snacks at the train station before you get on the bullet train but they also have snacks and drinks that you can order to your seats which was pretty cool!

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Honestly, Tokyo was so cool to experience, there is just so much to see, do, and eat that it felt like every day was a new adventure (and yes, I’m still dreaming about some of those meals)! If you are planning your first trip to Japan, I recommend adding a couple of days in Tokyo if you haven’t already. I hope some of the spots we checked out help you plan your own Tokyo adventure—or at least give you a few ideas to get excited about. If you’ve been before and have any favorite places, definitely let me know—I already can’t wait to go back! As always, if you have any questions at all, please comment below or send me an email at tarynintotravel@gmail.com and I will get back to you asap!

Much Love, 

Emma

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A Perfect Day Trip from Osaka: Nara, Arashiyama, and Kyoto’s Cultural Gems

Hi Friends!

We only did a couple of tours on our trip and I was happy that we limited them but the tours that we did do we loved! We did this tour when we were staying Osaka and it took us on a day trip to Nara Park to see the bowing deer, we saw temples and stunning views, we learned so much and it was incredible! As I said, we started our day in Osaka and had a day full of history, beauty, and unforgettable experiences. I would recommend this one-day adventure for people who want to see a ton of Japan’s history while indulging in iconic sights, culinary delights, and serene landscapes all packed into one day of an amazing itinerary! Below I am breaking down our day by the different chunks of activities we did that were in different parts of the day, happy reading!

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Morning: Ancient Wonders in Nara

Our first destination was Nara, they told us that this is Japan’s ancient capital. We started at Nara Park which was one of the main reasons we booked this specific tour at first beucase we wanted to see the bowing deer that live here. This is a sanctuary where there are free-roaming deer that were there to greet us as we arrived but had their own motives of eating the crackers that were for sale that we could purchase when we arrived. The deer are considered sacred messengers in the Shinto religion and in Japan, these deer are a living symbol of Nara’s spiritual importance. We got to walk around, take pictures of the beautiful park covered in cherry blossoms and fed the deer those special crackers that the local vendors were selling to us! While they are friendly, they are also a little bit intense if you have crackers! Dustin and I both got nipped at (not painful at all) on our butts from deer that were jealous of whatever deer you were feeding at the moment. It was so fun, the deer were so cute and we literally couldn’t stop laughing when we were walking around this park! We didn’t do this part but it was an option to see the temple Todai-ji which was just a short walk from the park. This is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is the world's largest wooden building which houses the colossal 15-meter-tall bronze Great Buddha (Daibutsu) statue!

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Lunch: A Taste of Japan’s Finest

We got the option for the tour where we get lunch which is Kobe Beef Shabu-Shabu at Kyoto Shokujidokoro Wasabi. This restaurant was nestled in a traditional townhouse on the historic grounds of Jurakudai and the food was so so yummy! They were telling us that kobe beef is one of the three major Wagyu breeds in Japan and it has a buttery texture and a ton of marbling. It was also just a really cool experience, we ate on the floor on pillows and it felt very traditional! I liked adding this part to the tour, it just meant that we had less time to explore Arashiyama which was kind of a bummer but I was happy to have that eating experience.

Afternoon: Serenity in Arashiyama

After lunch we were on our way to head to one of Kyoto’s most enchanting districts: Arashiyama. Whether you get the lunch option and have 60 minutes to explore or a full 2 hours here if you skipped the lunch option, you will be blown away with the stunning spots that are in Arashiyama! Our favorite part of this stop was the Bamboo Forest! Seriously the bamboo just towered over us and there was sun peeking through the stocks, the only word I can come up with is just stunning. There were small shops, local cafes and a stunning riverside view in this town as well!

Late Afternoon: Golden Beauty and Spiritual Majesty

The next destination we went to was the stunning Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion. This is another UNESCO World Heritage site and the building is just stunning and covered in gold leaf that reflects on the pond in front of it just like a mirror! It is also surrounded by amazing well kept and pristine gardens! It was such a cool site and the perfect stop on our itinerary! Lastly, the final stop of our day was called Fushimi Inari Taisha. This was a famous spot and for good reason, it has a seemingly endless tunnel of vermilion torii gates, and our guide said that this Shinto shrine is a symbol of good fortune and spiritual journey. From what I understand, each gate that you see had been donated by individuals or businesses to help their businesses and lives succeed or do well. It was really cool to see it all!

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Day Trip Cost Breakdown

This day trip from Osaka that was seriously jam packed including Nara Park, Arashiyama, and some of Kyoto’s top cultural gems, was such a great way to see a lot in one day without the stress of planning every detail ourselves. The cost was $94.53 per person, so $189.06 total for two adults. There weren’t any hidden costs really either! Anything that we paid for throughout the day was things like souvenirs and snacks that we wanted when we were on our own during free time. It felt like a really great value considering everything we got to see and experience this day!

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Like I said and as you can probably see from reading this blog post, the day was packed with seeing ancient temples and sacred deer to bamboo groves and golden pavilions! We were so happy with the variety of experiences that we had in the one itinerary! It was the perfect combination of history, culture, and nature. Whether you’re excited to try the world-famous Kobe beef eating experience or looking forward to wandering through timeless shrines, I promise you that you will be impressed with each stop that is made throughout the day! If you have any questions you can comment below or as always you can send me an email at tarynintotravel@gmail.com and I will get back to you as soon as possible!

Much Love, 

Emma

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