Japan Travel Guide – 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe | Part 2

This is Part 2 of my 7D6N Japan Itinerary.  Part 1 is here.

Day 2 – A Journey to the Center of the Earth – the DisneySea Experience

I really wanted to visit Tokyo DisneySea for only one reason – it is the only DisneySea in the world. That alone is reason enough to spend a good day supposedly reserved for some cultural activity or nature get-away.

Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
Tokyo DisneySea has a Vacation Club

Since I got up relatively late today, I left Oak Hostel at around 10AM. I took the JR train and got off in Maihama Station. From Maihama Station, I took the Disney Resort Line to finally arrive to my destination.

Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
At Tokyo DisneySea Resort Gateway Station. One way fare is 260 yen.

There was no long queue in the ticket booth when I arrived. Maybe because it’s mid-noon already or it’s a weekday or it’s gloomy and the forecast says it will rain today.

Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
Tokyo DisneySea Ticket Booth
Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
Tokyo DisneySea 1-Day Passport and English Guide Map

The main entrance of Tokyo DisneySea looks like Universal Studios – there is a big globe in its main gate (called DisneySea Plaza) that resembles the Universal Studios appeal. Copycat?

Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
Tokyo DisneySea Plaza

Jepoi suggested that I first try the one called “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” I had no idea what it is all about so I just went to the line that kept me wait for more than an hour. I presumed that the most famous ride in DisneySea is the Journey to the Center of the Earth. The thrilling ride is about 5 minutes long ‘inside the center of the earth” where one can see mysterious caves of crystals, giant mushrooms and strange creatures inside the earth! During the entire journey, one is seated in a tram that runs almost 80kph while the “earth” is shaking. The journey ends in an erupting volcano where the ride’s acceleration is fastest!

Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
Tokyo DisneySea’s famous attraction: Journey to the Center of the Earth
Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
The entrance to the attraction ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’ is cave-like

I wasn’t expecting the ride to be that exhilarating! I was caught by surprised! At any rate, it was fun and worth doing it.

Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
After the ride, my hair is up!

After having tried this ride, all the other rides were less spectacular already. At any rate, DisneySea has other attractions which are entirely different from Disneyland. DisneySea Tokyo is divided into several parks as follows (following a counter clockwise direction starting from DisneySea Plaza/Main Entrance):

1. Mediterranean Harbor is designed with an ambiance of romantic European Port Town with many shops and restaurants. The main attractions here include: DisneySea Transit Steamer Line, Venetian Gondolas and Fortress Explorations. Like the Cinderella’s Castle in Disneyland, the Mediterranean Harbor is the place for daily shows and fireworks.

Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
Tokyo DisneySea’s Mediterranean Harbor

2. Mysterious Island is the center of DisneySea where the imposing volcano is located. This part is designed to ‘discover the secrets deep within the earth and under the sea.’ The main attractions here are the Journey to the Center of the Earth and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe3. Mermaid Lagoon is designed for younger children who love Ariel and her aquatic friends from the Little Mermaid. Attractions here include Flounder’s Flying Fish Coaster, Scuttle’s Scooters, Mermaid Lagoon Theater where live musical productions are done, Jumpin’ Jellyfish, Blowfish Balloon Race, The Whirlpool and Ariel’s Playground.

Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe4. Arabian Coast is designed based on Aladdin and 1001 Arabian Night. Attractions include Jasmine’s Flying Carpet, Sinbad’s Storybook Voyage, Caravan Carousel and The Magic Lamp Theater where live theatrical shows are held.

Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
Tokyo DisneySea’s Arabian Coast

5. Lost River Delta is designed to recreate a deep and remote Central American jungle where the ruins of ancient civilization await every visitor. Main attractions here are Indiana Jones Adventure and Raging Spirits. The Raging Spirits has the most “notorious ride of all” as the roller coaster turns 360 degrees!

Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
Tokyo DisneySea’s Lost River Delta

6. Port Discovery is deigned to mimic Marina of the Future and a Weather Control Station. The attractions here are StormRider and Aquatopia which unfortunately were both closed when I visited the park.

Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
Tokyo DisneySea’s Port Discovery

7. American Waterfront is designed to look like a big port city with the charms of New England’s fishing village. Attractions include Tower of Terror, Toy Story Mania, Big City Vehicles, DisneySea Electric Railway and Turtle Talk.

Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
Tokyo DisneySea’s American Waterfront

I was not able to enjoy all the rides as one whole day is not enough to experience all the attractions. I just selected the ones that I was interested in.

Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
Snap shot from the screen. Cameras are not allowed to be used during the ride. Photos are for sale.

By the way, bringing of tripod or selfie-pod is not allowed in the Park. Food and drinks too are not allowed, it can only be purchased inside.

Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
Snacks at Tokyo DisneySea
Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
One of the many restaurants inTokyo DisneySea

Apart from the permanent attractions as mentioned above, I also enjoyed watching special shows that only run for a specific week.  A schedule can be obtained at the gate and its called Tokyo DisneySea Entertainment Today.

Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
Tokyo DisneySea’s Musical called “The Table is Waiting”

Late in the afternoon, the rain poured heavily and I got really wet. It was a sign that I should end my DisneySea engagement.

Day 3 – Hello Gundam

Today I am leaving Tokyo for Kyoto. My initial plan is to visit Mt Fuji in the morning on my way to Kyoto but due to cloudy skies, and no chance of seeing Mt Fuji at all, I cancelled the trip. I then went to Odaiba City instead. But prior to setting foot in Odaiba, I dropped by Shimbashi Station which is the birthplace of railway in Japan.

Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
The reconstructed Shimbashi Station – Japan’s oldest railway.
Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
At Shimbashi Station

The last minute decision to visit Odaiba is because I wanted to see the super huge Gundam Robot standing in all its glory! The famous giant Gundam Robot is located in DiverCity Mall.

Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
The larger than life Gundam Robot
Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
Gundam Store

Also within walking distance from DiverCity is Pelette Town – a popular spot that consists of “Venus Port” Shopping Mall which was built to recreate a medieval European landscape, giant Ferris wheel, Toyota’s Mega Web auto showroom and the indoor amusement “Tokyo Leisure.”

Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
Pelette Town

Also within walking distance is the Fuji TV Head Quarters with a globe-shape observatory.

Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
At Fuji TV Station

Nearby is AquaCity Mall with a beautiful outdoor garden.

Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
The Rainbow Bridge as seen in the elevated gardens
Japan Travel Guide | Part 2 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe
At the elevated gardens of AquaCity Mall

At 3PM I left Tokyo for Kyoto using the JR train. I arrived Kyoto a little past 5PM.

Tonight, I am staying in Shiori-an Hostel.

Part 3 ~ 7 Days 6 Nights Japan Itinerary Visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe

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