I (27f) am going to Japan for the second half of June and first few days of July! I have pretty much everything figured out but was looking for a 2nd day trip from Tokyo and wanted something a little more low key and stumbled upon Gyoda. It certainly isn’t as flashy as a lot of other spots but it seems calm and after all of the other big stuff I thought it could be good to check out somewhere less busy. There seems to be some good history stuff there too and I do love history.
But has anyone been who would be willing to share their thoughts?
Also here’s the basics of my itinerary location wise in case anyone was curious or had feedback. My goal was to not get too ambitious, have some flexibility and see a wide range of things from nature to touristy stuff to history to daily life (I have this book idea where the setting would be in Japan, likely in Nerima specifically) in the window of time I have. I am a little nervous about weather but hopefully it all works out (and if not I’m in Japan and will suck it up lol). I can also swap my last 3 days before my flight around – I want to prioritize the Kamakura one. I can also flip stuff around easily in Kyoto.
Wednesday, June 18th: arrive at Haneda airport at 7:25 PM and checkin at hotel in Akasaka and go to bed.
Thursday, June 19th: spending most of the day with Tokyo free tour guide checking out some more low key spots on the area selected by the guide before exploring Ginza in the evening.
Friday, June 20th: Spending most of the day in Shibuya doing the more basic stuff until my dad gets in and then we will spend the evening checking out Shinjuku.
Saturday, June 21st: visiting the imperial palace and Jimbocho before catching an afternoon baseball game, then going to TeamLab planets (and powering through the likely strong foot smell lol) and maybe checking out Odaiba if we aren’t too tired.
Sunday, June 22nd: Head to Kyoto and visit Nishiki market and Gion District.
Monday, June 23rd: Arashiyama bamboo forest and monkey park, fushimi imari and kiyomizu dera and then Higashiama.
Tuesday, June 24th: Nara – mostly for the deer park and then go to Uji and explore area and their rice terraces. If we get back to Kyoto at a decent time, find somewhere new to explore.
Wednesday, June 25th: walk philosophers path and see a few other shrines/temples before heading to Osaka for Osaka castle and dontonbori.
Thursday, June 26th: day trip to Hiroshima, primarily for atomic bomb related attractions.
Friday, June 27th: Nakasendo Trail either starting in Magome and ending in Tsumago or starting in Nagiso and ending in Magome. Returning to Tokyo but staying in Asakusa this time. (Really hoping the weather cooperates!)
Saturday, June 28th: Ueno park, Akhihabara (not super into anime and tech stuff so probably won’t stay super long but just curious), spend the evening in Yaneka, maybe catching part of the Bon Odori festival back in Asakusa if time allows.
Sunday, June 29th: dad leaves, then head to Nerima to see Warner bros studio (not doing the tour, just checking out the outside statues and the stations have HP themes, I’ve done the London tour already), then going to an afternoon church service that I’ll walk to that’s an hour away while exploring neighborhoods and whatnot and ducking into stores to cool down or take cover from rain and possibly hitting up the rose festival at Kyufurakawa gardens if time permits, if not possibly check out Kichijoji or Jiyugaoka.
Monday, June 30th: Kamakura & Enoshima with the classic day trip sights.
Tuesday, July 1st: exploring sugamo jizadori shopping street then sunshine city to shop and check out the observatory. Maybe visit koenji to check out thrifting and a sento that looks cool and is tattoo friendly unless I chicken out.
Wednesday, July 2nd: perhaps the Gyoda visit? I think it would only be a half day so maybe go to kawagoe if I’m feeling ambitious or just return to somewhere in Tokyo.
Thursday, July 3rd: Last minute sites around Asakusa before heading to the airport for my 8:50 PM flight and crying because I want to stay and explore more.
Thank you!
by That_2nd_account