Hello, this will be my first visit to Japan, and it will be for 11 days. Below is a itinerary that is hopefully in it's kinda final version lol; any input appreciated.
Oct 9 (Arrival in Tokyo): Arrive at Narita at around 7PM, take the Keisei Narita Skyaccess to Asakusa Station, and check into the hotel, maybe late dinner or just sleep.
Oct 10 (Tokyo): Explore Meiji Jingu Shrine and Yoyogi Park, then Takeshita Street in Harajuku and Omotesando.
Oct 11 (Tokyo): Shibuya Crossing and Hachiko Statue, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, and Shinjuku spots like Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai.
Oct 12 (Tokyo): Akihabara, Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise-dori and overall Asakusa.
Oct 13 (Tokyo): Ginza, Imperial Palace East Garden.
Oct 14 (Tokyo): This is an optional day with two choices:
- Option 1: Take a Sumida River Cruise to Odaiba to see the Rainbow Bridge and visit TeamLab Planets.
- Option 2: Go to Tokyo Tower, see Zojoji Temple, and explore Roppongi.
- Leaning more on option 1 tbh
Oct 15 (Hakone): Travel to Hakone, spend the day at the Hakone Open-Air Museum and on the Hakone Loop. Dinner and onsen at a ryokan.
Oct 16 (Kyoto): After breakfast, take the Shinkansen to Kyoto Station, check in and random exploring
Oct 17 (Nara Day Trip): Nara Park, Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Kofuku-ji Temple. Idk if I should just get back earlier to Kyoto and just stroll around there, or stay in Nara until later in the evening
Oct 18 (Kyoto): Golden Pavilion, the Ryoan-ji Temple rock garden, and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and if time allows the monkey park. Afterwards, Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine and the Gion District.
Oct 19 (Osaka): Travel to Osaka and check-in. In the afternoon, Osaka Castle, Shinsekai area, and dinner in Dotonbori.
Oct 20 (Osaka): Go to the Umeda district for some shopping, then Umeda Sky Building.
Oct 21 (Departure): Breakfast and then go to the airport for departure in the evening
Please let me know if it’s too much, or if I missed some essentials, or something that could be removed etc. I tried keeping a balance between seeing and experiencing things, but not have it be very tiring…hopefully.
I have some questions about logistics; I read about luggage forwarding. Is this something I can do as soon as I arrive at Narita? I know it takes a day for it to arrive, so I would have a hand luggage with some clothes until it arrives. Also, it means that I should do the forwarding on Oct 19 for it to be at the airport on Oct 21 right? Or should I just leave with the luggage straight from the hotel?
I know that cash is king sometimes, but upon arrival, can I get away with just getting a suica, topping it up and then going straight to the hotel, and checking an ATM the next day? Or I would really need some cash when I land?
by snrhnd