A week in Japan with Contiki: Matcha, monkey kart, and memories

Japan had been on my travel bucket list for as long as I could remember. Year after year, I’d hear glowing reviews from friends and family—about the incredible culture, the mouthwatering food, and the one-of-a-kind experiences that make Japan stand out from the rest of the world. It was always painted as this magical place where ancient traditions meet futuristic innovation, and I finally decided it was time to see what all the fuss was about.

Why Contiki?

This was my fifth Contiki tour; ever since my first one to China, I’ve been completely hooked. Every trip has been packed with fun and unforgettable moments, so it felt like the perfect way to explore Japan. The ‘Japan in a Week‘ tour seemed to offer just the right mix of adventure and flexibility, so I packed my bags and set off, eager to experience it all.

Tokyo thrills: Disneyland and Monkey Kart

During my free time, I unleashed my inner kid at Disneyland. It was pure magic, even though I only managed to explore one park — Disney Sea is still on my radar, thanks to the rave reviews from fellow Contiki travellers.

Of course, no Tokyo adventure is complete without a little craziness, and that’s where Monkey Kart came in. Imagine zipping through Tokyo’s streets in a go-kart, dressed as Pikachu, surrounded by regular traffic. Yes, it was every bit as wild and hilarious as it sounds. Both tourists and locals were smiling, snapping pics, and waving as we zoomed by. Quick tip: make sure to snag an international license before you head out, or you’ll miss out on this epic ride!

From bullet trains to Kyoto’s calm

Our journey on Japan’s legendary bullet train was just as smooth as you’d expect — everything in Japan runs like clockwork, even the bathrooms on the train were spotless and impressive.

Kyoto greeted us with its tranquil gardens and ancient temples, a peaceful contrast to Tokyo’s buzz. We soaked in the beauty of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, the Golden Pavilion, and Gion’s charming streets. We also squeezed in a quick day trip to Nara via train, where we saw the cutest deer roaming freely in the park. Honestly, anything involving animals is an instant win in my book.

In Kyoto, I also had the chance to experience a traditional tea ceremony, which sparked a newfound passion for matcha. I now proudly consider myself a matcha snob — thank you Japan, and sorry to friends in LA.

Osaka: A perfect grand finale

Our grand finale took us to Osaka, where, similar to Tokyo, we had plenty of free time to choose our own adventure: Universal Studios, Osaka Castle, or the neon wonderland of Dotonbori. I opted for the street food route, munching my way along the Dotonbori canal, lit up by bright lights, crowds, and the iconic Running Man landmark, with a quick pit stop at a Pokemon Center because my inner child kept calling the shots on this trip. We capped off the night hanging out with fellow travellers who invited us to their exclusive bar event (yay for new friends), and because why not, more karaoke! Somehow, we managed to belt out tunes in every city we hit — no shame, just vibes!

The magic of Contiki

This trip was all about making your own magic compared to some of the other Contiki schedules I’ve had, which was perfect for Japan’s endless list of cool things to do. Our amazing Trip Manager, Jelly, made sure we always had a lineup of fun options during our downtime, whether we wanted to dive into the local culture, try something adventurous, or just explore at our own pace. Jelly’s endless recommendations meant we never ran out of things to do, no matter what we were into.

One of the things I love about Contiki—whether it’s a quick getaway or a longer adventure—is that each day is packed with fun, and there’s always something memorable to look forward to. And honestly, by the end, I wasn’t sad to leave—I was too busy scheming about when I’ll be back. If you’re anything like me, you’ll already be plotting your return by the time you leave. またね (see you later, Japan)!